William S. Sitman

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

William S. Sitman
- February 14, 1951
Medal of Honor recipient
Place of birth	Bellwood, Pennsylvania
Place of death	Near Chipyong-ni, Korea
Allegiance	United States Army
Rank	Sergeant First Class
Unit	Company M, 23d Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division

William S. Sitman was a soldier in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions on February 14, 1951.

[edit] Medal of Honor Citation

Rank and organization: Sergeant First Class, U.S. Army, Company M, 23d Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division

Place and date: Near Chipyong-ni, Korea, 14 February 1951

Entered service at: Bellwood, Pennsylvania, Birth: Bellwood, Pennsylvania

G.O. No.: 20, 1 February 1952

Citation: ^[1]

Sfc. Sitman distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty in action against an armed enemy of the United Nations. Sfc. Sitman, a machine gun section leader of Company M, was attached to Company I, under attack by a numerically superior hostile force. During the encounter when an enemy grenade knocked out his machine gun, a squad from Company I, immediately emplaced a light machine gun and Sfc. Sitman and his men remained to provide security for the crew. In the ensuing action, the enemy lobbed a grenade into the position and Sfc. Sitman, fully aware of the odds against him, selflessly threw himself on it, absorbing the full force of the explosion with his body. Although mortally wounded in this fearless display of valor, his intrepid act saved 5 men from death or serious injury, and enabled them to continue inflicting withering fire on the ruthless foe throughout the attack. Sfc. Sitman's noble self-sacrifice and consummate devotion to duty reflect lasting glory on himself and uphold the honored traditions of the military service.