1919 Congressional Medal of Honor Awards "Congressional Medal of Honor, The Distinguished Service Cross and The Distinguished Service Medal" Issued by the War Department 1919 at Awards of Distinguished Service Cross (*indicates posthumous award) Joe Bell, sergeant. Company I, 5th Regiment, United States Marine Corps. For extraordinary heroism in action near Chateau-Thierry, France, June 23, 1918. After becoming separated from his own platoon, he attached himself to another platoon of the company, and, learning that all the runners who had attempted to carry important messages had been killed or wounded, immediately volunteered and made several trips across an open urea subjected to a continuous and intense barrage of artillery and machine-gun fire. He performed this important mission despite the fact that he was almost exhausted when he joined the platoon. Residence at enlistment: 317 South Congress Street, Jackson, Miss. *Thomas E. Carter, second lieutenant, 9th Infantry. For extraordinary heroism in action near Tullerie Farm, France, November 4, 1918. Lieut. Carter showed extraordinary heroism when he led his company through an intense machine-gun and artillery fire against superior numbers. He made an important gain but was killed by machine-gun fire during the engagement. Emergency address: Mrs. George M. Carter, mother, High Bluin Road, R. F. D. No. 1, West Andover, Mass. Residence at appointment : Tupelo, Miss. *William B. Cochran (Army serial No. 2385937), sergeant, Company A, 61st Infantry. For extraordinary heroism in action in the Bois des Rappes, France, October 14, 1918. Disregarding his own personal safety, he assisted in reorganizing his company under heavy machine-gun and artillery fire and leading it against machine-gun nests which were holding up the advance of his battalion. He was killed in action during this engagement. Emergency address: David V. Cochran, brother, Gulfport, Miss. Residence at enlistment: Gulfport, Miss. Herman C. Craven (Army serial No. 1320839), private, Company G, 120th Infantry. For extraordinary heroism in action near Premont, France, October 9, 1918. While serving as a runner he volunteered to go to an exposed position on the flank to a body of troops, deliver a message to them if they were Americans, and report back if they were Germans. Using a captured German bicycle, he rode along a road subjected to heavy fire, found that the troops were American, and delivered an important message. Residence at enlistment: Endora, Miss. Alvin P. Duncan (Army serial No. 42460), sergeant, Company D, 16th Infantry. For extraordinary heroism in action near Sedan, France, November 7, 1918. He led a daylight patrol against an enemy machine-gun emplacement which was harassing the advance of his company. Under the murderous fire from this gun his patrol was wiped out, but he pressed on alone, capturing the machine gun and gunner. He showed coolness and bravery under heavy fire, and his action materially facilitated the advance of his company. Residence at enlistment: Smithville, Miss. Daniel M. Dwiggins, first lieutenant, 167th Infantry, 42d Division. For extraordinary heroism in action near Beuvardes, France, July 29, 1918. Commanding a platoon of 37-millimeter guns Lieut. Dwiggins carried two guns to the top of a hill under intense machine-gun fire and opened effective fire at short range on the enemy machine-gun nests. Heavy shell fire was directed at his guns and one of them was put out of action. Sending his men to cover, he remained with the second gun in the face of heavy machine-gun and artillery fire. Even after being wounded in the leg by a machine-gun bullet he continued to fire his gun until it exploded, displaying remarkable disregard for personal safety. Residence at appointment: Grenada, Miss. Stephen B. Elkins, second lieutenant, 105th Infantry. For extraordinary heroism in action east of Ronssoy, France, September 29, 1918. During the operations against the Hindenburg line Lieut. Elkins, with three sergeants, occupied an outpost in advance of the line, which was attacked by a superior force of the enemy. He so directed his small detachment that he succeeded in repulsing the attack, killing 10 Germans, capturing 5, and putting the rest of the enemy to flight. The bravery and determination displayed by this group were an inspiration to all who witnessed them. Address: Care of The Adjutant General of the Army, Washington. D. ?. Residence at appointment : Eu????, Mils. William M. Ferrëll, private, first class. Medical Detachment, 11th Infantry. For extraordinary heroism in action near Verdun, France, November 5, 1918. While rendering first aid under terrific fire he was severely wounded. In spite of his Injury, he continued to dress the wounds of a comrade, after which he helped him back to the first-aid