Oregon Veterans Medal of Honor Memorial, September 4, 2006
The Oregon Veterans Medal of Honor Memorial consists of two flagpoles, one on each side of the Capitol.
Oregon Veterans Medal of Honor Memorial, September 4, 2006
The flagpoles are surrounded by plaques honoring Oregon's recipients of the Congressional Medal of Honor. Between the two flagpoles, all of Oregon's recipients are honored.
Oregon Veterans Medal of Honor Memorial, September 4, 2006
The memorial was dedicated in tribute to all Oregon veterans on September 18, 2004.
The Medal of Honor is the highest military honor a member of the United States Armed Forces can receive. It is presented by the President in the name of Congress to an individual who while serving in the armed forces distinguished himself conspicuously by gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Medal of Honor recipients are accredited to the state in which they entered service. These thirteen recipients of the Medal of Honor are accredited to Oregon. All information and images are from the Oregon Veterans Medal of Honor Memorial at the Oregon State Capitol in Salem, Oregon.
Edward C. Allworth
Edward C. Allworth
Captain, United States Army, 60th Infantry, 5th Division, Place and date: At Clery-le-Petit, France, 5 November 1918. Entered service at: Corvallis, Oregon. Born: 6 July 1887, Crawford, Washington.
Citation: While his company was crossing the Meuse River and canal at a bridgehead opposite Clery-le-Petit, the bridge over the canal was destroyed by shell fire and Captain Allworth’s command became separated, part of it being on the east bank of the canal and part of it on the west bank. Seeing his advance units making slow headway up the steep slope ahead, this officer mounted the canal bank and called for his men to follow. Plunging in he swam across the canal under fire from the enemy, followed by his men. Inspiring his men by his example of gallantry, he led them up the slope, joining his hard-pressed platoons in front. By his personal leadership he forced the enemy back for more than a kilometer, overcoming machine gun nests and capturing 100 prisoners, whose number that of the men in his command. The exceptional courage and leadership displayed by Captain Allworth made possible the reestablishment of a bridgehead over the canal and the successful advance of other troops.
Larry G. Dahl
Larry G. Dahl
Specialist Fourth Class, United States Army, 359th Transportation Company, 27th Transportation Battalion, United States Army Support Command. Place and date: An Khe, Binh Dinh Province, Republic of Vietnam, 23 February 1971. Entered service at: Portland, Oregon. Born 6 October 1949. Oregon City, Oregon.
Citation: Specialist Dahl distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as a machine gunner on a gun truck near An Khe, Binh Dinh Province. The gun truck in which Specialist Dahl was riding was sent with 2 other gun trucks to assist in the defense of a convoy that had been ambushed by an enemy force. The gun trucks entered the battle zone and engaged the attacking enemy troops with a heavy volume of machine gun fire, causing a large number of casualties. After a brief period of intense fighting the attack subsided. As the gun trucks were preparing to return to their normal escort duties, an enemy hand grenade was thrown into the truck in which Specialist Dahl was riding. Instantly realizing the great danger, Specialist Dahl called a warning to his companions and threw himself directly onto the grenade. Through his indomitable courage, complete disregard for his safety, and profound concern for his fellow soldiers, Specialist Dahl saved the lives of the other members of the truck crew while sacrificing his own. Specialist Dahl’s conspicuous gallantry, extraordinary heroism, and intrepidity at the cost of his own life, above and beyond the call of duty, are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit on himself, his unit and the U.S. Army.
Medal received posthumously.
Frank C. High
Frank C. High
Private, United States Army, Company G, 2d Oregon Volunteer Infantry. Place and date: Near San Isidro, Philippine Islands, 16 May 1899. Entered service at: Ashland, Oregon. Birth: Yolo County, California. Date of issue: Unknown.
Citation: With 21 other scouts charged across a burning bridge, under heavy fire, and completely routed 600 of the enemy who were entrenched in a strongly fortified position.
John Noble Holcomb
John Noble Holcomb
Sergeant, United States Army, Company D, 2nd Battalion, 7th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division. Place and date: Near Quan Loi, Republic of Vietnam, 3 December 1968. Entered service at: Corvallis, Oregon. Born: 11 June 1946, Baker, Oregon.
Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Sergeant Holcomb distinguished himself while serving as squad leader in Company D during a combat assault mission. Sergeant Holcomb’s company assault had landed by helicopter and deployed into a hasty defensive position to organize for a reconnaissance-in-force mission when it was attacked from 3 sides by an estimated battalion-size enemy force. Sergeant Holcomb’s squad was directly in the path of the main enemy attack. With complete disregard for the heavy fire, Sergeant Holcomb moved among his men giving encouragement and directing fire on the assaulting enemy. When his machine gunner was knocked out, Sergeant Holcomb seized the weapon, ran to a forward edge of the position, and placed withering fire on the enemy. His gallant actions caused the enemy to withdraw. Sergeant Holcomb treated and carried his wounded to a position of safety and reorganized his defensive sector despite a raging grass fire ignited by the enemy mortar and rocket rounds. When the enemy assaulted the position a second time, Sergeant Holcomb again manned the forward machine gun, devastating the enemy attack and forcing the enemy to again break contact and withdraw. During the enemy withdrawal, an enemy rocket hit Sergeant Holcomb’s position, destroying the machine gun and severely wounding him. Despite his painful wounds, Sergeant Holcomb crawled through the grass fire and exploding mortar and rocket rounds to move the members of his squad, everyone who had been wounded, to more secure positions. Although grievously wounded and sustained solely by his indomitable will and courage, Sergeant Holcomb as the last surviving leader of his platoon organized his men to repel the enemy, crawled to the platoon radio and reported the third enemy assault on his position. His report brought friendly supporting fires on the charging enemy and broke the enemy attack. Sergeant Holcomb’s inspiring leadership, fighting spirit, in action at the cost of his life were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit on himself, his unit, and the U.S. Army.
Medal received posthumously.
Arthur J. Jackson
Arthur J. Jackson
Private First Class, United States Marine Corps, 3d Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division. Place and date: Island of Peleliu in the Palau group, 18 September 1944. Entered service at: Oregon. Born: 18 October 1924, Cleveland, Ohio.
Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving with the 3d Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division, in action against Japanese forces on the Island of Peleliu in the Palau group, 18 September 1944. Boldly taking the initiative when his platoon’s left flank advance was held up by the fire of Japanese troops concealed in heavily fortified positions, PFC Jackson unhesitatingly proceeded forward of our lines and, courageously defying the heavy barrages, charged a large pillbox housing approximately 35 enemy soldiers. Pouring his automatic fire into the opening of the fixed installation to trap the occupying troops, he hurled white phosphorus grenades and explosive charges brought up by a fellow marine, demolishing the pillbox and killing all of the enemy. Advancing alone under the continuous fire from other hostile emplacements, he employed similar means to smash 2 smaller positions in the immediate vicinity. Determined to crush the entire pocket of resistance although harassed on all sides by the shattering blasts of Japanese weapons and covered only by small rifle parties, he stormed 1 gun position after another, dealing death and destruction to the savagely fighting enemy in his inexorable drive against the remaining defenses, and succeeded in wiping out a total of 12 pillboxes and 50 Japanese soldiers. Stouthearted and indomitable despite the terrific odds, PFC Jackson resolutely maintained control of the platoon’s left flank movement throughout his 1-man assault and, by his cool decision and relentless fighting spirit during a critical situation, contributed essentially to the complete annihilation of the enemy in the southern sector of the island. His gallant initiative and heroic conduct in the face of extreme peril reflect the highest credit upon PFC Jackson and the U.S. Naval Service.
Loren R. Kaufman
Loren R. Kaufman
Sergeant First Class, United States Army, Company G, 9th Infantry Regiment. Place and date: Near Yongsan, Korea, 4 and 5 September 1950. Entered service at: The Dalles, Oregon. Born: 27 July 1923, The Dalles, Oregon.
