Alford L. McLaughlin

Military Person

1928 – 1977

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Who was Alford L. McLaughlin?

Master Sergeant Alford Lee McLaughlin, the 33rd United States Marine to receive the Medal of Honor for heroism in the Korean fighting, earned the nation’s highest decoration for his intrepid two-machine-gun defense of a lonely outpost on “Bunker Hill.” He was decorated by President Dwight D. Eisenhower on October 27, 1953 at a ceremony in the White House.

A private first class at the time, he kept firing his two machine guns alternately, notwithstanding his painful wounds and blistered hands, until the guns became too hot to hold. Then he carried on with a carbine and grenades until some 200 Chinese lay dead or wounded in front of him. In addition to the Medal of Honor, PFC McLaughlin received a Gold Star in lieu of his second Purple Heart Medal for wounds suffered in that action. He was awarded his first Purple Heart for wounds received August 16, 1952 in the same sector.

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Born
Mar 28, 1928
Leeds
Also known as
  • Alford Lee McLaughlin
Nationality
  • United States of America
Died
Jan 14, 1977

Submitted
on July 23, 2013

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