Melvin Mayfield

Melvin Mayfield (March 24, 1919 – June 19, 1990) was a United States Army soldier and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration—the Medal of Honor—for his actions in World War II. Mayfield's actions, on July 29, 1945, were the last to earn a Medal of Honor prior to the August 15, 1945, end of hostilities in World War II—though some honorees may have been cited for their Medal after Mayfield's recognition on May 31, 1946. Biography Mayfield joined the Army from Nashport, Ohio in February 1941, and by July 29, 1945, was serving as a corporal in Company D, 20th Infantry Regiment, 6th Infantry Division. On that day, in the Cordillera Mountains, Luzon, the Philippines, he single-handedly attacked four enemy positions. For this action, he was awarded the Medal of Honor ten months later, on May 31, 1946. Mayfield left the Army while still a corporal. He died at age 71 and was buried in Frazeysburg Cemetery, Frazeysburg, Ohio.