Throwback Thursday: Meet John Henry Pruitt & the Trench Heroes of WWI

American bravery in the first World War was writ large and small, and punctuated with buckshot and bullets.

by
posted on October 12, 2023

American bravery in the first World War was writ large and small, and punctuated with buckshot and bullets.

World War I changed everything about the way wars would be fought from then on, due in large part to the absolute inhumanity of trench warfare. In those trenches, little more than shallow scars carved into the embattled earth, hundreds of thousands died without moving the battle lines more than a few yards. Tanks, poison gas and shelling from above were part of the battle ... but in the end, the war was fought and won by riflemen. 

Riflemen like John Pruitt, the first sniper to win the Army and Navy Medal of Honor. According to the Congressional Medal of Honor Society, "Cpl. Pruitt singlehandedly attacked two machine guns, capturing them and killing two of the enemy. He then captured 40 prisoners in a dugout nearby. This gallant soldier was killed soon afterwards by shellfire while he was sniping at the enemy.

"Navy Medal of Honor For extraordinary gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty while serving with the 78th Company, 6th Regiment, 2d Division, in action with the enemy at Blanc Mont Ridge, France, 3 October 1918. Cpl. Pruitt, singlehandedly attacked two machine guns, capturing them and killing two of the enemy. He then captured 40 prisoners in a dugout nearby. This gallant soldier was killed soon afterward by shellfire while he was sniping at the enemy."

In this excellent segment from American Rifleman TV, you'll learn more about the heroism of our troops in the first World War ... both large and small.

 

Latest

Nra World Shooting Championship
Nra World Shooting Championship

Registration Opens Now for the 2025 NRA World Shooting Championship

It's the ultimate challenge for competitors in any shooting discipline ... with $250K in cash and prizes at stake.

NRA Statement on House Passage of Reconciliation Bill

On May 22, the U.S. House of Representatives passed President Trump's One, Big, Beautiful Bill.

Brew-Ready Products for Your Next Adventure

Caffeine is critical, so upgrade your camp coffee for a grit-free, satisfying, morning jolt of joe.

First Impressions: Beretta 20X Bobcat Line of Pistols

The legendary pocket pistol has been around for quite some time now, but unlike old dogs, old cats can and do learn new tricks.

Throwback Thursday: General Chuck Yeager (Before He Was Famous)

“Morning, Ma’am; mind if I use your telephone?”

Video Review: Savage Arms Revel Classic

Savage's Revel Classic, a lever-action gun, breaks from the company's bolt-gun offerings with style.

Interests



Get the best of NRA Family delivered to your inbox.