Samuel Woodfill, World War I Medal of Honor Hero from Kentucky

Oct 09 , 2025

Samuel Woodfill, World War I Medal of Honor Hero from Kentucky

Bullets slammed like thunder. Smoke choked the air; the ground beneath twisted by explosions. Samuel Woodfill didn’t hesitate. Alone, he tore through barbed wire under withering fire, dragging wounded men to safety and driving enemy lines back with nothing but grit and a stubborn refusal to die.

Early Roots — From the Hills of Kentucky

Born on July 22, 1883, in Kentucky’s rugged hills, Woodfill grew up tough—his hands rough as bark, his spirit firmer. Raised by a family steeped in simple faith, he learned early that courage is not the absence of fear but action despite it.

He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1901, carving himself into a soldier with unflinching discipline and quiet pride. Woodfill’s faith wasn’t flashy or loud. It was steady, like a compass needle pointing true north, rooted in a belief that every sacrifice had meaning beyond the battlefield.

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” – Joshua 1:9

The Battle That Forged a Legend — Bois-de-Faumont, WWI

September 14, 1918, Verdun sector. The air smelled of death and damp earth. Woodfill was sergeant then, leading a ragged group of dismounted cavalrymen pressed into infantry roles. Enemy machine guns raked the field; artillery shells churned the dirt like hell’s teeth.

His orders were clear—push forward, clear the enemy trenches, survive. But Woodfill didn’t falter. Striding through the tangled wire under hellfire, he charged German machine gun nests alone, tossing grenades with deadly precision. Where others hesitated, his voice cut through the chaos:

“Come on, men, let’s finish this fight!”

He personally took out multiple enemy positions, saving dozens of lives by breaking lines that threatened to collapse. Reports mention him single-handedly capturing several prisoners, rallying men who thought the fight was lost.

Recognition in Blood and Valor

For this extraordinary heroism, Woodfill received the Medal of Honor—the highest U.S. military decoration—signed by President Woodrow Wilson. His citation speaks plainly:

“Braving machinegun fire, Sgt. Woodfill repeatedly charged enemy nests, killed or captured many of the enemy, and inspired his men to occupy and hold positions critical to the battle.”

He earned additional decorations: the Distinguished Service Cross, the French Croix de Guerre with Palm, and the Belgian Croix de Guerre. Generals and fellow soldiers alike knew Woodfill was more than a warrior—he was a beacon amid carnage.

General Douglas MacArthur once called him the “most outstanding soldier in World War I,” a rare tribute from one of America’s finest military minds.

Enduring Legacy — The Warrior’s Truth

Woodfill’s story is carved in scars, both seen and hidden. He struggled after the war with how to live as a man who had stared into hell and survived. His faith walked beside him still, a constant reminder that every scar carries a story of sacrifice and survival.

In his humility, Woodfill never sought glory for himself. His valor was not for medals but for the men beside him and the country he served. His life teaches this:

True courage is forged in selflessness and relentless service. Sacrifice is the currency of honor. Redemption is the quiet victory soldiers carry home in their souls.

When Samuel Woodfill passed in 1951, he left behind more than medals. He left a blueprint for warriors—how to stand when all falls down, how to find light in darkness, and how to live with purpose after war’s fury fades.

His legacy is a gospel of grit, faith, and a fierce refusal to surrender—not just on the battlefield, but in the fight for a meaningful life after.

“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.” – Romans 8:18

Sources

1. U.S. Army Center of Military History, Medal of Honor Recipients: World War I 2. Richard Newcomb, The Untold War: A History of the WWI Battles 3. Douglas MacArthur, Reminiscences (1964) 4. Congressional Medal of Honor Society, Samuel Woodfill Citation Records