John_H._Pruitt
John H. Pruitt
US Marine and Medal of Honor recipient (1896–1918)
John Henry Pruitt (October 4, 1896 – October 4, 1918) was a United States Marine during World War I and is one of only 19 people who have received two Medals of Honor.
John H. Pruitt | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | John Henry Pruitt |
| Born | (1896-10-04)October 4, 1896 Fayetteville, Arkansas, U.S. |
| Died | October 4, 1918(1918-10-04) (aged 22) Sommepy-Tahure, France |
| Buried | |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Branch | United States Marine Corps |
| Years of service | 1917–1918 |
| Rank | Corporal |
| Unit | 6th Marine Regiment |
| Conflict | |
| Awards |
|
John Henry Pruitt was born on October 4, 1896, in Fayetteville, Arkansas. He entered military service from Phoenix, Arizona, in May 1917.
As a corporal in the Marine Corps, Pruitt attacked and captured two enemy machine guns, and later captured forty of the enemy. The U.S. Army and later the U.S. Navy awarded him the Medal of Honor for his bravery on October 3, 1918, at the Battle of Blanc Mont Ridge, France. The next day, his 22nd birthday, he was killed by shell-fire.
His remains were returned to the United States and was buried at Arlington National Cemetery, in Arlington, Virginia.[1]
Medal of Honor
Army citation
Pruitt single-handedly attacked two machineguns, capturing them and killing two of the enemy. He then captured 40 prisoners in a dugout nearby. This gallant Marine was killed soon afterward by shellfire while he was sniping at the enemy.[2]
Navy citation
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty in action with the enemy at Blanc Mont Ridge, France, October 3, 1918. Corporal Pruitt single-handed attacked two machine-guns, capturing them and killing two of the enemy. He then captured 40 prisoners in a dugout nearby. This gallant soldier was killed soon afterward by shell-fire while he was sniping the enemy.[3]
Namesake
The United States Navy named a destroyer USS Pruitt in his honor and he was listed in Pershing's 100. Pruitt Hall on Marine Corps Base Quantico is named for him.
Decorations
Pruitt's military decorations and awards include:
| 1st row | Medal of Honor | Medal of Honor | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2nd row | Silver Star w/ two bronze oak leaf clusters |
Purple Heart w/ gold award star |
World War I Victory Medal w/ silver service star | |||||||
| 3nd row | Médaille militaire | Croix de guerre 1914–1918 w/ bronze palm |
Croce al Merito di Guerra | |||||||
Footnotes
- "Burial Detail: Pruitt, John H. (Section 18, Grave 2453) Birth Date: 10/04/1896; Death Date: 10/04/1918; Interment Date: 10/13/1921". ANC Explorer. Arlington National Cemetery. (Official website).
- "Army Medal of Honor Citation for John Henry Pruitt". Military Times Hall of Valor at militarytimes.com. Retrieved October 22, 2017.
- "Navy Medal of Honor Citation for Corporal John H. Pruitt" (PDF). United States Marine Corps University History Division Holdings. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 8, 2017. Retrieved October 22, 2017.
Sources
This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships.- "Corporal John Henry Pruitt, Medal of Honor recipient". Who's who in Marine Corps history. History Division, United States Marine Corps. September 18, 2003. Retrieved November 5, 2007.
- "Corporal John Henry Pruitt, Medal of Honor recipient". Navy Medal of Honor citation. History Division, United States Marine Corps. March 5, 2007. Archived from the original on March 5, 2007. Retrieved November 5, 2007.
- "United States Marine Corps Uniform Regulations" (PDF). Bronze "V" Device. United States Marine Corps. May 1, 2018.
- "John H. Pruitt". Hall of Valor. Military Times. Retrieved March 14, 2010.
- "John Henry Pruit". at ArlingtonCemetery.net. (Unofficial website).