William S. Sitman
William Samuel Sitman [1] (August 9, 1923 – February 14, 1951) was a soldier in the United States Army during the Korean War. He posthumously received the Medal of Honor for his actions on February 14, 1951, during the Battle of Chipyong-ni.
William S. Sitman | |
|---|---|
 Medal of Honor recipient William Sitman | |
| Born | August 9, 1923 Bellwood, Pennsylvania |
| Died | February 14, 1951 (aged 27) near Chipyong-ni, Korea |
| Place of burial | Logan Valley Cemetery, Bellwood, Pennsylvania |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Service/ | United States Army |
| Years of service | 1943–1951 |
| Rank | Sergeant First Class |
| Unit | Company M, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division |
| Battles/wars | Korean War † |
| Awards | Medal of Honor Purple Heart |
Sitman joined the Army from his birthplace of Bellwood, Pennsylvania in February 1943.[2]
Medal of Honor citation
Rank and organization: Sergeant First Class, U.S. Army, Company M, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division
Place and date: Near Chipyong-ni, Korea, February 14, 1951
Entered service at: Bellwood, Pennsylvania, Birth: Bellwood, Pennsylvania
G.O. No.: 20, February 1, 1952
Citation:
Sfc. Sitman distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty in action against an armed enemy of the United Nations. Sfc. Sitman, a machine gun section leader of Company M, was attached to Company I, under attack by a numerically superior hostile force. During the encounter when an enemy grenade knocked out his machine gun, a squad from Company I, immediately emplaced a light machine gun and Sfc. Sitman and his men remained to provide security for the crew. In the ensuing action, the enemy lobbed a grenade into the position and Sfc. Sitman, fully aware of the odds against him, selflessly threw himself on it, absorbing the full force of the explosion with his body. Although mortally wounded in this fearless display of valor, his intrepid act saved 5 men from death or serious injury, and enabled them to continue inflicting withering fire on the ruthless foe throughout the attack. Sfc. Sitman's noble self-sacrifice and consummate devotion to duty reflect lasting glory on himself and uphold the honored traditions of the military service.[3]
Notes
- Hall of Valor
- WWII Army Enlistment Records
- ""WILLIAM S. SITMAN" entry". Medal of Honor recipients: Korean War. United States Army Center of Military History. June 8, 2009. Archived from the original on 2009-03-10. Retrieved 2007-12-31.
References
This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Army Center of Military History.
- ""WILLIAM S. SITMAN" entry". Medal of Honor recipients: Korean War. United States Army Center of Military History. June 8, 2009. Archived from the original on 2009-03-10. Retrieved 2007-12-31.
External links
"William S. Sitman". Claim to Fame: Medal of Honor recipients. Find a Grave. Retrieved 2009-01-06.