William F. Lyell

He took command and destroyed three bunkers under enemy fire

William Franklin Lyell earned the Medal of Honor for leading an assault near Chup’a-ri, Korea, on August 31, 1951. A corporal in Company F, 17th Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division, he assumed command after his platoon leader was killed.

When enemy fire halted the advance, Lyell moved forward with a recoilless rifle and destroyed a bunker. He then attacked another emplacement with grenades. Although wounded, he pressed on and eliminated a third position. After reaching the hill’s north slope, he directed and encouraged his men while they supported other advancing troops. Enemy mortar fire mortally wounded him.

Lyell was born in Hickman County, Tennessee, and grew up in Goodlettsville. He worked at the DuPont chemical plant in Rayon City before being drafted into the Army on November 29, 1950. His family received his posthumous Medal of Honor on January 7, 1953. He was buried at Nashville National Cemetery in Madison, Tennessee. His citation honors the leadership he maintained through the final assault.

Medal of Honor citation

Cpl. Lyell, a member of company F, distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and outstanding courage above and beyond the call of duty in action against the enemy. When his platoon leader was killed, Cpl. Lyell assumed command and led his unit in an assault on strongly fortified enemy positions located on commanding terrain. When his platoon came under vicious, raking fire which halted the forward movement, Cpl. Lyell seized a 57-mm recoilless rifle and unhesitatingly moved ahead to a suitable firing position from which he delivered deadly accurate fire completely destroying an enemy bunker, killing its occupants. He then returned to his platoon and was resuming the assault when the unit was again subjected to intense hostile fire from two other bunkers. Disregarding his personal safety, armed with grenades, he charged forward hurling grenades into one of the enemy emplacements, and although painfully wounded in this action he pressed on, destroying the bunker and killing six of the foe. He then continued his attack against a third enemy position, throwing grenades as he ran forward, annihilating four enemy soldiers. He then led his platoon to the north slope of the hill where positions were occupied from which effective fire was delivered against the enemy in support of friendly troops moving up. Fearlessly exposing himself to enemy fire, he continuously moved about, directing and encouraging his men until he was mortally wounded by enemy mortar fire. Cpl. Lyell's extraordinary heroism, indomitable courage, and aggressive leadership reflect great credit on himself and are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service.