Emory Jenison Pike

Emory Jenison Pike

Emory J. Pike
Born December 18, 1876
Columbia City, Iowa
Died September 16, 1918 (aged 41)
Vandieres, France
Place of burial Fort Hill Cemetery, Auburn, New York
Allegiance United States of America
Service/branch 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)

Emory Jenison Pike (December 18, 1876 – September 16, 1918) was a United States Army officer during World War I who earned the Medal of Honor for his actions at Vandieres, France on September 15, 1918.[1] An 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.[2]

Medal of Honor citation

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.[1]

See also

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Pike, Emory J.". HomeofHeroes.com. Retrieved 2009-04-09.
  2. ↑ "Lieutenant Colonel Emory J. Pike". Iowa Meda of Honor Heroes. Retrieved 2009-04-09.