Medal of Honor: Nels Wold, World War I, September 26, 1918
On the bloodied fields near Cheppy, one North Dakota farm boy turned soldier struck down enemy nests and saved comrades under fire. Nels Wold gave everything—his courage carried his company forward.
September 26, 2025
Name: Nels Wold
Rank: Private
War: World War I
Date of Action: September 26, 1918
Unit: Company I, 138th Infantry Regiment, 35th Division, U.S. Army
Accredited to: North Dakota
Summary of Action
Private Wold’s company was pinned by German machine gun fire outside Cheppy when he and another soldier rose to attack. Charging through the storm, he silenced the nests and returned with 11 prisoners. Later that day, he leapt from a trench to save a comrade from execution, killing the German officer who held him at gunpoint. His gallantry did not end there—when his company was again stopped by yet another enemy position, Wold attempted to rush the fifth machine gun nest. It was in this final, selfless act that he was killed. His valor and devotion inspired his men and made possible the advance of his company.
Medal of Honor Citation
He rendered most gallant service in aiding the advance of his company, which had been held up by machinegun nests, advancing, with 1 other soldier, and silencing the guns, bringing with him, upon his return, 11 prisoners. Later the same day he jumped from a trench and rescued a comrade who was about to be shot by a German officer, killing the officer during the exploit. His actions were entirely voluntary, and it was while attempting to rush a 5th machinegun nest that he was killed. The advance of his company was mainly due to his great courage and devotion to duty.
