James I. Poynter
Encyclopedia
James Irsley Poynter was a United States Marine who was posthumously awarded the United States
' highest military decoration — the Medal of Honor
— for his action on November 4, 1950, in which he was killed
while he singlehandedly eliminated three enemy machine gun
crews. He was the eleventh Marine to be awarded the Medal of Honor for heroism in Korea.
Poynter was a Marine veteran of World War II
and father of six children. He reenlisted in the Marine Corps at the outbreak of the Korean War
.
. He enlisted in the regular Marine Corps
in February 1942. He fought in the Pacific Theatre
during World War II
, participating in the Guadalcanal, Southern Solomons, Saipan
, Tinian
and Okinawa
campaigns. Poynter was discharged in February 1946.
At the beginning of the Korean War, he re-enlisted in the Marine Corps, joining the 13th Infantry Battalion, Marine Corps Reserve in Los Angeles on July 19, 1950. He arrived in Korea in time to aid in the recapture of Seoul
after the Inchon landing. Sgt Poynter was awarded the Bronze Star
with Combat “V” for “outstanding leadership, ability and courageous aggressiveness against the enemy” as a squad leader in from September 24, to October 4, 1950.
On November 4, 1950, Sgt Poynter was a squad leader of Company A, 7th Marines. While defending Hill 532, south of Sudong, Korea
, he was wounded in hand-to-hand combat. In spite of his wounds, when he saw three machine guns setting up only 25 yards (22.9 m) away, he charged the enemy position with hand grenade
s from fallen comrades, and was able to take out all three machine gun crews before being killed. His heroic actions enabled his outnumbered platoon to beat off the enemy assault and move to more defensible positions.
Sgt Poynter was buried with full military honors in Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery
, San Diego, California
.
takes pride in presenting the MEDAL OF HONOR posthumously to
SERGEANT JAMES I. POYNTER
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS RESERVE
for service as set forth in the following CITATION:
/S/ HARRY S. TRUMAN
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
' highest military decoration — the Medal of Honor
Medal of Honor
The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...
— for his action on November 4, 1950, in which he was killed
Killed in action
Killed in action is a casualty classification generally used by militaries to describe the deaths of their own forces at the hands of hostile forces. The United States Department of Defense, for example, says that those declared KIA need not have fired their weapons but have been killed due to...
while he singlehandedly eliminated three enemy machine gun
Machine gun
A machine gun is a fully automatic mounted or portable firearm, usually designed to fire rounds in quick succession from an ammunition belt or large-capacity magazine, typically at a rate of several hundred rounds per minute....
crews. He was the eleventh Marine to be awarded the Medal of Honor for heroism in Korea.
Poynter was a Marine veteran of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
and father of six children. He reenlisted in the Marine Corps at the outbreak of the Korean War
Korean War
The Korean War was a conventional war between South Korea, supported by the United Nations, and North Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China , with military material aid from the Soviet Union...
.
Biography
James Irsley Poynter was born on December 1, 1916 in Bloomington, IllinoisBloomington, Illinois
Bloomington is a city in McLean County, Illinois, United States and the county seat. It is adjacent to Normal, Illinois, and is the more populous of the two principal municipalities of the Bloomington-Normal metropolitan area...
. He enlisted in the regular Marine Corps
United States Marine Corps
The United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States...
in February 1942. He fought in the Pacific Theatre
Pacific War
The Pacific War, also sometimes called the Asia-Pacific War refers broadly to the parts of World War II that took place in the Pacific Ocean, its islands, and in East Asia, then called the Far East...
during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, participating in the Guadalcanal, Southern Solomons, Saipan
Battle of Saipan
The Battle of Saipan was a battle of the Pacific campaign of World War II, fought on the island of Saipan in the Mariana Islands from 15 June-9 July 1944. The Allied invasion fleet embarking the expeditionary forces left Pearl Harbor on 5 June 1944, the day before Operation Overlord in Europe was...
, Tinian
Battle of Tinian
The Battle of Tinian was a battle of the Pacific campaign of World War II, fought on the island of Tinian in the Mariana Islands from 24 July 1944 to 1 August 1944.-Background:...
and Okinawa
Battle of Okinawa
The Battle of Okinawa, codenamed Operation Iceberg, was fought on the Ryukyu Islands of Okinawa and was the largest amphibious assault in the Pacific War of World War II. The 82-day-long battle lasted from early April until mid-June 1945...
campaigns. Poynter was discharged in February 1946.
