Rank Corporal (posthumous) Battles and wars Korean War Battles/wars Korean War | Name Luther Story Died September 1, 1950, Korea | |
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Born July 20, 1931
Buena Vista, Georgia ( 1931-07-20 ) Awards Medal of Honor, Purple Heart Unit 9th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division | ||
Allegiance United States of America Service/branch United States Army | ||
Luther H. Story (July 20, 1931 – September 1, 1950) was a soldier in the United States Army during the Korean War. He posthumously received the Medal of Honor for his actions on September 1, 1950.
Medal of Honor citation
Rank and organization Private First Class, U.S. Army, Company A, 9th Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division
Place and date: Near Agok, Korea, September 1, 1950
Entered service at: Georgia. Born: July 20, 1931, Buena Vista, Georgia
G.O. No.: 70, August 2, 1951
Citation:
Pfc. Story, distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty in action. A savage daylight attack by elements of 3 enemy divisions penetrated the thinly held lines of the 9th Infantry. Company A beat off several banzai attacks but was bypassed and in danger of being cut off and surrounded. Pfc. Story, a weapons squad leader, was heavily engaged in stopping the early attacks and had just moved his squad to a position overlooking the Naktong River when he observed a large group of the enemy crossing the river to attack Company A. Seizing a machine gun from his wounded gunner he placed deadly fire on the hostile column killing or wounding an estimated 100 enemy soldiers. Facing certain encirclement the company commander ordered a withdrawal. During the move Pfc. Story noticed the approach of an enemy truck loaded with troops and towing an ammunition trailer. Alerting his comrades to take cover he fearlessly stood in the middle of the road, throwing grenades into the truck. Out of grenades he crawled to his squad, gathered up additional grenades and again attacked the vehicle. During the withdrawal the company was attacked by such superior numbers that it was forced to deploy in a rice field. Pfc. Story was wounded in this action, but, disregarding his wounds, rallied the men about him and repelled the attack. Realizing that his wounds would hamper his comrades he refused to retire to the next position but remained to cover the company's withdrawal. When last seen he was firing every weapon available and fighting off another hostile assault. Private Story's extraordinary heroism, aggressive leadership, and supreme devotion to duty reflect the highest credit upon himself and were in keeping with the esteemed traditions of the military service.