b. 12/03/1919 Salem, West Virginia. d. 19/06/1990 St Louisville, Ohio.
DATE OF MOH ACTION: 29/07/1945 Cordillera Mountains, Luzon, Philippines.
Melvin Mayfield MOH
Mayfield joined the Army from Nashport, Ohio in February 1941, and by July 29, 1945, was serving as a corporal in Company D, 20th Infantry Regiment, 6th Infantry Division. On that day, in the Cordillera Mountains, Luzon, the Philippines, he single-handedly attacked four enemy positions. For this action, he was awarded the Medal of Honor ten months later, on May 31, 1946.
Mayfield left the Army while still a corporal. He died at age 71 and was buried in Frazeysburg Cemetery, Frazeysburg, Ohio. Mayfield’s actions, on July 29, 1945, were the last to earn a Medal of Honor prior to the August 15, 1945, end of hostilities in World War II—though some honourees may have been cited for their Medal after Mayfield’s recognition on May 31, 1946.
MOH CITATION:
He displayed conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty while fighting in the Cordillera Mountains of Luzon, Philippine Islands. When two Filipino companies were pinned down under a torrent of enemy fire that converged on them from a circular ridge commanding their position, Cpl. Mayfield, in a gallant singlehanded effort to aid them, rushed from shell hole to shell hole until he reached four enemy caves atop the barren fire-swept hill. With grenades and his carbine, he assaulted each of the caves while enemy fire pounded about him. However, before he annihilated the last hostile redoubt, a machine-gun bullet destroyed his weapon and slashed his left hand. Disregarding his wound, he secured more grenades and dauntlessly charged again into the face of point-blank fire to help destroy a hostile observation post. By his gallant determination and heroic leadership, Cpl. Mayfield inspired the men to eliminate all remaining pockets of resistance in the area and to press the advance against the enemy.
BURIAL LOCATION: FRAZEYSBURG CEMETERY, FRAZEYSBURG, OHIO.
5TH EDITION, 1ST ROW.
LOCATION OF MEDAL: FAMILY.
