COMMISKEY, HENRY A., SR.
Rank and organization: First Lieutenant
(then 2d Lt.), U.S. Marine Corps, Company C, 1st Battalion, 1st Marines, 1st Marine
Division (Rein.). Place and date: Near Yongdungp'o, Korea, 20 September 1950. Entered
service at: Hattiesburg, Miss. Birth: 10 January 1927, Hattiesburg, Miss.
Citation:
For conspicuous gallantry and
intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a
platoon leader in Company C, in action against enemy aggressor forces. Directed to attack
hostile forces well dug in on Hill 85, 1st Lt. Commiskey, spearheaded the assault,
charging up the steep slopes on the run. Coolly disregarding the heavy enemy machinegun
and small arms fire, he plunged on well forward of the rest of his platoon and was the
first man to reach the crest of the objective. Armed only with a pistol, he jumped into a
hostile machinegun emplacement occupied by 5 enemy troops and quickly disposed of 4 of the
soldiers with his automatic pistol. Grappling with the fifth, 1st Lt. Commiskey knocked
him to the ground and held him until he could obtain a weapon from another member of his
platoon and killed the last of the enemy guncrew. Continuing his bold assault, he moved to
the next emplacement, killed 2 more of the enemy and then led his platoon toward the rear
nose of the hill to rout the remainder of the hostile troops and destroy them as they fled
from their positions. His valiant leadership and courageous fighting spirit served to
inspire the men of his company to heroic endeavor in seizing the objective and reflect the
highest credit upon 1st Lt. Commiskey and the U.S. Naval Service.
