How My Ancestor Earned a Purple Heart Medal During World War I
A witness to history
Genealogy makes history personal. When you discover how your ancestors witnessed or even played a role in historical events, you feel a deeper connection to those moments in time.
This week’s 52 Ancestors prompt is “Witness to History.” Every generation has witnessed and lived through historical events, whether they’re local, regional, or even international. Can you imagine the stories we’ll have to tell our descendants about what we’ve experienced during just the past four years?
My great-great grandfather, Madison Psalters Akers, served in the U.S. Army during World War I and earned a Purple Heart for sustaining injuries during his service. Born in Floyd County, Virginia in 1892, Madison Akers was 24 years old when he completed his draft registration card on 05 June 1917.1
World War I Draft Registration Cards are a tremendous resource for information for male ancestors who were living between 1917-1918. Details include the person’s name, place of residence, date and place of birth, race, country of citizenship, occupation, employer, and even a physical description of the person. You can search these records here.
Madison Akers boarded the ship Mercury in Newport News, Virginia on 24 May 1918 as part of Company B, 314th Machine Gun Battalion, 80th Division.2 He would spend nearly an entire year abroad, before departing Brest, France on 21 May 1919 on the ship New Jersey, which landed in Boston, Massachusetts on 07 June 1919.3 He was discharged from the Army just days later, on 19 June.4
In a publication from the Virginia War History Commission, the author describes the events that led to Madison’s injuries:
“At dusk, just after the battalion had arrived, the Germans suddenly opened up with “77’s,” and before cover could be gained Corporal Hinton A. Darden was killed and Corporal August J. Lippman and Private Ralph J. Michaelfelder were mortally wounded; Privates Homer F. Gunter, Claybourne Raines, Madison P. Akers, Filomeno Marano, Edward Schuhmacker, Harry G. Myers and Charles E. Nease, all of the 2nd Platoon, B Company, were wounded.”5
Casualty lists from the war were also published in newspapers at the time. Madison P. Akers was listed as “Wounded Severely” in multiple publications, including the 14 Dec 1918 issue of The Commercial Appeal (Memphis, Tenn.) and the 14 Dec 1918 issue of The Free Lance-Star (Fredericksburg, Va.)
I discovered that Madison Akers was awarded a Purple Heart medal from the application for his military headstone. Submitted by his son Earbie Akers, the application has a handwritten note, presumably from the government employee approving the application, that Madison was awarded the Purple Heart medal.
How can I find details of my ancestor’s military service?
If you have an ancestor who served in the U.S. Military and you’d like to find more specific details about their service, here are a few resources to check out:
Tip: They offer free access on major military holidays, such as Memorial Day and Veterans Day
You can do an advanced search for your ancestor’s name and/or the unit in which they served
Newspaper archives
U.S., World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918; Registration State: Virginia; Registration County: Floyd; Roll: 1984713
The National Archives at College Park; College Park, Maryland; Record Group Title: Records of the Office of the Quartermaster General, 1774-1985; Record Group Number: 92; Roll or Box Number: 500
The National Archives at College Park; College Park, Maryland; Record Group Title: Records of the Office of the Quartermaster General, 1774-1985; Record Group Number: 92; Roll or Box Number: 222
U.S., Headstone Applications for Military Veterans, 1925-1963
Davis, Arthur Kyle. Publications of the Virginia War History Commission: Virginia military organizations in the World War, with supplement of distinguished service. United States, Virginia War History Commission, 1927.
Very interesting read, Nicole!