The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1918-07-26

~ ~ has never gone il
$-TJsSSV very heavily for hon
~ w ors and decorations
anu whose representatives are distinct
ly forbidden by the constitution to ac
ccpt 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 n congressional med
al Of honor, which, though little
known, is regarded by many as one of
the highest military or naval decora-
tions To be won in any land. This
medal always has been and always
will be the most coveted honor in our
army and navy. But it has remained
for President Wilson, acting upon the
recommendation of General PerShing
10 institute not only several new hon
orS, but new rules for their award.
which in some respects will revou-
tionize American practice in such
matters In word the order estab-
fishing our new war decorations is
expected to cut away much of the red
tape which envelo7ed, unfortunately,
more than one American hero Of the
past
New Decorations.
Briefly. the new war decorations in
stituted by the president are these:
l. The distinguished service cross.
:. The distinguished service medal
= War service chevrons.
!. Wound chevrons.
Coupled with the congressional
medal of honor, these new decora-
tions give 10 the American soldier vir-
tually the same rewards for especial
service that are offered in the French
and British armies. The British have
their Victoria Cross and the French
their Medaille Militaire, and to these
the American Congressional Medal of
sometimes referred to as the
"Nalor Medal" or American Star of
NalOr'-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 it, the d. S. O..
IS offered only TO officers. The French
Croix de Guerre with palm) CORE
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 1916 established a |
new military medal for plain soldiers
and noncOmS. lin 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 Oimifed to non-cOms. and men), /
while in the French army its place is
taken in part by the CroiX de Guerre
(With starr 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 a 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-
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 ii.
Follow French System.
II 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
lnce 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
md men alike More than that, they {