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Honoring American TroopsMedal of Honor Archive

Sergeant · U.S. Army

James Ernest Karnes

Sergeant James Ernest Karnes, Army, received the Medal of Honor for actions on October 8, 1918 near Estrees, France during World War I.

World War I October 8, 1918

Serving as a soldier in the U.S. Army, Sergeant James Ernest Karnes received the Medal of Honor for his actions on October 8, 1918 near Estrees, France during World War I. At the time he was serving with Company D, 117th Infantry, 30th Division. Karnes was 29 years old.

12 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day.

Karnes was born on July 20, 1889 in Arlington, Shelby County, Tennessee. His Medal of Honor is credited to Knoxville, Knox County, Tennessee. Karnes died on July 8, 1966 in Sacramento, California, at the age of 76. He is buried at Greenwood Cemetery in Knoxville, Tennessee.

Karnes is one of 132 Medal of Honor recipients from World War I and one of 33 credited to Tennessee.

Official Medal of Honor citation

During the advance, his company was held up by a machine gun, which was enfilading the line. Accompanied by another soldier, he advanced against this position and succeeded in reducing the nest by killing three and capturing seven of the enemy and their guns.

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

Timeline

  1. July 20, 1889
    Born in Arlington, Shelby County, Tennessee
  2. October 8, 1918
    Act of valor — near Estrees, France
    Age 29. Company D, 117th Infantry, 30th Division
  3. July 8, 1966
    Died in Sacramento, California
    Age 76.
  4. Resting place
    Greenwood Cemetery
    Knoxville, Tennessee

Further reading

Also honored for actions on October 8, 1918

Johannes Seigfried Anderson First Sergeant · Army World War I · 1918 Henry G. Costin Private · Army World War I · 1918 ✦ James C. Dozier First Lieutenant · Army World War I · 1918 GF Gary Evans Foster Sergeant · Army World War I · 1918 EG Earl D. Gregory Sergeant · Army World War I · 1918 TH Thomas Lee Hall Sergeant · Army World War I · 1918 ✦ PR Patrick J. Regan Second Lieutenant · Army World War I · 1918 SS Samuel Major Sampler Corporal · Army World War I · 1918 Clayton Kirk Slack Private · Army World War I · 1918 Harold Leo Turner Corporal · Army World War I · 1918 CW Calvin John Ward Private · Army World War I · 1918 Alvin Cullium York Corporal · Army World War I · 1918

More World War I recipients from Tennessee

ET Edward R. Talley Sergeant · Army World War I · 1918 ML Milo Lemert First Sergeant · Army World War I · 1918 ✦ JA Joseph B. Adkison Sergeant · Army World War I · 1918
Sources. Service and award details compiled from the recipient record of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society. The narrative summary is generated from these records. Spotted an error? Send a correction.