Medal of Honor: William S. Sitman – U.S. Army – Korean War

Name: William S. Sitman
Rank: Sergeant First Class
Branch: U.S. Army
Unit: Company M, 23d Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division
Place: Near Chipyong-ni, Korea
Entered Service At: Bellwood, Pennsylvania
Born: Bellwood, Pennsylvania

Summary of Action

During the bitter fighting near Chipyong-ni, Sergeant First Class William S. Sitman was serving as a machine gun section leader with Company M, attached to Company I, when the unit came under attack by a numerically superior enemy force.

In the fierce engagement, an enemy grenade knocked out his machine gun. Undeterred, a squad from Company I quickly emplaced a light machine gun, and Sgt. Sitman and his men remained in position to provide security for the crew as the battle intensified.

Moments later, another enemy grenade landed directly within their position. Fully aware of the danger and the almost certain cost, Sgt. Sitman threw himself upon the grenade, absorbing the full force of the explosion with his body.

Though mortally wounded, his fearless and selfless act saved five fellow soldiers from death or serious injury and enabled them to continue delivering withering fire against the attacking enemy.

Medal of Honor Citation

SITMAN, WILLIAM S.

Sfc. Sitman distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty in action against an armed enemy of the United Nations. Sfc. Sitman, a machine gun section leader of Company M, was attached to Company I, under attack by a numerically superior hostile force. During the encounter when an enemy grenade knocked out his machine gun, a squad from Company I immediately emplaced a light machine gun and Sfc. Sitman and his men remained to provide security for the crew. In the ensuing action, the enemy lobbed a grenade into the position and Sfc. Sitman, fully aware of the odds against him, selflessly threw himself on it, absorbing the full force of the explosion with his body. Although mortally wounded in this fearless display of valor, his intrepid act saved 5 men from death or serious injury, and enabled them to continue inflicting withering fire on the ruthless foe throughout the attack. Sfc. Sitman’s noble self-sacrifice and consummate devotion to duty reflect lasting glory on himself and uphold the honored traditions of the military service.