Col. Joe Cecil

Joseph Samuel Cecil was a member of Scott County’s famous military family, “the Fighting Cecils of New River,” and a Medal of Honor recipient for bravery shown during the Philippine Insurrection.

Early Life

Born January 12, 1878 in New River, Joe Cecil was the son of Beaty Cecil and Polly Buttram Cecil. His father was sheriff of Scott County at the time of his birth, and would later serve as county judge, state representative and state senator. His grandfather, Bailey Buttram, also served as Scott County Sheriff.

Cecil was the fourth of seven children.

Military Legacy

Beaty Cecil served in the Union army during the Civil War, hiking from New River to Nashville to sign up. Several of his sons served in the military, as well. In addition to Joe Cecil, John Riley Cecil, Thomas J. Cecil, Henry Barton Cecil and James Jay Cecil all served in the armed forces.

Comm. Henry Barton Cecil (1888-1933) was killed in action aboard the U.S.S. Akron in 1933. A naval air station in Florida is named Cecil Field in his honor.

Lt. Col. Tom Cecil (1885-1974) served in World War I.

Col. James J. Cecil (1893-1976) served in both World War I and World War II.

Philippine Insurrection

Joe Cecil served as a sergeant in the U.S. Army in the Spanish-American War. He was later a commanding officer of an infantry unit during the Philippine Insurrection. On March 7, 1906, he was at the head of a column about to assault the first cotta at Bud-Dajo in Jole, Philippines, when a man beside him was wounded. He carried the injured soldier to safety, as well as the body of another man who was shot and killed.

Cecil later served in World War I, rising to the rank of colonel.

President Calvin Coolidge awarded Cecil the Medal of Honor. He is Scott County’s only Medal of Honor recipient.

Later Life

Cecil spent much of his life after the military traveling about the United States. He married Caroline Schenck in 1910.

Cecil died on August 20, 1940, the victim of suicide after jumping from the sixth floor of a hotel in Hartford, Conn. His wife died two years later. They are buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia.

The U.S. Highway 27 bridge over New River in Cecil’s home town is named the Col. Joe Cecil Bridge in his honor.