Serving as a Marine in the U.S. Marine Corps, Corporal John Henry Pruitt was awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously for his actions on October 3, 1918 at Blanc Mont Ridge, France during World War I. At the time he was serving with 78th Company, 6th Regiment, 2d Division. Pruitt was 21 years old.
3 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. The medal was presented on November 11, 1920, 2 years after the action. Pruitt is one of the few people to receive the Medal of Honor twice; see his other award (October 3, 1918).
Pruitt was born on October 4, 1896 in Fayetteville, Washington County, Arkansas. His Medal of Honor is credited to Phoenix, Maricopa County, Arizona. Pruitt died on October 4, 1918 in France, at the age of 22. He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia. His medal is held by National Museum of the US Marine Corps, Quantico, VA.
Pruitt is one of 132 Medal of Honor recipients from World War I and one of 16 credited to Arizona.
Official Medal of Honor citation
[Received both the Army and Navy Medal of Honor for the same deed.]
Army Medal of Honor: Cpl. Pruitt singlehandedly attacked two machine guns, capturing them and killing two of the enemy. He then captured 40 prisoners in a dugout nearby. This gallant soldier was killed soon afterwards by shellfire while he was sniping at the enemy. Navy Medal of Honor For extraordinary gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty while serving with the 78th Company, 6th Regiment, 2d Division, in action with the enemy at Blanc Mont Ridge, France, 3 October 1918. Cpl. Pruitt, singlehandedly attacked two machine guns, capturing them and killing two of the enemy. He then captured 40 prisoners in a dugout nearby. This gallant soldier was killed soon afterward by shellfire while he was sniping at the enemy.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Other decorations and honors
Besides the Medal of Honor, John Henry Pruitt received:
Source: Wikidata. Gold chips link to our guide to that decoration.
Battles and campaigns
Battle of Blanc Mont Ridge
Result: Allied victory
6 Medal of Honor recipients
1918 · World War IBattle of Château-Thierry
Result: Allied victory
4 Medal of Honor recipients
1918 · World War IBattle of Belleau Wood
Result: Allied victory
9 Medal of Honor recipients
Also served in: World War I.
Places
Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in Arizona →
Timeline
- October 4, 1896Born in Fayetteville, Washington County, Arkansas
- October 3, 1918Act of valor — Blanc Mont Ridge, FranceAge 21. 78th Company, 6th Regiment, 2d Division
- October 4, 1918Died in FranceAge 22.
- November 11, 1920Medal of Honor presented posthumously
- Resting placeArlington National CemeteryArlington, Virginia
Biography
John Henry Pruitt (October 4, 1896 – October 4, 1918) was a United States Marine during World War I and is one of only 19 people who have received two Medals of Honor.
From the Wikipedia article “John H. Pruitt”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →
Named in his honor
- USS Pruitt — destroyer
