Charles L. Gilliland

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Charles L. Gilliland
May 24, 1933 - April 25, 1951
Medal of Honor recipient Charles Gilliland
Place of birth	Mountain Home, Arkansas
Place of death	Near Tongmang-ni, Korea
Allegiance	U.S. Army
Years of service	-1951
Rank	Corporal (then Pfc.)
Unit	Company I, 7th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division
Battles/wars	Korean War
Awards	Medal of Honor

Charles L. Gilliland (May 24, 1933 - April 25, 1951) was a soldier in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions on April 25, 1951.

[edit] Medal of Honor Citation

Rank and organization: Corporal (then Pfc.)

U.S. Army, Company I, 7th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division

Place and date: Near Tongmang-ni, Korea, 25 April 1951

Entered service at: Yellville (Marion County), Ark. Born: 24 May 1933, Mountain Home, Arkansas

G.O. No.: 2, 11 January 1955

Citation: ^[1]

Cpl. Gilliland, a member of Company I, distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and outstanding courage above and beyond the call of duty in action against the enemy. A numerically superior hostile force launched a coordinated assault against his company perimeter, the brunt of which was directed up a defile covered by his automatic rifle. His assistant was killed by enemy fire but Cpl. Gilliland, facing the full force of the assault, poured a steady fire into the foe which stemmed the onslaught. When 2 enemy soldiers escaped his raking fire and infiltrated the sector, he leaped from his foxhole, overtook and killed them both with his pistol. Sustaining a serious head wound in this daring exploit, he refused medical attention and returned to his emplacement to continue his defense of the vital defile. His unit was ordered back to new defensive positions but Cpl. Gilliland volunteered to remain to cover the withdrawal and hold the enemy at bay. His heroic actions and indomitable devotion to duty prevented the enemy from completely overrunning his company positions. Cpl. Gilliland's incredible valor and supreme sacrifice reflect lasting glory upon himself and are in keeping with the honored traditions of the military service.