Ira Clinton Welborn
Born(1874-02-13)February 13, 1874
Mico, Mississippi
DiedJuly 13, 1956(1956-07-13) (aged 82)
Gulfport, Mississippi
Place of burial
Biloxi National Cemetery,
Biloxi, Mississippi
AllegianceUnited States of America
Service/branchUnited States Army
Years of service1898–1932
RankColonel
Commands heldTank Corps, National Army
Battles/warsSpanish–American War
Philippine–American War
Boxer Rebellion
World War I
AwardsMedal of Honor
Distinguished Service Medal

Ira Clinton Welborn (February 13, 1874 – July 13, 1956) 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.[1][2]

Early life and Spanish–American War

At West Point in 1898

Ira C. Welborn was born in Mico, Mississippi. He graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point as a member of the class of 1898.[3][4] 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.[1]

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.[1]

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 War, the Boxer Rebellion, and World War I, eventually rising to the rank of colonel.[4][5] He served as a Tactical Officer at West Point, 1904–1906. After the tank was introduced to the battlefield in World War I, Welborn was detailed to be the first head of the fledgling United States Army Tank Service, for which he received the Distinguished Service Medal.[4] He retired from service in 1932.[5]

He was a member of the Society of the Army of Santiago de Cuba and the Military Order of the Dragon.

Personal life

Wellborn died in Gulfport, Mississippi, on July 13, 1956.[5] 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.[6]

Bibliography

  • Venzon, Anne Cipriano (2013). The United States in the First World War: an Encyclopedia. Hoboken, NJ: Taylor and Francis. ISBN 978-1-135-68453-2. OCLC 865332376.

References

Public Domain This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Army Center of Military History.
  1. 1 2 3 "Medal of Honor recipients: War with Spain". United States Army Center of Military History. Archived from the original on January 14, 2012. Retrieved January 5, 2023.
  2. ↑ "Ira Clinton Welborn". Military Times Hall of Valor. Archived from the original on July 27, 2011. Retrieved January 5, 2023.
  3. ↑ Linnerud, Susan. "The Spanish War Class". United States Military Academy Library. Archived from the original on November 25, 2004. Retrieved April 12, 2009.
  4. 1 2 3 Cullum, George Washington (1920). Robinson, Wirt (ed.). Biographical Register of the Officers and Graduates of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y. From Its Establishment, in 1802, to 1890. Vol. VI-A: 1910–1920. Association of Graduates, United States Military Academy. p. 846. Retrieved January 5, 2023 – via Google Books.
  5. 1 2 3 "Class of 1898 Bios". USMA Library. Archived from the original on November 25, 2004. Retrieved April 12, 2009.
  6. ↑ Ossad, Stephen L.; Marsh, Don R. (May 5, 2006). Major General Maurice Rose: World War II's Greatest Forgotten Commander. Taylor Trade Publishing. p. 20. ISBN 9781461733768. Retrieved January 5, 2023 – via Google Books.
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