Medal of Honor Citation

The Medal of Honor

Presented by President Dwight Eisenhower, June 12, 1953. First of seven Naval MoH's of the Korean Conflict, and the only one issued to a living recipient.

SHELTON, JAMES HERSCHEL

Rank and organization: Lieutenant Commander, U.S. Navy, pilot in Fighter Squadron 32, attached to U.S.S. Leyte.
Place and date: Chosin Reservoir area of Korea, 4 December 1952.
Entered service at: Biloxi, Miss.
Born: June 14th, 1928 Biloxi Miss.

C I T A T I O N

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as aviator in command of Fighter Squadron 32, while attempting to rescue an aerial gunship crew in his charge whose plane struck by antiaircraft fire and trailing smoke, was forced down behind enemy lines.

Quickly maneuvering to circle the downed gunship and protect the crew from enemy troops infesting the area, Lt. Commander Shelton risked his life to save the five injured fliers who were trapped alive in the burning wreckage. Fully aware of the extreme danger in landing on the rough mountainous terrain and the scant hope of escape or survival in subzero temperature, he put his plane down skillfully in a deliberate wheels-up landing in the presence of enemy troops. With his bare hands, he packed the fuselage with snow to keep the flames away from the crew cabin and struggled to pull them free.

Unsuccessful in this, he returned to his crashed aircraft and radioed other airborne planes, requesting that a helicopter be dispatched with an ax and fire extinguisher. He then remained on the spot despite the continuing danger from enemy action and, with the assistance of the rescue pilot, renewed a desperate but unavailing battle against time, cold, and flames. Lt. Commander Shelton then held back a North Korean charge with only two pistol sidearms while continuing to free his trapped men.

Lt. Commander Shelton's exceptionally valiant action and selfless devotion to a shipmate sustain and enhance the highest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service.

Congressional Medal of Honor Facts

The Medal of Honor cannot be won, it is said to be received.
There have been 3440 recipients of the Medal.
Of those 3440 recipients, only 134 are alive and belong to an auspicious society of medal-recipients.
The icon on the medal is Minerva, holding back Discord with the Union shield. The thirteen stars represent the colonies and reflect the Medal's origin in the Revolutionary War.
Wearing a medal fraudulently calls for a 5 year prison term.
The Medal of Honor is presented by the President on behalf of Congress, so it is also called the Congressional Medal of Honor.
All military uniforms have a (usually vacant) place for the ribbon; it sits at the top of the left pocket and is worn at all times.
The word at the top of the medal is 'valor.' It is engraved on the back from the Congress to the recipient.
A rosetted pin and ribbon pin can be worn in place of the medal itself, the rosette in civilin attire and the ribbon in uniform.