The President of the United States
in the name of The Congress
takes pleasure in presenting the
Medal of Honor
to
*PENDLETON, CHARLES F.
Rank and organization: Corporal. U.S.
Army, Company D, 15th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division. Place and date:
Near Choo Gung-Dong, Korea, 16 and 17 July 1953. Entered service at: Fort Worth,
Tex. Born: 26 September 1931, Camden, Tenn.
Citation:
Cpl. Pendleton, a machine gunner with Company D, distinguished himself by conspicuous
gallantry and indomitable courage above and beyond the call of duty in action against the
enemy. After consolidating and establishing a defensive perimeter on a key terrain
feature, friendly elements were attacked by a large hostile force. Cpl. Pendleton
delivered deadly accurate fire into the approaching troops, killing approximately 15 and
disorganizing the remainder with grenades. Unable to protect the flanks because of the
narrow confines of the trench, he removed the machinegun from the tripod and, exposed to
enemy observation, positioned it on his knee to improve his firing vantage. Observing a
hostile infantryman jumping into the position, intent on throwing a grenade at his
comrades, he whirled about and killed the attacker, then inflicted such heavy casualties
on the enemy force that they retreated to regroup. After reorganizing, a second wave of
hostile soldiers moved forward in an attempt to overrun the position and, later, when a
hostile grenade landed nearby, Cpl. Pendleton quickly retrieved and hurled it back at the
foe. Although he was burned by the hot shells ejecting from his weapon, and he was wounded
by a grenade, he refused evacuation and continued to fire on the assaulting force. As
enemy action increased in tempo, his machinegun was destroyed by a grenade but, undaunted,
he grabbed a carbine and continued his heroic defense until mortally wounded by a mortar
burst. Cpl. Pendleton's unflinching courage, gallant self-sacrifice, and consummate
devotion to duty reflect lasting glory upon himself and uphold the finest traditions of
the military service.
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