Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1917-09-20
BY @. g. Iyon.

With the American troops In
France, Sept. 20.-Controle Amert-
cain. The most remarkable soldier
in the entire French army Is George
LIE Mesnager Of 354 Douglas St.. Los
Angeles. Cal.
If there be any towards and slack
ers In America, let them know Le
Mesnager's story n be ashamed.
Early in September, 1914. an old
man walked down the gangplank OF a
steamer just arrived at Havre, France
from America.
His hair. once black. would o be
that always twinkled. A reddish
brown beard made him look older
than he really was. His carriage was
military.
War had been declared in France
only q few weeks before and the au-
thorities were suspicious of entering
strangers.
LIE Mesnager had hardly reached
the dock before he was in the custody
of the police who demanded his bust
ness.
I'm here to enlist in the army" he
said, in perfect French. The gend-
arme laughed derisively.
What. an old man like you en-
list tn the army! Im%possible!"
LIE Mesnager took from his pocket
a little case that contained the high
est medal q French soldier can re-
ceive.
Il came from America and fought
for France in 1870 and they gave me
this" he said, simply. ''I've come
back to fight again"
It was no time for auibbling. The
Germans were hammering their way
toward Paris and every available
/ Ira ii ~ q ~ xyo~ ~l.- r ~ --1-
The gendarme said: IF you're de-
termined to enlist, there's a recruit
ing station down the street."
The recruiting officer hesitated. IA
man 81 years old and a private in the
infantry! It's almost unheard Of"
That was three years ago. Today
lie Mesnager. nearing his sixty-eighth
birthday. is French infantry lieuten-
ant and his breast is covered with
medals.
He received his first wound. q rifle
ball through the arm, seven days aft
err he arrived at the front. It nut him
IN the hospital for a month. When
he went back they made him q
sergeant for gallant conduct.
For months LIE Mesnager fought In
the trenches at Verdun, In one Of the
One day the ammunition ran short
and the colonel called for a volunteer
to bring UP an ammunition train.
The German artillery b~ombardment
was terrific. It seemed sure death.
Le Mesnager Volunteered and In q
short time brought up ammunition.
A few days later, the old Californi-
an was called before his regiment and
the "Crpix de Guerre', lcross OF war;
pinned on his coat. He was mem
toned in dispatches.
Every soldier should haye the
courage and spirit OF this veteran
comrade," the colonel told his regi-
ment.
It wasn't long until LIE Mesnag-
er was commissioned a lieutenant.
One evening he was chattig with
his reg!mental adjutant when a Ger
man shell passed between them. It
exploded almost at their feet.
By some miracle neither was kill
ed, but both were hurled quite a dis
lance. LIE Mesnager recovering,
found himself on the ground under a
tree.
He looked around and found parts
of the German shell which he gather
ed up and carried back to his trench.
sit was nothing at all, nothing at
ALL" he laughed to his men. Don't
Fever be afraid Of a shell like this one
It's only the shell that hits you that
you need to dread"
His colonel heard this remark and
was 60 impressed with the old fight
er's spirit" that he recommended
! .gNF i. EsEr.t