Harold E . Wilson Chief Warrant Officer Harold Edward Wilson ( December 5 , 1921 – March 29 , 1998 ) was a United States Marine who earned the United States ’ military highest award , the Medal of Honor , for heroism as a platoon sergeant of a rifle platoon in Korea on the night of 23 - April 24 , 1951 . He received the award from President Harry S . Truman during ceremonies at the White House on April 11 , 1952 . Wounded four times during the night - long battle , he refused medical treatment to rally his men against overwhelming Communist forces . With both arms virtually disabled , he continued to pass ammunition to the hard - pressed Marines and moved from foxhole to foxhole aiding and encouraging his men . When the assault was finally broken , he personally accounted for each of his men before walking a half mile unassisted to an aid station . A month earlier , he had earned the Bronze Star for “ fearless and untiring leadership ” of his platoon in several engagements from 1 - March 27 , 1951 . He had been wounded previously on December 9 , 1950 during the Chosin Reservoir campaign . Marine Corps service . Harold Edward Wilson was born on December 5 , 1921 in Birmingham , Alabama , and attended public schools there . He enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserve and was assigned to active duty on April 20 , 1942 . During World War II , he served overseas for 27 months and was stationed on Midway Island . In addition to his Pacific service , he was stationed at Parris Island , South Carolina ; Camp Lejeune , North Carolina ; and Portsmouth , Virginia . He was honorably discharged on October 20 , 1945 , with the rank of sergeant . Two years later , he re - entered the Organized Marine Corps Reserve , joining the Birmingham unit . Recalled to active duty in August 1950 after the outbreak of the Korean War , he was assigned to Company G , 3rd Battalion , 1st Marines , 1st Marine Division . Arriving with his unit in Korea in November 1950 , he participated in the Wonsan landing , and later fought in the Chosin Reservoir campaign and in the first United Nations counteroffensive . Following the 23 - April 24 , 1951 action in which he was wounded and earned the Medal of Honor , he was evacuated to the Yokosuka Naval Hospital in Japan and five months later returned to the United States . He was awarded a meritorious promotion to master sergeant in June 1951 and commissioned a Warrant Officer in August 1952 . In December 1962 , he assumed the post of Adjutant at the Marine Corps Engineer Schools , Camp Lejeune , and the following December was assigned to Force Troops , Fleet Marine Force , Atlantic , serving as Adjutant and Personnel Officer of the 2nd Tank Battalion . Chief Warrant Officer Wilson was also a veteran of the Vietnam War , serving with Marine Aircraft Group 13 prior to being assigned as 6th Marine Corps District Personnel Officer in November 1968 . He retired from the Marine Corps in February 1972 . Chief Warrant Officer Wilson died in Lexington , South Carolina on March 29 , 1998 . He is buried in Woodridge Memorial Park , Lexington , South Carolina . Decorations and honor . A complete list of his decorations and medals includes : The Medal of Honor , the Bronze Star with Combat “ V , ” the Purple Heart with four Gold Stars indicative of five awards , two Presidential Unit Citations , the Good Conduct Medal , the Asiatic - Pacific Campaign Medal , the American Campaign Medal , the World War II Victory Medal , the National Defense Service Medal , the Korean Service Medal with three battle stars , the United Nations Service Medal , and the Korean Presidential Unit Citation . Medal of Honor citation . The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the MEDAL OF HONOR to TECHNICAL SERGEANT HAROLD E . WILSON UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS for service as set forth in the following CITATION : For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as Platoon Sergeant of a Rifle Platoon attached to Company G , Third Battalion , First Marines , First Marine Division ( Reinforced ) , in action against enemy aggressor forces in Korea on the night of 23 – 24 April 1951 . When the company outpost was overrun by the enemy while his platoon , firing from hastily - constructed foxholes , was engaged in resisting the brunt of a fierce mortar , machine - gun , grenade and small - arms attack launched by hostile forces from high ground under cover of darkness , Technical Sergeant Wilson braved intense fire to assist the survivors back into the line and to direct the treatment of casualties . Although twice wounded by gunfire , in the right arm and the left leg , he refused medical aid for himself and continued to move about among his men , shouting words of encouragement . After receiving further wounds in the head and shoulder as the attack increased in intensity , he again insisted upon remaining with his unit . Unable to use either arm to fire , and with mounting casualties among our forces , he resupplied his men with rifles and ammunition taken from the wounded . Personally reporting to his company commander on several occasions , he requested and received additional assistance when the enemy attack became even more fierce and , after placing the reinforcements in strategic positions in the line , directed effective fire until blown off his feet by the bursting of a hostile mortar round in his face . Dazed and suffering from concussion , he still refused medical aid and , despite weakness from loss of blood , moved from foxhole to foxhole , directing fire , resupplying ammunition , rendering first aid and encouraging his men . By his heroic actions in the face of almost certain death , when the unit ' s ability to hold the disadvantageous position was doubtful , he instilled confidence in his troops , inspiring them to rally repeatedly and turn back the furious assaults . At dawn , after the final attack had been repulsed , he personally accounted for each man in his platoon before walking unassisted one - half mile to the aid station where he submitted to treatment . His outstanding courage , initiative and skilled leadership in the face of overwhelming odds were contributing factors in the success of his company ' s mission and reflect the highest credit upon Technical Sergeant Wilson and the United States Naval Service . / S / HARRY S . TRUMAN