Daniel R Edwards
Daniel was born in Mooreville, Texas, on the 9th of April, 1897. After high school, he went to Columbia University School of Journalism, which he graduated from, and on the day the US entered into World War 1, Daniel enlisted in the US Army. He was a Private First Class with the 1st Infantry Division in France where his actions would earn him the Silver Star, Distinguished Service Cross, and the Medal of Honor. The citation reads:
Reporting for duty from hospital where he had been for several weeks under treatment for numerous and serious wounds and although suffering intense pain from a shattered arm, he crawled alone into an enemy trench for the purpose of capturing or killing enemy soldiers known to be concealed therein. He killed 4 of the men and took the remaining 4 men prisoners; while conducting them to the rear one of the enemy was killed by a high explosive enemy shell which also completely shattered 1 of Pfc. Edwards' legs, causing him to be immediately evacuated to the hospital. The bravery of Pfc. Edwards, now a tradition in his battalion because of his previous gallant acts, again caused the morale of his comrades to be raised to high pitch.
His previous actions included dressing his own bayonet and gun shot wounds while defending a position alone with his machine gun, and refusing to evacuate until his company was relieved. Daniel's actions would make him one of two most decorated US infantrymen during the War. After the War, he moved to the Bronx in New York and was married. He continued to serve in the Army and had received a commission, going on to serve in World War 2 and retiring as a Major. Daniel was also a member of the Come-Back Club, which helped disabled and returning veterans. Daniel Richmond Edwards died on the 21st of October, 1967 at the age of 70 and is buried in the Cunningham Cemetery in Royal, Arkansas. His wife, Mary, would join him 31 years later.
