Congressional Medal of Honor Citation

This citation for the Congressional Medal of Honor, the highest honor that can be bestowed on an American in combat by the President, was issued to First Lieutenant Joseph Cecil of New River, TN. Cecil was serving at Bud-Dajo located in the Philippine Islands during the Philippine Insurrection, an offshoot of the Spanish American War. On March 7, 1906 while at the head of a column of soldiers, Cecil carried a wounded comrade to a sheltered position and retrieved the body of another comrade. Cecil was awarded the Medal of Honor by President Calvin Coolidge. Joseph Cecil rose to the rank of colonel and served in WWI. He died in 1940 and is buried in Arlington National Cemetery. Colonel Joe Cecil Bridge, spanning New River, is named for him. The whereabouts of his Medal of Honor are not known.


Note: his citation gives his name as Josephus Cecil

This citation was issued to Joseph Cecil, native of Scott County, upon his reception of the Congressional Medal of Honor.

Col. Joseph Cecil

This style of the Congressional Medal of Honor is the one that Joseph Cecil received for his service in the Philippine Insurrection. The whereabouts of his medal are not known.

Joseph Cecil's Tombstone in Arlington National Cemetery.

This bridge, spanning New River in south Scott County, is named for Col. Joseph Cecil.

 Photos of Cecil, Congressional Medal of Honor, Tombstone, and bridge sign courtesy of findagrave.com