Charles L . McGaha Charles L . McGaha ( February 26 , 1914 – August 8 , 1984 ) was a United States Army soldier and a recipient of the United States military ' s highest decoration — the Medal of Honor — for his actions in World War II . Biography . McGaha was born in the small town of Cosby in eastern Tennessee to Laura McGaha . His family had a long history of service in the United States military . In October 1937 , at age 23 , he traveled to Asheville , North Carolina , hoping to enlist in the United States Navy . The Navy recruiter , not needing any more enlistees , turned him away , so McGaha left for Knoxville and joined the Army instead . In 1941 , he was stationed in Pearl Harbor , Hawaii , with Company G of the 35th Infantry Regiment , 25th Infantry Division . He was there when the Japanese attacked on December 7 , 1941 , precipitating the United States ' entrance into World War II . McGaha fought in the Guadalcanal Campaign and the northern Solomons before participating in the campaign to recapture the Philippines from Japanese control . On February 7 , 1945 , he was serving as a Master Sergeant during the Battle of Luzon . On that day , near Lupao , Luzon , he repeatedly exposed himself to enemy fire in order to aid wounded soldiers , led his platoon after the platoon leader was wounded , and deliberately drew Japan ese fire onto himself so that others could escape to safety . For these actions , he was nominated for the Medal of Honor and given a battlefield commission to second lieutenant . McGaha was then discharged from the Army , but soon re - enlisted as a master sergeant and was stationed at Fort Benning , Georgia . His nomination for the Medal of Honor was approved a year after the battle , on April 2 , 1946 . During a ceremony at the White House on March 27 , 1946 , President Harry S . Truman formally presented McGaha and another man , Navy Commander Richard O ' Kane , with Medals of Honor . In December 1949 , he married Jeanette Large . McGaha again became a commissioned officer and reached the rank of major before retiring from the Army . A full list of his decorations includes the Medal of Honor , four Purple Heart s , the Asiatic - Pacific Theater Ribbon with four Bronze Battle Stars , the Philippine Liberation Ribbon with star , American Service Ribbon with star , Combat Infantryman Badge , Good Conduct Medal , and Master Paratrooper Wings and Star . He died at age 70 , after being stabbed forty times in an apparent robbery attempt , and was buried in Union Cemetery , Newport , Tennessee . Medal of Honor citation . McGaha ' s official Medal of Honor citation reads : He displayed conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity . His platoon and 1 other from Company G were pinned down in a roadside ditch by heavy fire from 5 Japanese tanks supported by 10 machine guns and a platoon of riflemen . When 1 of his men fell wounded away , he unhesitatingly crossed the road under a hail of bullets and moved the man to safety . Although he had suffered a deep arm wound , he returned to his post . Finding the platoon leader seriously wounded , he assumed command and rallied his men . Once more he braved the enemy fire to go to the aid of a litter party removing another wounded soldier . A shell exploded in their midst , wounding him in the shoulder and killing 2 of the party . He picked up the remaining man , carried him to cover , and then moved out in front deliberately to draw the enemy fire while the American forces , thus protected , withdrew to safety . When the last man had gained the new position , he rejoined his command and there collapsed from loss of blood and exhaustion . M / Sgt . McGaha set an example of courage and leadership in keeping with the highest traditions of the service .