The President of the United States
in the name of The Congress
takes pleasure in presenting the
Medal of Honor
to
*JORDAN, MACK A.
Rank and organization: Private First
Class, U.S. Army, Company K 21st Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division. Place and
date: Near Kumsong, Korea, 15 November 1951. Entered service at: Collins,
Miss Born: 8 December 1928, Collins, Miss. G.O. No.: 3, 8 January 1953
Citation:
Pfc. Jordan, a member of Company K, distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and
indomitable courage above and beyond the call of duty in action against the enemy. As a
squad leader of the 3d Platoon, he was participating in a night attack on key terrain
against a fanatical hostile force when the advance was halted by intense small-arms and
automatic-weapons fire and a vicious barrage of handgrenades. Upon orders for the platoon
to withdraw and reorganize, Pfc. Jordan voluntarily remained behind to provide covering
fire. Crawling toward an enemy machinegun emplacement, he threw 3 grenades and neutralized
the gun. He then rushed the position delivering a devastating hail of fire, killing
several of the enemy and forcing the remainder to fall back to new positions. He
courageously attempted to move forward to silence another machinegun but, before he could
leave his position, the ruthless foe hurled explosives down the hill and in the ensuing
blast both legs were severed. Despite mortal wounds, he continued to deliver deadly fire
and held off the assailants until the platoon returned. Pfc. Jordan's unflinching courage
and gallant self-sacrifice reflect lasting glory upon himself and uphold the noble
traditions of the infantry and the military service.
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