Medal of Honor bestowed on Sergeant Cornelius H. Charlton

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

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)

Type

medals

Date

1952

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.

Topic

African American

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

See more items in

National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Collection title

Sergeant Cornelius H. Charlton Collection

Classification

Awards and Medals

Exhibition

Double Victory: The African American Military Experience

On View

NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Community/Third Floor, 3 053A

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture