Medal of Honor: John A. Pittman – Korean War – November 26, 1950
On a frozen Korean hillside, one squad leader charged into enemy fire to take back lost ground — and then threw himself onto a grenade to save his men.
November 26, 2025
Name: John Aaron Pittman
Rank: Sergeant
Organization: U.S. Army
Unit: Company C, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division
Place and Date: Near Kujangdong, Korea – 26 November 1950
Entered Service At: Carrollton, Mississippi
Born: October 15, 1928 – Carrollton, Mississippi
Departed: Survived his wounds
Accredited To: Mississippi
Summary of Action
On November 26, 1950, Sergeant John A. Pittman volunteered to lead his squad in a counterattack to recapture high ground that had been lost earlier in the day. Charging forward under punishing artillery, mortar, and small-arms fire, Pittman was struck by mortar fragments — but refused evacuation. Ignoring his wounds, he continued directing his men and driving the assault uphill against determined enemy resistance.
As his squad pressed forward, an enemy soldier hurled a grenade directly into their midst. Pittman saw it land among his men with no time to spare. Without hesitation and with full knowledge of what awaited, he threw himself onto the grenade, absorbing the blast with his own body.
A medic reached him moments later. His first question — asked through severe wounds — was whether any of his men had been hurt.
His selflessness saved lives, restored the momentum of the counterattack, and inspired every soldier who witnessed his courage.
Medal of Honor Citation
