The St. Charles herald. [volume] (Hahnville, La.) 1873-1993, 1917-07-28

HE Congressional Medal of Honor
recognizes rank.
1t is awarded to the private or the
II general, the second class seaman or
N&StA fireman or to the admiral for
L We extraordinary courage, valor surpass-
~ ID ing even that which Is expected from
NJ ~ the well-trained, seasoned soldier
A1D sailor. No matter how hazardous
a duty we'll performed, that Is not
enough To win the medal something more than
Is demanded by duty must be achieved.
Unlike Of the European decorations for
bravery the American Medal of Honor is
difficult for officer to win than for an enlisted
man. because more is expected Of an officer.
The medal Is q bit of bronze suspended from a
hbbon. It's intrinsic value, be 1t what 1t may is
Of no Importance. Into the metal disk welded
all the qualities Of man which men admire, even
worship. In the archives of the department
succinct unimaginative records Of the acts
which caused the medal to be pinned to the
breasts Of the men who have won 1t. The papers
will yellow and crumble, the ribbons Will rot to
dust, the bronze itself will corrode and vanish,
but the things the medal stands for will go on 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 Will be
won in this war, but 1t will not be won easily,
and though millions may be fighting under the
American flag 1t will come to but few to wear TINS
distinguishing mark. In the Spanish war less
than 20 medals were awarded. IN the fnlilpplheS
few were given.
The last two medals to be awarded were pre-
scented to Sergt. Maj. Roswell Winans and Cor
moral Joseph A. CLOWN of the marine corps, Tor
their work at the battle Of Guayacanes IN santo
Domingo 1t is the act itself which wins the
medal for a man, and not only does MS rank
matter not at ALL but he may win 1t In sklr-
mish or in a battle like that Of Gettysburg or OF
the Marine.
Tho report of the board of investigation for the
navy department in their case follows: I'm July
oSrht
was engaged with the Dominican armed FORCES d.
+he hattie Of Guayacanes During running nght
of 200 wards our forces reached the enemy III
trenchment and Corporal Joseph Clown placed
the machine gun Of which he had charge oeniho
q largo log across the road and immedla'eiy
o,oroS fire on the trenches He was struck once
mt continued firing his gun, but moment iater
- NOS opain struck and had to be dragged out
of the position into cover Sergt hos"eh "iuas
r. 9 M c. then arrived with Colts gun "hi.n
no nlaced in q most exposed posluon anu eoo'1
ocened fire on the trenches, and wnen the gun
isan,mad he stood up and repaired 1t under nre'
vsw the fine Clown and Winans we're nanoiihs
tha,r Gums they we're exposed to very neaVy
arc which was striking into the logs anu a,ou l
.+ha men seven men being wounded anu one - 90
within 20 feet. Sergeant "inanS s.snooa tho
49, his GUN until the enemy had abandoned tne
sn.roart Wtnan's story in his own words is
~ more modest than the official report al
xsoroh n ia more vivid and picturesque
"On tho morning Of July g." he SAID we so'
,,der way with every one feehng IKE noS
non Firing on the advance guard oesan Gu :. ~
-. ." ~ dow Our captain obtained PERMISSION u
tate orr platoon forward. we Kept Tue gus o. ~
tahe ~. until within few yards OF the nr
e 49, then transferred them to the trlpods any
. ,Ls opened fire. The enemy was uslne
l.,,, o,d.fashioned breechloaders with dig iea'
slugs. +b,cr IN both sides Of
- rams were frequent with US ana eac.
.t , ,1ore ont a couple Of shell extrac'ors: Dl
,,tr had been experienced all aions VIZ ~
a,urn,tion Some of 1t dated Dach "s "a -.
1oo7 II had evidently been reioaueu nian' 80 !.
1--WE found it good policy to cnahse oarne.s ~
eo.a of a Jam in the chambers - ~ 80
case % WV q minute out Of action part
!wouiu " or,v were seen up the road ana corpora
OF He stor+ed TO put his gun In action. OIL
Jonnso frr cans we called theml cam
feao ST. down the road directly Tor u.s. 'onI
r1cocns =. vyhile kneeling behind ms gun.
son sd" ,r,,st nrone but the thing TOOK loh
ouc s hit him In the Jaw, passed GOWN Ill
,adrod hack Of the shoulder. ,,,o~
LIN. g,n crews promptly gave tne piace VIZ.
.hot was fired good comDns. w" 80 go
-. ,dvance under cover OF rne ouSne ~ ~,
10 ..auon Of infantry was depioyeu as ~
A battahol -, .sde Of the road and we wer
mishers ou +rrn IN the road and high tree
and bushes .,e road was a huge log
Daree ~ .he log Benet-Mercer nao JUST COZ
our CIV -oaring, with Corporal oio"'n' - 20
menced roaHi"e'
mano "a ,an+e,n ordered gun IN acuoh a.
Ing ~ tree. 1t had no sooner openeu
ou1 y, nc bullets In the world seeineo eo'i'l