
The President of the United States
in the name of The Congress
takes pleasure in presenting the
Medal of Honor
to
*STORY, LUTHER H.
Rank and organization: Private First
Class, U.S. Army, Company A, 9th Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division. Place and
date: Near Agok, Korea, 1 September 1950. Entered service at: Georgia. Born:
20 July 1931, Buena Vista, Ga. G.O. No.: 70, 2 August 1951.
Citation:
Pfc. Story, distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and
beyond the call of duty in action. A savage daylight attack by elements of 3 enemy
divisions penetrated the thinly held lines of the 9th Infantry. Company A beat off several
banzai attacks but was bypassed and in danger of being cut off and surrounded. Pfc. Story,
a weapons squad leader, was heavily engaged in stopping the early attacks and had just
moved his squad to a position overlooking the Naktong River when he observed a large group
of the enemy crossing the river to attack Company A. Seizing a machinegun from his wounded
gunner he placed deadly fire on the hostile column killing or wounding an estimated 100
enemy soldiers. Facing certain encirclement the company commander ordered a withdrawal.
During the move Pfc. Story noticed the approach of an enemy truck loaded with troops and
towing an ammunition trailer. Alerting his comrades to take cover he fearlessly stood in
the middle of the road, throwing grenades into the truck. Out of grenades he crawled to
his squad, gathered up additional grenades and again attacked the vehicle. During the
withdrawal the company was attacked by such superior numbers that it was forced to deploy
in a rice field. Pfc. Story was wounded in this action, but, disregarding his wounds,
rallied the men about him and repelled the attack. Realizing that his wounds would hamper
his comrades he refused to retire to the next position but remained to cover the company's
withdrawal. When last seen he was firing every weapon available and fighting off another
hostile assault. Private Story's extraordinary heroism, aggressive leadership, and supreme
devotion to duty reflect the highest credit upon himself and were in keeping with the
esteemed traditions of the military service.
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