Wanton, George H.

George Henry Wanton was born on May 15, 1868 in Peterson, Passaic County, New Jersey. At age 16 he enlisted in the U.S. Navy where he served until 1888. Tired of the life at sea, but interested in a military career, he joined the US Army and served in the famed 10th US Cavalry Regiment, the Buffalo Soldiers.

When the Spanish American War broke out his Regiment was sent to Tampa Bay, Florida to await transport to Cuba. However, there was no room aboard the ships for their horses, so the Cavalry went to battle on foot.
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Howard, Jimmie E.

Rising nearly 1500 feet above the jungle below, Hill 488 was the perfect place for a Marine recon team but for one minor factor; it was deep in enemy controlled territory, surrounded by massive enemy troop build-ups.

Like David facing Goliath the 16 Marines and 2 Navy corpsmen were pitifully outnumbered on that night of June 15, 1966, and like David so long before, were reduced to ”throwing rocks” at the enemy.
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Abrell, Charles G.

Born in Terre Haute, Indiana on August 12th 1931 Charles Abrell enlisted in the US Marine Corps and earned the rank of corporal in the 1 st Marine Division serving in Korea during that war.

Cpl. Abrell was cited for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his own life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a fire team leader in Company E, in action against enemy aggressor forces.
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Nugent, Christopher

There existed in the Civil War a chivalry that would certainly not be seen in modern warfare. Sergeant Nugent exhibited gallantry in the face of brutal and often barbaric battle, but also demonstrated his decency and morality at the same time.

Born in County of Caven, Ireland in 1840, Christopher Nugent came to America and joined the US Marine Corps in the State of Massachusetts, rising to the rank of sergeant. During the Civil War Sgt. Nugent was assigned to serve on board the USS Fort Henry, on the Crystal River, Florida.

On June 15, 1863 while reconnoitering on the Crystal River in a boat that he had been given charge of out of Fort Henry, Orderly Sgt. Nugent ordered an assault upon a rebel breastwork fortification. (A Breastwork fortification is a temporary battle fortification). In the assault, the orderly sergeant and his comrades drove a guard of 11 rebels into the swamp, also capturing armaments and destroying their camp equipage.
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Miyamura, Hiroshi H.

Born in Gallop, New Mexico Hiroshi Miyamura entered service in the U.S. Army and achieved the rank of Corporal during the Korean War. On April 24th Cpl. Miyamura distinguished himselfby conspicuous gallantry above and beyond the call of duty with Company H. Cpl. Miyamura’s company was occupying a defense position when the enemy fanatically attacked threatened to overrun the position. Cpl. Miyamura a machinegun squad leader, aware of the imminent danger to his men unhesitatingly jumped from his shelter wielding his bayonet in close hand-to-hand combat killing approximately 10 of the enemy.
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