Skaggs, Luther, Jr., 1923-1976

President Harry S. Truman presents the Congressional Medal of Honor to Marine Private First Class Luther Skaggs, Jr., of Henderson, Kentucky. This award was presented to this soldier and three others this day at a ceremony on the White House grounds. PFC Skaggs kept fighting for eight hours in the Guam landing, July, 1944, despite serious wounds which later cost him his left leg. Standing next to President Truman is Secretary of the Navy James Forrestal. Others in the background are unidentified.

President Harry S. Truman stands outside the White House with Congressional Medal of Honor recipients (front row) their family members, and military officials. From left to right, front row: Major Everett P. Pope, United States Marine Corps, North Quincy and Wollaston, Massachusetts; Private First Class Gino J. Merli, United States Army, Peckville, Pennsylvania; Laurett Graham (niece of Lieutenant Rouh); Private First Class Luther Skaggs, Jr., United States Marine Corps, Henderson and Brownsville, Kentucky; and First Lieutenant Carlton Rouh, United States Marine Corps, Lindenwold, New Jersey.

President Harry S. Truman is standing outside the White House with Congressional Medal of Honor recipients (front row) their family members, and military officials. From left to right, front row: Major Everett P. Pope, United States Marine Corps North Quincy and Wollaston, Massachusetts; Private First Class Gino J.

President Harry S. Truman is standing outside the White House with Congressional Medal of Honor recipients (front row) and their family members. From left to right, front row: Major Everett P. Pope, Private Gino J. Merli, Laurett Graham (niece of Lieutenant Rouh), Private First Class Luther Skaggs, Jr., and Lieutenant Carlton Rouh. Left to right, second row: unknown, General George Marshall, President Truman, General Alexander A. Vandegrift, Secretary of the Navy James Forrestal. All others are unidentified. From the scrapbooks of Matt Connelly, Vol. 1.

President Harry S. Truman (left) awards Private First Class Luther Skaggs, Jr. the Congressional Medal of Honor as Secretary of the Navy James Forrestal (left) and others look on. From the scrapbooks of Matt Connelly, Vol. 1.

In a Rose Garden ceremony at the White House, President Harry S. Truman awards Marine Private First Class Luther Skaggs, Jr., 22, of Henderson, KY, with the Medal of Honor. Skaggs lost a leg in combat when he was seriously injured but continued to return enemy fire with a rifle and hand grenades for eight hours before receiving medical attention. Secretary of Navy James Forrestal is on the right. From: Beth Gore