McKlNNEY, JOHN R. - Medal of Honor Recipient
Rank and organization: Sergeant (then Private), U.S. Army, Company A,
123d Infantry, 33d Infantry Division. Place and date: Tayabas Province,
Luzon, Philippine Islands, 11 May 1945. Entered service at: Woodcliff,
Ga. Birth: Woodcliff, Ga. G.O. No.: 14, 4 February 1946. Citation: He fought
with extreme gallantry to defend the outpost which had been established
near Dingalan Bay. Just before daybreak approximately 100 Japanese stealthily
attacked the perimeter defense, concentrating on a light machinegun position
manned by 3 Americans. Having completed a long tour of duty at this gun,
Pvt. McKinney was resting a few paces away when an enemy soldier dealt
him a glancing blow on the head with a saber. Although dazed by the stroke,
he seized his rifle, bludgeoned his attacker, and then shot another assailant
who was charging him. Meanwhile, 1 of his comrades at the machinegun had
been wounded and his other companion withdrew carrying the injured man
to safety. Alone, Pvt. McKinney was confronted by 10 infantrymen who had
captured the machinegun with the evident intent of reversing it to fire
into the perimeter. Leaping into the emplacement, he shot 7 of them at
pointblank range and killed 3 more with his rifle butt. In the melee the
machinegun was rendered inoperative, leaving him only his rifle with which
to meet the advancing Japanese, who hurled grenades and directed knee mortar
shells into the perimeter. He warily changed position, secured more ammunition,
and reloading repeatedly, cut down waves of the fanatical enemy with devastating
fire or clubbed them to death in hand-to-hand combat. When assistance arrived,
he had thwarted the assault and was in complete control of the area. Thirty-eight
dead Japanese around the machinegun and 2 more at the side of a mortar
45 yards distant was the amazing toll he had exacted single-handedly. By
his indomitable spirit, extraordinary fighting ability, and unwavering
courage in the face of tremendous odds, Pvt. McKinley saved his company
from possible annihilation and set an example of unsurpassed intrepidity.
Browse Records by Era / War / Subject |
