Edward Allworth

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For the American historian, see Edward A. Allworth
Edward Christopher Allworth
July 6, 1887(1887-07-06)June 24, 1966 (aged 78)

Edward Allworth
Place of birth Battle Ground, Washington
Place of death Portland, Oregon
Allegiance United States of America
Service/branch United States Army
Rank Captain
Unit 5th Division
Battles/wars World War I
Awards - Medal of Honor

Edward Christopher Allworth (6 July 1887 - 24 June 1966) was an American Captain in the United States Army during World War I. Born in Battle Ground, Washington, Allworth graduated from Oregon Agricultural College in 1916. He enlisted at Corvallis, Oregon in 1917 and joined the 60th Infantry Regiment of the 5th Division. On 5 November 1918, mere days from the armistice, Allworth and his company crossed the Meuse River via a canal bridge near the French village of Clery-le-Petit. When shellfire destroyed the bridge and separated the company into two halves, Allworth swan across with some of his men while under fire from the enemy. Leading a subsequent charge towards the enemy lines, he forced them back one kilometre,[1] taking 100 prisoners[2] and thus capturing the bridgehead.[3]

For this action, Allworth was awarded the Medal of Honor. In 1925, Allworth rejoined the Oregon Agricultural College faculty as secretary of the Alumni Association, secretary of the Memorial Union Board of Governors, and manager of the Memorial Union. He published a set of memoirs titled Edward C. Allworth Papers, 1954-1963[4] before retired in 1963. He died in Portland, Oregon on 24 June, 1966.

Contents

[edit] Medal of Honor citation

Rank and organization: Captain, U.S. Army, 60th Infantry, 5th Division. Place and date: At Clery-le-Petit, France, 5 November 1918. Entered service at: Corvallis, Oreg. Born: 6 July 1887, Crawford, Wash. G.O. No.: 16, W.D., 1919.

Citation:

While his company was crossing the Meuse River and canal at a bridgehead opposite Clery-le-Petit, the bridge over the canal was destroyed by shell fire and Capt. Allworth's command became separated, part of it being on the east bank of the canal and the remainder on the west bank. Seeing his advance units making slow headway up the steep slope ahead, this officer mounted the canal bank and called for his men to follow. Plunging in he swam across the canal under fire from the enemy, followed by his men. Inspiring his men by his example of gallantry, he led them up the slope, joining his hard-pressed platoons in front. By his personal leadership he forced the enemy back for more than a kilometer, overcoming machinegun nests and capturing 100 prisoners, whose number exceeded that of the men in his command. The exceptional courage and leadership displayed by Capt. Allworth made possible the re-establishment of a bridgehead over the canal and the successful advance of other troops.

[edit] See also

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ Military.com site retrieved on March 10, 2007
  2. ^ home of Heroes page retrieved on March 10, 2007
  3. ^ Military.com page retrieved on March 10, 2007
  4. ^ Oregon University site retireved on March 10, 2007

[edit] References