Henry A. Commiskey, Sr.
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| Henry Alfred Commiskey, Sr. | |
|---|---|
| January 10, 1927 - August 15, 1971 | |
  Henry A. Commiskey, Sr., Medal of Honor recipient |
|
| Place of birth | Hattiesburg, Mississippi |
| Place of death | Meridian, Mississippi |
| Allegiance | USMC |
| Years of service | 1944-1966 |
| Rank | Major |
| Unit | 1st Battalion 1st Marines Marine Attack Squadron 212 |
| Battles/wars | Battle of Iwo Jima Battle of Inchon |
| Awards | Medal of Honor Purple Heart |
Major Henry Alfred Commiskey, Sr. (1927-1971), was a United States Marine who served during World War II in the Battle of Iwo Jima and in the Korean War in the Inchon landing. As a first lieutenant, he was the first Marine to be awarded the Medal of Honor — the nation's highest decoration for valor — for extraordinary heroism in the Korean conflict, leading a charge up a hill and killing seven enemy soldiers in hand to hand combat.
As a first lieutenant, he was presented the Nation's highest decoration for valor by President Harry S. Truman in a White House ceremony on 1 August 1951 for his actions on 20 September 1950 near Yongdungpo, Korea, on the outskirts of Seoul.
He escaped injury during this action, but was wounded a week later, and again on 8 December 1950, after which he was returned to the U.S. for hospitalization.
He also had been wounded in action once before, during the Iwo Jima campaign of World War II, while serving as an enlisted man. There he received the Letter of Commendation for “exhibiting high qualities of leadership and courage in the face of a stubborn and fanatical enemy."
In addition to the Medal of Honor, the Letter of Commendation with Ribbon and Metal Pendant, and the Purple Heart with two Gold Stars, Maj Commiskey held the following medals and decorations: the Presidential Unit Citation with two bronze stars indicative of three awards; the Good Conduct Medal; the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with one bronze star; the World War II Victory Medal; the Navy Occupation Service Medal with Asia clasp; the National Defense Service Medal with one bronze star; the Korean Service Medal with three bronze stars; the United Nations Service Medal; and the Korean Presidential Unit Citation.
Commiskey died on 15 August 1971, in Meridian, Mississippi.
[edit] Medal of Honor citation
The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the MEDAL OF HONOR to
FIRST LIEUTENANT HENRY A. COMMISKEY
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS
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 Platoon Leader in Company C, First Battalion, First Marines, First Marine Division (Reinforced), in action against enemy aggressor forces near Yongdungp'o, Korea, on 20 September 1950. Directed to attack hostile forces well dug in on Hill 85, First Lieutenant Commiskey, then Second Lieutenant, spearheaded the assault, charging up the steep slopes on the run. Coolly disregarding the heavy enemy machine-gun and small-arms fire, he plunged on well forward of the rest of his platoon and was the first man to reach the crest of the objective. Armed only with a pistol, he jumped into a hostile machine-gun emplacement occupied by five enemy troops and quickly disposed of four of the soldiers with his automatic pistol. Grappling with the fifth, First Lieutenant Commiskey knocked him to the ground and held him until he could obtain a weapon from another member of his platoon and kill the last of the enemy gun crew. Continuing his bold assault, he moved to the next emplacement, killed two or more of the enemy and then led his platoon toward the rear nose of the hill to rout the remainder of the valiant leadership and courageous fighting spirit served to inspire the men of his company to heroic endeavor in seizing the objective and reflect the highest credit upon First Lieutenant Commiskey and the United States Naval Service.
/S/ HARRY S. TRUMAN
[edit] References
- This article incorporates text in the public domain from the United States Marine Corps.
- Major Henry Alfred Comminskey, Sr., USMC, Who's Who in Marine Corps History, History Division, United States Marine Corps. (Official USMC biography)
- 1stLt Henry A. Comminskey, Medal of Honor, 1950, 1/1/1, Korea, Medal of Honor citation. (URL accessed June 11, 2006).
