Edward Christopher Allworth

Major, U.S. Army

Medal of Honor Recipient

World War I

Major Edward Christopher Allworth (6 July 1895 - 24 June 1966) was a U.S. Army officer who received the U.S. military's highest award for valor, the Medal of Honor, for his heroic actions during World War I.

Edward Christopher Allworth was born on 6 July 1895 in Battle Ground, WA. He graduated from Oregon Agricultural College in 1916. He enlisted in the Army at Corvallis, OR, 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 swam 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 kilometer, took 100 prisoners, and captured the bridgehead. For this action, Allworth received the Medal of Honor.

Medal of Honor

Rank and organization: Captain, U.S. Army, 60th Infantry, 5th Division.

Place and date: At Clery-le-Petit, France, 5 November 1918.

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.

Post-Military Life

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 before he retired in 1963.

Death and Burial

Major Edward Christopher Allworth died in Portland, OR, on 24 June 1966. He is buried at Crystal Lake Masonic Cemetery in Corvallis, Benton County, OR.