George M. Shelton

He advanced alone under gunfire to rescue a wounded comrade.

George Mathews Shelton was born on December 23, 1877, in Brownwood, Texas. He served as a private in Company I, 23rd U.S. Infantry, during the Philippine conflict.

On April 26, 1900, at La Paz on Leyte, Shelton advanced alone under heavy enemy fire to rescue a wounded fellow soldier. His Medal of Honor citation recognized the courage of that solitary rescue. The award honored an act that placed another soldier's safety ahead of his own.

Shelton received the Medal of Honor on March 10, 1902, and later attained major. The Department of Veterans Affairs also records his World War I Army service. He died on January 18, 1949, at the Presidio of San Francisco and is buried at San Francisco National Cemetery. His award commemorates bravery in bringing a wounded comrade out of danger.

Medal of Honor Citation

Advanced alone under heavy fire of the enemy and rescued a wounded comrade.