Medal of Honor: Melvin Mayfield – World War II – July 29, 1945
High in Luzon’s mountains, enemy fire pinned down two Filipino companies. One American corporal climbed the hillside alone, blasting enemy caves one by one and pressing the attack even after his weapon was wrecked and his hand wounded.
June 30, 2026
Name: Melvin Mayfield
Rank: Corporal
Branch: U.S. Army
War: World War II
Unit: Company D, 20th Infantry Regiment, 6th Infantry Division
Date of Action: July 29, 1945
Location: Cordillera Mountains, Luzon, Philippine Islands
Summary of Action
On 29 July 1945, Corporal Melvin Mayfield was serving with Company D, 20th Infantry Regiment during operations in the rugged Cordillera Mountains of northern Luzon.
During the fighting, two Filipino companies became pinned down by intense enemy fire originating from a circular ridge that dominated their position.
Japanese defenders occupying caves and fortified positions on the ridge poured fire into the trapped soldiers, preventing further movement and threatening to inflict heavy casualties.
Recognizing the desperate situation, Mayfield voluntarily undertook a one-man assault against the enemy positions.
Moving from shell hole to shell hole across a barren hillside swept by enemy fire, he advanced toward four Japanese caves located atop the ridge.
Armed only with his carbine and grenades, he attacked each cave individually.
Despite the heavy enemy fire directed at him, he assaulted the fortified positions one after another, destroying enemy strongpoints and eliminating their defenders.
As he attacked the final enemy position, a machine-gun bullet struck his weapon, destroying his carbine and severely wounding his left hand.
Ignoring both his injury and the loss of his weapon, Mayfield obtained additional grenades and continued the attack.
Once again exposing himself to point-blank enemy fire, he charged a hostile observation post and helped destroy the remaining Japanese position.
His courage and determination inspired the surrounding soldiers to advance and eliminate the remaining pockets of resistance.
Through his actions, the enemy defenses were broken and the advance resumed.
Corporal Melvin Mayfield's extraordinary heroism, determination, and leadership reflected the highest traditions of the United States Army.
Medal of Honor Citation
MAYFIELD, MELVIN
Rank and organization: Corporal, U.S. Army, Company D, 20th Infantry Regiment, 6th Infantry Division.
Place and date: Cordillera Mountains, Luzon, Philippine Islands, 29 July 1945.
Entered service at: Nashport, Ohio.
Birth: Salem, West Virginia.
G.O. No.: 49, 31 May 1946.
Citation:
He displayed conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty while fighting in the Cordillera Mountains of Luzon, Philippine Islands.
When two Filipino companies were pinned down under a torrent of enemy fire that converged on them from a circular ridge commanding their position, Corporal Mayfield, in a gallant single-handed effort to aid them, rushed from shell hole to shell hole until he reached four enemy caves atop the barren fire-swept hill.
With grenades and his carbine, he assaulted each of the caves while enemy fire pounded about him.
However, before he annihilated the last hostile redoubt, a machine-gun bullet destroyed his weapon and slashed his left hand.
Disregarding his wound, he secured more grenades and dauntlessly charged again into the face of point-blank fire to help destroy a hostile observation post.
By his gallant determination and heroic leadership, Corporal Mayfield inspired the men to eliminate all remaining pockets of resistance in the area and to press the advance against the enemy.
