Medal of Honor: L. Wardlaw Miles, World War, I September 14, 1918

L. Wardlaw Miles
World War I
September 14, 1918 – Revillon, France

On the banks of the Aisne Canal, German machine gun fire shredded every advance. Other units had tried and failed to seize the position, but Captain L. Wardlaw Miles stepped forward, volunteering to lead his company in yet another assault. He walked at the head of the first wave, cutting wire by hand while bullets tore into him—five in total, fracturing both legs and an arm. Refusing evacuation, he ordered himself carried forward into the enemy trench. From a stretcher, bleeding and broken, he continued to command, inspire, and direct his men. Under his indomitable spirit, the battered company held and consolidated the position after two hours of brutal combat. Only after victory was secured did his men forcibly carry him to the aid station. His defiance, leadership, and sacrifice turned what should have been another failed attack into a triumph of courage.

Medal of Honor Citation

Volunteered to lead his company in a hazardous attack on a commanding trench position near the Aisne Canal, which other troops had previously attempted to take without success. His company immediately met with intense machinegun fire, against which it had no artillery assistance, but Capt. Miles preceded the first wave and assisted in cutting a passage through the enemy’s wire entanglements. In so doing he was wounded 5 times by machinegun bullets, both legs and 1 arm being fractured, whereupon he ordered himself placed on a stretcher and had himself carried forward to the enemy trench in order that he might encourage and direct his company, which by this time had suffered numerous casualties. Under the inspiration of this officer’s indomitable spirit his men held the hostile position and consolidated the front line after an action lasting 2 hours, at the conclusion of which Capt. Miles was carried to the aid station against his will.