Medal of Honor: J. Hunter Wickersham, World War I, September 12, 1918

Name: J. Hunter Wickersham

War: World War I
Date of Action: September 12, 1918
Place: Near Limey, France
Unit: 353rd Infantry, 89th Division
Rank: Second Lieutenant

Summary of Action

During the great St. Mihiel Offensive, Wickersham’s platoon came under brutal shellfire as they advanced through the shattered French countryside. A high-explosive shell burst near him, tearing into his body with four separate wounds. Despite his grievous injuries, Wickersham’s first thought was not for himself but for his men. He dressed the wounds of his orderly before receiving any aid of his own, then pushed forward, urging his platoon to continue the attack.

His right arm hung useless, but he gripped his revolver in his left hand and fired steadily at the enemy, refusing to stop. With blood loss weakening him by the moment, he kept pressing on until he collapsed, finally succumbing to his wounds before help could arrive. His sacrifice inspired his men to carry on and solidified the advance.

Medal of Honor Citation

Advancing with his platoon during the St. Mihiel offensive, he was severely wounded in 4 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.