station. Even after returning he displayed more interest in the wounds of another than he did in caring for his own wounds. Residence at enlistment : Ashland, Miss. Fred Gunn, private, Medical Detachment, 28th Infantry. At the Battle of Cantigny, France, May 28-31, 1918, he repeatedly, on his own initiative, left the security of the trench to administer first aid under fire and in full view of the enemy snipers and machine gunners. His brave conduct was a noble example, and his ministration relieved suffering and saved lives. Resilience at enlistment: 316 State Street, Meridian, Miss. Charles P. Hall, lieutenant colonel, adjutant, 3d Infantry Brigade, 2d Division. For extraordinary heroism in action at Vierzy, France, July 18, 1918. At a critical time In the battle, when information was difficult to obtain, Lieut. Col. Hall, brigade adjutant, volunteered to report on the fighting in Vierzy. which was then in the hands of the enemy. Accompanying a group of French tanks, he entered the town under intense fire, and during the advance went forward through machine-gun fire and carried to safety a wounded man. He assisted materially in maintaining organization among the troops and established a first-aid station at which many wounded were cared for, returning later to brigade headquarters with valuable information. Address: Care of The Adjutant General of the Army, Washington, D. C. Entered Military Academy from Mississippi. Samuel Kaye, Jr., first lieutenant, 94th Aero Squadron, Air Service. F?? extraordinary heroism in action over the region of Epinonvllle, France, September 29, 1918. While on a mission he, accompanied by another machine piloted by Lieut. Reed M. Chambers, encountered a formation of six enemy machines (Fokker type) at an altitude of 3,000 feet. Despite numerical superiority of the enemy, Lieut. Kaye and Lieut. Chambers immediately attacked and succeeded in destroying one and forced the remaining five to retire into their own lines. A bronze oak leaf is awarded to Lieut. Kaye for the following act of extraordinary heroism in action over the region of Montfaucon and Bantheville, France, October 5, 1918: He encountered a formation of seven enemy machines (Fokker type). Regardless of their numerical superiority, he immediately attacked, and by skillful maneuvering succeeded in separating one enemy plane from its formation and, after a short combat, shot it down in flames. Residence at appointment: 808 North Tenth Street, Columbus, Miss. Augustine C. Kelly, corporal, Battery B, 122d Field Artillery. For extraordinary heroism in action near Bantheville, France, October 29, 1918. He voluntarily proceeded to a point within 150 meters of the enemy, where he remained for more than an hour, securing valuable information regarding the enemy's position and activity. During all this time he was subjected to severe shell, machine-gun, and snipers' fire, being wounded by a shell while returning to our lines. Residence at enlistment : Laurel, Miss. James G. Lusk, first lieutenant, 2d Machine Gun Battalion, 1st Division. For extraordinary heroism in action near the Forest of Argonne, France, September 26, 1918. After his commanding officer and all other officers in the vicinity had been killed or wounded, Lieut. Lusk took command of fragments of the battalion, reorganized them under heavy machine-gun and artillery fire, and, with utter disregard for his own safety, led the advance, capturing six machine guns and n number of prisoners. Residence at appointment : 206 South Poplar Street, Greenville, Miss. Edmo E. Merkel, pharmacist's mate, second class. United States Navy, attached to Company F, 5th Regiment, United States Marine Corps, 2d Division. For extraordinary heroism in action near Blanc Mont, France, October 3-4, 1918. He accompanied a company of marines during an advance under violent fire, going to all parts of the line, giving first aid to wounded and directing their evacuation. Although wounded, he remained on duty until forced to go to the rear. Residence at enlistment : Hattiesburg, Miss. Ira C. Rayner, sergeant, Company G, 28th Infantry. For extraordinary heroism in action near Nonsard, France, September 12, 1918. Although under fire for the first time und very ill with a high fever, Sergt. Rayner took charge of the platoon, after the platoon leader had been killed, and effectively directed it for two days, in spite of his physical condition, refusing to be evacuated until in a state of collapse. Residence at enlistment: Hollandale, Miss. Oliver Thomas Robinson, sergeant, Company A, 120th Infantry. For extraordinary heroism in action near Vaux-Andigny, France, October 10, 1918. Although severely wounded, he displayed remarkable coolness in extricating his platoon from an extremely dangerous position under terrific shell and machine- gun