Medal of Honor: Whitt L. Moreland – Korean War – May 29, 1951

Name: Whitt L. Moreland
Rank: Private First Class
Branch: U.S. Marine Corps Reserve
War: Korean War
Unit: Company C, 1st Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division (Reinforced)
Date of Action: May 29, 1951
Location: Kwagch'i-Dong, Korea

Summary of Action

On 29 May 1951, Private First Class Whitt L. Moreland displayed extraordinary heroism while serving as an intelligence scout during combat operations in Korea.

Volunteering to accompany a rifle platoon in an assault against a heavily defended enemy hill position, Moreland moved forward with the attacking Marines through intense hostile fire.

Throughout the attack, he delivered accurate rifle fire against enemy positions and played a vital role in helping the platoon seize its objective.

After the hill was secured, Moreland spotted an enemy bunker approximately four hundred meters beyond the newly captured position.

Recognizing the danger it posed, he immediately volunteered to lead a small group forward to destroy it.

Advancing boldly across terrain swept by enemy fire, Moreland and his men closed on the bunker until the enemy suddenly unleashed a barrage of hand grenades.

Reacting instantly, Moreland kicked several of the grenades off the ridgeline where they exploded harmlessly below.

As another grenade landed nearby, he again moved to dispose of it.

While attempting to kick the grenade away, he slipped and fell beside the deadly explosive.

In that instant, Moreland realized there was no time to regain his footing and save himself.

Shouting a warning to the Marines around him, he deliberately threw himself over the grenade.

The explosion mortally wounded him, but his selfless act shielded his comrades from death or serious injury.

Through his courage, initiative, and willingness to sacrifice his own life for others, Private First Class Moreland upheld the highest traditions of the United States Marine Corps and Naval Service.

Medal of Honor Citation

MORELAND, WHITT L.

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as an intelligence scout attached to Company C, in action against enemy aggressor forces. Voluntarily accompanying a rifle platoon in a daring assault against a strongly defended enemy hill position, Pfc. Moreland delivered accurate rifle fire on the hostile emplacement and thereby aided materially in seizing the objective. After the position had been secured, he unhesitatingly led a party forward to neutralize an enemy bunker which he had observed some 400 meters beyond, and moving boldly through a fire-swept area, almost reached the hostile emplacement when the enemy launched a volley of hand grenades on his group. Quick to act despite the personal danger involved, he kicked several of the grenades off the ridge line where they exploded harmlessly and, while attempting to kick away another, slipped and fell near the deadly missile. Aware that the sputtering grenade would explode before he could regain his feet and dispose of it, he shouted a warning to his comrades, covered the missile with his body and absorbed the full blast of the explosion, but in saving his companions from possible injury or death, was mortally wounded. His heroic initiative and valiant spirit of self-sacrifice in the face of certain death reflect the highest credit upon Pfc. Moreland and the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.