At the beginning of the Korean War, he re-enlisted in the Marine Corps, joining the 13th Infantry Battalion, Marine Corps Reserve in Los Angeles on July 19, 1950. He arrived in Korea in time to aid in the recapture of Seoul
Battle of Seoul
The five battles of the Korean War fought in and around the city of Seoul are known as the Battle of Seoul:*First Battle of Seoul - North Korean capture of Seoul in July 1950...
after the Inchon landing. Sgt Poynter was awarded the Bronze Star
Bronze Star Medal
The Bronze Star Medal is a United States Armed Forces individual military decoration that may be awarded for bravery, acts of merit, or meritorious service. As a medal it is awarded for merit, and with the "V" for valor device it is awarded for heroism. It is the fourth-highest combat award of the...
with Combat “V” for “outstanding leadership, ability and courageous aggressiveness against the enemy” as a squad leader in from September 24, to October 4, 1950.
On November 4, 1950, Sgt Poynter was a squad leader of Company A, 7th Marines. While defending Hill 532, south of Sudong, Korea
Battle of Chosin Reservoir
The Battle of Chosin Reservoir, also known as the Chosin Reservoir Campaign or the Changjin Lake Campaign ,Official Chinese sources refer to this battle as the Second Phase Campaign Eastern Sector . The Western Sector is the Battle of the Ch'ongch'on River. was a decisive battle in the Korean War...
, he was wounded in hand-to-hand combat. In spite of his wounds, when he saw three machine guns setting up only 25 yards (22.9 m) away, he charged the enemy position with hand grenade
Hand grenade
A hand grenade is any small bomb that can be thrown by hand. Hand grenades are classified into three categories, explosive grenades, chemical and gas grenades. Explosive grenades are the most commonly used in modern warfare, and are designed to detonate after impact or after a set amount of time...
s from fallen comrades, and was able to take out all three machine gun crews before being killed. His heroic actions enabled his outnumbered platoon to beat off the enemy assault and move to more defensible positions.
Sgt Poynter was buried with full military honors in Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery
Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery
Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery is situated in the city of San Diego, California, on the Fort Rosecrans Military Reservation. The cemetery is located approximately 10 miles west of downtown San Diego, overlooking the bay and the city...
, San Diego, California
San Diego, California
San Diego is the eighth-largest city in the United States and second-largest city in California. The city is located on the coast of the Pacific Ocean in Southern California, immediately adjacent to the Mexican border. The birthplace of California, San Diego is known for its mild year-round...
.
Medal of Honor citation
The President of the United StatesPresident of the United States
The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces....
takes pride in presenting the MEDAL OF HONOR posthumously to
SERGEANT JAMES I. POYNTER
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS RESERVE
for service as set forth in the following CITATION:
- For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a Squad Leader in a Rifle Platoon of Company A, First Battalion, Seventh Marines, First Marine Division (Reinforced), in action against enemy aggressor forces during the defense of Hill 532, south of Sudong, Korea, on 4 November 1950. When a vastly outnumbering, well-concealed hostile force launched a sudden, vicious counterattack against his platoon's hasty defensive position, Sergeant Poynter displayed superb skill and courage in leading his squad and directing its fire against the onrushing enemy. With his ranks critically depleted by casualties and he himself critically wounded as the onslaught gained momentum and the hostile force surrounded his position, he seized his bayonetBayonetA bayonet is a knife, dagger, sword, or spike-shaped weapon designed to fit in, on, over or underneath the muzzle of a rifle, musket or similar weapon, effectively turning the gun into a spear...
and engaged in bitter hand-to-hand combat as the break-through continued. Observing three machine gunMachine gunA machine gun is a fully automatic mounted or portable firearm, usually designed to fire rounds in quick succession from an ammunition belt or large-capacity magazine, typically at a rate of several hundred rounds per minute....
s closing in at a distance of twelve-five yards, he dashed from his position and, grasping hand grenades from fallen Marines as he ran, charged the emplacements in rapid succession, killing the crews of two and putting the other out of action before he fell, mortally wounded. By his self-sacrificing and valiant conduct, Sergeant Poynter inspired the remaining members of his squad to heroic endeavor in bearing down upon and repelling the disorganized enemy, thereby enabling the platoon to move out of the trap to a more favorable tactical position. His indomitable fighting spirit, fortitude and great personal valor maintained in the face of overwhelming odds sustain and enhance the finest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
/S/ HARRY S. TRUMAN
Harry S. Truman
Harry S. Truman was the 33rd President of the United States . As President Franklin D. Roosevelt's third vice president and the 34th Vice President of the United States , he succeeded to the presidency on April 12, 1945, when President Roosevelt died less than three months after beginning his...
See also
- List of Medal of Honor recipients
- List of Korean War Medal of Honor recipients
- List of Korean War veterans who are recipients of the Bronze Star