He was posthumously awarded the United States' highest military decoration for valor — the Medal of Honor — for his actions as a platoon squad leader on November 4, 1950, in which he singlehandedly charged and destroyed three enemy machine gun positions in North Korea at the cost of his life while a member of the 1st Marine Division.

He fought in the Pacific Theatre during World War II, participating in the Guadalcanal, Southern Solomons, Saipan, Tinian and Okinawa campaigns.

The division was to proceed more north to Yudamni, on the western side of the Chosin Reservoir and to seize it, which was done with little resistance on November 25.

[2] Poynter was awarded the Bronze Star Medal with Combat "V" (posthumous) for "outstanding leadership, ability and courageous aggressiveness against the enemy" as a squad leader from September 24 to October 4, 1950.

[4] He was awarded the Medal of Honor (posthumous) for his actions on November 4, 1950, "By his self-sacrificing and valiant conduct, Sergeant Poynter inspired the remaining members of his squad to heroic endeavor in bearing down upon and repelling the disorganized enemy, thereby enabling the platoon to move out of the trap to a more favorable tactical position".

Poynter was buried on February 3, 1955, with full military honors in Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery, San Diego, California.

Poynter's military awards include the following: The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the MEDAL OF HONOR posthumously to for service as set forth in the following CITATION: