fbpx
Wikipedia

William A. McWhorter

William Alexander McWhorter (December 7, 1918 – December 5, 1944) was a United States Army soldier and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration—the Medal of Honor—for his actions in World War II.

William Alexander McWhorter
Born(1918-12-07)December 7, 1918
Liberty, South Carolina
DiedDecember 5, 1944(1944-12-05) (aged 25)
Leyte, the Philippines
Place of burial
West View Cemetery, Liberty, South Carolina
AllegianceUnited States of America
Service/branchUnited States Army
RankPrivate First Class
Unit126th Infantry Regiment, 32nd Infantry Division
Battles/warsWorld War II
AwardsMedal of Honor
Purple Heart

Biography edit

McWhorter joined the Army from his birthplace of Liberty, South Carolina, and by December 5, 1944, was serving as a private first class in Company M, 126th Infantry Regiment, 32nd Infantry Division. On that day, at Leyte in the Philippines, he smothered the blast of an enemy-thrown explosive with his body, sacrificing himself to protect the man next to him. For this action, he was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor nine months later, on September 27, 1945.

McWhorter, aged 25 at his death, was buried in West View Cemetery, Liberty, South Carolina.

Medal of Honor citation edit

Private First Class McWhorter's official Medal of Honor citation reads:

He displayed gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while engaged in operations against the enemy. Pfc. McWhorter, a machine gunner, was emplaced in a defensive position with 1 assistant when the enemy launched a heavy attack. Manning the gun and opening fire, he killed several members of an advancing demolition squad, when 1 of the enemy succeeded in throwing a fused demolition charge in the entrenchment. Without hesitation and with complete disregard for his own safety, Pfc. McWhorter picked up the improvised grenade and deliberately held it close to his body, bending over and turning away from his companion. The charge exploded, killing him instantly, but leaving his assistant unharmed. Pfc. McWhorter's outstanding heroism and supreme sacrifice in shielding a comrade reflect the highest traditions of the military service.

See also edit

References edit

  • . Medal of Honor citations. United States Army Center of Military History. June 8, 2009. Archived from the original on 2008-04-30. Retrieved 2008-01-03.

william, mcwhorter, william, alexander, mcwhorter, december, 1918, december, 1944, united, states, army, soldier, recipient, united, states, military, highest, decoration, medal, honor, actions, world, william, alexander, mcwhorterborn, 1918, december, 1918lib. William Alexander McWhorter December 7 1918 December 5 1944 was a United States Army soldier and a recipient of the United States military s highest decoration the Medal of Honor for his actions in World War II William Alexander McWhorterBorn 1918 12 07 December 7 1918Liberty South CarolinaDiedDecember 5 1944 1944 12 05 aged 25 Leyte the PhilippinesPlace of burialWest View Cemetery Liberty South CarolinaAllegianceUnited States of AmericaService wbr branchUnited States ArmyRankPrivate First ClassUnit126th Infantry Regiment 32nd Infantry DivisionBattles warsWorld War IIAwardsMedal of HonorPurple Heart Contents 1 Biography 2 Medal of Honor citation 3 See also 4 ReferencesBiography editMcWhorter joined the Army from his birthplace of Liberty South Carolina and by December 5 1944 was serving as a private first class in Company M 126th Infantry Regiment 32nd Infantry Division On that day at Leyte in the Philippines he smothered the blast of an enemy thrown explosive with his body sacrificing himself to protect the man next to him For this action he was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor nine months later on September 27 1945 McWhorter aged 25 at his death was buried in West View Cemetery Liberty South Carolina Medal of Honor citation editPrivate First Class McWhorter s official Medal of Honor citation reads He displayed gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while engaged in operations against the enemy Pfc McWhorter a machine gunner was emplaced in a defensive position with 1 assistant when the enemy launched a heavy attack Manning the gun and opening fire he killed several members of an advancing demolition squad when 1 of the enemy succeeded in throwing a fused demolition charge in the entrenchment Without hesitation and with complete disregard for his own safety Pfc McWhorter picked up the improvised grenade and deliberately held it close to his body bending over and turning away from his companion The charge exploded killing him instantly but leaving his assistant unharmed Pfc McWhorter s outstanding heroism and supreme sacrifice in shielding a comrade reflect the highest traditions of the military service See also edit nbsp Biography portal List of Medal of Honor recipientsReferences edit Medal of Honor recipients World War II M S Medal of Honor citations United States Army Center of Military History June 8 2009 Archived from the original on 2008 04 30 Retrieved 2008 01 03 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title William A McWhorter amp oldid 1206849096, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

article

, read, download, free, free download, mp3, video, mp4, 3gp, jpg, jpeg, gif, png, picture, music, song, movie, book, game, games.