Mayfield, Melvin

Date of birth:: March 24th, 1919 (Salem/West Virginia, United States)
Date of death:: September 19th, 1990
Nationality:: American

Biography

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Medal of Honor - Army (MoH)

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Corporal
Unit:: Company D, 20th Infantry Regiment, 6th Infantry Division "Sight Seein' Sixth", U.S. Army
Awarded on:: May 31st, 1946

"He displayed conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty while fighting in the Cordillera Mountains of Luzon, Philippine Islands. When 2 Filipino companies were pinned down under a torrent of enemy fire that converged on them from a circular ridge commanding their position, Cpl. Mayfield, in a gallant single-handed effort to aid them, rushed from shell hole to shell hole until he reached 4 enemy caves atop the barren fire-swept hill. With grenades and his carbine, he assaulted each of the caves while enemy fire pounded about him. However, before he annihilated the last hostile redoubt, a machinegun bullet destroyed his weapon and slashed his left hand. Disregarding his wound, he secured more grenades and dauntlessly charged again into the face of pointblank fire to help destroy a hostile observation post. By his gallant determination and heroic leadership, Cpl. Mayfield inspired the men to eliminate all remaining pockets of resistance in the area and to press the advance against the enemy."