Harry Lispenard Kimmell – Major, United States Army

Harry Lispenard Kimmell: b. 10-13-1895 in Washington, D.C.

KIMMELL, HARRY L.
(First Award)

• Captain, U.S. Army
• 16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Division, A.E.F.
• Date of Action: July 19, 1918
• General Orders No. No. 3, W.D., 1921
• Home Town: Washington, DC
• Other Award: Distinguished Service Cross w/OLC (WWI)

Citation:

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Harry L. Kimmell, Captain, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action south of Soissons, France, July 19, 1918.

When his company was halted by machine-gun fire from the front, Captain Kimmell led a platoon through heavy machine-gun fire and captured the enemy position, forcing its defenders to surrender. His gallantry enabled the entire battalion to continue the advance.

KIMMELL, HARRY L.
(Second Award)

• Captain, U.S. Army
• 16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Division, A.E.F.
• General Orders No. No. 3, W.D., 1921
• Home Town: Washington, DC
• Other Award: Distinguished Service Cross (WWI)
• Date of Action: October 9, 1918

Citation:

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Harry L. Kimmell, Captain, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action north of Fleville, France, October 9, 1918.

Captain Kimmell personally led two platoons of his company against a strongly held enemy position. He fell mortally wounded while leading this advance, but other members of his command, inspired by his gallantry, successfully assaulted the enemy position.

Michael Robert Patterson

Michael Robert Patterson was born in Arlington and is the son of a former officer of the US Army. So it was no wonder that sooner or later his interests drew him to American history and especially to American military history. Many of his articles can be found on renowned portals like the New York Times, Washingtonpost or Wikipedia.

Reviewed by: Michael Howard