April 17, 1918 - Don Martin cables story of awards to American aviators and interview

Don Martin diary entry for Wednesday, April 17, 1918: 

Went to Baccarat today with [Bert] Ford of International News [Service] and [F. J.] Taylor of U.P. – all good fellows but rather under-grade men for a job like this. 
         Don Martin probably did not get to see at Baccarat the treatment being given to soldiers who had been gassed.

Gassed Soldier Treatment
(National Archives photo no. 111-SC-14647, Baccarat, 1918)

Got story of Dr. Patton of N.Y. who gets Croix de Guerre for taking off his gas mask to save 20 of his men. Cabled it to N.Y. and wrote good story for Paris. Had dinner with Gregg and Fennimore of St. Louis [World]. Spent most of evening at the club. Room too clammy to stay in except to sleep.

Weather rainy and raw. Sunny France!

      Don Martin's story of the awards to Winslow and Campbell, written in the first person, was dated Wednesday, April 17, and published in the New York Herald on April 18 under a big byline. 

American war cross awarded to 2 lieutenants who downed 2 boche aviators in 2 minutes

Entire French Town, Soldiers and All, Join in Demonstration and Congratulations-- Don Martin Gets First Interview with Youthful Victors and Finds Them Overwhelmed by the Flood of Compliments—Bravery Sets High Mark

 By Don Martin

Special Correspondent of the Herald  with General Pershing's Forces 

[Special Cable to the Herald]

WITH THE AMERICAN ARMY IN FRANCE, Wednesday

       The American Cross of War was presented on Wednesday to Lieutenants Alan F. Winslow and Douglas Campbell, the two youthful American aviators who on Sunday, in record time, brought down two Boche airplanes of the finest and swiftest type. The highest tributes were paid to the two sturdy, athletic youngsters, who showed that Americans can hold their own in the air any time.

          Less than two minutes after the actual combat started the Americans scored a clean victory, which was marked by skillful manoeuvring by the youths, who are typical of all Americans ready for fights.

             I had luncheon today with Lieutenants Winslow and Campbell, and found them much embarrassed by the flood of compliments coming from everywhere—mostly from the French. They told me for the Herald the first story of just how they brought the Boche aviators down.

              “As soon as the alert signal was given ‘Doug’ and I started up, climbing swiftly,” said Lieutenant Winslow. “Possibly four hundred kilometres up I noticed a Boche airplane heading straight for me. I went after him, both firing rapidly. He turned around and I went after the tail of his machine, pouring shot into him in a steady stream, and he also firing all the time.

             “Finally I got him. When he landed I went down and saw that his machine was finished, so then I went aloft to help ‘Doug,’ who was taking good care of his man. Before I got there ‘Doug’s’ work did the trick, and the Boche airplane, all ablaze fell. It was four minutes from the time we went up until we returned. Just luck, that’s all—luck for us to get the call to go up, though any of the boys would have done the same thing."

                Lieutenant Winslow looked his prisoner over later and offered him a cigarette. Lieutenant Campbell’s man was badly burned, but the other Boche was unhurt. Lieutenant Winslow’s man was a Pole, with two years experience. They both expressed amazement that the Americans were able to handle themselves so well in the air. The prisoners said that they lost their way in the mist. The story is not believed, as it is thought they were aiming to attack the hangars with inflammable bullets found in their guns.

                  The French instantly recommended the Croix de Guerre for the four Americans who are flying in Uncle Sam’s uniform, but in conjunction with the French. The captured machines were exhibited in a town not far away. A big demonstration was made by the French. The commander sent a letter, saying that the population of the city, soldiers and all, extended sincerest thanks to the Americans for their splendid achievement, and declaring the deed promises a brilliant future for the Americans in the air. This is doubtless highly important, as the first real demonstration of what a nervy brand of young American flyers is able to do.

                  The young aviators are members of wealthy and prominent families of America. Lieutenant Winslow was in the Yale class of 1918. His father is a brass ornament manufacturer of Chicago. Lieutenant Campbell was in the Harvard class of 1917 and is the son of the astronomer of the Lick Observatory. Lieutenant Campbell learned flying in the American service and has been here seven months. Lieutenant Winslow volunteered with the French nine months ago, but later went with the American flyers.