TFH 11/15: PFC Mack A. Jordan, USA

Mack Alvin Jordan, born on December 8, 1928, was a twenty-two year-old infantryman from Collins, Mississippi. He was in the United States Army for just a year, and given that his service started in 1951 along with his age, I'm conjecturing that he was drafted for service in the Korean War.

As with countless other American citizens called to serve their Nation in times of crisis, Mack Jordan answered. While serving with the 24th Infantry Division on November 15, 1951, he volunteered to remain behind to cover the withdrawal of his platoon and disrupted the communist enemy's attack by charging an entrenched machine gun. Even after he was mortally wounded, he continued to fight until his unit regained its former position. His family later received the Medal of Honor he so assuredly deserved.


From Medal of Honor Citations for the Korean War:


*JORDAN, MACK A.

Rank and organization: Private First Class, U.S. Army, Company K 21st Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division. Place and date: Near Kumsong, Korea, 15 November 1951. Entered service at: Collins, Miss Born: 8 December 1928, Collins, Miss. G.O. No.: 3, 8 January 1953 Citation: Pfc. Jordan, a member of Company K, distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and indomitable courage above and beyond the call of duty in action against the enemy. As a squad leader of the 3d Platoon, he was participating in a night attack on key terrain against a fanatical hostile force when the advance was halted by intense small-arms and automatic-weapons fire and a vicious barrage of handgrenades. Upon orders for the platoon to withdraw and reorganize, Pfc. Jordan voluntarily remained behind to provide covering fire. Crawling toward an enemy machine gun emplacement, he threw 3 grenades and neutralized the gun. He then rushed the position delivering a devastating hail of fire, killing several of the enemy and forcing the remainder to fall back to new positions. He courageously attempted to move forward to silence another machine gun but, before he could leave his position, the ruthless foe hurled explosives down the hill and in the ensuing blast both legs were severed. Despite mortal wounds, he continued to deliver deadly fire and held off the assailants until the platoon returned. Pfc. Jordan's unflinching courage and gallant self-sacrifice reflect lasting glory upon himself and uphold the noble traditions of the infantry and the military service.

Mack Jordan rests in peace back in his home of Collins, MS at the Station Creek Cemetery. The 24th Infantry Division is today inactive, but the 3rd Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment (so identified by the "K" company letter) is currently part of the 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team of the 25th Infantry Division. Their home station is Fort Wainwright, Alaska.