CARLISLE BARRACKS, Pa. (Dec. 2, 2013) -- Maybe Edward A. Allworth wanted to preserve his father's legacy that included a Medal of Honor for future generations when he decided to send his dad's military items to the U.S. Army Heritage and Education Center at Carlisle Barracks, Pa.
He wanted to preserve the history and he had no one else to pass it on to, said Mike Mira, U.S. Army Heritage and Education Center registrar.
"This collection helps us tell the story of recipients from that time period and it's pretty rare to get that type of thing," he said.
On Nov. 6, The Army Heritage and Education Center received a package from Edward A. Allworth. The package contained eight medals and a note from Allworth that read, "In this transmission to you, I send, for the Center and its Museum, the following eight decorations awarded around the end of World War I to Edward Christopher Allworth in honor of his actions in France and Germany during that conflict."
The World War I Medal of Honor is a significant artifact, as there were only 90 awarded to the Army out of a 119 total to all U.S. Forces, said Jack Leighow, Army Heritage Museum Director. It was an unexpected donation and we will be able to rotate it into the exhibit after a conservation review and cataloging into the Army Historical Collection Accountability System, he said.
U.S. Army Heritage and Education Center, or AHEC, is an Army War College facility with historical resources for Soldiers, researchers and museum visitors and is dedicated to education about the legacy of the men and women who have served their nation as Soldiers and the preservation of their stories. To support this, it accepts donations of historical materials, including letters, equipment and personal stories to fill collection gaps or improve holdings with items of exceptional U.S. Army and/or Soldier story value.
For more Soldier stories like Allworth's or how to contribute your story or memorabilia, visit the Army Heritage and Education Center's website at: http://www.carlisle.army.mil/AHEC/index.cfm.
Army Capt. Edward C. Allworth's, 60th Infantry, 5th Division, Medals:
Medal of Honor
Purple Heart
World War I Victory Medal with St. Mihiel, Meuse Argonne and Defensive Sector clasps
Army of Occupation of Germany
French Medal of Honor
French Croix de Guerre with 2 palms
Italian Royal Order of Military Merit
Levi Washington State diamond Medal
Edward C. Allworth's Medal of Honor 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 Capt. Allworth's command became separated, part of it being on the east bank of the canal and the remainder 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 exceeded that of the men in his command. The exceptional courage and leadership displayed by Capt. Allworth made possible the re-establishment of a bridgehead over the canal and the successful advance of other troops.
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