fire, thereby saving it from almost certain annihilation. Being wounded a second time, he refused to go to the rear until ordered to do so by his company commander. Residence at enlistment : Waterford, Miss. Milton R. Scott, gunnery sergeant, Company A, 5th Regiment, United States Marine Corps. For extraordinary heroism in action near St. Etienne, France, October 4, 1918. After being severely wounded he continued to assist in consolidating the position of his platoon, later placing himself in an exposed position in order to gain good observation for sniping enemy machine-gun positions. Residence at enlistment:: La Monte, Miss. Richard D. Shelby, first lieutenant, 139th Aero Squadron, Air Service. For extraordinary heroism in action near Verdun, France, October 10, 1918. He encountered six enemy planes at a very low altitude strafing our trenches. He immediately attacked and dispersed the enemy planes, and by skillful maneuvering brought one of the planes down just behind his own line. Residence at appointment: Rosedale, Miss. Harry L. Smith, first lieutenant, 13th Machine Gun Battalion. For extraordinary heroism in action near Cunel, France, October 14, 1918. Leaving his shelter in a shallow machine-gun emplacement, accompanied by one soldier, Lieut. Smith ventured forth through a most intense fire to the aid of a wounded officer, and assisted in carrying him to a distance of 170 yards to safety. Residence at appointment: Lucedale, Miss. *Marvin Everett Stainton, second lieutenant, 128th Infantry. For extraordinary heroism in action near Verdun, France, October 9, 1918. While his battalion was being held up by heavy machine-gun fire he voluntarily led a small detachment of his platoon forward. He advanced far into enemy territory and succeeded in capturing 7 machine-gun nests and 47 prisoners, continuing with his mission until he was killed. Emergency address: Mrs. L. Stainton, mother, 401 Pine Street, Laurel, Miss. Residence at appointment: 401 Pine Street, Laurel, Miss. Bernice B. Stamps, chief pharmacist's mate, United States Navy, attached to 6th Machine Gun Battalion, United States Marine Corps. For extraordinary heroism in action near Jaulny, France, September 13-15, 1918. Working continually without rest or food, he cared for the wounded under most hazardous conditions. When a counterattack by the enemy seemed imminent, the medical detachment was ordered to the rear, but he willingly stayed with the wounded and assisted greatly in their evacuation. Residence at enlistment : Newhebron, Miss. William H. Stovall, first lieutenant. Air Service, pilot, 13th Aero Squadron. For extraordinary heroism in action in the region of Etain, France, September 26, 1918. While leading a protection patrol over a day bombing formation his patrol became reduced through motor trouble to himself and one other pilot. When the bombing patrol was attacked by seven enemy planes he in turn attacked the enemy and destroyed one plane. Residence at appointment: Stovall, Miss. Henry J. Tudury, private, Company C, 12th Machine Gun Battalion. For extraordinary heroism in action near Courchamps, France, July 18-20, 1918. Engaged as runner, he made repeated trips through intense shelling and machine-gun fire. On July 18 he was gassed, but bravely continued with his heroic work until he fell exhausted on the 20th. Residence at enlistment: Bay St. Louis, Miss. Mack Williams, private, Company M, 9th Infantry. For extraordinary heroism in action near Médêah Farm, France, October 3, 1918. Wounded in the hip by shell fire, while acting as stretcher bearer, Pvt. Williams remained on duty until his company was relieved seven days later. Residence at enlistment : Hovey, Miss. War with Spain – Medal of Honor Recipients (Source: Center of Military History, United States Army. Citations taken from the U.S. Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs Report, Medal of Honor Recipients: 1863-1978. Submitted by Linda Rodriguez) JOHN W. HEARD Rank and organization: First Lieutenant, 3d U.S. Cavalry. Place and date: At Mouth of Manimani River, west of Bahia Honda, Cuba, 23 July 1898. Entered service at: Mississippi. Birth: Mississippi. Rate of issue: 21 June 1899. Citation: After 2 men had been shot down by Spaniards while transmitting orders to the engine-room on the Wanderer, the ship having become disabled, this officer took the position held by them and personally transmitted the orders, remaining at his post until the ship was out of danger. IRA C. WELBORN Rank and organization: Second Lieutenant, 9th U.S. Infantry. Place and date: At Santiago, Cuba, 2 July 1898. Entered service at: Mico, Miss. Birth: Mico, Miss. Date of issue: 21 June 1899. Citation: Voluntarily left shelter and went, under fire, to the aid of a private of his company who was wounded. BACK -- HOME ©Genealogy Trails