Joseph Samuel Cecil was born on January 11, 1878, in New River. The Cecils are one of the most decorated military families in the United States for service between American Civil War and World War II.

Cecil began his military career as an enlisted man but became a commissioned officer, an impressive and well-respected career move that earns an individual the title “Mustang” in military slang. Cecil served in the Spanish-American War, but it was during the Philippine-American War that he was awarded the Medal of Honor. While in a dangerous position, he carried a wounded man and the body of a man killed beside him to a sheltered position. He was awarded the Medal of Honor in 1913.

U.S. Highway 27 bridge across New River is named for Cecil. He reportedly died of suicide in 1940. For reasons unknown, Cecil’s citation lists his name as "Josephus,” but his grave lists his name as “Joseph.”