Alford Lee McLaughlin | |
|---|---|
 Alford L. McLaughlin, Medal of Honor recipient | |
| Born | March 28, 1928 Leeds, Alabama |
| Died | January 14, 1977 (aged 48) Leeds, Alabama |
| Place of burial | Mount Hebron Cemetery, Leeds, Alabama |
| Allegiance |  United States of America |
| Service |  United States Marine Corps |
| Years of service | 1945–1972 |
| Rank | Master Sergeant |
| Unit | I Company, 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division |
| Battles / wars | Korean War |
| Awards | Medal of Honor Purple Heart Medal (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 above and beyond the call of duty in the Korean War. He earned the nation's highest decoration for valor during the Battle of Bunker Hill (1952) 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, PFC McLaughlin was awarded a Purple Heart Medal for wounds received during that action. He was also awarded a Purple Heart Medal for wounds received August 16, 1952, in the same sector.