Alford L. McLaughlin

Master Sergeant Alford L. McLaughlin, Medal of Honor

Alford Lee McLaughlin was a career United States Marine whose service stretched from the final months of the Second World War through the Korean War and into the Cold War era. He received the Medal of Honor for an extraordinary night of fighting in Korea during which, although wounded, he moved between two machine guns, a carbine and hand grenades while defending an isolated Marine position against repeated enemy attacks.

By the end of the action, he had been credited with inflicting approximately 150 enemy dead and another 50 wounded.

Early Life and Marine Corps Service

Alford Lee McLaughlin was born on March 18, 1928, in Leeds, Alabama.

He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps on May 3, 1945, while the Second World War was still underway.

After recruit training at Parris Island, South Carolina, McLaughlin served at Camp Lejeune before deploying to the Pacific. He was sent to Guam in late 1945 and subsequently served with American occupation forces in Japan.

His early service qualified him for the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, World War II Victory Medal and Navy Occupation Service Medal. His occupation service included qualifying duty associated with both the Asia and Europe clasps.

McLaughlin remained in the Marine Corps after the war.

Korean War

By 1952, McLaughlin was serving in Korea with the 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division.

The Korean War had by then developed into a bitter struggle over fortified hills and outposts along a relatively static front. Small defensive positions could become the scenes of intense combat as both sides fought for control of strategically important ground.

McLaughlin was wounded on August 16, 1952.

Less than three weeks later, he was back in action.

Outpost Bruce

On the night of September 4–5, 1952, McLaughlin was serving with Company L, 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines, during fighting in the Bunker Hill sector.

Enemy forces launched a powerful attack against Outpost Bruce.

McLaughlin was responsible for the defense of a key sector of the position.

As enemy troops advanced, he operated two machine guns positioned roughly 30 yards apart, repeatedly moving between them despite intense artillery, mortar and small-arms fire.

When one weapon overheated, he shifted to the other.

When enemy soldiers moved too close for effective machine-gun fire, he used his carbine and hand grenades.

He continued fighting despite being wounded.

Throughout the night, McLaughlin moved through exposed positions, directing fire and personally engaging the attacking forces. His actions helped prevent the outpost from being overrun.

The official citation credited him with inflicting approximately 150 enemy dead and another 50 wounded during the engagement.

His determination and sustained fire were instrumental in holding the Marine position.

For his actions at Outpost Bruce, Alford L. McLaughlin was awarded the Medal of Honor.

Medal of Honor Citation

Medal of Honor Citation (condensed)

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving with Company L, Third Battalion, Fifth Marines, First Marine Division, in action against enemy aggressor forces in Korea during the night of September 4–5, 1952.

When enemy forces launched repeated attacks against his position, McLaughlin moved continually between two machine guns approximately 30 yards apart, maintaining devastating fire despite intense hostile artillery, mortar and small-arms fire.

When the enemy approached at close range, he fought with his carbine and hand grenades.

Although wounded, he refused to abandon his position and continued fighting throughout the engagement.

His courageous actions were credited with approximately 150 enemy killed and another 50 wounded and were instrumental in preventing the Marine position from being overrun.

His extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty reflected the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Medal of Honor Presentation

President Dwight D. Eisenhower presented McLaughlin with the Medal of Honor at the White House on October 27, 1953.

His wounds in Korea resulted in two awards of the Purple Heart, represented on his ribbon by a gold 5/16-inch star.

His Korean War service also included participation in the Second Korean Winter, Korea Summer-Fall 1952 and Third Korean Winter campaigns, represented by three bronze service stars on his Korean Service Medal.

Later Marine Corps Career

McLaughlin continued serving in the Marine Corps after the Korean War.

His career extended through a period in which the Marine Corps underwent major changes in organization, equipment and doctrine as it adapted from the Second World War and Korea to the demands of the Cold War.

He remained an enlisted Marine throughout his career and eventually attained the rank of Master Sergeant.

After approximately twenty-seven years of service, Master Sergeant Alford L. McLaughlin retired from the United States Marine Corps in 1972.

Death and Burial

Alford Lee McLaughlin died on January 15, 1977, at Leeds, Alabama. He was 48 years old.

He was buried at Mount Hebron Cemetery in Leeds.

McLaughlin’s military career began during the final months of the Second World War, but it was a single night in Korea that secured his place in Marine Corps history.

Already wounded once only weeks earlier, he remained at his post during the attack on Outpost Bruce, moving repeatedly between his machine guns while enemy forces closed around the Marine position.

His Medal of Honor recognized not a brief moment of courage, but hours of sustained combat in which he continued fighting after being wounded and helped prevent his position from being overrun.

Alford L. McLaughlin’s actions on September 4–5, 1952 remain an extraordinary example of the determination and fighting spirit of the United States Marine Corps.