James I. Poynter
James Irsley Poynter | |
---|---|
1st Marine Division | |
Battles/wars | World War II
|
Awards | Medal of Honor Bronze Star w/ Combat "V" Purple Heart Combat Action Ribbon |
James Irsley Poynter (December 1, 1916 – November 4, 1950) was a
Poynter was the eleventh Marine to be awarded the Medal of Honor in Korea.
Biography
James Irsley Poynter was born to Eugene and Molly Poynter on December 1, 1916, in Bloomington, Illinois. He was married twice and had four children.
He enlisted in the
campaigns. Poynter was discharged in February 1946.At the beginning of the Korean War, Poynter re-enlisted in the Marine Corps, joining the 13th Infantry Battalion,
Afterwards, the 1st Marine Division headed by the 7th Marines were directed to march into North Korea to Hamhung, their objective, the Chosin Reservoir, a man-made lake.[2] The 7th Marines were to proceed north of Hamhung to relieve a South Korean unit which had fought with Chinese Communist forces (Chinese troops entered North Korea on October 19 and launched an offensive on October 25). On November 2, the 7th Marines reached the South Koreans with little opposition (November 1 was the first confrontation between the Chinese and the U.S. military).[2] However, Chinese presence increased after this. On November 3, as A Company was in a defensive position near Hamhung, 1st Lieutenant Frank Mitchell's platoon in A Company which Poynter was a member of, was hit hard suddenly by the Chinese and almost overrun. Mitchell rallied his men including Poynter to repel the attack and Mitchell, although painfully wounded in the ensuing action, refused to be evacuated until the danger of a serious break-through was averted.[3]
On November 4, as the 7th Marines
Poynter was awarded the Bronze Star Medal with Combat "V" (posthumous) for "outstanding leadership, ability and courageous aggressiveness against the enemy" as a squad leader from September 24 to October 4, 1950.[4] He was awarded the Medal of Honor (posthumous) for his actions on November 4, 1950, "By his self-sacrificing and valiant conduct, Sergeant Poynter inspired the remaining members of his squad to heroic endeavor in bearing down upon and repelling the disorganized enemy, thereby enabling the platoon to move out of the trap to a more favorable tactical position".[5]
On September 4, 1952, Sgt. Poynter's Medal of Honor was posthumously presented to his widow Kathern Poynter from
Sgt. Poynter was buried on February 3, 1955, with full military honors in
Military awards
Sgt. Poynter's military awards include the following:
Medal of Honor | ||
Bronze Star Medal with Combat "V" | Purple Heart with 1 Gold Star
|
Combat Action Ribbon with 1 Gold Star |
Presidential Unit Citation with 2 bronze stars[a] | Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal | American Campaign Medal |
Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with 4 bronze stars
|
World War II Victory Medal | Korean Service Medal with 2 bronze stars |
Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation (2)[b]
|
United Nations Service Medal
|
Republic of Korea War Service Medal |
Medal of Honor citation
The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the MEDAL OF HONOR posthumously to
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS RESERVE
for service as set forth in the following CITATION:
- For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a Squad Leader in a Rifle Platoon of Company A, First Battalion, Seventh Marines, First Marine Division (Reinforced), in action against enemy aggressor forces during the defense of Hill 532, south of Sudong, Korea, on 4 November 1950. When a vastly outnumbering, well-concealed hostile force launched a sudden, vicious counterattack against his platoon's hasty defensive position, Sergeant Poynter displayed superb skill and courage in leading his squad and directing its fire against the onrushing enemy. With his ranks critically depleted by casualties and he himself critically wounded as the onslaught gained momentum and the hostile force surrounded his position, he seized his hand grenades from fallen Marines as he ran, charged the emplacements in rapid succession, killing the crews of two and putting the other out of action before he fell, mortally wounded. "By his self-sacrificing and valiant conduct, Sergeant Poynter inspired the remaining members of his squad to heroic endeavor in bearing down upon and repelling the disorganized enemy, thereby enabling the platoon to move out of the trap to a more favorable tactical position. His indomitable fighting spirit, fortitude and great personal valor maintained in the face of overwhelming odds sustain and enhance the finest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.[1]
See also
Notes
Notes
- ^ a b The Hall of Valor Project
- ^ a b c d e f A Brief History of the 7th Marines
- ^ Military Times.
- ^ Marine Corps University
- ^ The Hall of Valor Project, James Irsley Poynter, Medal of Honor
- ^ Leicht, Cpl Paul. Honored Marines rest in 'garden of stone' Archived 2007-09-27 at the Wayback Machine, Marine Corps News, Story ID# 200661517510 , June 11, 2006. Retrieved on 2006-07-01.
- ^ Notable Persons, Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery. Retrieved on 2007-12-28.
References
- This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Marine Corps.
- "Sergeant James I. Poynter, USMCR". Who's Who in Marine Corps History. History Division, United States Marine Corps. Archived from the original on 2011-05-16. Retrieved 2007-12-28.
- "Sgt James I. Poynter, Medal of Honor, 1950, 1/7/1, Korea (Medal of Honor citation)". Marines Awarded the Medal of Honor. History Division, United States Marine Corps. Archived from the original on 2007-03-05. Retrieved 2006-07-01.
- Milks, Keith A. (December 29, 2003). "The Lore of the Corps: Marine veteran re-enlisted and gave his life in Korea". Marine Corps Times. Republished in Leatherneck.com. Retrieved 2006-07-01.
Further reading
- "Chosin Reservoir — Epic of Endurance, Korean War Educator". Archived from the original on January 13, 2017. Retrieved July 1, 2006.