Emory Jenison Pike

Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Army

Medal of Honor Recipient

World War I

Lieutenant Colonel Emory Jenison Pike (18 December 1876 - 16 November 1918) was a U.S. Army officer during World War I 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.

Emory Jenison Pike was born on 18 December 1876 in Columbia City, IA. A 1901 graduate of the U.S. Military Academy, he was the only West Point graduate to be awarded the Medal of Honor during World War I.

Medal of Honor

Rank and organization: Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Army, Division Machinegun Officer, 82nd Division.

Place and date: Near Vandieres, France, 15 September 1918.

Citation: Having gone forward to reconnoiter new machinegun positions, Lt. Col. Pike offered his assistance in reorganizing advance infantry units which had become disorganized during a heavy artillery shelling. He succeeded in locating only about 20 men, but with these he advanced and when later joined by several infantry platoons rendered inestimable service in establishing outposts, encouraging all by his cheeriness, in spite of the extreme danger of the situation. When a shell had wounded one of the men in the outpost, Lt. Col. Pike immediately went to his aid and was severely wounded himself when another shell burst in the same place. While waiting to be brought to the rear, Lt. Col. Pike continued in command, still retaining his jovial manner of encouragement, directing the reorganization until the position could be held. The entire operation was carried on under terrific bombardment, and the example of courage and devotion to duty, as set by Lt. Col. Pike, established the highest standard of morale and confidence to all under his charge. The wounds he received were the cause of his death.

Pike's Medal of Honor was presented to his daughter, Martha, after the war. Major General J.M. Wainwright, Assistant Chief of Staff, 82nd Division, wrote to Colonel Pike's mother informing her of his death. In his letter, Wainwright wrote: "He has been recommended for the Medal of Honor...When my time comes I only hope I can die as gallantly as did your son..." 

Death and Burial

Lieutenant Colonel Emory Jenison Pike died on 16 November 1918 of wounds he received on 15 September 1918, during his heroic actions near Vandieres, France. He is buried at Fort Hill Cemetery in Auburn, NY, in the Gold Star Plat.