World War I
Medal of Honor Recipients from Wisconsin during World War I
Read here of the deeds of these brave heroes and do not forget them!
The names which are preceded by an asterisk denote posthumous awards.
This table lists the recipients by date, they are listed alphabetically below.
First Lieutenant Bronson, Deming
Born Rhinelander, Wisconsin; Entered service at Seattle, Washington
Company H, 364TH Infantry Regiment, 91ST Division, U.S. Army
Awarded for action near Eclisfontaine, France
Rank and organization: First Lieutenant, U.S. Army, Company H, 364TH Infantry Regiment, 91ST Division.
Place and date: Near Eclisfontaine, France, 26-27 September 1918.
Entered service at: Seattle, Washington.
Born: 8 July 1894, Rhinelander, Wisconsin.
G.O. No.: 12 W.D., 1929.
Citation: “For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty in action with the enemy. On the morning of 26 September, during the advance of the 364th Infantry, 1st Lt. Bronson was struck by an exploding enemy handgrenade, receiving deep cuts on his face and the back of his head. He nevertheless participated in the action which resulted in the capture of an enemy dugout from which a great number of prisoners were taken. This was effected with difficulty and under extremely hazardous conditions because it was necessary to advance without the advantage of cover and, from an exposed position, throw handgrenades and phosphorous bombs to compel the enemy to surrender. On the afternoon of the same day he was painfully wounded in the left arm by an enemy rifle bullet, and after receiving first aid treatment he was directed to the rear. Disregarding these instructions, 1st Lt. Bronson remained on duty with his company through the night although suffering from severe pain and shock. On the morning of 27 September, his regiment resumed its attack, the object being the village of Eclisfontaine. Company H, to which 1st Lt. Bronson was assigned, was left in support of the attacking line, Company E being in the line. He gallantly joined that company in spite of his wounds and engaged with it in the capture of the village. After the capture he remained with Company E and participated with it in the capture of an enemy machinegun, he himself killing the enemy gunner. Shortly after this encounter the company was compelled to retire due to the heavy enemy artillery barrage. During this retirement 1st Lt. Bronson, who was the last man to leave the advanced position, was again wounded in both arms by an enemy high-explosive shell. He was then assisted to cover by another officer who applied first aid. Although bleeding profusely and faint from the loss of blood, 1st Lt. Bronson remained with the survivors of the company throughout the night of the second day, refusing to go to the rear for treatment. His conspicuous gallantry and spirit of self-sacrifice were a source of great inspiration to the members of the entire command.” Citation from U.S. Army Center of Military History.
Major Whittlesey, Charles W.
Born Florence, Wisconsin; Entered service at Pittsfield, Massachusetts
308TH Infantry Regiment, 77TH Division, U.S. Army
Awarded for action northeast of Binarville, in the forest of Argonne France
Rank and organization: Major, U.S. Army, 308TH Infantry Regiment, 77TH Division.
Place and date: Northeast of Binarville, in the forest of Argonne France, 2-7 October 1918.
Entered service at: Pittsfield, Massachussetts.
Birth. 20 January 1884, Florence, Wisconsin.
G.O. No.: 118, W.D., 1918.
Citation: “Although cut off for 5 days from the remainder of his division, Maj. Whittlesey maintained his position, which he had reached under orders received for an advance, and held his command, consisting originally of 46 officers and men of the 308th Infantry and of Company K of the 307TH Infantry, together in the face of superior numbers of the enemy during the 5 days. Maj. Whittlesey and his command were thus cut off, and no rations or other supplies reached him, in spite of determined efforts which were made by his division. On the 4th day Maj. Whittlesey received from the enemy a written proposition to surrender, which he treated with contempt, although he was at the time out of rations and had suffered a loss of about 50 percent in killed and wounded of his command and was surrounded by the enemy.” Citation from U.S. Army Center of Military History.
He commanded the famous ‘Lost Battalion’ of WWI.
Private Slack, Clayton Kirk
Born Plover, Wisconsin; Entered service at Madison, Wisconsin
Company D, 124TH Machine Gun Battalion, 33D Division, U.S. Army
Awarded for action near Consenvoye, France
Rank and organization: Private, U.S. Army, Company D, 124TH Machine Gun Battalion, 33D Division.
Place and date: Near Consenvoye, France, 8 October 1918.
Entered service at: Madison, Wisconsin.
Born: 23 February 1896, Plover, Wisconsin.
G.O. No.: 16, W.D., 1919.
Citation: “Observing German soldiers under cover 50 yards away on the left flank, Pvt. Slack, upon his own initiative, rushed them with his rifle and, single-handed, captured 10 prisoners and 2 heavy-type machineguns, thus saving his company and neighboring organizations from heavy casualties.” Citation from U.S. Army Center of Military History.
He entered the Army in September 1917. He was in show business after the war. He operated Slack’s Resort on Round Lake near Hayward ca. 1950s.
Boatswain's Mate Second Class Siegel, John Otto
Born Milwaukee, Wisconsin
U.S. Navy
Awarded for action on the (U.S.S.?) Mohawk and the schooner Hjeltenaes
Rank and organization Boatswain’s Mate Second Class, U.S. Navy.
Born: 21 April 1890, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Accredited to: New Jersey.
Citation: “For extraordinary heroism while serving on board the Mohawk in performing a rescue mission aboard the schooner Hjeltenaes which was in flames on 1 November 1918. Going aboard the blazing vessel, Siegel rescued 2 men from the crew’s quarters and went back the third time. Immediately after he had entered the crew’s quarters, a steam pipe over the door bursted, making it impossible for him to escape. Siegel was overcome with smoke and fell to the deck, being finally rescued by some of the crew of the Mohawk who carried him out and rendered first aid.” Citation from U.S. Army Center of Military History.