Emory J. Pike - War Hero

PIKE

Posted By: S. Ferrall (email)
Date: 7/18/2004 at 04:42:42

CONGRESSIONAL MEDAL OF HONOR
Emory J. Pike, lieutenant-colonel, division machine-gun officer, 82d Division. For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty in action with the enemy near Vandieres, France, September 15, 1918. Having gone forward to reconnoiter new machine-gun positions, 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 ater 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, 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, Col. Pike continued in command, still retaining his jovial manner of encouragement, directing the reorganizaton until the position could be held. The entire operation was devotion to duty, as set by 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.

Emergency address: Miss Martha Agnes Pike, daughter, 1806 Tenth Street, Des Moines, Iowa. Residence at appointment: 1806 Tenth Street, Des Moines, Iowa.

-source: Official Register, State of Iowa 1921-1922, Twenty-Ninth Number, Military Decorations of Iowans in the World War, pg. 360