John H. Yancey

John Howard Yancey (27 April 1918 – 16 May 1986) was a highly decorated United States Marine Corps combat veteran of World War II and the Korean War. He received two Navy Crosses, a Silver Star, a Bronze Star and three Purple Hearts. He is buried at the Little Rock National Cemetery.

Early life
Yancey was born on 27 April 1918 in Plumerville, Arkansas. He graduated from Little Rock Central High School and then attended Ouachita College, but left school before graduating in 1942 to join the Marine Corps at the outbreak of World War II.

World War II
Yancey was assigned to the Marine Raiders in World War II and became the body guard to Lieutenant Colonel Evans Carlson, the commander of the 2nd Marine Raider Battalion. In November 1942, during the Guadalcanal Campaign in the Solomon Islands, Yancey's leadership in a strategic battle earned him the Navy Cross and a battlefield commission to lieutenant. He also served in the Battle of Iwo Jima.

After World War II, he served in the Marine Corps Reserve unit in Little Rock (at the time Company C of the 15th Infantry Battalion) until it was called to active service in the summer of 1950.

Korean War
At the onset of the Korean War, Yancey's unit was ordered to active duty and then absorbed among many units across the 1st Marine Division fighting the war. By Aug 11, 1950 he was transferred to the Training and Replacement Regiment at Camp Pendleton, CA and then subsequently reassigned to Company E, 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines (2/7).

With 2/7, he fought in the Battle of Chosin Reservoir, where he earned his second Navy Cross and a Silver Star. On 4 November 1950, Lieutenant Yancey led 2nd Platoon, Company E, 2/7 in the assault on Hill 698, a key position in the Chinese defenses near Sudong, North Korea. After close combat with grenades and small arms, his platoon took the hill, and held it after a fierce counterattack. On 27–28 November 1950, Lieutenant Yancey led his platoon in the defense of Hill 1282, which resulted in fierce hand-to-hand combat. During the Battle of Hill 1282, Yancey continued to lead his Marines, despite being severely wounded. Lt Yancey found himself as an infantry platoon leader at the Chosin Reservoir. Chinese forces sought to overwhelm his unit on critical high ground at Yudam-ni. Yancey led his platoon in hand-to-hand combat through the sub-zero night. A grenade exploded near him, lodging a piece of shrapnel in the roof of his mouth. A bullet tore through his nose. A second bullet pierced his right cheek, knocking out his teeth, popping his eye out of socket, and lodging in the back of his neck. Yancey remained in the fight until he lost so much blood he couldn't move and could no longer see. For his awe-inspiring determination and fighting spirit, Yancey was nominated for the Medal of Honor. All his senior officers were killed at Chosin Reservoir, and no one could write an official report of his actions that night. He eventually wound up receiving his second Navy Cross.

Post-Korean War
After having received severe wounds in Korea, then-First Lieutenant Yancey was treated at US Naval Hospital Yokosuka, Japan. His story was re-told by a fellow officer there and the recording is held at the national archives. Eventually he returned to his home in Little Rock, Arkansas where he was promoted to captain and assigned as the commanding officer of the Marine Reserve unit in Little Rock under the new designation of the 6th Rifle Company, 8th Marine Corps District.

Vietnam War
Captain Yancey attempted to return to service as an executive officer during Vietnam, however, the Marine Corps denied Captain Yancey a return to service on account of his battle wounds leaving him nearly without teeth; to which he responded "Hell, I wasn't planning on biting the sonsofbitches to death."

Honors
A Marine Corps League Detachment in Dallas, Texas was named after him.