Lewis G . Watkins Staff Sergeant Lewis George Watkins ( June 6 , 1925 – October 7 , 1952 ) was a United States Marine who sacrificed his life to save the lives of fellow Marines under his command and to contribute to the success of his unit ' s mission during the Korean War . For his actions on October 7 , 1952 , Watkins posthumous ly received the Medal of Honor . Biography . Lewis Watkins was born on June 6 , 1925 in Seneca , South Carolina . He graduated from Greenville High School , South Carolina in 1949 . He was a member of the Greenville Police Department when he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps on September 12 , 1950 . After training at Parris Island , South Carolina . He served at Camp Lejeune , North Carolina , and Camp Pendleton , California before being deployed to Korea . On October 7 , 1952 , Sergeant Watkins ' platoon was assigned to retake an outpost from the enemy . Although wounded in the fight , he placed automatic fire on the enemy machine gun position holding up the assault . When an enemy grenade landed among his men , he shoved them aside , picked up the grenade , and attempted to throw it at the enemy . The grenade exploded in his hand and wounded him mortally . His parents , Mr . and Mrs . Fred Watkins of Seneca , South Carolina , received notification that their son had been awarded the nation ' s highest decoration , the Medal of Honor , in a letter from General Lemuel C . Shepherd , Jr . , Commandant of the Marine Corps . The Watkins family later donated the medal to the Patriot ' s Hall Veterans Museum in Walhalla , South Carolina . Lewis Watkins is Oconee County ' s only Medal of Honor recipient . Decorations . In addition to the Medal of Honor , Watkins decorations include : the Purple Heart ; Korean Service Medal with two bronze stars ; and the United Nations Service Medal . Medal of Honor citation . The President of the United States in the name of The Congress takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to STAFF SERGEANT LEWIS G . WATKINS UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a guide of a rifle platoon of Company I , in action against enemy aggressor forces during the hours of darkness on the morning of October 7 , 1952 . With his platoon assigned the mission of retaking an outpost which had been overrun by the enemy earlier in the night , S / Sgt . Watkins skillfully led his unit in the assault up the designated hill . Although painfully wounded when a well - entrenched hostile force at the crest of the hill engaged the platoon with intense small - arms and grenade fire , he gallantly continued to lead his men . Obtaining an automatic rifle from one of the wounded men , he assisted in pinning down an enemy machine gun holding up the assault . When an enemy grenade landed among Staff Sergeant Watkins and several other Marines while they were moving forward through a trench on the hill crest , he immediately pushed his companions aside , placed himself in a position to shield them and picked up the deadly missile in an attempt to throw it outside the trench . Mortally wounded when the grenade exploded in his hand , Staff Sergeant Watkins , by his great personal valor in the face of almost certain death , saved the lives of several of his comrades and contributed materially to the success of the mission . His extraordinary heroism , inspiring leadership , and resolute spirit of self - sacrifice reflect the highest credit upon himself and enhance the finest traditions of the U . S . Naval Service . He gallantly gave his life for his country .