John Henry Mims

Private John Henry Mims was killed in action on October 28, 1918 in France during World War I.  He was 24 years old.

John H. Mims was born on May 21, 1894 in Timmonsville, South Carolina, the son of J. W. Mims and wife Sarah R. Mims.  Prior to his induction into the U.S. Army, he was employed as a spinner in a cotton mill in Stewartsville, Scotland County, North Carolina and subsequently moved to Henderson, North Carolina.  He was married to Lena Mims of Greenville, South Carolina. 

Pvt Mims was inducted into the U.S. Army on June 19, 1916 in Henderson, North Carolina serving with what eventually was designated Company C, 120th Infantry which was based in Henderson as a National Guard unit prior to activation into the U.S. Army during World War I. 

In May 1918 the 30th Division, which included the 120th Regiment, traveled to New York and soon left for Europe. After a two-week voyage, the division landed in England and then departed for France.

On July 2, 1918, the 30th Division was sent to the British 2nd Army in Belgium and replaced British troops on the front in the trenches near Ypres on August 6. While there the division attacked and captured German positions with a loss of 37 dead and 128 wounded.

On September 3, the division withdrew from the front and transferred to the British 4th Army. By September 25, the 30th Division held its position opposite the German Hindenberg Line near Bellicourt, France. The Hindenburg Line was an important segment of the German defensive network on the Western Front.  At 5:50 AM on the morning of September 29, 1918, the men  of the 30th Division emerged from the safety of their trenches and formed up in a single line, each man standing shoulder to shoulder, roughly four to six feet apart. In front of them, a slowly creeping Allied artillery barrage pounded the German lines, softening them for the infantry. Then, right down the line, the order to advance came. Their mission was to break the Hindenburg Line.

As they moved across the field under a cacophony of machine gun and artillery fire, the men did their best to stay abreast and maintain unit cohesion. Due to the poor visibility, the difficult nature of the terrain, and battlefield obstacles, the lines began to waver almost immediately. Enemy artillery fire punched at the Allied lines as a thick cloud of fog and smoke enveloped the field. The coordinated attack quickly deteriorated into an assault of fragmented groups.  Despite the chaos, the men continued their advance towards the enemy. The men of the 120th pushed the Germans from their trenches around 7:30, becoming the first Allied troops to break the Hindenburg Line. Just two hours later, the 120th marched triumphantly into the French town of Bellicourt.

The 120th continued its advance against the Germans in October, reaching heights west of Catillon and overlooking the Sambre Canal by October 19, 1918.  The 30th Division had now become so depleted in strength it was withdrawn to be refilled and refitted. The 120th entrained at Tincourt on October 23, detraining at Heilly and marching to a billeting area about 10 miles north of Amiens.  The men were there, receiving training, when news of the Armistice arrived on November 11, 1918. 

According to his official Form No. 724-7, Pvt. Mims died of wounds received in action on October 28, 1918, but the record does not indicate any circumstances.  If the more likely date of October 18 is the correct date of his death, he would have been engaged in the Company C assault near the Le Selle River.

Private John Henry Mims is buried in Elmwood Cemetery, Henderson, North Carolina.  

Last edited: 31 May 2026