James Davidson Heriot

Corporal, U.S. Army

Medal of Honor Recipient

World War I

Corporal James Davidson Heriot (2 November 1890 - 12 October 1918) was a U.S. Army soldier who was posthumously awarded the U.S. military's highest award for valor, the Medal of Honor, for his heroic actions during World War I.

James Davidson Heriot was born on 2 November 1890 in Providence, SC; he also entered into the Army in that city.

Medal of Honor

Rank and organization: Corporal, U.S. Army, Company I, 118th Infantry, 30th Division.

Place and date: At Vaux-Andigny, France, 12 October 1918.

Citation: Cpl. Heriot, with 4 other soldiers, organized a combat group and attacked an enemy machine-gun nest which had been inflicting heavy casualties on his company. In the advance 2 of his men were killed, and because of the heavy fire from all sides the remaining 2 sought shelter. Unmindful of the hazard attached to his mission, Cpl. Heriot, with fixed bayonet, alone charged the machinegun, making his way through the fire for a distance of 30 yards and forcing the enemy to surrender. During this exploit he received several wounds in the arm, and later in the same day, while charging another nest, he was killed.

Death and Burial

Corporal James Davidson Heriot was killed in action on 12 October 1918 in Vaux-Andigny, France. He is buried at Rembert Methodist Church in Lee County, SC. His gravesite is located in the front row of the cemetery.