Military: Record of Joel Boone, Schuylkill County, PA

Contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Jay Zane
jrzane@bigfoot.com


USGENWEB NOTICE:Printing this file by non-commercial individuals
                and libraries is encouraged, as long as all notices
                and submitter information is included. Any other use,
                including copying files to other sites requires
                permission from the submitters PRIOR to uploading to
                any other sites. We encourage links to the state and
                county table of contents.
_________________________________________________________________
                               
                            JOEL T. BOONE

        Admiral Joel T. Boone was graduated from Mercersbury Academy in 1913 and
was appointed a lieutenant, junior grade, in the medical corps of the U.S.
Naval Reserve in 1914.  He was transferred to the regular navy in that rank
and subsequently became a lieutenant and lieutenant commander in World War
I and a commander, captain, commodore and rear admiral during and after
World War II.

        Surgeon Boone, as he was termed in the Citation for the Congressional
Medal of Honor, was serving with the Sixth Regiment of the United Marines
on July 119, 1918, at Vierzy, France, when his "extraordinary heroism,
conspicuous gallantry and intrepity in actual conflict with teh enemy"
inspired the award of the medal.

        The citation says:  "With absolute disregard for personal safety, ever
conscious and mindful of the suffering and fallen, Surgeon Boone, leaving
the shelter of a ravine, went forward into the open field,  where there was
no protection, and despite the extreme enemy fire of all calibres, through
a heavy mist of gas, applied dressings and first aid to the wounded
Marines.  This occurred southeast of Vierzy near the cemetery and on the
road south from that town.  When the dressings and supplies had been
exhausted he went through a heavy barrage of large calibre shells, both
high explosives and gas, to replenish these supplies, returning quickly
with a sidecar load and administerd them in saving the lives of the
wounded.  A second trip under the same conditions and for the same purpose
was made by Surgeon Boone later that day."

        One of the many decorations which Commander Boone was eligible to wear was
the Distinguished Service Cross for service June 9, 10, and 25, 1918, at
Bois de Belleu, France.

        Here the regimental aid station in which he was working was hit by heavy
shells and demolished on two successive days.  Two men were killed and a
number were wounded or badly hurt by falling timbers and stones.  Surgeon
Boone worked without cessation on wounded men, setting an inspiring example
of heroism to the officers and men serving under him.  On June 25, 1918
Surgeon Boone followed the attack of one battalion against enemy positions
in the Bois de Bellue, establishing advanced dressing stations under
continous shelling.

        His citation for the Bronze Star Medal with Combat Distinguishing Device
was awarded during WW II while he was serving as fleet medical officer on
the staff of the commander of the third fleet from May 28 to September,
1945.

        He then participated in planning for the initial landings in the
occupation of Japan, particularly in respect to the evacuation and care of
Allied prisoners of war and was in a large measure responsible for the
imrovement of the Third Fleet's medical organization.

        The citation continued:  "Leading a medical evacuation team into the
interior of Japan on August 29, he instituted immediate steps to relieve
the conditions among the prisoners and, after dealing with Japanese
military officers and concentration camp officials prior to the enemy's
formal surrender, succeeded in providing care for men who were suffering
from starvatin, disease, and malnutrition.  By his professional skill,
initiative and devotion throughout, Rear Admiral Boone upheld the highest
traditions of the United States Naval Service."

        At the end of WW I he served in the Bureau of Medicine and Surgery, Navy
Department, and was Director of Naval Affairs  of the American Red Cross
from March 1939 to May 1922, when he reported for duty as medical officer
aboard the presidential yacht, Mayflower.

        His service extended to April 1929, and he was physician to Presidents
Harding, Coolidge and Hoover, continuing this post until 1933.

        Rear Admiral Boone's decorations are legion: his service extended from
Verdun, Aisne-Marne, St. Mihiel, Champagne and Meuse-Argonne in WW I to the
shores of Japan and to service aboard the USS Saratoga in WW II.  His is
one of the most brillant chapters of service in Schuylkill COunty military
careers.