New Britain herald., 1918-10-24
SENDS IRON GROSS
 HOME AS SOUVENIR
Sergt. D. E. O'Keeie Gets Coveted
 Trophy From Prisoner

Mrs. Margaret O'Keefe of Clark street has received letters from her sons, Daniel E. and James OKeefe. serving in France With the 102d L. $. Infantry, in which they make some very interesting statements.
 Daneil O'Keefe, now @ sergeant in the burial department and formerly a practising lawyer in this city. has also sent his mother some invaluable trophies he has secured on the tbattlefields and also from German prisoners. Chief among these curios is the famous German Iron Cross, given by the Kaiser to his men for bravery. In explaining this Iron Cross, Sergeant O'Keefe writes that he persuaded" 8 German to give it to him, and adds that this particular German is developing into a, perfectly good road builder and will not need the eros again in this war. The Iron Cross is rather 9, tlimsy trinket, sus- pended from black and white silk ribbon. The design is that of Maltese cross, with polished nickel edges and 9 jet black center. On one side 1t bears the insignia of Prussia, the letters 'F. w" and the date. "1S12" On the other side it has tho crown of Germany, the significant letter. "W'' and the date "1914".
 Another curio sent home by Ser geant O'Keefe is an Austrian war cross. It is suspended from red and white ribbon and is made of iron, the design being that of a Maltese cross encircled with a wreath. On one side is the date. the initial of Emperor Charles and the words:
 'Vitam ct sangVineln" Life and Hope.) On the other side are the words: "Grati Princeps ct Patria Carolus, Imp. ct Rex. A second Aus train was medal is of bronze, state that it was awarded for bravery and bears on it the likeness of the emperor.
 was awarded for bravery and bears on it likenes of the emperor.
 A Small medal. made of aluminum contains a picture of Joan of Arc and her birthplace. This Sergeant O'Keefe purchased as he was passing through Orleans, the birthplace of the inn mortal Joan of Arc.
 O'Keefe Expects Commission.
 by the two brothers:
 
 states so I am celebrating the anni- versary by writing. All joking aside, don't you think we are delivering the goods over here? l am sending you some little souvenirs that are not so very easily obtained. They are high ly looked upon and it is the aim of every American to get one. I per suaded a German to give 1t to me. By the way, he will do no more fighting in this war. I think he will make a very good road builder. I am also sending John, Joseph, Marguerite and Clare some souvenirs which were also given to me by another devotee of the kaiser and an Austrian How ever the one you find herein (the Iron Cross) is the best souvenir that 1 can be had here unless it is the kali ser scalp. I don't think you will 1 find many Iron Crosses in New Brit l ain.
 As l told you in my last letter, l expected promotion and have been ] recommended for a commission. l l hope I get 1t.
 New Britain Better Than Paris Corporal Jas. C. O'Keefe writes to ] his mother stating that he is feeling 1 fine and is very enthusiastic over the progress they are making chasing the Hun from towns which they occupied l for the past four years. He told of 1 how in one town they entered, a 1 French woman aged and bent, with ] years came out and wept with joy. l She said when the Germans occupied 1 the town that they had told her there 1 were no Americans in Europe and they would never have any help from