James Ernest Karnes
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| James Ernest Karnes | |
|---|---|
| 20 July 1889–8 July 1966 | |
| Place of birth | Arlington, Tennessee |
| Allegiance | United States Army |
| Rank | Sergeant |
| Unit | U.S. 117th Infantry Regiment |
| Battles/wars | Meuse-Argonne Offensive |
| Awards | Medal of Honor Silver Star |
James Ernest "Buck" Karnes (20 July 1889–8 July 1966), was born in Arlington, Tennessee and grew up in Knoxville, Tennessee. Karnes entered active duty with the U.S. Army's 117th Regiment from the Tennessee National Guard during World War I. On 8 October 1918 during the Meuse-Argonne Offensive, Karnes' company was stopped near Estrées, France by a German machine gun position. Karnes and Private Calvin John Ward, deciding they had "had all they could take"of this situation, fixed bayonets, charged and captured the position. This freed their company to advance against German lines in the last major offensive of the war. Both men won the Medal of Honor for extraordinary heroism in this action.
The Alcoa Highway (U.S. Route 129) bridge over the Tennessee River in Knoxville is named after Karnes.
[edit] Medal of Honor citation
"The Medal of Honor is presented to James Ernest Karnes, Sergeant, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism on October 08, 1918, while serving with Company D, 117th Infantry, 30th Division, in action at Estrees, France. During an advance, Sergeant Karnes' company was held up by a machinegun, which was enfilading the line. Accompanied by another soldier, he advanced against this position and succeeded in reducing the nest by killing three and capturing seven of the enemy and their guns."
