Congressional Medal of Honor Society
Stories of Sacrifice
World War I - U.S. Army
Louis Wardlaw Miles
Details
- Rank: Captain
- Conflict/Era: World War I
- Unit/Command:
308th Infantry,
77th Division - Military Service Branch: U.S. Army
- Medal of Honor Action Date: September 14, 1918
- Medal of Honor Action Place: near Revillon, France
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 machine-gun 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 five times by machine-gun bullets, both legs and one 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 two hours, at the conclusion of which Capt. Miles was carried to the aid station against his will.
Additional Details
- Accredited to: Princeton, Mercer County, New Jersey
- Awarded Posthumously: No
- Born: March 23, 1873, Baltimore, Baltimore County, MD, United States
- Died: June 27, 1944
- Buried: Green Mount Cemetery (PM) (H-49), Baltimore, MD, United States