- On View
- Military History Gallery
- Museum Maps
- Objects in this Location
- 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
- 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.