Years of service 1917-1918 Unit 6th Marine Regiment | Name John Pruitt Rank Corporal | |
Born October 4, 1896Fayetteville, Arkansas ( 1896-10-04 ) Battles/wars Battle of Chateau-ThierryBattle of Belleau WoodBattle of Blanc Mont Ridge Died October 4, 1918, Mont Blanc, France Battles and wars Battle of Chateau-Thierry, Battle of Belleau Wood, Battle of Blanc Mont Ridge | ||
Allegiance United States of America | ||
This Week in Ark. History, Ep. 37, "Medal of Honor: John Pruitt"
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 received two Medals of Honor. The Medals of Honor were presented posthumously for his actions during World War I.
Contents
- This Week in Ark History Ep 37 Medal of Honor John Pruitt
- Biography
- Medal of Honor citation
- Namesake
- References
Biography
John Henry Pruitt was born on October 4, 1896 in Fayetteville, Arkansas and he entered military service from Phoenix, Arizona in May 1917. Pruitt was a corporal in the Marine Corps, he attacked and captured two enemy machine guns, and later captured forty of the enemy. Killed by shell-fire on his 22nd birthday, he was awarded the Medal of Honor for his bravery on October 4, 1918 at the Battle of Blanc Mont Ridge, France by both the US Navy and the US Army (for the same action).
After his remains were returned to the United States he was buried at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia. His grave can be found in section 18, lot #245-3, map grid P 10.
Medal of Honor citation
Rank and organization: Corporal, U.S. Marine Corps, 78th Company, 6th Regiment, 2d Division. Place and date: At Blanc Mont Ridge, France, October 3, 1918. Entered service at: Phoenix, Ariz. Born: October 4, 1896, Fayettesville, Ark. G.O. No.: 62, W.D., 1919. (Also received Navy Medal of Honor.)
Citation:
Cpl. Pruitt single-handededly attacked 2 machineguns, capturing them and killing 2 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.
Rank and organization: Corporal, U.S. Marine Corps. Born: October 4, 1896, Fayettesville, Ark. Accredited to: Arizona. (Also received Army Medal of Honor.)
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, October 3, 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.
On April 22, 2003, the Pruitt Family, represented by Nina Pruitt Groves Church, Linda Pruitt Albanese, Georgia Pruitt Ahrlich (nieces), John Henry Pruitt II (nephew and namesake), and Glen Ahrlich (great-nephew), removed all existing medals from the conservatorship of the Arizona State Capital Museum and presented them to the care and keeping of the United States Marine Corps to be transported to Quantico for display in the Marine Museum.
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.