Emory Jenison Pike (December 18, 1876 – September 16, 1918) was a United States Army officer during World War I who received the Medal of Honor for his actions at Vandieres, France on September 15, 1918.[2] A 1901 graduate of West Point, and the only West Point graduate to be awarded the Medal of Honor during World War I, Pike was a lieutenant colonel at Vandieres. His daughter was presented his Medal of Honor after the war.[3] He was buried at Woodland Cemetery, Des Moines, Iowa.[4]
Emory Jenison Pike | |
|---|---|
 At West Point in 1901 | |
| Born | December 18, 1876 Columbus[1] City, Iowa |
| Died | September 16, 1918 (aged 41) Vandieres, France |
| Place of burial | Woodland Cemetery, Des Moines, Iowa |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Service/ | United States Army |
| Years of service | 1901-1918 |
| Rank | Lieutenant Colonel |
| Unit | 82nd Division |
| Commands held | 321st Machine Gun Battalion |
| Battles/wars | World War I |
| Awards | Medal of Honor |
| Relations | Zebulon Pike (great-uncle) |
| Signature | .png){kind=small} |
Medal of Honor citation edit
Citation:
Having gone forward to reconnoiter new machinegun positions, Lt. Col. Pike offered his assistance in reorganizing advance infantry units which had become disorganized during a heavy artillery shelling. He succeeded in locating only about 20 men, but with these he advanced and when later joined by several infantry platoons rendered inestimable service in establishing outposts, encouraging all by his cheeriness, in spite of the extreme danger of the situation. When a shell had wounded one of the men in the outpost, Lt. Col. Pike immediately went to his aid and was severely wounded himself when another shell burst in the same place. While waiting to be brought to the rear, Lt. Col. Pike continued in command, still retaining his jovial manner of encouragement, directing the reorganization until the position could be held. The entire operation was carried on under terrific bombardment, and the example of courage and devotion to duty, as set by Lt. Col. Pike, established the highest standard of morale and confidence to all under his charge. The wounds he received were the cause of his death.[2]
See also edit
References edit
- ^ Copy of eulogy kept by the Pike family for his burial in Des Moines, IA.
- ^ a b "Pike, Emory J." HomeofHeroes.com. Retrieved April 9, 2009.
- ^ "Lieutenant Colonel Emory J. Pike". Iowa Meda of Honor Heroes. Retrieved April 9, 2009.
- ^ State Historical Society of Iowa (October 11, 2016). "Stories in Stone from Woodland Cemetery". Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs. Archived from the original on January 7, 2017. Retrieved June 14, 2018.