The Twin City star., 1918-07-20

M J W. warning countries.
NJ M From a nation which
- @ has never gone In
$[@ very heavily for hon.
@'NO ors and decorations
and whose representatives are distinct
ly forbidden by the constitution to &C
cept them from foreign governments
the United States has stepped into
the larger circle Of nations, among
whom the bestowal Of military hon.
ors of many kinds and degrees has
long been an established custom,
writes Foster Ware in the New York
Evening Post.
Not that exceptional heroism In war
time has hitherto gone unrecOgnized
here. Since the days Of the Civil war
there has existed congressional med
al Of honor, which, though little
known, Is regarded by many as one of
the highest military or naval decora-
tons to be won in any land. This
medal always has been and always
win be the most coveted honor In our
army and navy. But 1t has remained
for President Wilson, acting upon the
recommendation of General Pershing,
to institute not only several new hon.
ors. but new rules for their award,
which In some respects will revolu-
honize American practice in such
matters. In q word, the order estab-
fishing our new war decorations is
expected to cut away much Of the red
tape which enveloped, unfortunately,
more than one American hero Of the
past.
New Decorations.
Briefly, the new war decorations in
stituted by the president are these:
/. The distinguished service cross.
2. The distinguished service medal.
8. War service chevrons.
A. Wound chevrons.
Coupled with the congressional
medal of honor, these new decora-
tons give to the American soldier vir-
tually the same rewards for especial
service that are offered in the French
and British armies. The British have
their Medaille Militaire, and to these
the American Congressional Medal Of
Honor-sometimes referred to as the
~Valor Medal" or American Star Of
Valor"-may be said to correspond.
The new American Distinguished
Service Cross has no exact counter
part In the British army, inasmuch as
the nearest thing to 1t, the d. 8. O.,
is offered only to officers. The French
Croix de Guerre with ,palm) corre-
spends perhaps more closely. The
American Distinguished Service Cross
and the French Croix may be won by
men or officers. regardless Of rank.
Perhaps, It was to meet this deficiency
that the British in 1915 established a
new military medal for plain soldiers
and noncoms. 'in recognition Of bra
very in the field" Within the two
years $4,000 Of these military medals
have been given out.
For the new American Distinguish
ed Service. Medal there is the Distin-
guished Conduct Medal in the British
army (limited to non-coms. and men),
while In the French army its place Is
taken In part by the Croix de Guerre
with star) and the Legion Of Honor.
The tendency in the British army has
been to distinguish between officers
and men In recognizing services,
whereas the French pursue more
democratic policy, and in general
treat officers and men on an equal
footing In bestowing honors. Indeed,
such distinction as Is drawn in France
is in favor Of the common soldier. The
highest Of all French military decora-
tions-the Medaille Militaire-is given
only to the plain soldier and noncom-
missioned officer, or to a commanding
general. Joffre and one or two 9TH
ers are the only officers who have re-
ceived It.
Follow French System.
It Is the French system that is to
be followed in respect to the awarding
Of American honors. Courage. hero
ism, bravery, or the signal perform
ance Of duty-at home as well as In
France-are to be rewarded without
regard to military rank. All our med
ais, new or old, are offered to officers
and men alike. More than that, they
Issue Newspaper Under Difficulties.