Arthur J. Forrest

Arthur Joseph Forrest (May 1, 1895—November 30, 1964) was an American soldier serving in the U.S. Army during World War I who received the Medal of Honor for heroism above and beyond the call of duty.

Biography Arthur J. Forrest was born in 1896 in St. Louis, Missouri,U.S., World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918 for Arthur Joseph Forrest to William Edward Forrest and Mary E. Forrest (née O'Fallon),Arthur J. Forrest Missouri Death Certificate and prior to World War I he was a professional baseball player, having been with Hannibal, MO, and Quincy, IL, of the Three-I League."Hannibal, Mo. Man a Hero." Kansas City Star, Mar 8, 1919, p.1. He enlisted in the United States Army in 1918 and was sent to France to fight in World War I, therein serving in Company D, 354th Infantry Regiment, 89th Division. Upon returning to the United States in May 1919, he was discharged the following month and returned to Hannibal, Missouri. In 1920, Forrest moved to Laramie, Wyoming, where he was captain and catcher for the Midwest Refining Company baseball team."Wyoming Claims Honor Man." Kansas City Star, Nov 2, 1921, p. 13. By the end of the decade, Forrest moved to Winston-Salem, North Carolina, where he played as catcher for the Winston-Salem club of the Piedmont League."Arthur Forrest, World War Hero, Now Catching In Piedmont League." Tampa Tribune [FL], May 25, 1930, p. 32. Upon retiring from baseball, Forrest returned to Missouri and became a contact representative at the Veterans Administration office in St. Louis. He died on November 30, 1964, while riding a bus to work,Press Telegram, Long Beach, CA, Dec 1, 1964, p. A-2. and was buried at Grand View Burial Park, Hannibal, Missouri.vconline

Medal of Honor citation Rank and organization: Sergeant, U.S. Army, Company D, 354th Infantry, 89th Division. Place and date: At Remonville, France, 1 November 1918. Entered service at: Hannibal, Missouri. Birth: St. Louis, Missouri. General Orders: War Department, General Orders No. 50 (April 12, 1919).

Citation:

Military awards Forrest's military decorations and awards include the following:

1st rowMedal of Honor2nd rowWorld War I Victory Medal w/ three bronze service stars to denote credit for the St. Mihiel, Meuse-Argonne and Defensive Sector battle claspsArmy of Occupation of Germany MedalMédaille militaire (French Republic3rd rowCroix de guerre 1914–1918 w/ two bronze palms (French Republic)Croce al Merito di Guerra (Italy)Medal for Military Bravery (Kingdom of Montenegro)

Arthur J. Forrest

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