Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
John
Thomas
Wells
November 2, 1897

–

October 31, 1953

Cemetery:

Burgaw Cemetery

John Wells worked as a Sheriff in the Pender County Sheriff’s Office for 3 years. Sheriff Wells was shot and killed after responding to reports of a gunfight between two men. When he arrived he encountered one of the men holding a shotgun. He ordered the man to drop the weapon three times but the man turned towards him. Sheriff Wells opened fire, wounding the suspect, who fired back and struck Sheriff Wells in the head. The suspect then shot himself in the chest.

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Sergeant

    Regiment:

    119th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    30th Division, American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    September 29, 1918
    War Department, General Orders 81 (1919)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Sergeant John Thomas Wells (ASN: 1315439), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company E, 119th Infantry Regiment, 30th Division, American Expeditionary Forces, near Bellicourt, France, 29 September 1918. Wounded at the start of an advance, Sergeant Wells continued in command of his platoon; and, engaging in hand-to-hand fighting, bayoneted three Germans and captured several others. He displayed marked personal bravery, leading his platoon ably until forced to retire because of loss of blood from his wound.