Serving as a soldier in the U.S. Army, Second Lieutenant John Hunter Wickersham was awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously for his actions on September 12, 1918 near Limey during World War I. At the time he was serving with 353d Infantry, 89th Division. Wickersham was 28 years old.
Wickersham was killed in the action for which his medal was awarded.
Wickersham was born on February 3, 1890 in New York, New York. His Medal of Honor is credited to Denver, Denver County, Colorado. He is buried at St. Mihiel Cemetery in Colorado, France.
Wickersham is one of 132 Medal of Honor recipients from World War I and one of 24 credited to Colorado.
Official Medal of Honor citation
Advancing with his platoon during the St. Mihiel offensive, he was severely wounded in four places by the bursting of a high-explosive shell. Before receiving any aid for himself, he dressed the wounds of his orderly, who was wounded at the same time. He then ordered and accompanied the further advance of his platoon, although weakened by the loss of blood. His right hand and arm being disabled by wounds, he continued to fire his revolver with his left hand until, exhausted by loss of blood, he fell and died from his wounds before aid could be administered.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Wounds and death in action
What the citation records about his wounds:
Advancing with his platoon during the St. Mihiel offensive, he was severely wounded in four places by the bursting of a high-explosive shell.
His right hand and arm being disabled by wounds, he continued to fire his revolver with his left hand until, exhausted by loss of blood, he fell and died from his wounds before aid could be administered.
- Killed in action during the act for which the medal was awarded (September 12, 1918).
- Age at death: 28
- Resting place: St. Mihiel Cemetery
Battles and campaigns
Also served in: World War I.
Places
- Born: New York City — map
- Died: Limey-Remenauville — map
- Buried: St. Mihiel American Cemetery and Memorial — map
Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in Colorado →
Timeline
- February 3, 1890Born in New York, New York
- September 12, 1918Act of valor — near LimeyAge 28. 353d Infantry, 89th Division Killed in action.
- Resting placeSt. Mihiel CemeteryColorado
Biography
John Hunter Wickersham (February 3, 1890 – September 12, 1918) was a United States Army officer and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration—the Medal of Honor—for his actions in World War I.
From the Wikipedia article “J. Hunter Wickersham”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →
