Willie Sandlin

Sergeant, U.S. Army

Medal of Honor Recipient

World War I

Sergeant Willie Sandlin (1 January 1890 - 29 May 1949) was a U.S. Army soldier who received the U.S. military's highest award for valor, the Medal of Honor, for his heroic actions during World War I.

Willie Sandlin was born in Jackson, KY, on 1 January 1890 and entered into Army service at Hyden, KY.

Medal of Honor

Rank and organization: Sergeant, U.S. Army, Company A, 132d Infantry, 33rd Division.

Place and date: At Bois-de-Forges, France, 26 September 1918.

Citation: He showed conspicuous gallantry in action by advancing alone directly on a machinegun nest which was holding up the line with its fire. He killed the crew with a grenade and enabled the line to advance. Later in the day he attacked alone and put out of action 2 other machinegun nests, setting a splendid example of bravery and coolness to his men.

Honors

The pool at the Leslie County Recreation Center in Hyden, KY, is named in his honor.

Death and Burial

Sergeant Willie Sandlin died on 29 May 1949. He is buried at Zachary Taylor National Cemetery in Louisville, KY, in Section E, Grave 10A.