Navy Federal Credit Union

Samuel Woodfill, along with Charles Whittlesey and Alvin York, was one of three World War I Medal of Honor recipients chosen by General John J. Pershing to act as a pall bearer for the Unknown Soldier of World War I.

Awards Received

  • Medal of Honor

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Infantry)

    Regiment:

    60th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    5th Division, American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    October 12, 1918

    War Department, General Orders No. 16 ( January 22, 1919)

    The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to First Lieutenant (Infantry) Samuel Woodfill, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism on 12 October 1918, while serving with Company M, 60th Infantry, 5th Division, in action at Cunel, France. While he was leading his company against the enemy, First Lieutenant Woodfill’s line came under heavy machinegun fire, which threatened to hold up the advance. Followed by two soldiers at 25 yards, this officer went out ahead of his first line toward a machinegun nest and worked his way around its flank, leaving the two soldiers in front. When he got within ten yards of the gun it ceased firing, and four of the enemy appeared, three of whom were shot by First Lieutenant Woodfill. The fourth, an officer, rushed at First Lieutenant Woodfill, who attempted to club the officer with his rifle. After a hand-to-hand struggle, First Lieutenant Woodfill killed the officer with his pistol. His company thereupon continued to advance, until shortly afterwards another machinegun nest was encountered. Calling on his men to follow, First Lieutenant Woodfill rushed ahead of his line in the face of heavy fire from the nest, and when several of the enemy appeared above the nest he shot them, capturing three other members of the crew and silencing the gun. A few minutes later this officer for the third time demonstrated conspicuous daring by charging another machinegun position, killing five men in one machinegun pit with his rifle. He then drew his revolver and started to jump into the pit, when two other gunners only a few yards away turned their gun on him. Failing to kill them with his revolver, he grabbed a pick lying nearby and killed both of them. Inspired by the exceptional courage displayed by this officer, his men pressed on to their objective under severe shell and machinegun fire.