b. 08/12/1928 Collins, Mississippi. d. 15/11/1951 near Kumsong, Korea.
DATE OF MOH ACTION: 15/11/1951 near Kumsong, Korea.
Mack A Jordan MOH
Mack Alvin Jordan (1928-1951), of Collins, Mississippi, was inducted into the United States Army in January 1951. By June, he was sent with the 21st Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division for combat in the Korean War.
Private First Class Jordan was serving as a squad leader when his platoon launched a night attack on November 15, 1951, near Kumsong, Korea. Encountering heavy resistance, Jordan’s platoon withdrew to reorganize. Jordan, however, crawled forward alone, launching a one-man defense. He proceeded to knock out a machine gun nest with grenades and rifle fire, and was making his way to another emplacement before a packet of explosives rolled towards him. Despite being badly wounded by the blast, Jordan continued to fire his weapons. His comrades found him still fighting when they moved back into position. Private Jordan immediately received medical assistance, but died on the way to an aid station.
For his bravery, Private First Class Jordan was posthumously awarded this Medal of Honor, the nation’s highest award for valor in combat. Secretary of the Army Frank C. Pace presented the medal to Jordan’s father, John W. Jordan, at the Pentagon on January 7, 1953.
MOH 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.
BURIAL LOCATION: STATION CREEK CEMETERY, COLLINS, MISSISSIPPI.
LOCATION OF MEDAL: MISSISSIPPI ARMED FORCES MUSEUM, CAMP SHELBY, MISSISSIPPI.
