John H. Pruitt
Encyclopedia
John Henry Pruitt 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.
, Arkansas
and he entered military service in Phoenix, Arizona. 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, 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 United States Marine Corps 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.
On March 10, 2004, the family of Corporal Pruitt turned over to the Marine Corps all of his medals, citations and artifacts for display at the museum at Quantico, Virginia
.
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:
Navy Medal
Rank and organization: Corporal, U.S. Marine Corps. Born: October 4, 1896, Fayettesville, Ark. Accredited to: Arizona. (Also received Army Medal of Honor.)
Citation:
is named for him.
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...
during World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
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.
Biography
John Henry Pruitt was born on October 4, 1896 in FayettevilleFayetteville, Arkansas
Fayetteville is the county seat of Washington County, and the third largest city in Arkansas. The city is centrally located within the county and is home to the University of Arkansas. Fayetteville is also deep in the Boston Mountains, a subset of The Ozarks...
, Arkansas
Arkansas
Arkansas is a state located in the southern region of the United States. Its name is an Algonquian name of the Quapaw Indians. Arkansas shares borders with six states , and its eastern border is largely defined by the Mississippi River...
and he entered military service in Phoenix, Arizona. 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, he was awarded the Medal of Honor for his bravery on October 4, 1918 at the Battle of Blanc Mont Ridge
Battle of Blanc Mont Ridge
The Battle of Blanc Mont Ridge occurred during World War I, northeast of Reims, in Champagne, France. In the battle, the U.S. Army's 2nd Infantry Division and the 36th Infantry Division opposed the German 200th and 213th Divisions, along with portions of six additional German divisions...
, France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
by both the United States Marine Corps and the US Army (for the same action).
After his remains were returned to the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
he was buried at Arlington National Cemetery
Arlington National Cemetery
Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington County, Virginia, is a military cemetery in the United States of America, established during the American Civil War on the grounds of Arlington House, formerly the estate of the family of Confederate general Robert E. Lee's wife Mary Anna Lee, a great...
, Arlington, Virginia. His grave can be found in section 18, lot #245-3, map grid P 10.
On March 10, 2004, the family of Corporal Pruitt turned over to the Marine Corps all of his medals, citations and artifacts for display at the museum at Quantico, Virginia
Quantico, Virginia
- Demographics :As of the census of 2000, there are 561 people, 295 households, and 107 families living in the town. The population density is . There are 359 housing units at an average density of .-Racial composition:...
.
Medal of Honor citation
Army MedalRank 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-handed 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.
Navy Medal
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.
Namesake
The United States Navy named a destroyer in his honor and he was listed in Pershing's 100. Pruitt hall on Marine Corps Base QuanticoMarine Corps Base Quantico
Marine Corps Base Quantico, sometimes abbreviated MCB Quantico, is a major United States Marine Corps training base located near Triangle, Virginia, covering nearly in southern Prince William County, northern Stafford County, and southeastern Fauquier County...
is named for him.
See also
- List of Medal of Honor recipients for World War I