Garfield M. Langhorn
Garfield McConnell Langhorn | |
|---|---|
17th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Aviation Brigade | |
| Battles/wars | Vietnam War † |
| Awards |  Medal of Honor Purple Heart |
Garfield McConnell Langhorn (September 10, 1948 – January 15, 1969) was a United States Army soldier and a recipient of America's highest military decoration—the Medal of Honor—for his actions in the Vietnam War.
Biography
Born on September 10, 1948, in
Langhorn, aged 20 years at his death, was buried at Riverhead Cemetery in Riverhead, New York.[2]
On September 27, 2010, the Riverhead, New York post office building was named the Private First Class Garfield M. Langhorn Post Office Building by the 111th United States Congress.[3][4]
Awards and decorations
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| Medal of Honor | Purple Heart Medal
| ||||||
| National Defense Service Medal | campaign star
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Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with palm
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Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal
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Medal of Honor citation
Langhorn's official Medal of Honor citation reads:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Pfc. Langhorn distinguished himself while serving as a radio operator with Troop C, near Plei Djereng in Pleiku province. Pfc. Langhorn's platoon was inserted into a landing zone to rescue 2 pilots of a
minigun and rocket fire on the aggressors. He then lay between the platoon leader and another man, operating the radio and providing covering fire for the wounded who had been moved to the center of the small perimeter. Darkness soon fell, making it impossible for the gunships to give accurate support, and the aggressors began to probe the perimeter. An enemy hand grenade landed in front of Pfc. Langhorn and a few feet from personnel who had become casualties. Choosing to protect these wounded, he unhesitatingly threw himself on the grenade, scooped it beneath his body and absorbed the blast. By sacrificing himself, he saved the lives of his comrades. Pfc. Langhorn's extraordinary heroism at the cost of his life was in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit on himself, his unit, and the U.S. Army.[1]
See also
- List of Medal of Honor recipients for the Vietnam War
- List of African-American Medal of Honor recipients
References
- ^ a b "Medal of Honor Recipients - Vietnam (A–L)". Medal of Honor Citations. United States Army Center of Military History. June 26, 2011. Archived from the original on June 27, 2009. Retrieved September 17, 2011.
- ^ Military Times. Retrieved September 17, 2011.
- ^ H.R. 3250 (enrolled)[permanent dead link]
- ^ USPS press release