Jerry Kirt Crump (February 18, 1933 – January 10, 1977) was a soldier in the United States Army during the Korean War. He received the Medal of Honor for his actions on September 6 and 7, 1951. Crump was killed in a car accident in 1977.

Jerry K. Crump
Medal of Honor recipient Jerry Crump
Born(1933-02-18)February 18, 1933
Charlotte, North Carolina
DiedJanuary 10, 1977(1977-01-10) (aged 43)
Lincoln County, North Carolina
Place of burial
Mt. Zion Methodist Church, Cornelius, North Carolina
AllegianceUnited States of America
Service / branchUnited States Army
RankMaster Sergeant
UnitCompany L, 7th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division
Battles / warsKorean War
AwardsMedal of Honor
Purple Heart

Awards and decorations

edit
  Medal of Honor
  Purple Heart

Medal of Honor citation

edit

Rank and organization: Corporal, U.S. Army, Company L, 7th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division

Place and date: Near Chorwon, Korea, 6 and September 7, 1951

Entered service at: Forest City, N.C. Born: February 18, 1933, Charlotte, N.C.

G.O. No.: 68, July 11, 1952

Citation:

Cpl. Crump, a member of Company L, distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and outstanding courage above and beyond the call of duty in action against the enemy. During the night a numerically superior hostile force launched an assault against his platoon on Hill 284, overrunning friendly positions and swarming into the sector. Cpl. Crump repeatedly exposed himself to deliver effective fire into the ranks of the assailants, inflicting numerous casualties. Observing 2 enemy soldiers endeavoring to capture a friendly machine gun, he charged and killed both with his bayonet, regaining control of the weapon. Returning to his position, now occupied by 4 of his wounded comrades, he continued his accurate fire into enemy troops surrounding his emplacement. When a hostile soldier hurled a grenade into the position, Cpl. Crump immediately flung himself over the missile, absorbing the blast with his body and saving his comrades from death or serious injury. His aggressive actions had so inspired his comrades that a spirited counterattack drove the enemy from the perimeter. Cpl. Crump's heroic devotion to duty, indomitable fighting spirit, and willingness to sacrifice himself to save his comrades reflect the highest credit upon himself, the infantry and the U.S. Army.[1]

Legacy

edit

Cornelius Veteran's Monument in Cornelius, North Carolina features a bronze portrait statue of Cpl. Jerry K. Crump, dedicated on July 4, 2017.[2]

See also

edit

Notes

edit
  1. ^ ""JERRY K. CRUMP" entry". Medal of Honor recipients: Korean War. United States Army Center of Military History. June 8, 2009. Archived from the original on 2009-03-10. Retrieved 2007-12-31.
  2. ^ Cpl. Jerry Crump Bronze Portrait Statue - Lena Toritch. Retrieved August 23, 2021.

References

edit
  This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Army Center of Military History.