DOB/DOD: October 29, 1929 (Hartford, CT) – October 26, 1952 (South Korea); 22 years old
MARITAL STATUS: Unmarried
SERVICE NUMBER: 054537
MILITARY OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY: 802, Field Artillery Officer
FAMILY: Born to Sherrod E. Sr. [WWI Veteran; U.S. Navy] (1896-1977) and Abigail E. Leete Skinner (1897-1992). Two sisters, Martha L. Skinner Cargill (1922-2012) and Shirley Y. Skinner Sherrill Young (1924-2001). One brother, David C. [also a USMC veteran and twin of Sherrod] (1929-2012).
OTHER: In 1991, Skinner Hall at Quantico, Virginia, was dedicated in his honor.
Milton Academy, Milton, Massachusetts, Class of 1947
Harvard University Class of 1951; one of 18 Harvard graduates to receive the Medal of Honor, including President Theodore Roosevelt and his son, Theodore Roosevelt Jr.
MEDAL OF HONOR CITATION
AWARDED FOR ACTIONS DURING: Korean War
BRANCH OF SERVICE: Marine Corps
UNIT: Battery F, 11th Marines, 1st Marine Division (Reinforced)
AGE ON THE DAY OF THE EVENT: 22
CITATION:
The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pride in presenting the Medal of Honor (Posthumously) to Second Lieutenant Sherrod Emerson Skinner, Jr. (MCSN: 0-54537), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as an artillery forward observer of Battery F, Second Battalion, Eleventh Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), in action against enemy aggressor forces in Korea on the night of 26 October 1952. When his observation post in an extremely critical and vital sector of the main line of resistance was subjected to a sudden and fanatical attack by hostile forces, supported by a devastating barrage of artillery and mortar fire which completely severed communication lines connecting the outpost with friendly firing batteries, Second Lieutenant Skinner, in a determined effort to hold his position, immediately organized and directed the surviving personnel in defense of the outpost, continuing to call down fire on the enemy by means of radio alone until his equipment became damaged beyond repair. Undaunted by the intense hostile barrage and the rapidly closing attackers, he twice left the protection of his bunker in order to direct accurate machinegun fire and to replenish the depleted supply of ammunition and grenades. Although painfully wounded on each occasion, he steadfastly refused medical aid until the rest of the men received treatment. As the ground attack reached its climax, he gallantly directed the final defense until the meager supply of ammunition was exhausted and the position overrun. During the three hours that the outpost was occupied by the enemy, several grenades were thrown into the bunker, which served as protection for Second Lieutenant Skinner and his remaining comrades. Realizing that there was no chance for other than passive resistance, he directed his men to feign death even though the hostile troops entered the bunker and searched their persons. Later, when an enemy grenade was thrown between him and two other survivors, he immediately threw himself on the deadly missile in an effort to protect the others, absorbing the full force of the explosion and sacrificing his life for his comrades. By his indomitable fighting spirit, superb leadership, and great personal valor in the face of tremendous odds, Second Lieutenant Skinner served to inspire his fellow Marines in their heroic stand against the enemy and upheld the highest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
Presentation Date and Details: September 9, 1953, at Marine Corps Barracks, Washington, D.C., presented by Vice President Richard M. Nixon to his parents.
Personal remembrance on KoreanWar.org by Emmett Edgar (Ed) Potts on October 11, 2012
I was with Lieutenant Skinner on the night of the Battle Of The Hook. We were in the FO Bunker when the Chinese hit us.
I was a radioman for the 4.2 Mortar Forward Observer by the name of Jim Sloan. I looked out the aperture and saw that the Chinese were about 50 yards from us.
Lieutenant Skinner told me to radio the guns and to fire “Box Me In Fire.” He also told his radioman, Frank Roy, to do the same. All hell broke loose, and I was screaming into my radio, “Fire on Our Position,” “Fire On Our Position.”
Our bunker was being destroyed, and we had to get out. When the incoming and our own guns let up, we dug our way out of the bunker. Outside, we started receiving small arms fire, and the lieutenant was hit but was still on his feet.
We worked our way back to a trench that went down to the LT’s CP bunker. He told us to stay put as he proceeded down to the CP bunker. Our rifles had been buried in the FO bunker, and all Sloan and I had was .45 sidearms and two grenades.
Sloan and I became separated. I proceeded to another bunker, which later I found out was a supply bunker. While taking cover behind the bunker, I was hit in the right knee and left ankle when a round of incoming hit beside me.
Later, I made it down to an Aid Bunker. I was taken back to a Field hospital and was later transferred to the hospital ship at Inchon. I later found out that the Lieutenant and another man were killed when the Lieutenant threw his body on a grenade. I think Roy made it out that night later and survived the war.
Honored with a monument and flagpole at the intersection of Corbin Avenue and Monroe Street, New Britain, Connecticut. Photos by Jeff DeWitt.
Buried in Arlington National Cemetery, 1 Memorial Drive, Arlington, Virginia; Section 3, Grave 2032. Photo by Jeff DeWitt.
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