Serving as a soldier in the U.S. Army, Private First Class Daniel Richmond Edwards received the Medal of Honor for his actions on July 18, 1918 near Soissons, France during World War I. At the time he was serving with Company C, 3d Machine Gun Battalion, 1st Division. Edwards was 30 years old.
6 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. He later rose to the rank of Major.
Edwards was born on April 9, 1888 in Mooreville, Falls County, Texas. His Medal of Honor is credited to Bruceville, McLennan County, Texas. Edwards died on October 21, 1967 in Hot Springs, Arkansas, at the age of 79. He is buried at Cunningham Cemetery in Royal, Arkansas.
Edwards is one of 132 Medal of Honor recipients from World War I and one of 78 credited to Texas.
Official Medal of Honor citation
Reporting for duty from the hospital where he had been for several weeks under treatment for numerous and serious wounds and although suffering intense pain from a shattered arm, he crawled alone into an enemy trench for the purpose of capturing or killing enemy soldiers known to be concealed therein. He killed four of the men and took the remaining four men prisoners; while conducting them to the rear, one of the enemy was killed by a high-explosive enemy shell which also completely shattered one of Pfc. Edwards' legs, causing him to be immediately evacuated to the hospital. The bravery of Pfc. Edwards, now a tradition in his battalion because of his previous gallant acts, again caused the morale of his comrades to be raised to high pitch.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Timeline
- April 9, 1888Born in Mooreville, Falls County, Texas
- July 18, 1918Act of valor — near Soissons, FranceAge 30. Company C, 3d Machine Gun Battalion, 1st Division
- October 21, 1967Died in Hot Springs, ArkansasAge 79.
- Resting placeCunningham CemeteryRoyal, Arkansas
Further reading
- Two Immigrants + One Battle = Four Medals of Honorcmohs.org · 2021
