Samuel Woodfill

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Samuel Woodfill (January 6, 1883 – August 10, 1951) was a Major in the United States Army.

He served in the Philippine-American War, World War I, and World War II. Woodfill was one of the twentieth century's most admired American soldiers.

Woodfill was dubbed the most gallant soldier of World War I by GM John Pershing. He singlehandedly neutralized three German machine gun emplacements during an outbreak of mustard gas and was able to safely guide his troops back to the American lines without casualties despite casualties.

Woodfill was considered to be one of America's most decorated soldiers in World War I. Among other awards, he was given the Medal of Honor (which General Pershing awarded on 9 February 1919), the French Légion d'honneur in the degree of Chevalier, the French Croix de guerre with bronze palm, the Montenegrin Order of Prince Danilo I in the degree of Knight, and the Italian Croce al Merito di Guerra.

Woodfill's renown, nearly 11 years after the war was over, was awarded two medals by a Polish Army delegation.

Woodfill served in Louisville, Kentucky, from 30 September to October 3rd, 1929.

In 1921, he was one of three soldiers chosen to dedicate the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, alongside fellow Medal of Honor recipients Charles Whittlesey and Alvin York.

He was recruited as a major and spent two years training recruits before resigning from the army following his wife's death in 1943.

Woodfill died on a farm near Vevay, Indiana, where he lived until his death.

He was buried in Arlington National Cemetery.

Early life

Samuel Woodfill was born in Bryant, Indiana, on January 6, 1883, the son of John H. Woodfill. His father was a veteran of the Mexican–American War and the Civil War, having served in the 5th Regiment, the Indiana Infantry. Woodfill learned to hunt at an early age and was a natural shot at age ten. On March 8, 1901, he obtained a basic education in local schools and was enlisted in the 11th Infantry of the United States Army.

Later life

Some independent Democrats in 1924 encouraged Woodfill to run for the United States Congress and challenge Democratic incumbent Arthur B. Bruton. Rouse. According to a Kentucky Post account, Woodfill expressed an interest in Congress at a reception in Washington, D.C., three years before the dedication of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. When Woodfill was elected as a candidate for Congress, he was out of town doing lobbying for American Legion posts in Massachusetts. Mrs. Woodfill, who was visiting her house in Fort Thomas, dismissed the suggestion. When her husband was first invited to attend the dedication service, he had expressed dissatisfaction, adding, "I'm sick of being a circus pony." "They trot me out to perform every time there is something wrong." Mrs. Woodfill said her husband disliked public appearances because he was essentially a selfish person who did not like the glare of public attention. "My husband may not have the education of a lawyer, scholar, or the like," she said, but "if fame, honesty, service, and truth were the only requirement, he is highly qualified to fill the highest position to which his families would vote for him." Woodfill put an end to partisanship on its return to Northern Kentucky, saying he wanted no part of elected office.

Woodfill was a local celebrity. Mrs. Woodfill's life-size painting of Woodfill was presented to Woodfill Elementary School in October 1924. The painting was to hang in the school along with copies of his citations and a brief history of his life. Woodfill and his wife were the special guests of honor at the Greater Cincinnati Industrial Exposition in October 1928. Woodfill was living on a farm in Campbell County, according to this account. Woodfill had purchased about 60 acres (240,000 m2) of farmland between Silver Grove and Flagg Springs in rural Campbell County in 1925, with the intention of planting apple and peach trees, according to a later report. Many of the trees died, according to a study published on July 24, 1929, so Woodfill obtained more trees. According to the account, he worked hard to make the orchard a profitable venture, but the orchard never became a success.

Woodfill had a $2,000 debt by 1929. Woodfill, 46, began working at the Newport Rolling Mill on July 15, 1929, and was living in Fort Thomas when the United States entered World War II.

Woodfill and Alvin C. York, himself a highly decorated World War I soldier from Tennessee, were among the Army majors to be ordered in May 1942. Woodfill told a Kentucky Times-Star reporter at the time that he was unaware that the Army was going to give him the job, which he described as a pleasant surprise. Woodfill was 59, and the Army commissions were part of a national movement to boost national pride and enlistments. Woodfill was later photographed in a Army publicity photo of him firing a rifle at Fort Benning, Georgia. Woodfill is said to have served as an instructor in Birmingham, Alabama, for the most part.

Lorena, his wife, died on March 26, 1942 at Christ Hospital in Cincinnati. According to one, she was buried in Falmouth. Woodfill resigned from the Army in 1944, and he moved to a farm near Vevay, Indiana. Woodfill did not return to Fort Thomas because his wife was dead.

Agatha Sackstedder, a child who grew up in a house across the street from the Woodfills, described Mrs. Woodfill as tall and graceful in a 1978 Kentucky Post article. Cookies and a big bowl of fresh fruit were always on the family table, she said. Mrs. Woodfill said there were no children in the Woodfills, and she loved having a young girl visit her. Woodfill was regarded as a strong-looking, imposing man with a ruddy, smiling face, according to Mrs. Sackstedder.

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Military career

The United States was occupying the Philippines when Woodfill was dispatched as a private. Woodfill was involved in a number of conflicts with the Filipino guerilla forces. He remained in the Philippines until 1904 before being transferred to Alaska that same year to serve at Fort Egbert until its closure in 1911. Not wanting to leave Alaska, Woodfill remained and served at Fort Gibbon. In 1912 he was moved again and stationed in Fort Thomas in Kentucky.

In 1914 Woodfill was dispatched as part of a force to guard the Mexican American border during the Mexican Civil War. Their presence was sufficient to halt the cross border violence and he saw no action there. In 1917 his company returned to Fort Thomas.

After the United States declared war on Germany and entered World War I in April 1917, the Army greatly expanded. Due to the demand for experienced officers, Woodfill was granted a temporary commission as a second lieutenant on July 11, 1917. About this time, Woodfill began courting Lorena "Blossom" Wiltshire and the couple married on December 26, 1917. The couple bought a home in the town of Fort Thomas.

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