Serving as a soldier in the U.S. Army, First Lieutenant Samuel Woodfill received the Medal of Honor for his actions on October 12, 1918 in Cunel, France during World War I. At the time he was serving with Company M, 60th Infantry, 5th Division. Woodfill was 35 years old.
One other service member also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. The medal was presented on February 9, 1919. Chaumont, France - presented by General John J. Pershing. He later rose to the rank of Major.
Woodfill was born on January 6, 1883 in Jefferson County, Indiana. His Medal of Honor is credited to Bryantsburg, Jefferson County, Indiana. Woodfill died on August 10, 1951, at the age of 68. He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia.
Woodfill is one of 132 Medal of Honor recipients from World War I and one of 75 credited to Indiana.
Official Medal of Honor citation
While he was leading his company against the enemy, his line came under heavy machine-gun fire, which threatened to hold up the advance. Followed by two soldiers at 25 yards, this officer went out ahead of his first line toward a machine-gun nest and worked his way around its flank, leaving the two soldiers in front. When he got within 10 yards of the gun it ceased firing, and four of the enemy appeared, three of whom were shot by 1st Lt. Woodfill. The fourth, an officer, rushed at 1st Lt. Woodfill, who attempted to club the officer with his rifle. After a hand-to-hand struggle, 1st Lt. Woodfill killed the officer with his pistol. His company thereupon continued to advance, until shortly afterwards another machine-gun nest was encountered. Calling on his men to follow, 1st Lt. Woodfill rushed ahead of his line in the face of heavy fire from the nest, and when several of the enemy appeared above the nest, he shot them, capturing three other members of the crew and silencing the gun. A few minutes later this officer for a third time demonstrated conspicuous daring by charging another machine-gun position, killing five men in one machine-gun pit with his rifle. He then drew his revolver and started to jump into the pit, when two other gunners only a few yards away turned their guns on him. Failing to kill them with his revolver, he grabbed a pick lying nearby and killed both of them. Inspired by the exceptional courage displayed by this officer, his men pressed on to their objective under severe shell and machine-gun fire.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Battles and campaigns
Also served in: World War I.
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Timeline
- January 6, 1883Born in Jefferson County, Indiana
- October 12, 1918Act of valor — Cunel, FranceAge 35. Company M, 60th Infantry, 5th Division
- February 9, 1919Medal of Honor presentedChaumont, France - presented by General John J. Pershing
- August 10, 1951DiedAge 68.
- Resting placeArlington National CemeteryArlington, Virginia
Biography
Samuel Woodfill (January 6, 1883 – August 10, 1951) was a major in the United States Army. He was a veteran of the Philippine–American War, World War I, and World War II. Woodfill was one of the most celebrated American soldiers of the early 20th century. General John Pershing called Woodfill the most outstanding soldier in World War I. During an offensive in October 1918, he single-handedly neutralized three German machine gun emplacements while suffering under the effect of mustard gas, and was able to successfully lead his men safely back to the American lines without casualties. Woodfill was considered to be one of America's most decorated soldiers in World War I.
From the Wikipedia article “Samuel Woodfill”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →
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