Thomas Pope was born in Chicago (Illinois) on December 15th, 1894. On July 4th, 1918, he is a corporal of E Company, 131st regiment of infantry, American Expeditionary Forces. His company is one of the four companies of the 33rd division involved at Hamel. Because of his bravery, he is awarded the biggest American military distinction: the "Medal of Honor". He is even the first one to receive this medal during the Great War. Here is the corresponding quotation:

"His company was advancing behind the tanks when it was halted by hostile machinegun fire. Going forward alone, he rushed a machinegun nest, killed several of the crew with his bayonet, and, standing astride his gun, held off the others until reinforcements arrived and captured them. ".

This act of bravery must be replaced in the context of the battle. In fact, Pope becomes famous during a counter-attack which answers an initial German counter-attack. On July 4th, at about 10 p.m., thus long after the capture of the village of Hamel and the surrounding enemy positions, a powerful German bombardment falls on Wolfsberg. It covers an assault of a party of German bombers supported by about 200 infantry men. These men belong to reserve battalions of the 201st and 202nd Regiment of infantry. They are taking advantage of their former communication or support trenches. The Australians have to abandon a part of their positions. Finally, the Germans manage to establish on approximately 200 yards of trenches between two Australian companies.

The two Australian companies organize a counter-attack to regain the lost ground which has to be simultaneously made by the North and by the South. Units of the 44th and the 43rd battalion are being organized in the dark. The Germans shell with mustard and phosgene gas. Some Americans join the Australians. Among them, the platoon of corporal Joliet. The attack is launched at 2 a.m. Assailants charge in the dark and fight with grenade, advancing shelter by shelter, bay by bay. The Germans eventually give up the whole position, some running away over the open or being caught.

East-west view of the Wolsfberg, the hill on the background with copses. Trenches taken and re-taken the night of July 4th are very approximately indicated in red. Remark: a section of trench included in the Australian commemorative park is also presented as the location of the counter-attacks.

There is some incoherence. The quotation mentions tanks while these were already removed from the front. Also, according to an American official history, it is the company G of the 132nd regiment which participates in the counter-attack. It is not the company E, that of Pope, who is attached to the 44th battalion. Perhaps this last one volunteered with Joliet. All this, of course, does not challenge Thomas Pope's courage. Moreover, for the same action, the British decorate him with the Distinguished Conduct Medal and the citation match better with reality (see below). Pope and Joliet are a part of the 19 Americans (5 officers and 14 privates) decorated personally by King Georges V at Molliens-au-bois on August 12th for their bravery during the battle. Joliet received Military Medal.

It is on April 22nd, 1919 that Thomas Pope is decorated with the Congressional Medal of Honor, in Chaumont, East of France, by General John Pershing, commanding the American troops in France. We know few things about Pope’s life. Before retiring, he would have occupied a senior position in the American administration of the War veterans. Thomas Pope lived in Woodland Hills in California. He was the last veteran of World War One decorated with the Medal of Honor still alive. He died on June 14th, 1989, aged 94 years, at Hines Veteran Hospital of Maywood. This medal and his military past explain why he is buried in the military cemetery of Arlington, Virginia. Citation of Pope for the DCM : "At Hamel, on the evening of 4th July 1918 the enemy having captured one of our advanced posts by counter attacks, the first platoon of E Company was ordered to restore the position. Corporal Pope rushed a hostile machine-gun single-handed, bayoneted several of the crew and standing astride of the gun kept the remainder of the detachment at bay until the arrival of reinforcements and the gun-crew were all killed or captured."

Corporal Pope grave, Arlington cemetery. Courtesy of Doug Sterner - HomeofHeroes.com.