Mack A. Jordan

He covered a withdrawal and fought on after losing his legs.

Mack Alvin Jordan was born at Collins, Mississippi, on 8 December 1928. He entered the United States Army in January 1951 and reached Korea that June. He served in Company K, 21st Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division, becoming a private first class.

During a night attack near Kumsong on 15 November 1951, his platoon encountered heavy fire from concealed enemy positions. When the Americans were ordered to withdraw, Jordan remained behind to cover them. He advanced against the enemy with rifle fire and grenades, attacking positions that were preventing the platoon's movement.

He silenced one machine gun and continued toward another emplacement. An explosive device then severed both his legs. Even after these catastrophic wounds he kept firing from the ground, supporting his comrades until they could return to him. His determination helped the platoon disengage from a dangerous position.

Jordan died while being evacuated to an aid station. The Army awarded him the Medal of Honor posthumously, recognising his repeated attacks and his refusal to stop protecting the platoon after being gravely wounded. His father received the decoration from Secretary of the Army Frank Pace in January 1953.

Jordan was buried in Station Creek Cemetery near Collins. His military service lasted less than a year, but it included several months of active combat in Korea. His memory is preserved at home in Mississippi and in the Army's record of the Korean War, including the story of the young infantryman who remained to cover his unit's withdrawal.

Official Medal of Honor citation

Pfc. Jordan, a member of Company K, distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and indomitable courage above and beyond the call of duty in action against the enemy. As a squad leader of the 3d Platoon, he was participating in a night attack on key terrain against a fanatical hostile force when the advance was halted by intense small-arms and automatic-weapons fire and a vicious barrage of hand grenades. Upon orders for the platoon to withdraw and reorganize, Pfc. Jordan voluntarily remained behind to provide covering fire. Crawling toward an enemy machine-gun emplacement, he threw three grenades and neutralized the gun. He then rushed the position delivering a devastating hail of fire, killing several of the enemy and forcing the remainder to fall back to new positions. He courageously attempted to move forward to silence another machine gun but, before he could leave his position, the ruthless foe hurled explosives down the hill and in the ensuing blast both legs were severed. Despite mortal wounds, he continued to deliver deadly fire and held off the assailants until the platoon returned. Pfc. Jordan's unflinching courage and gallant self-sacrifice reflect lasting glory upon himself and uphold the noble traditions of the infantry and the military service.

Congressional Medal of Honor Society, official recipient citation.