Edward Allworth

He swam across the canal under fire and led men into battle.

Edward Christopher Allworth led Company I, 60th Infantry, 5th Division, in the final days of the First World War. A native of Battle Ground, Washington, he graduated from Oregon Agricultural College in 1916 and entered Army service the following year.

On 5 November 1918, at Cléry-le-Petit, France, shellfire destroyed a bridge over the Meuse canal while his company was crossing. With his men divided between the banks and the forward troops struggling uphill, Allworth climbed onto the bank, called for the remaining men to follow and swam across under fire. Reuniting his company, he led the advance against machine-gun positions and captured about 100 prisoners, more men than he commanded. His action restored the bridgehead and opened the way for other troops.

General John Pershing presented his Medal of Honor in 1919. Allworth rose to major before leaving active service. In 1925 he returned to his alma mater as the first manager of its Memorial Union, helping to plan and finance a building dedicated to those who served.

He remained manager until 1963, then retired to the family farm. He died in 1966 and was buried in Corvallis. His son later donated his decorations to the United States Army Heritage and Education Center, preserving tangible evidence of his service.

Official Medal of Honor 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 machine gun 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.