Emory J Pike
Emory was born on the 18th of December, 1876, in Columbus, Iowa, and his family later moved to Sigourney, Iowa, where he graduated from high school in 1894. After high school, he attended West Point and graduated 73rd in his class of 74 in 1901. Emory served in Cuba with the 2nd US Cavalry before being promoted to Major and being assigned to be an instructor at the School of the Line (now called The Command and General Staff College) at Fort Leavenworth. He was a Lieutenant Colonel when he was deployed to Europe during World War 1 with the 82nd Division (now the 82nd Airborne Division) and it was his actions as a Division Machine-gun Officer that would earn him the Medal of Honor. The citation reads:
Having gone forward to reconnoiter new machinegun positions, Lt. 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 later 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, Lt. 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, Lt. Col. Pike continued in command, still retaining his jovial manner of encouragement, directing the reorganization until the position could be held. The entire operation was carried on under terrific bombardment, and the example of courage and devotion to duty, as set by Lt. 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.
Emory became the first member of the 82nd Division to receive the Medal of Honor when it was given to his daughter Martha. Prior to receiving it, Emory's mother received a letter from Major General Wainwright, the assistant chief of staff who went on to be the highest ranking prisoner of war during World War 2, stating that Emory had been recommended for the Medal and he also wrote, “When my time comes I only hope I can die as gallantly as did your son”. Emory Jenison Pike died from his wounds on the 16th of September, 1918 (the day after his actions), at the age of 41. He was first buried in France but was returned to the States and was buried in the Woodland Cemetery in Des Moines, Iowa: Gold Star Plot 8.