Fred W . Stockham Fred William Stockham ( March 16 , 1881 , Detroit – June 22 , 1918 , France ) was a United States Marine who posthumously received the Medal of Honor for his self - sacrificial valor during the Battle of Belleau Wood in World War I . Biography . Stockham was born in Detroit , Michigan on March 16 , 1881 . He enlisted in the Marine Corps on July 16 , 1903 and , over the next four years , served twice in the Philippines , from September 26 , 1903 to August 28 , 1905 and from September 29 , 1906 to January 13 , 1907 , and did one tour of duty in China in the intervening period . Private Stockham was honorably discharged at New York City on July 15 , 1907 . Four years later , on May 31 , 1912 , he reenlisted in the Marine Corps . By the time he was again discharged , on May 30 , 1916 , he had risen to the rank of sergeant and had served most of his term ashore in Nicaragua . Sgt . Stockham saw combat during the engagement at León , Nicaragua , on October 6 , 1915 , a little over a month before his departure from that troubled Latin America n nation . He was honorably discharged again on May 30 , 1916 , this time at Mare Island , Calif . However , within a week , he had returned to New York City , where on June 7 , he reenlisted . By February 8 , 1918 , Sgt . Stockham was in France and heading for the trenches . Between that time and his death , he served in the Toulon sector , in the Aisne operation , and at Belleau Wood . During the last - named battle , Gunnery Sergeant Stockham displayed the " conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty " which later earned him the Medal of Honor by an Act of Congress . Gy . Sgt . Stockham died in France on June 22 , 1918 . Thanks to the efforts of his former comrades , one of whom undoubtedly was the man whose life his gas mask saved , Gy . Sgt . Stockham was belatedly and posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor by an Act of Congress on December 21 , 1939 , over 20 years after his sacrifice . Medal of Honor citation . Rank and organization : Gunnery Sergeant , U . S . Marine Corps , 96th Company , 2d Battalion , 6th Regiment . Place and date : In Bois - de - Belleau , France , 13 - June 14 , 1918 . Entered service at : New York , N . Y . Birth : Detroit , Mich . G . O . NO . : - - . Citation : During an intense enemy bombardment with high explosive and gas shells which wounded or killed many members of the company , G / Sgt . Stockham , upon noticing that the gas mask of a wounded comrade was shot away , without hesitation , removed his own gas mask and insisted upon giving it to the wounded man , well knowing that the effects of the gas would be fatal to himself . He continued with undaunted courage and valor to direct and assist in the evacuation of the wounded , until he himself collapsed from the effects of gas , dying as a result thereof a few days later . His courageous conduct undoubtedly saved the lives of many of his wounded comrades and his conspicuous gallantry and spirit of self - sacrifice were a source of great inspiration to all who served with him . Namesakes . In 1943 , the destroyer was named for Gy . Sgt . Fred W . Stockham , USMC . In 2001 , the container & roll - on / roll - off ship USNS " Soderman " ( T - AKR - 299 ) was renamed . As of 2008 , she is still in service .