Melvin Mayfield
Melvin Mayfield was a resident of Licking County, OH who received the Medal of Honor for his service in World War II.
Early Life
Melvin was born March 24, 1919 in Muskingum County, OH. He attended school until he was in eighth grade, then quit to work on his father’s farm and saw mill. [1]
Military Career and Medal of Honor
Melvin entered the Sixth Army, Sixth Division in 1949. During his early military career he was posted mostly in Mississippi. After the United States entered World War II, he was posted in New Guinea and later the Philippines.
On July 24, 1945 Melvin was assigned with “A” Company to help a Filipino unit take the Corrigated Mountain from Japanese troops. He was armed with 18 hand grenades, and 600 rounds of ammunition. During the attack a soldier was shot and Melvin’s company chose to retreat. However, Melvin had no heard the signal and continued on his own, eventually taking the mountain alone. It was this act that won him the Congressional Medal of Honor.[2] He would also be awarded the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart.[3] Several years later he would receive an engraved album with commemorative stamps in honor of his service.[4]
Post-War Life and Family
During his life Melvin Mayfield would be married twice and had five children; Billy, James, Richard, Mary, and Joan.[5]
Mayfield would also hold many jobs after his time in the army including co-owner of Nashport Lumber Co. with his father, assembly worker in the Roper factory, and later a full-time farmer.[6]
Melvin died at age 71 on June 18, 1990.[7]
L.K.
References
- ↑ “Chosen for County Hall of Fame.” The Advocate (Newark), September 14, 1981.
- ↑ “Chosen for County Hall of Fame.” The Advocate (Newark), September 14, 1981.
- ↑ Chenoweth, Lindsey. “War Hero No Fights Cancer.” The Advocate (Newark), November 11, 1983.
- ↑ Hinton, John. “War Heroes Get Their Special Stamps.” The Plain Dealer (Cleveland), June 23, 1983.
- ↑ Cornwell, Anne. “St. Louisville Veteran Won Medal of Honor During WW2.” Mount Vernon News, November 11, 1986.
- ↑ Chenoweth, Lindsey. “War Hero No Fights Cancer.”
- ↑ Chenoweth, Lindsey. “War Hero No Fights Cancer.”
