Luther H. Story

He held his position to cover the withdrawal of his comrades

Luther H. Story was born on 20 July 1931 in Buena Vista, Georgia. He served as a private first class and weapons squad leader with Company A, 9th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division during the Korean War.

On 1 September 1950 near Agok, Story took over a wounded gunner's machine gun and fired on enemy troops crossing the Naktong River. During the company's withdrawal, he attacked an approaching troop truck with grenades. Wounded in further fighting, he rallied nearby soldiers and then remained behind to cover the retreat, refusing to slow his comrades. He was last seen continuing to resist the enemy and died that day.

General Omar Bradley presented Story's posthumous Medal of Honor to his father at the Pentagon on 21 June 1951. His remains were identified in April 2023 and buried at Andersonville National Cemetery in Georgia on 29 May 2023.

Official citation

Pfc. Story distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty in action. A savage daylight attack by elements of three enemy divisions penetrated the thinly held lines of the 9th Infantry. Company A beat off several banzai attacks but was bypassed and in danger of being cut off and surrounded. Pfc. Story, a weapons squad leader, was heavily engaged in stopping the early attacks and had just moved his squad to a position overlooking the Naktong River when he observed a large group of the enemy crossing the river to attack Company A. Seizing a machine gun from his wounded gunner he placed deadly fire on the hostile column killing or wounding an estimated 100 enemy soldiers. Facing certain encirclement, the company commander ordered a withdrawal. During the move Pfc. Story noticed the approach of an enemy truck loaded with troops and towing an ammunition trailer. Alerting his comrades to take cover, he fearlessly stood in the middle of the road, throwing grenades into the truck. Out of grenades, he crawled to his squad, gathered up additional grenades, and again attacked the vehicle. During the withdrawal the company was attacked by such superior numbers that it was forced to deploy in a rice field. Pfc. Story was wounded in this action, but, disregarding his wounds, rallied the men about him and repelled the attack. Realizing that his wounds would hamper his comrades, he refused to retire to the next position but remained to cover the company's withdrawal. When last seen he was firing every weapon available and fighting off another hostile assault. Pvt. Story's extraordinary heroism, aggressive leadership, and supreme devotion to duty reflect the highest credit upon himself and were in keeping with the esteemed traditions of the military service.