Serving as a soldier in the U.S. Army, Sergeant John Randolph McKinney received the Medal of Honor for his actions on May 11, 1945 in Tayabas Province, Luzon, Philippine Islands during World War II. At the time he was serving with Company A, 123d Infantry Regiment, 33d Infantry Division. McKinney was 24 years old.
One other service member also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. The medal was presented on January 23, 1946.
McKinney was born on February 26, 1921 in Woodcliff, Screven County, Georgia. McKinney died on April 4, 1997 in Augusta, Georgia, at the age of 76. He is buried at Doubleheads Baptist Church Cemetery in Sylvania, Georgia.
McKinney is one of 474 Medal of Honor recipients from World War II and one of 23 credited to Georgia.
Official Medal of Honor 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 machine-gun position manned by three 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, one of his comrades at the machine gun 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 machine gun with the evident intent of reversing it to fire into the perimeter. Leaping into the emplacement, he shot seven of them at point-blank range and killed three more with his rifle butt. In the melee the machine gun 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 machine gun and two more at the side of a mortar 45 yards distant was the amazing toll he had exacted singlehandedly. By his indomitable spirit, extraordinary fighting ability, and unwavering courage in the face of tremendous odds, Pvt. McKinney saved his company from possible annihilation and set an example of unsurpassed intrepidity.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Battles and campaigns
Also served in: World War II.
Places
Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in Georgia →
Timeline
- February 26, 1921Born in Woodcliff, Screven County, Georgia
- May 11, 1945Act of valor — Tayabas Province, Luzon, Philippine IslandsAge 24. Company A, 123d Infantry Regiment, 33d Infantry Division
- January 23, 1946Medal of Honor presented
- April 4, 1997Died in Augusta, GeorgiaAge 76.
- Resting placeDoubleheads Baptist Church CemeterySylvania, Georgia
Biography
John Randolph McKinney (February 26, 1921 – April 5, 1997) was a United States soldier who received the Medal of Honor in World War II during the campaign to recapture the Philippines from Japanese forces in 1945. Although greatly outnumbered by about 100 Japanese soldiers, McKinney was single-handedly able to secure a crucial battlefield area before reinforcements arrived. He was presented the Medal of Honor in a White House ceremony by President Harry S. Truman on January 23, 1946. McKinney enlisted in the United States Army from Screven County, Georgia in November 1942. He served as a Sergeant in the United States Army.
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