Corporal Gordon Maynard Craig was a soldier in the U.S. Army who was awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously for his actions on September 10, 1950 in Kasan, Korea during the Korean War. At the time he was serving with 16th Reconnaissance Company, 1st Cavalry Division. Craig was 21 years old.
Craig was killed in the action for which his medal was awarded. The medal was presented on April 3, 1951 — the Pentagon, presented by Gen. Omar N. Bradley to his Mother.
Craig was born on August 3, 1929 in Brockton, Plymouth County, Massachusetts. He is buried at Elmwood Cemetery in East Bridgewater, Massachusetts.
Craig is one of 153 Medal of Honor recipients from the Korean War and one of 265 credited to Massachusetts.
Official Medal of Honor citation
Cpl. Craig, 16th Reconnaissance Company, distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty in action against the enemy. During the attack on a strategic enemy-held hill, his company's advance was subjected to intense hostile grenade, mortar, and small-arms fire. Cpl. Craig and four comrades moved forward to eliminate an enemy machine-gun nest that was hampering the company's advance. At that instance an enemy machine gunner hurled a hand grenade at the advancing men. Without hesitating or attempting to seek cover for himself, Cpl. Craig threw himself on the grenade and smothered its burst with his body. His intrepid and selfless act, in which he unhesitantly gave his life for his comrades, inspired them to attack with such ferocity that they annihilated the enemy machine-gun crew, enabling the company to continue its attack. Cpl. Craig's noble self-sacrifice reflects the highest credit upon himself and upholds the esteemed traditions of the military service.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Wounds and death in action
- Killed in action during the act for which the medal was awarded (September 10, 1950).
- Age at death: 21
- Resting place: Elmwood Cemetery
Other decorations and honors
Besides the Medal of Honor, Gordon Maynard Craig received:
Source: Wikidata. Gold chips link to our guide to that decoration.
Battles and campaigns
Also served in: Korean War.
Places
Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in Massachusetts →
Timeline
- August 3, 1929Born in Brockton, Plymouth County, Massachusetts
- September 10, 1950Act of valor — Kasan, KoreaAge 21. 16th Reconnaissance Company, 1st Cavalry Division Killed in action.
- April 3, 1951Medal of Honor presented posthumouslyThe Pentagon, presented by Gen. Omar N. Bradley to his Mother
- Resting placeElmwood CemeteryEast Bridgewater, Massachusetts
Biography
Gordon Maynard Craig (August 1, 1929 – September 10, 1950) was a soldier in the United States Army during the Korean War. He posthumously received the Medal of Honor for his actions on September 10, 1950, during the Battle of Ka-san. Craig earned his Medal of Honor by jumping on a North Korean grenade as his squadmates helped to ambush a North Korean hill, buying them valuable time and sacrificing himself in the process.
From the Wikipedia article “Gordon M. Craig”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →
