Alford L. McLaughlin

Alford Lee McLaughlin
Born(1928-03-28)March 28, 1928
DiedJanuary 14, 1977(1977-01-14) (aged 48)
Leeds, Alabama
Buried
Mount Hebron Cemetery, Leeds, Alabama
AllegianceUnited States
BranchUnited States Marine Corps
Service years1945–1972
RankMaster Sergeant
UnitI Company, 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division
ConflictsWorld War II
Korean War
AwardsMedal of Honor
Purple Heart (2)

Alford Lee McLaughlin (March 28, 1928 – January 14, 1977) was a United States Marine Corps master sergeant and the 33rd Marine to receive the Medal of Honor for heroism in the Korean War. He earned the nation's highest decoration for valor during the Battle of Bunker Hill by his two-machine gun defense at one of the outposts in the Bunker Hill area of Korea on the night of September 4–5, 1952. He was presented the medal by President Dwight D. Eisenhower on October 27, 1953, at a ceremony in the White House.

A private first class at the time, McLaughlin fired two machine guns alternately, notwithstanding his painful wounds and blistered hands, until the weapons became too hot to hold. He continued firing with a carbine and threw hand grenades until some 200 Chinese soldiers lay dead or wounded in front of him. In addition to the Medal of Honor, McLaughlin was awarded a Purple Heart for wounds received during that action. He was also awarded a Purple Heart for wounds received on August 16, 1952, in the same sector.