Wendell H. Woolworth was born in Niagara Falls, New York on August 8, 1891, the son of Felix M. Woolworth and Morelli Kingsley. He graduated Dartmouth College in 1915 and the Thayer School of Engineering in 1916, working as a civil engineer until beginning his military service in 1916. He died in Dade County, Florida on March 15, 1965. He is listed in the Florida Death Index, Vol. 1-2679, Certificate 12554.

1917 - Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas, then to Chief of Staff, L&K, 28th U.S. Infantry, Hidalgo Mission and McAllen, Texas. Sailed with the 28th Infantry. 1st Division, American Expeditionary Force (AEF) and arrived with the first American company of Infantry on June 28th.Captain, 28th Infantry, Brigade Adjutant of the 2nd Brigade, First Division (AEF).

1918 - Transferred to the 3rd Division (AEF) and promoted to the rank of Major,
Infantry, Assistant Chief of Staff. Wounded at Mont-Faucon on October 7. In American Red Cross Hospital #3, Paris, France, and then on temporary duty with the 34th Division. Sailed home in November and then was Executive Officer, Camp MacArthur, Waco, Texas. 

1919 - Assistant Exeucitve Officer at Camp Meade, Maryland, Assistant Troop Movement Officer, Headquarters, Port of Embarkation, Hoboken, New Jersey.

1920 - Panama Canal Zone as Assistant Department Transportation Officer, Heqdquarters, Panama Canal Department., Balboa Heights, Canal Zone.
Quartermaster, Corozal, Panama, Canal Zone.

1921 - Assigned to 42nd U.S. (Puerto Rican) Infantry. Tendered resignation.

1942 - Recommissioned for World War II as Captain, 765th Military Police Battalion at Newport News, Virginia. Hospitalized at Walter Reed and discharged as disabled in 1943. 

Final interrment at Arlington National Cemetery on 18 March 1965, with full military honors in Section 35, Grave 790.

Military Awards: Mexican Border Service Medal, Purple Heart, Silver Star Citation, Victory Medal with 5 clasps: Montdidier-Noyen, Aisne-Marne, St. Mihiel,  Meuse-Argonne & Defensive Sector. Was also cited for conspicuous gallantry in action at Missyaux-Bois on July 21, 1918, and recommended for a Distinguished Service Medal. The records do not indicate that he was awarded the DSM.

I am trying to uncover any military information concerning the above subject. He was born in 1891, died in 1965, and was awarded a Purple Heart for wounds received in World War I.

He was the son of Felix M. Woolworth and Morelli Kingsley, and had 2 sons, Chester M. and Richard. Any help appreciated. Please email me direct at  Remember_91101@mindspring.com.

Below is Wendell's Purple Heart that he received while fighting in World War I. Pictures are donated by Martin Wagner.  Below is his description of the medal.

"From a collector's point of view it is a very early medal. Purple Hearts were not issued until 1932, and were retroactive back to the Civil Wars, but the veteran had to apply for it. This medal came in a one-line case, meaning the wording "Purple Heart" was printed on one line (the earliest type).

"The medal is rim numbered 25622 came with a silver lapel pin which signified 'wounded'. The medal itself is very much worn with much of the gold plating gone. There is even on small repair spot in the white field just above the head.

"The medal has the wrong brooch (pin), and in consulting with several experts in this field they believe that Mr. Woolworth worn his medal every chance he got, which resulted in all of the wear, and possibly had the medal rebrooched after 1945, or so. I have located the proper style brooch and will restore it when it arrives."

Mr. Wagner is trying to find Wendell's military records to place them with the medal.  This is his hobby.  If anyone can help him accomplish this goal, please email Mr. Wagner at remember-9-11-01@mindspring.com

       
Photos Courtesy of Martin Wagner