When the fighting escalated and his platoon retreated, Barker “gallantly maintained a defense and was last seen in close hand-to-hand combat with the enemy.” His “unflinching courage, consummate devotion to duty, and supreme sacrifice enabled the patrol to complete the mission and effect an orderly withdrawal to friendly lines, reflecting lasting glory upon himself and upholding the highest traditions of the military service.”īorn: Date and South Carolina town unlisted. After leaving his position to get more ammo, he saw a Japanese inside the perimeter, grabbed a rifle and killed him.īarker and his patrol surprised an enemy group that was digging encampments. He also used three rifles until each of them jammed.
Four hours after the fighting started, there were 13 Japanese soldiers dead in front of him, and he had fired all 400 rounds he and his two dead companies had. Atkins determinedly remained in his foxhole, bearing the brunt of each assault and maintaining steady and accurate fire until each charge was repulsed,” according to a narrative of the event. “The Japanese repeatedly made fierce attacks, but for four hours Pfc. He returned fire, and after repelling the enemy soldiers, he remained where he was, despite a machine gun shooting at him. While on a ridge outside of a perimeter defense, two companies of Japanese soldiers attacked them, wounding Atkins. He continued, refusing to be evacuated and encouraged his men.Ītkins fought on the Villa Verde Trail in the Philippine Islands.
When he saw a grenade land near a wounded member of his crew, he took and threw it over the parapet. Unable to stand, he propped himself up and continued to fire the howitzer. Two enemy grenades exploded at his feet, severely wounding his legs. Anderson, with complete disregard for his personal safety, mounted the exposed parapet of his howitzer position and became the mainstay of the defense of the battery position.” He also provided rifle and grenade fire against the soldiers trying to overrun him. When the army crossed the defensive perimeter, “Sfc. Here are the 32 people born in South Carolina who have received a Medal of honor, as of May 2021, according to the Congressional Medal of Honor Society:Īnderson’s defensive position was attacked by a North Vietnamese Army infantry unit. Other awardees have included men who jumped on grenades to save their comrades, soldiers who led assaults despite being wounded and a man who escaped enslavement. The award was presented to Payne by then-President Donald Trump on Sept. Thomas Payne, a South Carolinian who repeatedly ran into a burning building to save dozens of hostages. One of the most recent awards was given to Sgt. More recently, 18 have been awarded for actions in the War on Terrorism in Afghanistan, and seven for the War on Terrorism in Iraq. The most medals were awarded for actions during the Civil War, when 1,523 were awarded, followed by 472 in World War II.
There are 67 living Medal of Honor recipients, as of May 2021. There have been more than 3,527 medals awarded, with 19 people receiving more than one. It’s considered the highest award for military valor. The medal, which requires nominees to receive presidential approval before it is granted, is given to those who distinguish themselves “conspicuously by gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. More than 30 people who were born in South Carolina have received the Medal of Honor since it was created more than 150 years ago. (WBTW) - South Carolina’s tradition of military service has attracted the attention of the nation’s top leaders.