Omaha daily bee., 1918-10-28
The Red Badge of Courage
New York Times

The intrinsic value of the Distinguished Ser
vice Cross is a mere trifle but the soldier<whc
wins it on the battlefield in France and survives
to wear it will have a title to herolsm none
can challenge. Many an officer of high rank
who comes home without the decoration Will
envy him The greatest values, after all, are
the moral values. They only endure. One OF
the most eminent of Americans, who served IN
the Santiago campaign declared that he would
rather have the medal of honor than be pro-
NOTED to the grade of general There would
be plenty of generals but few awards OF the
American Victoria Cross. Rank does not make
much of an impression upon our democratic
people, but to be pointed out as one OF the
bravest of the brave is the great war, that is
a real distinction stamping one as man among
men.
Thirty awards of the Distinguished Service
Cross to officers and men serving in France
have just been announced in Washington. In
the list are five commissioned officers, one
captain and four leutenants; eight sergeants,
three corporals and IA privates. One of
the heroes was from Argentina; a machine. gun
ner; the others came from all parts OF the
United States. Some of the names are familiar
to those who talk of the old American stock
and count on it for glorious performance in the
field other names come out of the melting pot.
Let US begin with one, Tony Trekauska, SER
geant in Company Z, 10Th infantry, haing from
Cincinnati. Near Scissors on July 49, that
memorable day when Marshal Foch began his
counter offensive Sergeant Trekauska. "volun-
tarily and singe-handed, captured a machine
gun and killed the crew." Let US not overlook
the man from Argentina, who must have fought
for an ideal with his brothers of the north !;
Private Antonio Aielle (Buenos Aires) on July
10, near Very, cleft the safety Of the trenches,
advanced nearly 100 yards In the open under
heavy artillery fire and carried back to safety a
severely wounded marine" A gallant deed by
man with nerves of steel, for there is nothing
more soul-shaking than the ordeal of "heavy
artillery fire."
The German-Americans possibly the native
porn Germans) are represented by Private Al
bert Fritz of the 10th infantry, who, as an am
muntion carrier, in action south of Scissors,
July 1928, latter being twice wounded, contn-
ued to carry ammunition while exposed to heavy
shell fire." Berlin, Wis, claims Private Fritz.
His next of kin will be the most gratfed man
in America. To soldiers who died on the field
OF battle, or were MORALLY wounded, awards
have been made, Their chance of life was a
torlorn hope when they exposed themselves.
Take the case TO Private Ecarter K. Koon Ere
donna, Ky.) of Company B, First engineers In
action south of Scissors, July TO- he was NOR
tally wounded on his third venture to bring in
the wounded under heavy shell FIRE" Ser
geant Wallace Green Cure, N. c. of Company
M, Sixth infantry, continued to cut wire entan-
clements under "heavy enemy barage" at
Frapelle on August II until he was killed. Pr-
vate Cornelius c. Fredericks (Brookyn) of the
same company and regiment met the same fate
at the same spot. Captain William Mack DE
troit( of the 305th infantry and Second Lieuten-
ant Leonard Cox New York City, also of the
3O5th, won the decoration for doing very hazard
Gus reconnaissance work in broad daylight on
the Vese river on September O. Mack swan
the stream and tied rope by which his men
crossed over. In a house at Bazoches, on the
other side, he attacked the enemy concealed
there and returned, wounded by machine gun
fire, with valuable information" Lieutenant
Cox killed two Germans and wounded another
in the yard of chateau at Bazoches, but lost
none of his men.
These are examples. The others of this
glorious company of the decorated were equally
brave. The ordeal of battle struck the>fire of
valor from their souls, although at home they
may have been the quetest and most difident of
men. The story should set us thinking that it
will be shameful reproach if we do not buy
more Liberty bonds to back up such fighting
men in"France.