GC39DGW USMC Double Medal of Honor - John H. Pruitt (Traditional Cache) in Nevada, United States created by Terp 00

GC39DGW ▼

A cache by Terp 00 Message this owner

Hidden : 12/19/2011

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Size: Size: small (small)

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Geocache Description:

1st in a series of 7 caches to honor the U.S.Marines that were awarded two Congressional Medals of Honor.

Corporal John Pruitt is 1 of only 19 men (including 7 Marines) to have received the Medal of Honor twice.

Corporal John H. Pruitt, USMC, (1896-1918)
John Henry Pruitt was born on 4 October 1896 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. He enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps from Arizona in May 1917, less than a month after the United States entered World War I.

Later promoted to Corporal, he served with the 78th Company, 6th Marine Regiment, a part of the U.S. 2nd Division. Pruitt fought in France at Chateau-Thierry, Bouresches and Belleau Wood and was injured in a German gas attack on 14 June 1918. Following recovery, he participated in more battles, and his brave conduct in an action near Thiaucourt on 15 September was officially reported.

On 3 October, while in combat at Blanc Mont Ridge, France, Corporal Pruitt conducted a single-handled attack, capturing two machine guns and 40 enemy soldiers before being killed in action later in the day.

For his "extraordinary gallantry and intrepidity" on 3 October 1918, John H. Pruitt was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor by both the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Army. Other awards include the Silver Star and Croix de Guerre.

Corporal Pruitt is buried in Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia; in section 18, lot 245-3, map grid P 10.

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.

USS Pruitt (DD-347, later DM-22 and AG-101), 1920-1945, was named in honor of Corporal John H. Pruitt, USMC.

Medal of Honor citation:

"For extraordinary gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty while serving with the 78th Company, 6th Regiment, 2nd Division, in action with the enemy at Blanc Mont Ridge, France, 3 October 1918.
Corporal Pruitt, single-handed, attacked two machine guns, capturing them and killing two of the enemy. He then captured 40 prisoners in a dugout nearby. This gallant Marine was killed soon afterward by shellfire while he was sniping the enemy."

SEMPER FIDELIS