The sun., 1917-07-16
For the HerO's Breast.

The question of an adequate badge
Of honor for American soldiers who
distinguish themselves by exceptional
courage was,one which rose upon our
entrance into the war. What would
appeal to the Yankee fighter as the
Victoria Cross and the ID. S. o. Medal
appeal to the man in the British
army, as the cross Of the Legion Of
Honor and the War Cross shine for
the French soldier and as the Iron
Cross Is to the German?
Not but what the United States al
ready had decoration Of the first
magnitude for it's brave. The Medal
of Honor, as u signal mark Of BRAY
cry. has been second to none in the
world. Except for one instance where
a whole regiment got 1t for continuing
in the service at critical time. the
Medal has been jealousy, almost
grudgingly, reserved as reward for
the finest acts OF bravery, the acts
beyond mans duty. Obscure pri-
Yates have won 1t. where great Gen
erals sought 1t valnly.
Under the provisions of the bill
introduced by Senator WARREN and
passed by the Senate last week the
Medal of Honor retains its fine value.
1t Is to be won by any officer or pri-
vate who shall, "in action involving
actual conflict with an enemy, distin-
guish himself conspicuously by gal
lantry and intrepidity at the risk of
his life above and beyond the call of
duty" The Victoria Gross is given
for great deed done sin the pres
ence of the enemy" but must the
winner go "above and beyond the call
of duty?
While there Is no change in the
Medal itself or the way Of winning 1t,
the Warren bill gives to the President
the power, formerly enjoyed only by
the Congress, of awarding it, The
provisions of the old law are amended
go as to authorize the President to
present, in the name Of the Congress, "
the Medal. Thus it will be possible
for the President to confer the GOV.
eted star without act OF Congress, II
we read the Warren resolution Alright,
although the power of Congress to
make an award is not specifically
withdrawn.
Under the Warren bill no soldier
may win two Medals of Honor, but II
Is provided that for another gallant
act worthy of the Medal n holder OF
that decoration shall receive a baI
to link to his treasure. There was
but one man who had two Medals
, Of Honor, we believe, and that was
THOMAS W. CUSTER, who captured
two Confederate flags within week
In the spring of 1855, one at Namo
zine Church and one at Sailors Greek
"He should have been the General anC
! the Captain" his brother GEoRGl
said of him, yet Ton was only FRS
Lieutenant when, eleven years later
he fell beside the great CUSTER at thu
battle Of the Little Big Horn.
To the Medal OF Honor is to b.
added, according TO Senator WAR
REN's bill, another decoration JUS
falling short of 1t. This Is a Distin
gulshed Service Medal to be awarded
by the President on the recommenda
tlon Of the proper commanding officer
but not in the name Of Congress-
may he won by an officer or enlistet
man "who shall hereafter distinguish
himself or within three years prio
10 the approval of this net has dis
tinguisl cd himself, by exceptional.
merltoriouS service to the Governmen
In duty Of great responsibility or b!
extraordinary herolsm In the line o
his profession" A 61r may b