Joel T. Boone (1889–1974)

A St. Clair doctor who ran the gauntlet of shell and gas to reach the wounded — and went back for more supplies. Markers: ★ verified · ✔ confirmed · ✎ corrects a common error · ⚑ open/caution.

Joel T. Boone earned the Medal of Honor near Vierzy, France, on July 19, 1918, as a U.S. Navy medical officer attached to the 6th Regiment, U.S. Marines. ★ He left cover to treat wounded Marines in the open under heavy shell and gas fire, and twice braved the barrage again to bring up fresh medical supplies. ★

Born in St. Clair in 1889, Boone became one of the most decorated medical officers in American history and later served as a White House physician. ✔ ✎ The Pottsville memorial inscribes his later rank as “Rear Adm.”; he ultimately attained vice admiral. He died in 1974. ★

Honored on: Congressional Medal of Honor Memorial.

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Sources

• Congressional Medal of Honor Society — Joel Thompson Boone
  License: reference

  Authoritative Medal of Honor recipient roster; facts here are summarized from the listed sources, not reproduced.

• Hahnemann House Trust — Vice Admiral Joel Thompson Boone (1889–1974)
  License: reference

  Supports the career facts beyond the Medal of Honor action: most highly decorated medical officer in U.S. military history, service as a White House physician (under Harding, Coolidge, and Hoover), and retirement at the rank of vice admiral.

• Naval History and Heritage Command — Boone, Joel T. (U.S. Navy photograph record)
  License: public-domain
• Wikidata: Joel Thompson Boone (Q6214048)
  License: CC0
• Congressional Medal of Honor Memorial, Pottsville (Historical Marker Database)
  License: reference

Frequently asked

What did Joel T. Boone do to earn the Medal of Honor?

As a U.S. Navy medical officer serving with the 6th Regiment, U.S. Marines, near Vierzy, France, on July 19, 1918, Boone repeatedly crossed open ground under heavy shell and gas fire to treat wounded Marines, and twice went back through the barrage to replenish his medical supplies.

Who was Joel T. Boone besides a Medal of Honor recipient?

Boone, born in St. Clair, Schuylkill County, became one of the most highly decorated medical officers in U.S. history and later served as a White House physician, ultimately rising to the rank of vice admiral.