Greenwood in Leflore County, Mississippi — The American South (East South Central)
Sgt. John A. Pittman
Medal of Honor
Photographed by Don Morfe, April 4, 2002
1. Sgt. John A. Pittman Marker
Inscription.
Sgt. John A. Pittman. Medal of Honor. The Medal of Honor is the highest award for valor in action against an enemy force which can be bestowed upon an individual serving in the Armed Services of the United States of America. Sgt. Pittman earned this medal by his actions in Korea on 26 November 1950 as a Sergeant in the U.S. Army. His actions were above and beyond the call of duty. The Medal was conferred upon him by President Harry Truman.
The Medal of Honor is the highest award for valor in action against an enemy force which can be bestowed upon an individual serving in the Armed Services of the United States of America. Sgt. Pittman earned this medal by his actions in Korea on 26 November 1950 as a Sergeant in the U.S. Army. His actions were above and beyond the call of duty. The Medal was conferred upon him by President Harry Truman.
Erected 2005 by Keesler-Hamrick-Gillespie American Legion Post 29, Greenwood, Mississippi.
Location. 33° 31.859′ N, 90° 12′ W. Memorial is in Greenwood, Mississippi, in Leflore County. It is at the intersection of Sgt John Pittman Drive and Medallion Drive, on the right when traveling west on Sgt John Pittman Drive. Touch for map. Memorial is in this post office area: Greenwood MS 38930, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this memorial is
Click or scan to see this page online
in the American South, specifically in the Deep South, and in the Mississippi Delta. Globally, it is in North America, a Gulf of Mexico state, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
More about this memorial. Sgt. John A. Pittman is buried at another location in Carroll County at the New Hope Church Cemetery.
Regarding Sgt. John A. Pittman. MEDAL OF HONOR CITATION:
Rank and organization: Sergeant, U.S. Army,
Photographed by Don Morfe, April 4, 2002
2. Sgt. John A. Pittman Marker
Company C, 23d Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division. Place and date: Near Kujangdong, Korea, 26 November 1950. Entered service at: Carrolton, Miss. Born: 15 October 1928, Carrolton, Miss. G.O. No.: 39, 4 June 1951. Citation: Sgt. Pittman, distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty in action against the enemy. He volunteered to lead his squad in a counterattack to regain commanding terrain lost in an earlier engagement. Moving aggressively forward in the face of intense artillery, mortar, and small-arms fire he was wounded by mortar fragments. Disregarding his wounds he continued to lead and direct his men in a bold advance against the hostile standpoint. During this daring action, an enemy grenade was thrown in the midst of his squad endangering the lives of his comrades. Without hesitation, Sgt. Pittman threw himself on the grenade and absorbed its burst with his body. When a medical aid man reached him, his first request was to be informed as to how many of his men were hurt. This intrepid and selfless act saved several of his men from death or serious injury and was an inspiration
Photographed by Don Morfe, February 5, 2006
3. Sgt. John A. Pittman Marker
to the entire command. Sgt. Pittman's extraordinary heroism reflects the highest credit upon himself and is in keeping with the esteemed traditions of the military service.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 21, 2023. It was originally submitted on January 24, 2013, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 1,615 times since then and 61 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on January 24, 2013, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.
