Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union

The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pride in presenting the Medal of Honor (Army Award) (Posthumously) to Corporal John Henry Pruitt (MCSN: 85857), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism while serving with the 78th Company, 6th Regiment (Marines), 2d Division, A.E.F. in action at Blanc Mont Ridge, France, 3 October 1918. Corporal Pruitt single-handed attacked two machineguns, capturing them and killing two of the enemy. He then captured forty prisoners in a dugout nearby. This gallant soldier was killed soon afterward by shellfire while he was sniping at the enemy.

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Marine Corps

    Rank:

    Corporal

    Regiment:

    Sixth Regiment (Marines)

    Division:

    2d Division, American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    October 1 – 10, 1918
    Citation Orders, 2d Division, American Expeditionary Forces

    By direction of the President, under the provisions of the act of Congress approved July 9, 1918 (Bul. No. 43, W.D., 1918), Corporal John Henry Pruitt (MCSN: 85857/121222), United States Marine Corps, is cited (Posthumously) by the Commanding General, SECOND Division, American Expeditionary Forces, for gallantry in action and a silver star may be placed upon the ribbon of the Victory Medals awarded him. Corporal Pruitt distinguished himself while serving with the 78th Company, Sixth Regiment (Marines), 2d Division, American Expeditionary Forces at Blanc Mont, France, 1 – 10 October 1918. (THIRD Citation)

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Marine Corps

    Rank:

    Corporal

    Regiment:

    Sixth Regiment (Marines)

    Division:

    2d Division, American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    October 1 – 10, 1918
    Citation Orders, 2d Division, American Expeditionary Forces

    By direction of the President, under the provisions of the act of Congress approved July 9, 1918 (Bul. No. 43, W.D., 1918), Corporal John Henry Pruitt (MCSN: 85857/121222), United States Marine Corps, is cited (Posthumously) by the Commanding General, SECOND Division, American Expeditionary Forces, for gallantry in action and a silver star may be placed upon the ribbon of the Victory Medals awarded him. Corporal Pruitt distinguished himself while serving with the 78th Company, Sixth Regiment (Marines), 2d Division, American Expeditionary Forces at Blanc Mont, France, 1 – 10 October 1918. (SECOND Citation)

  • Medal of Honor

    Service:

    United States Marine Corps

    Rank:

    Corporal

    Regiment:

    Sixth Regiment (Marines)

    Division:

    2d Division, American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    October 3, 1918

    The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pride in presenting the Medal of Honor (Navy Award) (Posthumously) to Corporal John Henry Pruitt (MCSN: 85857), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty while serving with the 78th Company, 6th Regiment, 2d Division, A.E.F., in action with the enemy at Blanc Mont Ridge, France, 3 October 1918. Corporal Pruitt, single-handed attacked two machineguns, capturing them and killing two of the enemy. He then captured forty prisoners in a dugout nearby. This gallant soldier was killed soon afterward by shellfire while he was sniping the enemy.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Marine Corps

    Rank:

    Corporal

    Regiment:

    Sixth Regiment (Marines)

    Division:

    2d Division, American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    September 15, 1918
    GHQ, American Expeditionary Forces, Citation Orders No. 4 (June 3, 1919)

    By direction of the President, under the provisions of the act of Congress approved July 9, 1918 (Bul. No. 43, W.D., 1918), Corporal John Henry Pruitt (MCSN: 85857/121222), United States Marine Corps, is cited (Posthumously) by the Commanding General, American Expeditionary Forces, for gallantry in action and a silver star may be placed upon the ribbon of the Victory Medals awarded him. Corporal Pruitt distinguished himself by gallantry in action while serving with the 78th Company, 6th Regiment (Marines), 2d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, in action near Thiaucourt, France, 15 September 1918, in aiding in the capture of an enemy machine gun.