Kentuckian and First Lieutenant Garlin Murl Conner to be posthumously awarded Medal of Honor

FRANKFORT, Ky. (WTVQ)-Kentuckian and World War II U.S. Army veteran First Lieutenant Garlin Murl Conner, of Clinton County, will be posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor.

The announcement comes Thursday from President Donald Trump, who will host 1st Lt. Conner’s widow, Pauline Conner, at a White House ceremony.

First Lieutenant Conner had previously received four Silver Stars, one Bronze Star, three Purple Hearts, and the EAME Campaign Medal with 7 Bronze Stars for his bravery in the European and Mediterranean theaters from 1943-1945.

Governor Matt Bevin says “His selfless actions during combat are deserving of this honor, which is reserved for extraordinary acts of valor and heroism. By all accounts, 1st Lt. Conner was a man of high integrity, and it is a credit to him, his family, his fellow service members, and the Commonwealth of Kentucky, to have this brave and selfless Kentuckian join the ranks of our nations greatest military veterans.”

On Jan. 24, 1945, 1st Lt. Conner helped to singlehandedly repel the advance of six German tanks and 600 German infantrymen near Houssen, France. He directed artillery fire on the attacking force for three hours from a precariously exposed position. As a result of his actions, 1st Lt. Conner prevented heavy casualties in his own battalion and helped to turn back the Nazi advance.

A member of the 3rd Infantry Division, 7th Regiment, 3rd Battalion, K Company, 1st Lt. Conner passed away in 1998 at the age of 79. His family has worked with federal and state officials, veterans agencies and fellow service members for nearly two decades to advocate for this distinction.

The Medal of Honor is the highest award for valor in action against an enemy force which can be bestowed upon an individual serving in the United States Armed Services. There are currently 3,498 Medal of Honor recipients, of whom 71 are living.

For more information about the Medal of Honor, visit http://themedalofhonor.com

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Media Release from Commonwealth of Kentucky Governor’s Office