Josiah Ferguson Broadfoot was born February 13, 1889, in Westerly, Washington County, Rhode Island. He was the second child of Thomas A. Broadfoot and Annie Thornburn Harstens Broadfoot. His parents were Scots who had emigrated to the United States in the 1880s and had become naturalized citizens. His father was employed as a stonecutter. His mother worked at home. The 1910 Census shows Josiah, then 21 years old and single, living with his parents and his siblings in their home at 26 West Street, Westerly.

On September 27, 1918, during the Meuse-Argonne Campaign, Josiah exhibited extraordinary heroism while serving with Company B, 244th Tank Battalion, Tank Corps, A.E.F., near La Forge Farm, France

1. Thirteeth Census of the United States: 1910 Population

BROADFOOT, JOSIAH Citation: The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Josiah Broadfoot, Corporal, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action , September 27, 1918. Corporal. Broadfoot volunteered to drive a tank, and, his services being accepted, he attacked enemy machine-gun nests until his tank was put out of action, destroying several enemy nests which had held up our infantry. He then continued the advance on foot until he was fatally wounded.  General Orders 89, War Department, 1919 Born: at Westerly, Rhode Island Home Town: Westerly, Rhode Island

Josiah Broadfoot (Army serial No. 9280), corporal, Company B, 344th Battalion, Tank Corps. For extraordinary heroism in action near La Forge Farm, France, September 27, 1918. Corp. Broadfoot volunteered to drive a tank, and, his services being accepted, he attacked enemy machine-gun nests until his tank was put out of action, destroying several enemy nests which had held up our Infantry. He then continued the advance on foot until he was fatally wounded. Emergency address: Mrs. Annie H. Broadfoot. mother, 26 West Street, Westerly, R. I. Residence at enlistment: 26 West Street, Westerly, R. I.

Plot H Row 17 Grave 18
Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery