Free Republic

On October 3, 1918, Marine Corporal John Henry Pruitt II, of the “American Expeditionary Forces” in Blanc Mont, attacked German machine positions. Pruitt killed two gunners then seized the resulting advantage to capture the exposed offence line of force. Later that afternoon, Pruitt took mortar fragments, and died just before sunrise of the next day, 22nd birthday. John Henry received two Medals of Honor, one from the Navy and one from the Army. Over time he had earned the Maltese Cross, Croix de Guerre, the Croce di Guerra, four silver stars, four bronze stars and two purple hearts. Corporal Pruitt...