The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-11-01
PERSH|NG NAMES REPRESENTATIVE
 OF INF ANTRYMAN
Virtually Unknown Here Is Placed With Sergeant York and Major WhittIesey of
 Lost Battalion
By Associated Press

By Associated Press
 Washington. OIctober 3f.-ENami- nation of war records by General Pershing has resulted in the desig- nation of Sergt. Samuel Woodfill as the American infantryman who, through heroism in the World war, is most entitled to represent the iu- fantry branch of the army at the Arr mistlee Day ceremonies for Americas unknown soldier.
 sergt woodfill. who is given In army records as residing at Belle vuo. Ind. but who Is now stationed at Fort Thomas, Ky, arrived in Wash ington today in response to orders from the war department. and on be- ing received by Secretary Weeks was informed his act of heroism was re garded by his former commander as "outatanding" among the exploits Of all tho infantry officers and men who saw service in France.
 The act of Sergeant Woodfill which caused General Pershing 10 place hin--a virtually unknown hero with Sergt. Alvin c. York of the Tennessee mountains, and Maj, Charles $. Whittlesey of tho lost battalion" occurred october 12. 1915, during the Mouse Argonne offensive, when he, as a lieutenant, silenced three machine guns. killed is of the enemy including one officer, and capturing three others.
 Report Made Public
 ~aN n to be submitted by General Pershins as commander Of the American tN- peditionary forces 10 Secretary Weeks was made public today and has the following to say of Sergeant Woodfill
 Deeds of valor were too numor- ous 10 mention hero. Outstanding was the heroism of Lieut.. Samuel Woodfil. 5th division, in attacking single handed series of German ma chine gun nests near Cunel and Kill Ing the crews of each in turn until reduced 10 the necessity of assault ing the last detachment with pick' disputching them all. And of Sergt. Alvin C. York of the sgd division in standing off and capturing lS2, ana Mai. Charles s. Whittlesey and his men of the 77th division, when their 
 in refusing to surrender and holding out until finally relieved. Doubt less many died in performing deeds of unknown heroism. as no survivor remained to testify
 The story of Sergeant WoodfilPs exploit Is said by army officers to be told most concisely in the citation which accompanied the award to him of the congressional medal of honor This citation read:
 story of Exploit
 For conspicuous gallantry and in- terpldlty above and beyond the call of duty In action with the enemy al cuhel. France, october l2. 1918. While he was leading his company agdinsl the enemy his line came under heavy machine gun fire which threatened 10 hold up the advance. Followed by two soldiers at 25 yards, this officer went out ahead of his first line to- ward a machine gun nest and worked his way around it's flank leaving two soldiers in front. When he got with in 10 yards of the gun 1t ceased fir ing, and four of the enemy appeared three of whom were shot by Lieuten' ant Woodfill. The fourth, an officer rushed at Lieutenant Woodfill. wht attempted to club the officer with his rifle. After a hand to hand strug- gle, Lieutenant Woodfill killed the officer with his pistol. His company thvreupon continued to advance. un- til shortly afterward another machine gun nest was encountered.
 Captures Third "Ncstv
 Calling on his men to follow Lieutenant Woodfill rushed ahead oi his line in the face of heavy fire from the nest. and when several oi the enemy appeared above the nest he shot them. capturing three other members of the crew and sileneins the gun. 4 few minutes later this officer for the third time demon strated conspicuous daring by charg- ing another machine gun position killing five men In one machine gun pit with his rifle. He then drew his revolver and started to jump into the pit when two other gunners only a few yards away turned their gur on him.
 Failing to kill them with his re. volver, he grabbed pick lying near by and killed both of them. In. spired by the exceptional courag, displayed by this officer, his me. pi essed on to their objective under severe shell and machine gun fire For this act of heroism Woo tfil was promoted to captainly, and 1T addition to the congressional meda was awarded the legion of homo | tcavalier) and the croix he guerr, 1 (with palm) by France, and the or, | der of Prince Danieio I tfifth class, | by Montenegro.