Joseph Wade Conkling (1881 – 1918)

Date of death: Killed in Action
Place of Birth: Texas, Lewisville
Home of record: Atlanta Georgia
Status: KIA

Distinguish Service Cross

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Captain (Infantry) Joseph W. Conkling, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 327th Infantry Regiment, 82d Division, A.E.F., during the advance from Sommerance-St. Juvin road toward Landres-et-St. Georges, France, 11 October 1918.

When the entire line was held up by direct artillery fire and concentrated machine-gun fire Captain Conkling crawled out on the open crest of the hill for a distance of 200 yards alone, for the purpose of reconnoitering and spotting enemy emplacements. Though the fire was constant and direct, he reached his objective and returned, seriously wounded several times by machine-gun bullets which later caused his death.

General Orders: War Department, General Orders No. 3 (1921)

Action Date: 11-Oct-18
Service: Army
Rank: Captain
Regiment: 327th Infantry Regiment
Division: 82d Division, American Expeditionary Forces

Burial: Plot F Row 19 Grave 36, Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery, Romagne, France

Source: Military Times, Hall of Valor, Joseph Wade Conkling