Mack Alvin Jordan
Private First Class, U.S. Army
Medal of Honor Recipient
Korean War

Mack Alvin Jordan was born on 8 December 1928, at Collins, MS. He was a Private First Class in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his heroic actions on 15 November 1951.

Medal of Honor

Rank and organization: Private First Class, U.S. Army, Company K, 21st Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division

Place and date: Near Kumsong, Korea, 15 November 1951

G.O. No.: 3, 8 January 1953

Citation:

Pfc. Jordan, a member of Company K, distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and indomitable courage above and beyond the call of duty in action against the enemy. As a squad leader of the 3d Platoon, he was participating in a night attack on key terrain against a fanatical hostile force when the advance was halted by intense small-arms and automatic-weapons fire and a vicious barrage of hand grenades. Upon orders for the platoon to withdraw and reorganize, Pfc. Jordan voluntarily remained behind to provide covering fire. Crawling toward an enemy machine gun emplacement, he threw 3 grenades and neutralized the gun. He then rushed the position delivering a devastating hail of fire, killing several of the enemy and forcing the remainder to fall back to new positions. He courageously attempted to move forward to silence another machine gun but, before he could leave his position, the ruthless foe hurled explosives down the hill and in the ensuing blast both legs were severed. Despite mortal wounds, he continued to deliver deadly fire and held off the assailants until the platoon returned. Pfc. Jordan's unflinching courage and gallant self-sacrifice reflect lasting glory upon himself and uphold the noble traditions of the infantry and the military service.

The Medal of Honor for PFC Jordan was presented to his family at the Pentagon by Secretary of the Army, Frank C. Pace, on 7 January 1953.

Other Medals

In addition to the Medal of Honor, PFC Jordan was awarded the Purple Heart.

Honors

A statue of PFC Mack Alvin Jordan is located in Collins, MS.

Death and Burial

PFC Jordan was killed in action on 15 November 1951. He is buried at Station Creek Cemetery in Collins, Covington County, MS.