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First Name: Melvin

Last Name: Mayfield

Birthplace: Salem, WV, USA

Gender: Male

Branch: Army (1784 - present)



Home of Record: Nashport, OH




Date of Birth: 24 March 1919

Date of Death: 19 June 1991

Rank: Corporal

Years Served:
Melvin Mayfield

   
Engagements:
•  World War II (1941 - 1945)

Biography:

Melvin Mayfield
Corporal, U.S. Army
Medal of Honor Recipient
World War II

Corporal Melvin Mayfield was a U.S. Army soldier and a recipient of the U.S. military's highest award for valor, the Medal of Honor, for his actions during World War II.

Melvin Mayfield was born on 24 March 1919 in Salem, WV. He joined the Army from Nashport, OH. On 29 July 1945, he was serving as a Corporal in Company D, 20th Infantry Regiment, 6th Infantry Division. In the Cordillera Mountains, Luzon, the Philippines that day, he single-handedly attacked four enemy positions. For this heroic action, he was awarded the Medal of Honor.

Mayfield left the Army while still a Corporal.

Medals, Awards and Badges

Medal of Honor
Bronze Star Medal (Merit)
Purple Heart
Army Good Conduct Medal
American Campaign Medal
Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal
World War II Victory Medal
Combat Infantryman Badge

Medal of Honor Citation

Rank and organization: Corporal, U.S. Army, Company D, 20th Infantry, 6th Infantry Division.

Place and date: Cordillera Mountains, Luzon, Philippine Islands, 29 July 1945.

He displayed conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty while fighting in the Cordillera Mountains of Luzon, Philippine Islands. When 2 Filipino companies were pinned down under a torrent of enemy fire that converged on them from a circular ridge commanding their position, Cpl. Mayfield, in a gallant single-handed effort to aid them, rushed from shell hole to shell hole until he reached 4 enemy caves atop the barren fire-swept hill. With grenades and his carbine, he assaulted each of the caves while enemy fire pounded about him. However, before he annihilated the last hostile redoubt, a machinegun bullet destroyed his weapon and slashed his left hand. Disregarding his wound, he secured more grenades and dauntlessly charged again into the face of pointblank fire to help destroy a hostile observation post. By his gallant determination and heroic leadership, Cpl. Mayfield inspired the men to eliminate all remaining pockets of resistance in the area and to press the advance against the enemy.

Death and Burial

Corporal Melvin Mayfield died on 19 June 1990 at age 71. He is buried at Frazeysburg Cemetery in Frazeysburg, OH, in the 5th Addition, 1st Row.



Honoree ID: 26   Created by: MHOH

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