Jack A. Davenport

Covering a live grenade to protect another Marine

Jack Arden Davenport received the Medal of Honor for sacrificing his life during the Korean War. Born in Kansas City, Missouri, on September 7, 1931, he graduated from Paseo High School in 1949 and attended the University of Kansas for a year, playing football. He enlisted in the Marine Corps in July 1950, trained at Camp Pendleton and deployed to Korea in December 1950. There he served as a corporal and squad leader in Company G, 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division.

Early on September 21, 1951, at Songnae-dong, Davenport directed the defense against an enemy probing attack. When a grenade fell into the foxhole he shared with another Marine, he located it in the darkness and threw himself over it. His action protected his companion from serious injury or death, but Davenport was killed.

Navy Secretary Dan A. Kimball presented his posthumous Medal of Honor to his father at the Pentagon on January 7, 1953. He was buried in Mount Moriah Cemetery in Kansas City. His award commemorates leadership and a final act of protection for a fellow Marine.

Official Medal of Honor citation

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a squad leader in Company G, in action against enemy aggressor forces early in the morning. While expertly directing the defense of his position during a probing attack by hostile forces attempting to infiltrate the area, Cpl. Davenport, acting quickly when an enemy grenade fell into the foxhole which he was occupying with another marine, skillfully located the deadly projectile in the dark and, undeterred by the personal risk involved, heroically threw himself over the live missile, thereby saving his companion from serious injury or possible death. His cool and resourceful leadership were contributing factors in the successful repulse of the enemy attack and his superb courage and admirable spirit of self-sacrifice in the face of almost certain death enhance and sustain the highest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service. Cpl. Davenport gallantly gave his life for his country.