New Britain herald., 1921-11-01
SERGT. WOODFILL IS GREATEST WAR HERO
Picked by pershins to Represent
 Infantry at Ceremonies

Washington, Nov. 1.-EXamnation of war records by Gen. pershing has resulted In the designation of Ser geant Samuel Woodhll as the Amer ican infantryman, who through hero ism in the world war, is most entitled to represent the infantry branch of the army at the Armistico Day cere- monies for Americas unknown sol dier.
 sergeant WoodfilL whose home is given in army records as Bellevue Ind, but who now is stationed at Fort Thomas, Ky, has arrived in Washington in response to orders from the, war department, and on being received by Secretary Weeks was informed that his act of heroism was regarded by his former com mander as outstanding among the eNe ploits of all the infantry officers and men who saw service in France.
 His Brace Acts.
 The act of Sergeant Woodfill, which caused Gen. Pershng to place him a virtually unknown herewith Ser gcant Alvin C. York of the Tennessee l.ountains, and Major Charles S. " lllLllcScS Ol lIlS LOSl bdlldllUH, OC- cured on October 12, 1918, during tho Mouse Argonne offensive when he, a. a lieutenant, silcnced three ma chine guns, killing nineteen of the en- oIny, including one officer, and cap turlng three others.
 Gets Medal of Honor.
 The story of Sergt. Woodfill's eX- pio.t was said by army officers to be told most concisely in the citation which accompanied the award 10 him of the congressional medal of honor. This citation read:
 For conspicuous gallantry and in trepidity above and beyond the call of duty in action with the enemy at Cunel, Fr,nce, October 12, 1918. While he was leading his company against the enemy his line came under heavy machine gun fire, which threatened to hold up the advance Followed by two soldiers at twenty five yards, this officer went out ahead of his first line toward a machine gun nest and worked his way around it's flank, leaving two soldiers in front.
 When he got within ten yards of the gun it ceased firing and four of the enemy appeared, three of whom were shot by Lieut.. Woodill. The fourth, an officer, rushed at Lieut.. Woodfll who attempted to club the officer with his rifle. After a hand to hand struggle Lieut., Wooddll killed the officer with his pistol. His company thereupon continued to ad vance until shortly afterward an- other machine gun nest was h. countered. Calling on his men to follow, Lieut.. | Woodfll rushed ahead of his line in the face Of heavy fire from the nest, | and when several of the enemy ap- peared above the nest he shot them, capturing three other members of the crew and silencing the gun. A few minutes later this officer for the third | time demonstrated conspicuous dar | ing by charging another machine gun | position killing five men in one ma chine gun pit with his rifle. He then drew his revolver and started to jump into the pit, when two other gunners, only few yards away, turned their guns on him.
 Fights With Pick.
 r alIlnS to NH llrfll Wllu HIS re- volver, he grabbed q pick lying near by and killed both of them. Inspired by the exceptional courage displayed by this officer. his men pressed on to their objective under severe shell and machine gun fire"
 For this act of heroism, Woodfll was promoted to a captaincy and, in addition to the congressional medal, received the Legion of Honor (Cav- alier) and the Croix de Guerre (with palm) by France and the Order of Prince Danilo (flfth class) by Mon- tenegro.
 Sergeant Woodfill has been in the army twenty years. He was a non officer when the United States entered the war, and after the armistice he re-entered the regular army as an enlisted man.