John Henry Pruitt

Corporal, U.S. Marine Corps

Medal of Honor Recipient

World War I

Corporal John Henry Pruitt was a U.S. Marine who was posthumously awarded the U.S. military's highest award for valor, the Medal of Honor, twice, for the same action during World War I. He is one of only 19 people who received two Medals of Honor for the same action. [It is no longer allowed for more than one MOH to be awarded for a single action.]

John Henry Pruitt was born on 4 October 1896 in Fayetteville, AR. He entered military service in Phoenix, AZ.

Medals of Honor

(Army Medal)

Rank and organization: Corporal, U.S. Marine Corps, 78th Company, 6th Regiment, 2d Division.

Place and date: At Blanc Mont Ridge, France, 3 October 1918.

Citation: Cpl. Pruitt single-handed attacked 2 machineguns, capturing them and killing 2 of the enemy. He then captured 40 prisoners in a dugout nearby. This gallant soldier was killed soon afterward by shellfire while he was sniping at the enemy.

(Navy Medal)

Rank and organization: Corporal, U.S. Marine Corps.

Citation: For extraordinary gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty while serving with the 78th Company, 6th Regiment, 2d Division, in action with the enemy at Blanc Mont Ridge, France, 3 October 1918. Cpl. Pruitt, single-handed attacked 2 machineguns, capturing them and killing 2 of the enemy. He then captured 40 prisoners in a dugout nearby. This gallant soldier was killed soon afterward by shellfire while he was sniping the enemy.

On 10 March 2004, the family of Corporal Pruitt turned over to the Marine Corps all of his medals, citations and artifacts for display at the museum at Quantico, VA.

Medals and Awards

Medal of Honor (Army)
Medal of Honor (Navy)
Silver Star Medal
Purple Heart
Croix de Guerre (France)

Honors

The United States Navy named a destroyer USS Pruitt in his honor and he was listed in Pershing's 100. Pruitt Hall on Marine Corps Base Quantico is named for him.

Death and Burial

Corporal John Henry Pruitt was killed in action on 3 October 1918. His remains were returned to the United States and he was buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, VA, in Section 18, Lot #245-3, Map Grid P 10.