Sgt. Cornelius H. Charlton’s Medal of Honor

1952

The Medal of Honor is the nation's highest military award. It honors valor in combat above and beyond the call of duty.

During the Korean War,  Sgt. Cornelius H. Charlton (1929–1951) and his platoon attacked Hill 543, a Chinese-held stronghold. When his platoon leader was wounded, Charlton assumed command and led three consecutive assaults against the heavily-defended Chinese position. Although seriously wounded, Sergeant Charlton continued a fourth assault alone before dying from his wounds.  The U.S. Army posthumously awarded Sergeant Charlton this Medal of Honor for his bravery, leadership, and self-sacrifice. His parents were presented with the medal in a ceremony at the Pentagon.  

Sergeant Charlton and Pvt. 1st Class William H. Thompson were the first African American service members to receive the Medal of Honor since the China Relief Expedition in 1900. During World War I and World War II, no African American service members were awarded the Medal of Honor, an oversight the Pentagon began correcting in 1997.