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Honoring American TroopsMedal of Honor Archive

Second Lieutenant · U.S. Army

Albert E. Baesel

Second Lieutenant Albert E. Baesel, Army, received the Medal of Honor posthumously for actions on September 27, 1918 near Ivoiry, France during World War I.

World War I September 27, 1918Posthumous

Second Lieutenant Albert E. Baesel, a soldier in the U.S. Army, was awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously for gallantry on September 27, 1918 near Ivoiry, France during World War I. At the time he was serving with Company B, 148th Infantry, 37th Division. Baesel was 28 years old.

Baesel was killed in the action for which his medal was awarded. 2 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day.

Baesel was born on March 21, 1890 in Berea, Cuyahoga County, Ohio. He is buried at Woodvale Union Cemetery in Cleveland, Ohio. His medal is held by American Legion Post 91, Berea, OH.

Baesel is one of 132 Medal of Honor recipients from World War I and one of 256 credited to Ohio.

★ Rescue & Lifesaving★ Gave Their Lives

Official Medal of Honor citation

Upon hearing that a squad leader of his platoon had been severely wounded while attempting to capture an enemy machine-gun nest about 200 yards in advance of the assault line and somewhat to the right, 2d Lt. Baesel requested permission to go to the rescue of the wounded corporal. After thrice repeating his request and permision having been reluctantly given, due to the heavy artillery, rifle, and machine-gun fire, and heavy deluge of gas in which the company was at the time, accompanied by a volunteer, he worked his way forward, and reaching the wounded man, placed him upon his shoulders and was instantly killed by enemy fire.

Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.

Wounds and death in action

  • Killed in action during the act for which the medal was awarded (September 27, 1918).
  • Age at death: 28
  • Resting place: Woodvale Union Cemetery

Battles and campaigns

Also served in: World War I.

Places

  • Born: Berea — map
  • Died: France — map
  • Buried: Woodvale Cemetery — map

Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in Ohio →

Timeline

  1. March 21, 1890
    Born in Berea, Cuyahoga County, Ohio
  2. September 27, 1918
    Act of valor — near Ivoiry, France
    Age 28. Company B, 148th Infantry, 37th Division Killed in action.
  3. Resting place
    Woodvale Union Cemetery
    Cleveland, Ohio

Biography

Albert Edward Baesel (March 21, 1890 – September 27, 1918) was an American Army officer who posthumously received the Medal of Honor for actions near Ivoiry, France which led to his death during World War I.

From the Wikipedia article “Albert E. Baesel”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →

Also honored for actions on September 27, 1918

WT William Bradford Turner First Lieutenant · Army World War I · 1918 ✦ RW Reidar Waaler Sergeant · Army World War I · 1918

More World War I recipients from Ohio

Patrick McGunigal Shipfitter First Class · Navy World War I · 1917 Edward Vernon Rickenbacker First Lieutenant · Air Force World War I · 1918
Sources. Service and award details compiled from the recipient record of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society, Wikidata and Wikipedia. The narrative summary is generated from these records. Spotted an error? Send a correction.