South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-04-29
II MEMBERS
Of REGIMENT
WIN CROSSES
Massachusetts GuaTdSmen
Are Decorated by France
For the Heroic Stand
Against Germans.
international News Service:

international News service
WITH THE AMERICAN ARMIES
IN FRANCE. April 28.-Whne Ger
man heavy guns roared a short dis
lance away. and the staccato of the
snipers fire was ever present, III
mem hers Of the 1O4th infantry regi-
ment Massachusetts national guard.
and six members Of other Bay State
regiments were awarded the croIX
d. gUerre today.
This honor. the first award to an
American regiment ever made by
foreign government. went to the
troops which withstood the first
German attack in force. the 500
picked shock troops in Apremont
wood sector. northwest OF TOul, on
April 10. - and Is.
The regiment formerly was the
old Second and Eighth regiments
Of the national guard. 1t had seen
service on the Mexican border.
Throughout the American army
there was pride that the sons of
Lexington and Bunker Hill were the
first TO line up before a French gem
eral TO receive medals Of bravery.
Two Chaplain's Decorated.
Two chaplains OF the regiment
were among those decorated: Rev.
John s. DesValles. Catholic, and
Rev. Walton S. Daker, Episcopalian;
both FOR distinguished service in
administering 10 the wounded and
dying while under fire.
Six salvation Army girls and
sprinkling of French peasant girls
were among the spectators. The
row OF honor men stretched across
the field. tall. slender and handsome
American youths. Chaplain DesValles
30 their head AS the French and
American generals, accompanied by
their staffs, crossed the field. band
played suatches OF the "Star Spang-
led Banner and The Marseillaise. "
Artillery BOOms.
Heavy artillery doomed on the
battle line across the ridge as the
French general, in comforting the
croix de guerre. said.
This regiment showed during
the battles OF April 10 II and 13
the greatest audacity and "A fine
spirit OF sacrifice. Subjected TO very
violent bombardmeuts and attacked
bv very important Germans forces.
YOUR regiment succeeded in check
ing a dangerous advance and then.
with visor and energy. retook al
the point or the bayonet the few po-
sitions from which YOU had retired
under the first assault"
The French general then passed
down along the line Of A1assachu-
setts patriots. pinning on the breast
or each man the French war medal
and shaking the hand OF each man
decorated. He was followed BY the
American general who Srasped the
hand Of each and had words OF
cheer for all.
To each man he said: Smile lad
20 is a proud day for YOU and foi
us all. and even OF historical i'm
portance Gemem ber. IL is the frs
time an American regiment wa,
ever decorated bv any European
army
Overcome nv Strain.
The men smiled as their gene ra
greeted them. but the strain wa-
too much for Private James Cor
bett. OF SomerviIe. Mass. He feI
over backwards i'm dead faint jus
before the French general reache,
him 10 pin the medal on his brea ST
He had left cot 90 be present
overcome by the strain OF battle
and gave way through excitemen
and fatigue hut soon recovered.
In the line were gaps shown.
the places for the dead and wounded
whose val0r was being remembered
Medals for the former are bein.
forwarded % their re1atfVes. Will,