The President of the United States
in the name of The Congress
takes pleasure in presenting the
Medal of Honor
to
*GILLILAND, CHARLES L.
Rank and organization: Corporal (then
Pfc.), U.S. Army, Company I, 7th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division. Place and
date: Near Tongmang-ni, Korea, 25 April 1951. Entered service at: Yellville
(Marion County), Ark. Born: 24 May 1933, Mountain Home, Ark. G.O. No.:
2, 11 January 1955.
Citation:
Cpl. Gilliland, a member of Company I, distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and
outstanding courage above and beyond the call of duty in action against the enemy. A
numerically superior hostile force launched a coordinated assault against his company
perimeter, the brunt of which was directed up a defile covered by his automatic rifle. His
assistant was killed by enemy fire but Cpl. Gilliland, facing the full force of the
assault, poured a steady fire into the foe which stemmed the onslaught. When 2 enemy
soldiers escaped his raking fire and infiltrated the sector, he leaped from his foxhole,
overtook and killed them both with his pistol. Sustaining a serious head wound in this
daring exploit, he refused medical attention and returned to his emplacement to continue
his defense of the vital defile. His unit was ordered back to new defensive positions but
Cpl. Gilliland volunteered to remain to cover the withdrawal and hold the enemy at bay.
His heroic actions and indomitable devotion to duty prevented the enemy from completely
overrunning his company positions. Cpl. Gilliland's incredible valor and supreme sacrifice
reflect lasting glory upon himself and are in keeping with the honored traditions of the
military service.
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