Shoshone journal. [volume] (Shoshone, Idaho) 1884-1931, 1917-07-13
n r

THE Congressional Medal Of Honor
recognizes rank.
1t is awarded to the private or the
general, the second class seaman or
GGsN fireman or to the admiral for
| vs. TH extraordinary courage, valor surpass-
~ " ing even that which is expected from
~ the well-trained, seasoned soldier or
49, sailor. No matter how hazardous
duty well performed, that is not
enough To win the medal something more than
is demanded by duty must be achieved
Unlike some of the European decorations for
| bravery. the American Medal Of Honor is more
difficult for officer to win than for an enlisted
man. because more is expected of an officer.
The medal is a bit of bronze suspended from
ribbon Its intrinsic value, be 1t what il may, is
of no Importance. Into the metal disk are welded
all the qualities of man which admire, even
worship. In the archives Of the war department
are succinct. unimaginative records Of the acts
which caused the medal to be pinned to the
breasts of the men who have won IT. The papers
will yellow and crumble the ribbons will rot 70
dust, the bronze itself will corrode and vanish.
but the things the medal stands for will go and
the epic of the Medal of Honor will continue TO be
inscribed in the hearts of men.
There Is no doubt the Medal of Honor viii be
won in this war. but it viii not be easily,
and though millions may be fighting under the
American flag it viii come to but few TO wear this
distinguishing mark In the Spanish less
g few were given
The last two medals TO be awarded were pre-
sented to Sergt. Maj. Roswell Winans and Cor
poral Joseph A. CLOWN of the marine corps, for
their work at the battle OF Guayacanes in Sahto
Domingo. 1t IS the act itself which wins the
medal for man. and not only does his rank
matter not at all. bat he may win it in Skin
mish or in a battle Ike that OF Gettysburg or Of
the Marine.
The report of the board of investigation for the
navy department In their case follows: ION July
g. 1916, the Twenty-eighth company of marines
was engaged with the Dominican armed forces at
the battle Of Guayacanes. During running fight
of 200 yards our forces reached the enemy IN
trenchment and Corporal Joseph CLOWN placed
the machine gun Of which he had charge behind
a large log across the road and Immediately
opened fire on the trenches. He struck once
but continued firing his gum but moment later
he was again struck and had to be dragged out
of the position into cover. Sergt- Roswell Winans.
U. S. NJ. c.. then arrived with Colts gun which
he placed In a most exposed position and coolly
opened fire on the trenches. and when the gun
TANNED he stood up and repaired II under fire.
All the time CLOWN and Winans were handling
their guns they exposed TO very heavy
fire which was striking into the logs and around
the men. seven men being wounded and one killed
within 20 feet. Sergeant Winans continued FIR
Ing his gun until the enemy had abandoned the
trenches"
even more modest than the official report. al
though 1t is more vivid and picturesque
ION the morning OF July 3."'he said I'VE got
under way with every feeling Ike a new
man. Firing on the advance guard began early
In the day Our captain obtained permission TO
take our platoon forward. We kept the guns on
the carriages until within few yards of the hr-
ing line then transferred them TO the tripods and
Immediately opened fire. The enemy was using
mostly old-fashioned breechloaders with big lead
slugs.
grae brush was very thick both sides Of
the road. Jams were frequent with us and eacb
gun wore out couple Of shell eStractors. Diff
Guilty had been experienced all along with our
ammunition Some OF II dated back as far as
1907 1t had evidently been reloaded many times.
"we found it good policy to change barrels in
case Of Jam in fle chambers In that way we
would be only minute out OF action party
Of the enemy were seen up the road and Corporal
Johnson started 10 put his gun In action. A big
lead slug (rin cans. we called them) came
ricocheting down the road directly for rs john
son saw 1t while kneeling behind his gun. He
ducked almost prone. but the thing took long
skip and hit him In the jaw passed down and
lodged back Of the shoulder.
'-The gun crews promptly gave the place where
the shot was fired good eorbing. We continued
10 advance under cover OF the bushes and trees
battalion of infantry deployed as Skin
nishers on each side of the road and we We're
concealed by turn In the road ana high trees
and bushes.
-Directly across the road was huge log. At
our end OF the log Benet-Mercer had just COM
mcnced roaring with Corporal Clowns in COM
mand of il.
~rhe captain ordered gun In action AZ the
INIT of the tree. II had sooner opened Up
han all the bullets in the world seemed coming