Don
Martin diary entry for Wednesday, July 10, 1918: Went to Twenty-eighth division headquarters
where [Edwin] James [New York Times] and I had luncheon with the officers – and
a good luncheon too. Then came back to the chateau on the road to La Ferte to
Bazu and saw General Pershing decorate 37 marines who earned their laurels at
Bouresches and Bois de Belleau. Impressive picture. One thousand Marines in a
review, a band playing southern melodies and patriotic songs and everything
else distinctly European. Returned to Meaux at 7:30 and rushed a story for
Paris. Have just now finished a 600 word cable for New York on the decoration
ceremony and a 250 word story on the first mustard gas attack by the Americans.
The story about the Distinguished Service Cross awards by General Pershing was published in the Paris Herald on July
11.
WON D.S.C AND SWAM RIVER
ON HORSE TO GET IT
Marine
Gunner Henry L. Hulbert—Sgt.-Major J. H. Quick
an Old Hand—33 Decorated.
(SPECIAL TELEGRAM TO
THE HERALD.)
By
DON MARTIN.
WITH THE AMERICAN ARMIES, Wednesday. [July
10]
In a picturesque spot beside the
Marne the American Distinguished Service Cross was pinned on thirty-three American
officers, non-commissioned officers and privates of a division which distinguished
itself at Bouresches and Bois de Belleau.
There were crosses for four
others who were expected to be present, but who have been unable yet to leave
the hospital.
In all the names of 121 men
were read from a list of those who have been cited for the Distinguished
Service Cross. A considerable number of the honored men were left on the field
of battle, a few died subsequently and some are in hospitals.
The soldiers were paid a high
compliment. It was said they had written a glorious page in American history
and that their countrymen at home are thrilled when they read of the gallant exploits
of the Americans in battle. It was said also that those who, in earning the
laurels, had paid the supreme sacrifice should not be forgotten, and that all
should remember that the objects for which the brave boys died and the United States
entered the war must be achieved.
Men
Already Famous.
In the line of thirty-three who
stood before the reviewing stand were men who earned fame long before the world
war started. Two at least wore honor medals. One was Sergeant-Major John H.
Quick who, at Guantanamo, defied death in order to send signals to American soldiers.
He deliberately turned his back on the enemy and stood on a wall where he was
in plain view, but he sent his signals and escaped. That’s why he wore a medal
long ago. Another is Marine Gunner Henry L. Hulbert. He has gray hair, but is
one of the most daring men in the division. He carried rations to the men in
the worst spot in Belleau and fairly invited death. Sergeant-Major Quick
volunteered to drive cartloads of ammunition through a fierce artillery fire.
He drove three times through the streets of Bouresches, when it seemed
impossible for anything to live in the shower of shrapnel falling everywhere.
Following is a list of the
thirty-three men upon whose breasts medals were pinned, and the four who were
expected to be present but could not come: —
Private Willard
E. Pauley, 6th M.G. Battalion (Marines), St. Albins, W.Va.
Surgeon Ray G.
Farwell, New York City, N.Y.
Assistant
Surgeon W. H. Michael. Perryman, Harford County, Maryland.
Second
Lieutenant; Ralph W. Marshall.
Sergeant-Major
John H. Quick, Charlestown, W.Va.
Corporal Fred
W. Hill, Chicago, Ill.
Private Willett
A. Stair, Minneapolis, Minn.
Private Merle
C. Lockwell.
First Lieut.
Frederick 0. Wheeler, Philadelphia, Pa.
Corporal Donald
R. Shaeff.
Corporal John
J. Installs, Maquoketa, La.
Corporal Roy W.
Chase, Chicago, Ill.
Corporal Harold
J. Randles, Rochester, N.Y.
First Lieutenant
James F. Robertson, Chicago, Ill.
Private James
Carter, South Wilmington, Ill.
First
Lieutenant Alfred H. Noble, Federalsburg, Md.
Second Lieut.
Lewis F. Timmerman, Leonia, N.J.
Gunnery
Sergeant John Groff, Philadelphia, Pa.
Corporal
Charles W. Brooks, Wheaton, Ill.
Corporal
Raymond Gibson, Kingsport, Tenn.
Corporal Howard
J. Child, Granville, Ill.
Second
Lieutenant Hermel L. McLeod.
Private Hugh S.
Miller, St. Louis, Mo.
Second
Lieutenant William B. Moore, New York.
Private Leon D.
Huffstater, Oswego, N.Y.
Private Allen
B. Teighman.
Lieutenant-Colonel
Logan Feland, Philadelphia, Pa.
Major J. S.
Turrill, Boston, Mass.
P. A. Surgeon
Richard O'Shea.
Marine Gunner
Henry L. Hulbert.
Captain John H.
Fay, Philadelphia, Pa.
Captain Keller
Rockey, Lakeside, Virginia Beach, Va.
Surgeon Paul T.
Deasez.
Sergeant John Casey,
West Lynn, Mass.
Private John
Kukoski, Milwaukee, Wis.
Corporal Arnold
B. Godbey.
Prentice
S. Geer, St. Paul, Minn.
The general commanding the unit
paid his soldiers this glowing compliment
"In the early days of June,
on a front of twenty kilometres, after night marches and with only the reserve
rations which you carried, you stood like a wall against the enemy advance on
Paris. For this timely action you have received the thanks of the French people
whose homes you saved and the generous praise of your comrades-in-arms.
"Since the organization of
our sector, in the face of strong opposition, you have advanced your lines two
kilometres on a front of eight kilometres. You have engaged and defeated with
great loss three German divisions and have occupied the important strong points
of the Belleau Woods, Bouresches and Vaux. You have taken about 1,400
prisoners, many machine-guns and much other material. The complete success of the
infantry was made possible by the splendid co-operation of the artillery, by
the aid and assistance of the engineer and signal troops, by the diligent,
watchful care of the medical and supply services and by the unceasing work of a
well-trained staff. All elements of the unit have worked together in perfect
harmony as a great machine. Amid the dangers and trials of battle every officer
and every man has done well his part. Let the stirring deeds, the hardships,
the sacrifices, of the past month remain forever a bright spot in our history.
Let the sacred memory of our fallen comrades spur us on to renewed efforts to
add to the glory of American arms."
The
"Get There" Spirit.
The whole spirit of the unit
which received such distinction was typified in an incident which preceded the
decoration ceremony. Gunner Hulbert was delayed in getting started and he had a
long way to come. He was on horseback on the wrong side of the Marne. He saw
that he would be late if he went to the nearest bridge, which was many miles away.
So, he afterwards said, "after talking it over with Babe, the horse I was
riding, we decided to get there on time, river or no river. Babe took the plunge
and did a splendid job. But she had difficulty making the last few yards, so I
left her back and finished a bit ahead of her. But here I am, on time!''
Also
published in the Paris Herald on July 11 was a short dispatch about Quentin Roosevelt.
Quentin Roosevelt Engages Three Enemy Aeroplanes
(Special Telegram to the Paris Herald)
By Don Martin,
With The American Army, Wednesday.
Lieutenant Quentin Roosevelt, American flier,
today had a combat with three Germans and is supposed to have brought one down.
He fought for ten minutes with one
and saw his antagonist plunge to the ground. The other two joined in an attack
of Lieutenant Roosevelt, who flew safely home. The young flier is a son of
Theodore Roosevelt.
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