Ben P Newell

Major Sam Woodfill Greatest Soldier of WW I Ben P Newell

Sam Woodfill grew up in the hills of southern Indiana, learning to shoot the musket that his dad carried in the Mexican and Civil Wars and dreaming of becoming soldier. Woodfill's military career began in the Philippines during the Spanish American War. His later postings included the gold fields of Alaska, chasing Pancho Villa on the Mexican border and finally Europe during WW I. He had adventures with attacking monkeys, a train crash, charging moose and striking rattlesnakes. In France he had close calls with artillery shells, poison gas, and machine guns. During his stint in Alaska, he supplied his company with fresh meat and there he refined his skills of stalking and long-rang shooting. These abilities would come in handy on the European battlefield. His daring escapades in France earned him the Medal of Honor and medals from six other countries. His commander, General Pershing, dubbed him, "The Most Outstanding Soldier of the war."