Old Hickory in Davidson County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)
Memorial to Corporal William F. Lyell
Photographed By Darren Jefferson Clay, May 2, 2020
1. Memorial to Corporal William F. Lyell Marker
Inscription.
Memorial to Corporal William F. Lyell. . , Memorial to Corporal William F. Lyell awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor posthumously for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty in action with the enemy near Chup’a-Ri Korea, August 31, 1951
William Franklin Lyell , Rank and organization: Corporal, U.S. Army, Company F, 17th Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division. Place and date: Near Chup'a -ri, Korea, 31 August 1951. Entered service at: Old Hickory, Tenn. Birth: Hickman County, Tenn. G.O. No.: 4, 9 Januàry 1953. Citation: Cpl. Lyell, a member of Company F, distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and outstanding courage above and beyond the çall of duty in action against the enemy. When his platoon leader was killed, Cpl. Lyell assumed command and led his unit in an assault on strongly fortified enemy positions located on commanding terrain. When his platoon came under vicious, raking fire which halted the forward movement, Cpl. Lyell seized a 57mm. recoilless rifle and unhesitatingly moved ahead to a suitable firing position from which he delivered deadly accurate fire completely destroying an enemy bunker, killing its occupants. He then returned to his platoon and was resuming the assault when the unit was again subjected to intense hostile fire from 2 other bunkers. Disregarding his personal safety, armed with grenades he charged forward hurling grenades into 1 of the enemy emplacements, and although painfully wounded in this action he pressed on destroying the bunker and killing 6 of the foe. He then continued his attack against a third enemy position, throwing grenades as he ran forward, annihilating 4 enemy soldiers. He then led his platoon to the north slope of the hill where positions were occupied from which effective fire was delivered against the enemy in support of friendly troops moving up. Fearlessly exposing himself to enemy fire, he continuously moved about directing and encouraging his men until he was mortally wounded by enemy mortar fire. Cpl. Lyell's extraordinary heroism, indomitable courage, and aggressive leadership reflect great credit on himself and are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service.
Memorial to Corporal William F. Lyell awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor posthumously for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty in action with the enemy near Chup’a-Ri Korea, August 31, 1951
William Franklin Lyell
Rank and organization: Corporal, U.S. Army, Company
F, 17th Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division. Place
and date: Near Chup'a -ri, Korea, 31 August 1951.
Entered service at: Old Hickory, Tenn. Birth: Hickman
County, Tenn. G.O. No.: 4, 9 Januàry 1953. Citation:
Cpl. Lyell, a member of Company F, distinguished himself by
conspicuous gallantry and outstanding courage above and beyond the
çall of duty in action against the enemy. When his platoon leader was
killed, Cpl. Lyell assumed command and led his unit in an assault on
strongly fortified enemy positions located on commanding terrain.
When his platoon came under vicious, raking fire which halted the
forward movement, Cpl. Lyell seized a 57mm. recoilless rifle and
unhesitatingly moved ahead to a suitable firing position from which
he delivered deadly accurate fire completely destroying an enemy
bunker, killing its occupants. He then returned to his platoon and was
resuming the assault when the unit was again subjected to intense
hostile fire from 2 other bunkers. Disregarding
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his personal safety,
armed with grenades he charged forward hurling grenades into 1 of
the enemy emplacements, and although painfully wounded in this
action he pressed on destroying the bunker and killing 6 of the foe.
He then continued his attack against a third enemy position, throwing
grenades as he ran forward, annihilating 4 enemy soldiers. He then
led his platoon to the north slope of the hill where positions were
occupied from which effective fire was delivered against the enemy
in support of friendly troops moving up. Fearlessly exposing himself
to enemy fire, he continuously moved about directing and
encouraging his men until he was mortally wounded by enemy
mortar fire. Cpl. Lyell's extraordinary heroism, indomitable courage,
and aggressive leadership reflect great credit on himself and are in
keeping with the highest traditions of the military service.
Topics and series. This memorial is listed in this topic list: War, Korean. In addition, it is included in the Medal of Honor Recipients series list. A significant historical date for this entry is August 31, 1951.
Location. 36° 15.861′ N, 86° 39.035′ W. Marker is in Old Hickory, Tennessee, in Davidson County. Memorial is on Bryan Street, on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 609 Bryan St, Old Hickory TN 37138, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured
Photographed By Darren Jefferson Clay, May 2, 2020
Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on January 18, 2021, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. This page has been viewed 233 times since then and 8 times this year. Last updated on March 3, 2021, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. Photos:1, 2. submitted on January 18, 2021, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.