Samuel Woodfill

Samuel Woodfill
Woodfill in his Army uniform displaying Medal of Honor
Born	(1883-01-06)January 6, 1883 Belleview, Jefferson County, Indiana
Died	August 10, 1951(1951-08-10) (aged 68) Indiana
Buried at	Arlington National Cemetery
Allegiance	United States of America
Service/branch	United States Army
Years of service	1901 – 1923 1942 – 1944
Rank	Major
Unit	60th Infantry Regiment, Fifth Infantry Division
Battles/wars	World War I *Meuse-Argonne Offensive World War II
Awards	Medal of Honor Legion of Honor French Croix de Guerre with palm Italy's Meriot di Guerra Cross of Prince Danilo, First Class

Samuel Woodfill (January 6, 1883 – August 10, 1951) was a Major in the United States Army. He was a veteran of the Philippine–American War, World War I, and World War II. Woodfill was one of the most celebrated American soldiers of the early 20th century. General John Pershing called Woodfill the most outstanding soldier in World War I. During an offensive in October 1918, he single-handedly neutralized three German machine gun emplacements while suffering under the effect of mustard gas, and was able to successfully lead his men safely back to the American lines without casualties. At the end of the conflict, Woodfill was the most decorated American soldier to have participated in the conflict; he received the Medal of Honor, the Croix de Guerre with palm leaves, the Merito di Guerra, and the Cross of Prince Danilo among other awards.

After returning home at the end of the war, Woodfill took a number of different jobs before starting a career as an insurance salesman. He was among the three soldiers chosen to dedicate the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in 1921, joining fellow Medal of Honor recipients Charles Whittlesey and Alvin York. At the outbreak of World War II, he was commissioned as a major and spent two years training recruits before resigning from the army after the death of his wife in 1943. Woodfill retired to a farm near Vevay, Indiana where he lived until his death. He was buried in Arlington National Cemetery.

Samuel Woodfill was born January 6, 1883 in Bryantsburg, Indiana, 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 Indiana Infantry. Woodfill learned to hunt at an early age and was a good shot by age ten. He received a basic education in local schools and enlisted in the 11th Infantry of the United States Army on March 8, 1901.