On View
Military History Gallery
Exhibition
Double Victory: The African American Military Experience
Issued by
United States Congress, American, founded 1789
Received by
Sergeant Charlton, Cornelius H., American, 1929 - 1951
Subject of
United States Army, American, founded 1775
Date
1952
Medium
Medal: metal, brass, gold plating, and enamel;
Neck and service ribbons: silk;
Case: plastic, brass, and velvet
Dimensions
Medal: H x W x D: 2 1/4 × 1 1/2 × 1/16 in. (5.7 × 3.8 × 0.2 cm)
Neck Ribbon: H x W: 1 1/4 × 22 in. (3.2 × 55.9 cm)
Service Ribbon: H x W x D: 1 7/16 × 3/8 × 1/8 in. (3.7 × 1 × 0.3 cm)
Case: H x W x D: 6 5/8 × 3 5/16 × 1 1/16 in. (16.8 × 8.4 × 2.7 cm)
Caption
This Medal of Honor was awarded posthumously to Sgt. Cornelius H. Charlton for his bravery during the Korean War. Sergeant Charlton served in C Company, 24th Infantry Regiment. He was awarded the Medal of Honor for actions on June 2, 1951, near Chipo-ri, Korea. After his wounded platoon leader was evacuated during an attack to capture Hill 543, Sergeant Charlton “rallied the men” and led them on three separate assaults. During the first assault he eliminated two enemy positions, killing six. Although seriously wounded in the next two assaults, Charlton conducted a fourth assault alone. He was wounded again by a grenade, but silenced the enemy guns before he died.
Description
The medal (.1a) consists of a gold five pointed star, each point tipped with trefoils, surrounded by a green laurel wreath and suspended from a gold bar inscribed [VALOR], surmounted by an eagle. In the center of the star is Minerva’s head surrounded by the words [UNITED STATES OF AMERICA]. On each ray of the star is a green oak leaf. On the recto, the bar is engraved with [THE CONGRESS TO] with [SGT/CORNELIUS H./CHARLTON/CO C. 24TH INF REGT/25TH INF DIV.USA] engraved on the star.
The neck ribbon (.1b) is blue silk with two snaps on either end for the wearer to attach the ribbon around his neck. The center of the ribbon is covered in blue silk with 13 white stars.
The service ribbon (.2) is a rectangular bar covered in blue silk with five white stars.
The case (.3) has a clear plastic top with blue velvet and gold bordered insert.
Collection title
Sergeant Cornelius H. Charlton Collection
Classification
Awards and Medals
Type
medals
Topic
Korean War, 1950-1953
Military
Credit Line
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Ray R. and Patricia A.D. Charlton in memory of Cornelius H. Charlton
Object number
2013.165.1.1ab-.3
Restrictions & Rights
No Known Copyright Restrictions
Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
GUID
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd5faa0892b-03f6-408a-b319-36e1f01aefce

Cataloging is an ongoing process and we may update this record as we conduct additional research and review. If you have more information about this object, please contact us at NMAAHCDigiTeam@si.edu

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