MOH

Medal of Honor: Charles L. McGaha – U.S. Army – World War II

Under the fire of tanks and machine guns, wounded and bleeding, he refused to leave his men. Instead, he placed himself between them and death.

February 10, 2026

Name: Charles L. McGaha
Rank: Master Sergeant
Branch: U.S. Army
Unit: Company G, 35th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division
Place: Near Lupao, Luzon, Philippine Islands
Entered Service At: Crosby, Tennessee
Born: Crosby, Tennessee

Summary of Action

Near Lupao on Luzon, Master Sergeant Charles L. McGaha’s platoon and another from Company G were pinned down in a roadside ditch by overwhelming enemy fire from five Japanese tanks, ten machine guns, and a platoon of riflemen. The enemy’s concentrated fire made movement nearly impossible.

When one of his soldiers was wounded and lay exposed forty yards away, M/Sgt. McGaha unhesitatingly crossed the open road under a hail of bullets and dragged the man seventy-five yards to safety. Although seriously wounded in the arm during the rescue, he returned immediately to his position.

Moments later, discovering that the platoon leader had been gravely wounded, M/Sgt. McGaha assumed command and rallied the men under relentless enemy fire. He again exposed himself to danger by moving forward to assist a litter party evacuating another wounded soldier. An enemy shell exploded among them, killing two members of the party and wounding McGaha again, this time in the shoulder.

Despite his wounds, he lifted the remaining litter bearer and carried him to cover. Then, deliberately moving forward into enemy fire, M/Sgt. McGaha exposed himself to draw the Japanese fire away from his withdrawing comrades. Only after the last man had reached a new defensive position did he return to his unit, where he collapsed from severe blood loss and exhaustion.

Medal of Honor Citation

McGAHA, CHARLES L.

Rank and organization: Master Sergeant, U.S. Army, Company G, 35th Infantry, 25th Infantry Division.
Place and date: Near Lupao, Luzon, Philippine Islands, 7 February 1945.
Entered service at: Crosby, Tenn.
Birth: Crosby, Tenn.
G.O. No.: 30, 2 April 1946.

Citation:
He displayed conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity. His platoon and 1 other from Company G were pinned down in a roadside ditch by heavy fire from 5 Japanese tanks supported by 10 machineguns and a platoon of riflemen. When 1 of his men fell wounded 40 yards away, he unhesitatingly crossed the road under a hail of bullets and moved the man 75 yards to safety. Although he had suffered a deep arm wound, he returned to his post. Finding the platoon leader seriously wounded, he assumed command and rallied his men. Once more he braved the enemy fire to go to the aid of a litter party removing another wounded soldier. A shell exploded in their midst, wounding him in the shoulder and killing 2 of the party. He picked up the remaining man, carried him to cover, and then moved out in front deliberately to draw the enemy fire while the American forces, thus protected, withdrew to safety. When the last man had gained the new position, he rejoined his command and there collapsed from loss of blood and exhaustion. M/Sgt. McGaha set an example of courage and leadership in keeping with the highest traditions of the service.