The President of the United States
in the name of The Congress
takes pleasure in presenting the
Medal of Honor
to
MORELOCK, STERLING
Rank and Organization: Private, U.S. Army, Company
M, 28th Infantry, 1st Division. Place and Date: Near Exermont, France, 4 October
1918. Entered Service At: Oquawka, Ill. Birth: Silver Run, Md. G. O. No.:
43, W.D., 1922.
Citation:
While his company was being held up by heavy enemy fire, Pvt. Morelock, with 3 other men
who were acting as runners at company headquarters, voluntarily led them as a patrol in
advance of his company's frontline through an intense rifle, artillery, and machinegun
fire and penetrated a woods which formed the German frontline. Encountering a series of 5
hostile machinegun nests, containing from 1 to 5 machineguns each, with his patrol he
cleaned them all out, gained and held complete mastery of the situation until the arrival
of his company commander with reinforcements, even though his entire party had become
casualties. He rendered first aid to the injured and evacuated them by using stretcher
bearers 10 German prisoners whom he had captured. Soon thereafter his company commander
was wounded and while dressing his wound Pvt. Morelock was very severely wounded in the
hip, which forced his evacuation. His heroic action and devotion to duty were an
inspiration to the entire regiment.
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