Arthur Joseph Forrest

The Medal of Honor Hero Who Single-Handedly Silenced Six German Machine Guns

When six German machine guns brought his company's advance to a standstill, Sergeant Arthur J. Forrest refused to let his fellow soldiers remain trapped under deadly fire. Moving alone through enemy territory, he crept within fifty yards of the German position before launching a daring attack that changed the course of the engagement. His extraordinary courage near Remonville, France, on 1 November 1918, earned him the United States Medal of Honor and secured his place among America's most remarkable heroes of the First World War.

Born in St. Louis, Missouri, and entering military service at Hannibal, Forrest served with Company D, 354th Infantry Regiment, 89th Division, American Expeditionary Forces. During the final months of the First World War, his division participated in the St. Mihiel Offensive, operations in the Meuse-Argonne region and defensive-sector service. At Remonville, Forrest independently worked his way towards the enemy machine-gun nest and charged its position, driving the German defenders into disorder. His action protected the forward platoon from devastating fire and allowed his company to resume its advance. The War Department officially recorded his Medal of Honor award in General Orders No. 50 of 1919. The official citation specifically recognized his initiative, personal bravery and decisive action under enemy fire.

Forrest's wider wartime service was recognized through the World War I Victory Medal, with three bronze service stars representing St. Mihiel, Meuse-Argonne and Defensive Sector participation, and the Army of Occupation of Germany Medal for his post-armistice service. His remarkable international recognition also included France's prestigious Médaille militaire and the Croix de Guerre 1914–1918 with two bronze palms, Italy's Croce al Merito di Guerra, and the Kingdom of Montenegro's Medal for Military Bravery. These allied honours reflected the exceptional regard in which his wartime service was held.

Returning to the United States in 1919, Forrest pursued his passion for baseball, playing semi-professionally in Wyoming and North Carolina. He later served as a contact representative for the Veterans Administration in St. Louis, continuing a life of service beyond the battlefield. He died on 30 November 1964 and was laid to rest at Grand View Burial Park in Hannibal, Missouri.

Arthur J. Forrest's story is a powerful reminder that extraordinary heroism does not always come from commanding an army or leading a great offensive. Sometimes it comes from one soldier willing to move forward when everyone else is pinned down. His solitary charge against six German machine guns remains the defining act of courage that earned him the Medal of Honor and preserved his legacy as an American hero of World War I.