Medal of Honor: James L. Stone – Korean War – November 21–22, 1951

Name: James Lester Stone
Rank: First Lieutenant
Organization: U.S. Army
Unit: Company E, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division
Place and Date: Near Sokkogae, Korea – 21–22 November 1951
Entered Service At: Houston, Texas
Born: December 27, 1922 – Pine Bluff, Arkansas
Departed: Survived the war (Died November 2, 2012)
Accredited To: Texas

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Summary of Action

On the night of November 21, 1951, First Lieutenant James L. Stone commanded a small outpost guarding a vital approach near Sokkogae, Korea. As darkness fell, hundreds of Chinese attackers descended on his isolated platoon, unleashing machine-gun fire, grenades, and human-wave assaults that threatened to break the line in minutes.

Stone refused to yield.

Standing fully exposed under a storm of fire, he moved along the ridge shouting orders, repositioning his riflemen, and rallying them to hold. When the platoon’s only flamethrower jammed, Stone sprinted through incoming fire, repaired it himself, and returned the weapon to action — just moments before the next wave struck.

Wounded once, then again, Stone fought on. With most of his platoon dead or wounded, he picked up the last operational light machine gun and carried it from position to position, firing in two directions to hold back the tightening encirclement.

The enemy closed in. Stone, bleeding heavily, switched to his carbine and continued moving through the shattered perimeter, refusing all aid and urging the last survivors to fight to the end.

When the final assault crashed over the hilltop, his men could still hear his voice — faint but steady — commanding them to carry on. He was later found unconscious and taken prisoner, one of the few survivors of a doomed but unforgettable stand.

His courage, sacrifice, and refusal to abandon his men turned a hopeless position into a lasting testament of leadership under fire.

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Medal of Honor Citation

1st Lt. Stone distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and indomitable courage above and beyond the call of duty in action against the enemy. When his platoon, holding a vital outpost position, was attacked by overwhelming Chinese forces, 1st Lt. Stone stood erect and exposed to the terrific enemy fire, calmly directing his men in the defense. A defensive flame-thrower failing to function, he personally moved to its location, further exposing himself, and personally repaired the weapon. Throughout a second attack, 1st Lt. Stone, though painfully wounded, personally carried the only remaining light machine gun from place to place in the position to bring fire upon the Chinese advancing from two directions. Throughout the defense he encouraged and directed his depleted platoon. Although again wounded, he continued the fight with his carbine, still exposing himself as an example to his men. When the final overwhelming assault swept over the platoon’s position, his voice could still be heard faintly urging his men to carry on until he lost consciousness. Only because of this officer’s driving spirit and heroic action was the platoon emboldened to make its brave but hopeless last-ditch stand.