Citation: Sergeant First Class Kaufman distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty in action. On the night of 4 September the company was in a defensive position on 2 adjoining hills. His platoon was occupying a strong point 2 miles away protecting the battalion flank. Early on 5 September the company was attacked by an enemy battalion and his platoon was ordered to reinforce the company. As his unit moved along a ridge it encountered a hostile encircling force. Sergeant First Class Kaufman, running forward, bayoneted the lead scout and engages the column in a rifle and grenade assault. His quick vicious action so surprised the enemy that they retreated in confusion. When his platoon joined the company he discovered that the enemy had taken commanding ground and pinned the company down in a draw. Without hesitation Sergeant First Class Kaufman charged the enemy lines firing his rifle and throwing grenades. During the action he bayoneted 2 enemy and seizing an unmanned machine gun, delivered deadly fire on the defenders. Following this encounter the company regrouped and resumed the attack. Leading the assault he reached the ridge, destroyed a hostile machine gun position, and routed the remaining enemy. Pursuing the hostile troops he bayoneted two more and then rushed a mortar position shooting the gunners. Remnants of the enemy fled to a village and Sergeant First Class Kaufman led a patrol into the town, dispersed them, and burned the buildings. The dauntless courage and resolute intrepid leadership of Sergeant First Class Kaufman were directly responsible for the success of his company in regaining its positions, reflecting distinct credit upon himself and upholding the esteemed traditions of the military service.
Medal received posthumously.
Charles E. Kilbourne
Charles E. Kilbourne
First Lieutenant, United States Volunteer Signal Corps. Place and date: at Paco Bridge, Philippine Islands, 5 February 1899. Entered service at: Portland, Oregon. Birth: Fort Myer, Virginia. Date of issue: 6 May 1905.
Citation: Within a range of 250 yards of the enemy and in the face of a rapid fire climbed a telegraph pole at the east end of the bridge and in full view of the enemy coolly and carefully repaired a broken telegraph wire, thereby reestablishing telegraphic communication to the front.
David R. Kingsley
David R. Kingsley
Second Lieutenant, United States Army Air Corps, 97th Bombardment Group, 15th Air Force. Place and date: Ploesti Raid, Rumania, 23 June 1944. Entered service at: Portland, Oregon. Birth: Oregon.
Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty. 23 June 1944 near Ploesti, Rumania, while flying as bombardier of a B17 type aircraft. On the bomb run, Lieutenant Kingsley’s aircraft was severely damaged by intense flak and forced to drop out of formation but the pilot proceeded over the target and Lieutenant Kingsley successfully dropped his bombs, causing severe damage to vital installations. The damaged aircraft, forced to lose altitude and to lag behind the formation, was aggressively attacked by 3 ME-109 aircraft, causing more damage to the aircraft and severely wounding the tail gunner in the upper arm. The radio operator and engineer notified Lieutenant Kingsley that the tail gunner had been wounded and that assistance was needed to check the bleeding. Lieutenant Kingsley made his way back to the radio room, skillfully applied first aid to the wound, and succeeded in checking the bleeding. The tail gunner’s parachute harness and heavy clothes were removed and he was covered with blankets, making him as comfortable as possible. Eight ME-109 aircraft again aggressively attacked Lieutenant Kingsley’s aircraft and the ball turret gunner was wounded by 20mm. shell fragments. He went forward to the radio room to have Lieutenant Kingsley administer first aid. A few minutes later when the pilot gave the order to prepare to bail out, Lieutenant Kingsley immediately began to assist the wounded gunners in putting on their parachute harness. In the confusion the tail gunner’s harness, believed to have been damaged, could not be located in the bundle of blankets and flying clothes which had been removed from the wounded men. With utter disregard for his own means of escape, Lieutenant Kingsley unhesitatingly removed his parachute harness and adjusted it to the wounded tail gunner. Due to the extensive damage caused by the accurate and concentrated 20 mm. fire by the enemy aircraft the pilot gave the order to bail out, as it appeared that the aircraft would disintegrate at any moment. Lieutenant Kingsley aided the wounded men in bailing out and when last seen by the crewmembers he was standing on the bomb bay catwalk. The aircraft continued to fly on automatic pilot for a short distance, then crashed and burned. His body was later found in the wreckage. Lieutenant Kingsley by his gallant heroic action was directly responsible for saving the life of the wounded gunner.
Medal received posthumously.
Gary W. Martini
Gary W. Martini
Private First Class, United States Marine Corps, Company F, 2d Battalion, 1st Marines, 1st Marine Division. Place and date: Binh Son, Republic of Vietnam, 21 April 1967. Entered service at: Portland, Oregon. Born 21 December 1948. Lexington, Virginia.
Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. On 21 April 1967, during Operation UNION elements of Company F, conducting offensive operations at Binh Son, encountered a firmly entrenched enemy force and immediately deployed to engage them. The marines in PFC Martini’s platoon assaulted across an open rice paddy to within 20 meters of the enemy trench line where they were suddenly struck by hand grenades, intense small arms, automatic weapons, and mortar fire. The enemy onslaught killed 14 and wounded 18 marines, pinning the remainder of the platoon down behind a low paddy dike. In the face of imminent danger, PFC Martini immediately crawled over the dike to a forward open area within 15 meters of the enemy position where, continuously exposed to the hostile fire, he hurled hand grenades, killing several of the enemy. Crawling back through the intense fire, he rejoined his platoon which had moved to the relative safety of a trench line. From this position he observed several of his wounded comrades lying helpless in the fire-swept paddy. Although he knew that 1 man had been killed attempting to assist the wounded, PFC Martini raced through the open area and dragged a comrade back to a friendly position. In spite of a serious wound received during this first daring rescue, he again braved the unrelenting fury of the enemy fire to aid another companion lying wounded only 20 meters in front of the enemy trench line. As he reached the fallen marine, he received a mortal wound, but disregarding his own condition, he began to drag the marine toward his platoon’s position. Observing men from his unit attempting to leave the security of their position to aid him, concerned only for their safety, he called to them to remain under cover, and through a final supreme effort, moved his injured comrade to where he could be pulled to safety, before he fell, succumbing to his wounds. Stouthearted and indomitable, PFC Martini unhesitatingly yielded his life to save 2 of his comrades and ensure the safety of the remainder of his platoon. His outstanding courage, valiant fighting spirit and selfless devotion to duty reflected the highest credit upon himself, the Marine Corps, and the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
Medal received posthumously.
Lewis Phife
Lewis Phife
Sergeant, Company B, 8th United States Cavalry. Place and date: Arizona, August to October, 1868. Entered service at: Marion, Oregon. Born: 31 October 1846, Des Moines County, Iowa. Date of issue: 24 July 1869.
Citation: Bravery in scouts and actions against Indians.
Marcus W. Robertson
Marcus W. Robertson
Private, Company B, 2d Oregon Volunteer Infantry. Place and date: Near San Isidro, Philippine Islands. 16 May 1899. Entered service at Hood River, Oregon. Birth: Flintville, Wisconsin. Date of Issue: 28 April 1906.
Citation: With 21 other scouts charged across a burning bridge, under heavy fire, and completely routed 600 of the enemy who were entrenched in a strongly fortified position.
Stuart S. Stryker
Stuart S. Stryker
Private First Class, United States Army, Company E, 513th Parachute Infantry, 17th Airborne Division. Place and date: Near Wesal, Germany, 24 March 1945. Entered service at: Portland, Oregon. Birth: Portland, Oregon.
Citation: He was a platoon runner, when the unit assembled near Wesal, Germany after a descent east of the Rhine. Attacking along a railroad, Company E reached a point about 250 yards from a large building used as an enemy headquarters and manned by a power force of Germans with rifles, machineguns, and 4 field pieces. One platoon made a frontal assault but was pinned down by intense fire from the house after advancing only 50 yards. So badly stricken that it could not return the raking fire, the platoon was at the mercy of German machine gunners when PFC Stryker voluntarily left a place of comparative safety, and, armed with a carbine, ran to the head of the unit. In full view of the enemy and under constant fire, he exhorted the men to get to their feet and follow him. Inspired by his fearlessness, they rushed after him in a desperate charge thorough an increased hail of bullets. Twenty-five yards from the objective the heroic soldier was killed by the enemy fusillades. His gallant and wholly voluntary action in the face of overwhelming firepower, however, so encouraged his comrades and diverted the enemy’s attention that other elements of the company were able to surround the house, capturing more than 200 soldiers and much equipment, besides freeing 3 members of an American bomber crew held prisoner there. The intrepidity and unhesitating self-sacrifice of PFC Stryker were in keeping in the highest traditions of the military service.
Medal received posthumously.
Maximo Yabes
Maximo Yabes
First Sergeant, United States Army, Company A, 4th Battalion, 9th Infantry, 25th Infantry Division. Place and date: Near Phu Hoa Dong, Republic of Vietnam, 26 February 1967. Entered service at: Eugene, Oregon. Born: 29 January 1932, Lodi, California.
Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. First Sergeant Yabes distinguished himself with Company A, which was providing security for a land clearing operation. Early in the morning the company suddenly came under intense automatic weapons and mortar fire followed by a battalion sized assault from 3 sides. Penetrating the defensive perimeter the enemy advanced on the company command post bunker. The command post received increasingly heavy fire and was in danger of being overwhelmed. When several enemy grenades landed within the command post, First Sergeant Yabes shouted a warning and used his body as a shield to protect others in the bunker. Although painfully wounded by numerous grenade fragments, and despite the vicious fire on the bunker, he remained there to provide covering fire and enable the others in the command group to relocate. When the command group had reached a new position, First Sergeant Yabes moved through a withering hail of enemy fire to another bunker 50 meters away. There he secured a grenade launcher from a fallen comrade and fired point blank into the attacking Viet Cong stopping further penetration of the perimeter. Noting 2 wounded men helpless in the fire swept area, he moved them to a safer position where they could be given medical treatment. He resumed his accurate and effective fire killing several enemy soldiers and forcing others to withdraw from the vicinity of the command post. As the battle continued, he observed an enemy machinegun within the perimeter which threatened the whole position. On his own, he dashed across the exposed area, assaulted the machine gun, killed the crew, destroyed the weapon, and fell mortally wounded. First Sergeant Yabes’ valiant and selfless actions saved the lives of many of his fellow soldiers and inspired his comrades to effectively repel the enemy assault. His indomitable fighting spirit, extraordinary courage and intrepidity at the cost of his life are in the highest military traditions and reflect great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of his country.
Medal received posthumously.
Recipients from other states
Medal of Honor recipients are accredited to the state in which they entered service. The following Medal of Honor recipients entered service in other states, but have a connection to Oregon.
Stanley Taylor Adams, Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Army, Korean War, Medal of Honor awarded August 2, 1951. Adopted Oregon as home and is buried at Willamette National Cemetery, Portland, Oregon.
Arnold L. Bjorklund, First Lieutenant, U.S. Army, WW II, Medal of Honor awarded September 6, 1944. Buried in Willamette National Cemetery, Portland, Oregon.
Alaric B. Chapin, Private, U.S. Army, Civil War, Medal of Honor awarded December 28, 1914. Buried in Roselawn Cemetery, Portland, Oregon.
Hartwell B. Compson, Major, U.S. Army, Civil War, Medal of Honor awarded March 26, 1865. Buried in the GAR Cemetery, Portland, Oregon.
Nathan Huntley Edgerton, Lieutenant, U.S. Army, Civil War, Medal of Honor awarded March 30, 1898. Buried at the family homestead, Agness, Oregon.
Harry Delmar Fadden, Coxswain, U.S. Navy, Peacetime Award, Medal of Honor awarded July 31, 1903. Born in The Dalles, Oregon.
James Jackson, Captain, U.S. Army, Indian Campaign, Medal of Honor awarded April 17, 1896. Buried in Riverside Cemetery, Portland, Oregon.
Robert Dale Maxwell, Technician Fifth Grade, U.S. Army, WW II, Medal of Honor awarded April 6, 1945. Adopted Bend, Oregon as his home.
Louis Renniger, Corporal, U.S. Army, Civil War, Medal of Honor was awarded August 15, 1894. Buried in the Eugene Pioneer Cemetery, Eugene, Oregon.
Henry Schauer, Private First Class, U.S. Army, WW II, Medal of Honor was awarded October 27, 1944. Buried in City View Cemetery, Salem, Oregon.
Jacob Volz, Carpenter’s Mate Third Class, U.S. Navy, Philippine Outlaws Campaign, Medal of Honor was awarded December 13, 1911. Buried in the Lincoln Memorial Cemetery, Portland, Oregon.
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