Louis Wardlaw Miles

Captain, U.S. Army

Medal of Honor Recipient

World War I

Captain Louis Wardlaw Miles (23 March 1873 - 26 June 1944) was a U.S. Army officer who received the U.S. military's highest award for valor, the Medal of Honor, for his heroic actions during World War I.

Louis Wardlaw Miles was born on 23 March 1873 in Baltimore, MD. He entered the Army at Princeton, NJ, and served as a Captain in the 308th Infantry, 77th Division. He was awarded the Medal of Honor for his bravery in action near Revillon, France, on 14 September 1918.

Medal of Honor

Rank and organization: Captain, U.S. Army, 308th Infantry, 77th Division.

Place and date: Near Revillon, France, 14 September 1918.

Citation: Volunteered to lead his company in a hazardous attack on a commanding trench position near the Aisne Canal, which other troops had previously attempted to take without success. His company immediately met with intense machinegun fire, against which it had no artillery assistance, but Capt. Miles preceded the first wave and assisted in cutting a passage through the enemy's wire entanglements. In so doing he was wounded 5 times by machinegun bullets, both legs and 1 arm being fractured, whereupon he ordered himself placed on a stretcher and had himself carried forward to the enemy trench in order that he might encourage and direct his company, which by this time had suffered numerous casualties. Under the inspiration of this officer's indomitable spirit his men held the hostile position and consolidated the front line after an action lasting 2 hours, at the conclusion of which Capt. Miles was carried to the aid station against his will.

Death and Burial

Captain Louis Wardlaw Miles died on 26 June 1944. He is buried at Green Mount Cemetery in Baltimore, MD.