US Army MSG Jerry Crump: Medal of Honor Recipient Korean War

During a fierce night assault on Hill 284 in Korea, Corporal Jerry Crump's platoon was overrun by a much larger enemy force. Despite the chaos, Crump repeatedly exposed himself to enemy fire, inflicting heavy casualties. When two enemy soldiers tried to seize a friendly machine gun, he charged and killed them with his bayonet. Surrounded and fighting from a position occupied by four wounded soldiers, he continued firing until a grenade landed among them. Without hesitation, CPL Crump threw himself onto the grenade, absorbing the blast and saving the others. He was awarded the Medal of Honor for his heroism that day.

Medal of Honor Citation:
Cpl. Crump, a member of Company L, distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and outstanding courage above and beyond the call of duty in action against the enemy. During the night a numerically superior hostile force launched an assault against his platoon on Hill 284, overrunning friendly positions and swarming into the sector. Cpl. Crump repeatedly exposed himself to deliver effective fire into the ranks of the assailants, inflicting numerous casualties. Observing two enemy soldiers endeavoring to capture a friendly machine gun, he charged and killed both with his bayonet, regaining control of the weapon. Returning to his position, now occupied by four of his wounded comrades, he continued his accurate fire into enemy troops surrounding his emplacement. When a hostile soldier hurled a grenade into the position, Cpl. Crump immediately flung himself over the missile, absorbing the blast with his body and saving his comrades from death or serious injury. His aggressive actions had so inspired his comrades that a spirited counterattack drove the enemy from the perimeter. Cpl. Crump's heroic devotion to duty, imdomitable fighting spirit, and willingness to sacrifice himself to save his comrades reflect the highest credit upon himself, the infantry and the U.S. Army.

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Photos Courtesy Wikimedia Commons

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