#OTD in 1918, Marine legend John H. Yancey was born in Arkansas. During WWII he received a #NavyCross for his actions on Guadalcanal. When the #KoreanWar broke out, he was again sent overseas.

On the night of November 27-28, 1950, during the opening hours of the #BattleofChosin, Yancey, a platoon leader with 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, was "defending strategic high ground north of Yudam-ni,” when an overwhelming Chinese force attacked.

During the brutal fighting, Yancey was hit three times, once from an exploding grenade that sent shrapnel into the roof of his mouth and twice from enemy bullets that tore into his nose and right cheek, causing his right eye to pop out.

In a 1985 interview, Yancey said, "I was in such bad shape . . . I had that slug through the roof of my mouth and one through the nose . . . I poked my eye back in the socket and I put a scarf under my chin like this, and tied my jaw.”

Despite his wounds, he refused to be evacuated and "boldly made his way from one platoon to another in the face of intense enemy fire, shouting words of encouragement to his men, seeking aid for casualties, and directing the defense of the vital terrain.

Miraculously, Yancey survived the ordeal and for his "inspiring leadership, outstanding courage and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of overwhelming odds” was awarded his second Navy Cross.

He was nominated for the #MedalofHonor, but because his senior officers were killed during the battle, an official report of his actions was never sent to higher command. Efforts to have his Navy Cross upgraded to a MOH were all denied.

In the mid-1960’s Yancey volunteered to serve in Vietnam. The Marine Corps, however, denied his request due to his wounds, particularly his lack of teeth. Angered by the decision, he said, "Hell, I wasn't planning on biting the sonsofb#@* to death.”

The most decorated Arkansas Marine in history died on May 16, 1986, at the age of 68. He left behind a wife of 36 years and 5 children. Happy birthday, Lt. Yancey, and Semper Fidelis! #SemperFi #Marines #KoreanWar #WWII