Date of Award: Unknown
Conflict: World War I
Branch: U.S. Navy
During the Aisne-Marne offensive on July 18, 1918, Lt. Joel Boone administered first aid along the front during the Marine attack on Soissons. He put himself in extreme danger by leaving safety in a ravine to aid the wounded lying in the open field. And without regard to artillery fire, he replenished supplies by motorcycle twice in the same day.
After the St. Mihiel offensive in September 1918, Boone served with the Second Army Division as Assistant Division Surgeon. Between 1922 and 1933, he was physician for three presidents: Warren Harding, Calvin Coolidge, and Herbert Hoover. During World War II, Boone was senior medical officer at San Diego Naval Air Station and later commanded a Naval Hospital in Seattle.
Citation: “With absolute disregard for personal safety, ever conscious and mindful of the suffering fallen, Lieutenant Boone, leaving the shelter of a ravine, went forward onto the open field where there was no protection and, despite the extreme enemy fire of all calibers, through a heavy mist of gas, applied dressings and first aid to wounded Marines.”
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Last Updated: September 22, 2022