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Navy Federal Credit Union

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) Charles Evans Kilbourne, Jr., United States Army, for most distinguished gallantry on 5 February 1899, while serving with U.S. Volunteer Signal Corps, in action at Paco Bridge, Philippine Islands. Within a range of 250 yards of the enemy and in the face of a rapid fire, First Lieutenant Kilbourne climbed a telegraph pole at the east end of the bridge and in full view of the enemy coolly and carefully repaired a broken telegraph wire, thereby reestablishing telegraphic communication to the front.

Awards Received

  • Army Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Brigadier General

    Regiment:

    36th Artillery Brigade

    Division:

    89th Division, American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    World War I
    War Department, General Orders No. 89 (1919)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Army Distinguished Service Medal to Brigadier General Charles Evans Kilbourne, Jr., United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility during World War I. As Chief of Staff of the 89th Division, Colonel Kilbourne displayed military ability of the highest order, contributing to the successes achieved by that Division during the St. Mihiel offensive. Later, upon his promotion to the grade of Brigadier General, he continued to render valuable services in command of the 36th Artillery Brigade during the remainder of the campaign.

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Colonel (General Staff Corps)

    Division:

    89th Division, American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    September 12, 1918
    War Department, General Orders No. 143 (1918)

    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 Colonel (General Staff Corps) Charles Evans Kilbourne, Jr., United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving as Chief of Staff, 89th Division, American Expeditionary Forces, near Thiaucourt, France, 12 September 1918. Colonel Kilbourne as Chief of Staff exposed himself to artillery and machine-gun fire during the advance of his division, exercising cool judgment and strong determination in reorganizing the lines and getting troops forward to the objective.