Serving as a soldier in the U.S. Army, First Lieutenant Joseph Samuel Cecil received the Medal of Honor for his actions on March 7, 1906 in Bud-Dajo, Jolo, Philippine Islands during the Philippine Insurrection. At the time he was serving with 19th U.S. Infantry. Cecil was 28 years old.
One other service member also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. The medal was presented on January 23, 1913, 6 years after the action. He later rose to the rank of Colonel.
Cecil was born on January 11, 1878 in New River, Scott County, Tennessee. Cecil died on August 20, 1940 in Hartford, Connecticut, at the age of 62. He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery. Records also list him as Cecil, Josephus S..
Cecil is one of 82 Medal of Honor recipients from the Philippine Insurrection and one of 33 credited to Tennessee.
Official Medal of Honor citation
While at the head of the column about to assault the first cotta under a superior fire at short-range, personally carried to a sheltered position a wounded man and the body of one who was killed beside him.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Battles and campaigns
Also served in: Philippine–American War, Spanish–American War.
Places
Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in Tennessee →
Timeline
- January 11, 1878Born in New River, Scott County, Tennessee
- March 7, 1906Act of valor — Bud-Dajo, Jolo, Philippine IslandsAge 28. 19th U.S. Infantry
- January 23, 1913Medal of Honor presented
- August 20, 1940Died in Hartford, ConnecticutAge 62.
- Resting placeArlington National Cemetery
Biography
Josephus Samuel Cecil (January 11, 1878 to August 20, 1940) was a United States Army officer who received the Medal of Honor for his actions during the Philippine–American War. Cecil joined the Army in July 1898, and retired in July 1922.
From the Wikipedia article “Josephus S. Cecil”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →
