b. 23/12/1872 Fort Myer, Virginia. d. 12/11/1963 Washington DC.
DATE OF MOH ACTION: 05/02/1899 Paco Bridge, Philippines.
Charles E Kilbourne MOH
Philippine Insurrection Medal of Honor Recipient. He was a First Lieutenant in the U.S. Volunteer Signal Corps on February 5, 1899, at Paco Bridge, Philippine Islands, when he earned his Medal. His citation reads: “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.” He was awarded his Medal on May 6, 1905. He later received the Distinguished Service Cross for “extraordinary heroism in action” near Thiacourt, France, September 12, 1918; the Distinguished Service Medal “for services in 89th Division and 36th Artillery Brigade”; Croix de Guerre (France) for “reconnaissances preparatory to assault on the St. Mihiel Salient,” and the Legion of Honor; Philippine and Victory Medals. He later rose to Major General, US Army.
MOH 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.
BURIAL LOCATION: ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY, ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA.
SECTION 3, GRAVE 1705.
LOCATION OF MEDAL: MARSHALL MUSEUM, VIRGINIA MILITARY INSTITUTE, LEXINGTON, VIRGINIA.
