Medal of Honor: Joseph B. Adkinson, World War I, September 29, 1918

Name: Joseph B. Adkinson
Rank: Sergeant
War: World War I
Date of Action: September 29, 1918
Unit: Company C, 119th Infantry, 30th Division
Accredited to: Memphis, Tennessee

Summary of Action
Near Bellicourt, France, during the St. Quentin Canal offensive, Adkinson’s platoon was halted by devastating machine gun fire at just 50 yards range. With his men unable to advance and taking cover under the storm of bullets, Sergeant Adkinson acted on instinct and courage. Alone, he sprinted across the exposed ground straight at the enemy nest. Reaching the position, he kicked the machine gun from its mount into the trench below and leveled his bayonet. The three German soldiers manning the gun surrendered on the spot. By his fearless assault, Adkinson cleared the obstacle and allowed his platoon to continue the attack.

Medal of Honor Citation
ADKINSON, JOSEPH B.
Rank and organization: Sergeant, U.S. Army, Company C, 119th Infantry, 30th Division. Place and date: Near Bellicourt, France, 29 September 1918. Entered service at: Memphis, Tenn. Born: 4 January 1892, Egypt, Tenn. G.O. No.: 59, W.D., 1919. Citation: When murderous machinegun fire at a range of 50 yards had made it impossible for his platoon to advance, and had caused the platoon to take cover Sgt. Adkinson alone, with the greatest intrepidity, rushed across the 50 yards of open ground directly into the face of the hostile machinegun kicked the gun from the parapet into the enemy trench, and at the point of the bayonet captured the 3 men manning the gun. The gallantry and quick decision of this soldier enabled the platoon to resume its advance.