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Cornelius H. Charlton (24 July 1929 – 2 June 1951) was a soldier in the United States Army during the Korean War.-
He served as a Sergeant in Company C, 24th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division. He was awarded the Medal of Honor for action at Chipo-Ri, Korea on June 2, 1951. He was killed in action.-
Sergeant Charlton posthumously received the Medal of Honor for his actions.-
Citation: Sgt. Charlton, a member of Company C, distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty in action against the enemy. His platoon was attacking heavily defended hostile positions on commanding ground when the leader was wounded and evacuated. Sgt. Charlton assumed command, rallied the men, and spearheaded the assault against the hill. Personally eliminating 2 hostile positions and killing 6 of the enemy with his rifle fire and grenades, he continued up the slope until the unit suffered heavy casualties and became pinned down. Regrouping the men he led them forward only to be again hurled back by a shower of grenades. Despite a severe chest wound, Sgt. Charlton refused medical attention and led a third daring charge which carried to the crest of the ridge. Observing that the remaining emplacement which had retarded the advance was situated on the reverse slope, he charged it alone, was again hit by a grenade but raked the position with a devastating fire which eliminated it and routed the defenders. The wounds received during his daring exploits resulted in his death but his indomitable courage, superb leadership, and gallant self-sacrifice reflect the highest credit upon himself the infantry, and the military service.-
Charlton's body was returned to the United States and buried in his mother's family burial place, Pocahontas Cemetery in Pocahontas, Virginia. The cemetery eventually fell into disrepair, and Charlton was re-interred in the American Legion Cemetery in Beckley, West Virginia.-
His family claimed a spot in Arlington National Cemetery, but was controversially was due to racial discrimination.-
The controversy attracted national attention before Charlton was finally reburied in Arlington in 2008 in Section 40, Grave 300.-
Grave site at Arlington
He served as a Sergeant in Company C, 24th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division. He was awarded the Medal of Honor for action at Chipo-Ri, Korea on June 2, 1951. He was killed in action.-
Sergeant Charlton posthumously received the Medal of Honor for his actions.-
Citation: Sgt. Charlton, a member of Company C, distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty in action against the enemy. His platoon was attacking heavily defended hostile positions on commanding ground when the leader was wounded and evacuated. Sgt. Charlton assumed command, rallied the men, and spearheaded the assault against the hill. Personally eliminating 2 hostile positions and killing 6 of the enemy with his rifle fire and grenades, he continued up the slope until the unit suffered heavy casualties and became pinned down. Regrouping the men he led them forward only to be again hurled back by a shower of grenades. Despite a severe chest wound, Sgt. Charlton refused medical attention and led a third daring charge which carried to the crest of the ridge. Observing that the remaining emplacement which had retarded the advance was situated on the reverse slope, he charged it alone, was again hit by a grenade but raked the position with a devastating fire which eliminated it and routed the defenders. The wounds received during his daring exploits resulted in his death but his indomitable courage, superb leadership, and gallant self-sacrifice reflect the highest credit upon himself the infantry, and the military service.-
Charlton's body was returned to the United States and buried in his mother's family burial place, Pocahontas Cemetery in Pocahontas, Virginia. The cemetery eventually fell into disrepair, and Charlton was re-interred in the American Legion Cemetery in Beckley, West Virginia.-
His family claimed a spot in Arlington National Cemetery, but was controversially was due to racial discrimination.-
The controversy attracted national attention before Charlton was finally reburied in Arlington in 2008 in Section 40, Grave 300.-
Grave site at Arlington
