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Honoring American TroopsMedal of Honor Archive

Sergeant · U.S. Army

Willie Sandlin

Sergeant Willie Sandlin, Army, received the Medal of Honor for actions on September 26, 1918 in Bois-de-Forges, France during World War I.

World War I September 26, 1918

Sergeant Willie Sandlin, a soldier in the U.S. Army, received the Medal of Honor for gallantry on September 26, 1918 in Bois-de-Forges, France during World War I. At the time he was serving with Company A, 132d Infantry, 33d Division. Sandlin was 28 years old.

8 other service members 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.

Sandlin was born on January 1, 1890 in Jackson, Breathitt County, Kentucky. His Medal of Honor is credited to Hyden, Leslie County, Kentucky. Sandlin died on May 29, 1949 in Hyden, Kentucky, at the age of 59. He is buried at Kentucky Veterans Cemetery.

Sandlin is one of 132 Medal of Honor recipients from World War I and one of 44 credited to Kentucky.

Official Medal of Honor citation

He showed conspicuous gallantry in action by advancing alone directly on a machine-gun nest which was holding up the line with its fire. He killed the crew with a grenade and enabled the line to advance. Later in the day he attacked alone and put out of action two other machine-gun nests, setting a splendid example of bravery and coolness to his men.

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

Battles and campaigns

Also served in: World War I.

Places

  • Born: Jackson — map

Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in Kentucky →

Timeline

  1. January 1, 1890
    Born in Jackson, Breathitt County, Kentucky
  2. September 26, 1918
    Act of valor — Bois-de-Forges, France
    Age 28. Company A, 132d Infantry, 33d Division
  3. February 9, 1919
    Medal of Honor presented
    Chaumont, France - presented by General John J. Pershing
  4. May 29, 1949
    Died in Hyden, Kentucky
    Age 59.
  5. Resting place
    Kentucky Veterans Cemetery

Biography

Willie Sandlin (January 1, 1890 – May 29, 1949) was a soldier in the United States Army who received the Medal of Honor for his actions during World War I.

From the Wikipedia article “Willie Sandlin”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →

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Also honored for actions on September 26, 1918

Deming Bronson First Lieutenant · Army World War I · 1918 DC Donald Marshall Call Corporal · Army World War I · 1918 PK Phillip Carl Katz Sergeant · Army World War I · 1918 George H. Mallon Captain · Army World War I · 1918 LS Lloyd Martin Seibert Sergeant · Army World War I · 1918 AS Alexander Rives Skinker Captain · Army World War I · 1918 ✦ CW Chester Howard West First Sergeant · Army World War I · 1918 NW Nels T. Wold Private · Army World War I · 1918 ✦
Sources. Service and award details compiled from the recipient record of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society, Wikidata and Wikipedia. The narrative summary is generated from these records. Spotted an error? Send a correction.