Medal of Honor: J. H. Pruitt

JOHN HENRY PRUITT

Corporal, US Marine Corps; 78th Company, 6th Regiment, 2d Division

Born: 4 October 1896, Fayettesville, Arkansas
Died: 4 October 1918, Blanc Mont, France

Citation: For extraordinary gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty while serving with the 78th Company, 6th Regiment, 2d Division, in action with the enemy at Blanc Mont Ridge, France, 3 October 1918. Cpl. Pruitt, single-handed attacked 2 machineguns, capturing them and killing 2 of the enemy. He then captured 40 prisoners in a dugout nearby. This gallant soldier was killed soon afterward by shellfire while he was sniping the enemy.





Citation: Cpl. Pruitt single-handed attacked 2 machineguns, capturing them and killing 2 of the enemy. He then captured 40 prisoners in a dugout nearby. This gallant soldier was killed soon afterward by shellfire while he was sniping at the enemy.








Note: Pruitt was one of five Marines who received both Navy and Army medals for the same action. (Two of these double awards were for this battle in October, 1918. One was for action on 6 June 1918, and the other two were for 18 July 1918.)
USS Pruitt (DD 347/AG 101) was named in his honour.