Emory Jenison Pike

Emory Jenison Pike (December 18, 1876 – September 16, 1918) was a United States Army officer during World War I who received the Medal of Honor for his actions at Vandieres, France on September 15, 1918.[2] A 1901 graduate of West Point, and the only West Point graduate to be awarded the Medal of Honor during World War I, Pike was a lieutenant colonel at Vandieres. His daughter was presented his Medal of Honor after the war.[3] He was buried at Woodland Cemetery, Des Moines, Iowa.[4]

Emory Jenison Pike
Emory J. Pike
Born	December 18, 1876 Columbus[1] City, Iowa
Died	September 16, 1918 (aged 41) Vandieres, France
Place of burial	Woodland Cemetery, Des Moines, Iowa
Allegiance	United States of America
Service/branch	United States Army
Years of service	1901-1918
Rank	Lieutenant Colonel
Unit	82nd Division
Commands held	321st Machine Gun Battalion
Battles/wars	World War I
Awards	Medal of Honor
Relations	Zebulon Pike (great-uncle)

Medal of Honor citation

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.[2]

See also

• List of Medal of Honor recipients

References

1. Copy of eulogy kept by the Pike family for his burial in Des Moines, IA.
2. "Pike, Emory J." HomeofHeroes.com. Retrieved 2009-04-09.
3. "Lieutenant Colonel Emory J. Pike". Iowa Meda of Honor Heroes. Retrieved 2009-04-09.
4. State Historical Society of Iowa (October 11, 2016). "Stories in Stone from Woodland Cemetery". Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs. Archived from the original on January 7, 2017. Retrieved June 14, 2018.