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Honoring American TroopsMedal of Honor Archive

Corporal · U.S. Army

Melvin Mayfield

Corporal Melvin Mayfield, Army, received the Medal of Honor for actions on July 29, 1945 in Cordillera Mountains, Luzon, Philippine Islands during World War II.

World War II July 29, 1945

Corporal Melvin Mayfield was a soldier in the U.S. Army who received the Medal of Honor for his actions on July 29, 1945 in Cordillera Mountains, Luzon, Philippine Islands during World War II. At the time he was serving with Company D, 1st Battalion, 20th Infantry, 6th Infantry Division. Mayfield was 26 years old.

Mayfield was born on March 12, 1919 in Salem, Harrison County, West Virginia. His Medal of Honor is credited to Nashport, Muskingum County, Ohio. Mayfield died on June 19, 1990 in St. Louisville, Ohio, at the age of 71. He is buried at Frazeysburg Cemetery in Frazeysburg, Ohio.

Mayfield is one of 474 Medal of Honor recipients from World War II and one of 256 credited to Ohio.

★ Wounded but Fought On★ Single-Handed Actions

Official Medal of Honor citation

He displayed conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty while fighting in the Cordillera Mountains of Luzon, Philippine Islands. When two Filipino companies were pinned down under a torrent of enemy fire that converged on them from a circular ridge commanding their position, Cpl. Mayfield, in a gallant singlehanded effort to aid them, rushed from shell hole to shell hole until he reached four enemy caves atop the barren fire-swept hill. With grenades and his carbine, he assaulted each of the caves while enemy fire pounded about him. However, before he annihilated the last hostile redoubt, a machine-gun bullet destroyed his weapon and slashed his left hand. Disregarding his wound, he secured more grenades and dauntlessly charged again into the face of point-blank fire to help destroy a hostile observation post. By his gallant determination and heroic leadership, Cpl. Mayfield inspired the men to eliminate all remaining pockets of resistance in the area and to press the advance against the enemy.

Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.

Timeline

  1. March 12, 1919
    Born in Salem, Harrison County, West Virginia
  2. July 29, 1945
    Act of valor — Cordillera Mountains, Luzon, Philippine Islands
    Age 26. Company D, 1st Battalion, 20th Infantry, 6th Infantry Division
  3. June 19, 1990
    Died in St. Louisville, Ohio
    Age 71.
  4. Resting place
    Frazeysburg Cemetery
    Frazeysburg, Ohio

More World War II recipients from Ohio

Frank Joseph Petrarca Private First Class · Army World War II · 1943 ✦ Robert Raymond Scott Machinist's Mate First Class · Navy World War II · 1941 ✦ John Roderick Towle Private · Army World War II · 1944 ✦ John Robert Fox First Lieutenant · Army World War II · 1944 ✦ Tony Stein Corporal · Marine Corps World War II · 1945 ✦ Charles Joseph Berry Corporal · Marine Corps World War II · 1945 ✦
Sources. Service and award details compiled from the recipient record of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society. The narrative summary is generated from these records. Spotted an error? Send a correction.