Jack C . Montgomery Jack Cleveland Montgomery ( July 23 , 1917 – June 11 , 2002 ) was a United States Army officer , a Cherokee Indian , and a recipient of the United States military ' s highest decoration — the Medal of Honor — for his actions in World War II . Montgomery joined the Army in 1937 from Sallisaw , Oklahoma , and by February 22 , 1944 was serving as a first lieutenant in the 180th Infantry Regiment , 45th Infantry Division . On that day , near Padiglione , Italy , Montgomery single - handedly attacked German positions , killing eleven enemy soldiers and taking dozens of prisoners . For his actions in the battle , during which he was seriously wounded , he was awarded the Medal of Honor a year later , on January 15 , 1945 . Montgomery left the Army while still a first lieutenant . He died at age 84 and was buried in Fort Gibson National Cemetery , Fort Gibson , Oklahoma . The Veterans Health Administration medical center located in Muskogee , Oklahoma , is named in his honor . Medal of Honor citation . First Lieutenant Montgomery ' s official Medal of Honor citation reads : For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at risk of life above and beyond the call of duty on February 22 , 1944 , near Padiglione , Italy . Two hours before daybreak a strong force of enemy infantry established themselves in 3 echelons at 50 yards , 100 yards , and 300 yards , respectively , in front of the rifle platoons commanded by 1st Lt . Montgomery . The closest position , consisting of 4 machineguns and 1 mortar , threatened the immediate security of the platoon position . Seizing an M1 rifle and several hand grenades , 1st Lt . Montgomery crawled up a ditch to within hand grenade range of the enemy . Then climbing boldly onto a little mound , he fired his rifle and threw his grenades so accurately that he killed 8 of the enemy and captured the remaining 4 . Returning to his platoon , he called for artillery fire on a house , in and around which he suspected that the majority of the enemy had entrenched themselves . Arming himself with a carbine , he proceeded along the shallow ditch , as withering fire from the riflemen and machinegunners in the second position was concentrated on him . He attacked this position with such fury that 7 of the enemy surrendered to him , and both machineguns were silenced . Three German dead were found in the vicinity later that morning . 1st Lt . Montgomery continued boldly toward the house , 300 yards from his platoon position . It was now daylight , and the enemy observation was excellent across the flat open terrain which led to 1st Lt . Montgomery ' s objective . When the artillery barrage had lifted , 1st Lt . Montgomery ran fearlessly toward the strongly defended position . As the enemy started streaming out of the house , 1st Lt . Montgomery , unafraid of treacherous snipers , exposed himself daringly to assemble the surrendering enemy and send them to the rear . His fearless , aggressive , and intrepid actions that morning , accounted for a total of 11 enemy dead , 32 prisoners , and an unknown number of wounded . That night , while aiding an adjacent unit to repulse a counterattack , he was struck by mortar fragments and seriously wounded . The selflessness and courage exhibited by 1st Lt . Montgomery in alone attacking 3 strong enemy positions inspired his men to a degree beyond estimation .