Ira Clinton Welborn
Encyclopedia
Ira Clinton Welborn was a United States Army
Colonel
who was a recipient of the Medal of Honor
for valor in action on July 2, 1898 at Santiago, Cuba
.
as a member of the class of 1898. Just a few weeks after his graduation from the Academy he was assigned as a 2nd Lieutenant to the 9th Infantry Regiment, to serve in the Spanish-American War
. He was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions at the Battle of San Juan Hill
, near Santiago, Cuba, on July 2, 1898, which he received on June 21, 1899.
Citation:
Voluntarily left shelter and went, under fire, to the aid of a private of his company who was wounded.
, the Boxer Rebellion
, and World War I
, eventually rising to the rank of Colonel
. He served as a Tactical Officer at West Point, 1904 –1906. After the tank was introduced to the battlefield in World War I, Ira Welborn was detailed to be the first head of the fledgling United States Army Tank Service, for which he received the Distinguished Service Medal
. He retired from service in 1932.
on 13 July 1956. His son, John C. Welborn, also attended West Point, rose to the rank of Colonel, and commanded the United States Army's 33rd Armored Regiment
during World War II.
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
Colonel
Colonel
Colonel , abbreviated Col or COL, is a military rank of a senior commissioned officer. It or a corresponding rank exists in most armies and in many air forces; the naval equivalent rank is generally "Captain". It is also used in some police forces and other paramilitary rank structures...
who was a recipient of the Medal of Honor
Medal of Honor
The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...
for valor in action on July 2, 1898 at Santiago, Cuba
Cuba
The Republic of Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city...
.
Early life and Spanish-American War
Ira C. Welborn was born in Mico, Mississippi. He graduated from the United States Military AcademyUnited States Military Academy
The United States Military Academy at West Point is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located at West Point, New York. The academy sits on scenic high ground overlooking the Hudson River, north of New York City...
as a member of the class of 1898. Just a few weeks after his graduation from the Academy he was assigned as a 2nd Lieutenant to the 9th Infantry Regiment, to serve in the Spanish-American War
Spanish-American War
The Spanish–American War was a conflict in 1898 between Spain and the United States, effectively the result of American intervention in the ongoing Cuban War of Independence...
. He was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions at the Battle of San Juan Hill
Battle of San Juan Hill
The Battle of San Juan Hill , also known as the battle for the San Juan Heights, was a decisive battle of the Spanish-American War. The San Juan heights was a north-south running elevation about two kilometers east of Santiago de Cuba. The names San Juan Hill and Kettle Hill were names given by the...
, near Santiago, Cuba, on July 2, 1898, which he received on June 21, 1899.
Medal of Honor citation
Rank and organization: Second Lieutenant, 9th U.S. Infantry. Place and date: At Santiago, Cuba, 2 July 1898. Entered service at: Mico, Miss. Birth: Mico, Miss. Date of issue: 21 June 1899.Citation:
Voluntarily left shelter and went, under fire, to the aid of a private of his company who was wounded.
Later career
Welborn served in three other conflicts: the Philippine-American WarPhilippine-American War
The Philippine–American War, also known as the Philippine War of Independence or the Philippine Insurrection , was an armed conflict between a group of Filipino revolutionaries and the United States which arose from the struggle of the First Philippine Republic to gain independence following...
, the Boxer Rebellion
Boxer Rebellion
The Boxer Rebellion, also called the Boxer Uprising by some historians or the Righteous Harmony Society Movement in northern China, was a proto-nationalist movement by the "Righteous Harmony Society" , or "Righteous Fists of Harmony" or "Society of Righteous and Harmonious Fists" , in China between...
, and World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
, eventually rising to the rank of Colonel
Colonel
Colonel , abbreviated Col or COL, is a military rank of a senior commissioned officer. It or a corresponding rank exists in most armies and in many air forces; the naval equivalent rank is generally "Captain". It is also used in some police forces and other paramilitary rank structures...
. He served as a Tactical Officer at West Point, 1904 –1906. After the tank was introduced to the battlefield in World War I, Ira Welborn was detailed to be the first head of the fledgling United States Army Tank Service, for which he received the Distinguished Service Medal
Distinguished Service Medal (United States)
The Distinguished Service Medal is the highest non-valorous military and civilian decoration of the United States military which is issued for exceptionally meritorious service to the government of the United States in either a senior government service position or as a senior officer of the United...
. He retired from service in 1932.
Personal life
Ira Wellborn died in Gulfport, MississippiGulfport, Mississippi
Gulfport is the second largest city in Mississippi after the state capital Jackson. It is the larger of the two principal cities of the Gulfport-Biloxi, Mississippi Metropolitan Statistical Area, which is included in the Gulfport-Biloxi-Pascagoula, Mississippi Combined Statistical Area. As of the...
on 13 July 1956. His son, John C. Welborn, also attended West Point, rose to the rank of Colonel, and commanded the United States Army's 33rd Armored Regiment
33rd Armor Regiment (United States)
The 33d Armor Regiment is an armored regiment in the United States Army first formed in 1941.-Lineage:Constituted 13 January 1941 in the Regular Army as the 3d Armored Regiment and assigned to the 3d Armored Division...
during World War II.