John H. Pruitt

Infobox Military Person
name= John Henry Pruitt
born= Birth date|1896|10|4
died= Death date and age|1918|10|4|1896|10|4
placeofbirth= Fayetteville, Arkansas
placeofdeath= KIA at Blanc Mont Ridge, France
placeofburial=


caption= Corporal John H. Pruitt, Medal of Honor recipient
nickname=
allegiance= United States of America
branch= United States Marine Corps
serviceyears= 1917-1918
rank= Corporal
commands=
unit= 6th Marine Regiment
battles= Battle of Chateau-Thierry Battle of Belleau Wood Battle of Blanc Mont Ridge
awards= Medal of Honor Army Medal of Honor Navy Silver Star Purple Heart Croix de Guerre
laterwork=
portrayedby=

John Henry Pruitt (October 4, 1896–October 4, 1918) was a United States Marine during World War I and is 1 of only 19 people who received 2 Medals of Honor. The Medals of Honor were presented posthumously for his actions during World War I.

Biography

John Henry Pruitt was born on October 4, 1896 in Fayetteville, Arkansas and he entered military service in Phoenix, Arizona. Pruitt was a corporal in the Marine Corps, he attacked and captured two enemy machine guns, and later captured forty of the enemy. Killed by shell-fire, he was awarded the Medal of Honor for his bravery on October 4, 1918 at the Battle of Blanc Mont Ridge, France by both the United States Marine Corps and the US Army (for the same action).

On March 10, 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, Virginia.

Medal of Honor citation

;Army MedalRank and organization: Corporal, U.S. Marine Corps, 78th Company, 6th Regiment, 2d Division. Place and date: At Blanc Mont Ridge, France, October 3, 1918. Entered service at: Phoenix, Ariz. Born: October 4, 1896, Fayettesville, Ark. G.O. No.: 62, W.D., 1919. (Also received Navy Medal of Honor.)

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 MedalRank and organization: Corporal, U.S. Marine Corps. Born: October 4, 1896, Fayettesville, Ark. Accredited to: Arizona. (Also received Army Medal of Honor.)

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, October 3, 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.

Namesake

USS "Pruitt" (DD-347/AG-101) was named for him and he was listed in Pershing's 100.

ee also

*List of Medal of Honor recipients
*List of Medal of Honor recipients for World War I

References

:DANFS
*Findagrave|4782 Retrieved on 2007-11-05
*cite web
accessdate=2007-11-05
url = http://www.tecom.usmc.mil/HD/Whos_Who/Pruitt_JH.htm
title = Corporal John Henry Pruitt, Medal of Honor recipient
work = Who's who in Marine Corps history
publisher = History Division, United States Marine Corps
date = September 18, 2003

*cite web
accessdate=2007-11-05
url = http://web.archive.org/web/20070305232836/http://www.usmc.mil/moh.nsf/000003c919889c0385255f980058f5b6/0000033ba9f47a7385255fa4006a81d9?OpenDocument
title = Corporal John Henry Pruitt, Medal of Honor recipient
work = Navy Medal of Honor citation
publisher = History Division, United States Marine Corps
date = March 05, 2007

*cite web
accessdate=2007-11-05
url = http://www.army.mil/cmh/html/moh/worldwari.html
title = Corporal John Henry Pruitt, Medal of Honor recipient
work = Army Medal of Honor citation
publisher = United States Army
date = July 16, 2007

Persondata
NAME= Pruitt, John H.
ALTERNATIVE NAMES=
SHORT DESCRIPTION= United States Marine Corps Medal of Honor recipient
DATE OF BIRTH=
PLACE OF BIRTH=
DATE OF DEATH=
PLACE OF DEATH=