The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1918-08-14
DOUCHBOYS GIVE
KING RECEPTION
EngIand's Ruler Personally
Decorates Gen. Pershing
and American Soldiers.
IMPRESSIVE CEREMONY
Decorations in Recognition OF
Bravery Displayed by Amer
leans on Picardy Front.

| With the British Army on the Pic
ardy Front, Aug. 13 90 a.m.)-For the
| first time In history United States SOL
diers were personally decorated by the
king OF England today.
I Honors were conferred upon Gen.
! John j. Pershing, the American COM
mander In chief Gen. Tasker Bliss.
! four lieutenants and fifteen soldiers.
! amidst impressive ceremonies.
| The decorations were in recognition
| Of bravery shown by the Americans
1 when they helped the British capture
Hamel Ton the Picardy) from the Ger
mans on July 4.
A rousing reception was given to
King George by the doughboys. There
were flags, music and cheers, and an
imposing detachment Of American
soldiers and British officers stood by
while the ceremonies were in progress.
The Yankees stood in line while the
king fastened the medals upona lapels
of their coats. afterwards shaking
them heartily by the hand an con-
graduating them upon their bravery
, and patriotism.
Nine honored Americans were In the
hospital. where they received their
| insignia.
Gen. Pershing was decorated with
the insignia of the grand commander
of the order of the bath. while the
decoration of the order Of st. Michael
was conferred upon Gen. Bliss.
These decorations were bestowed
T, In room in a historic chateau. 1t was
an appropriating setting. The owner
now an aged. woman-is a descen-
dant of Napoleon, and several French
generals have lived there. -sEt
The king exchanged pleasantries
with American generals and complfs
1 mentcd the American texpeditionary
| forces. ~ +ihF
| An American infantry officer. In dis
cussing the impression made by the
king, said: ~ ttis
"Oficers and men alike were eager
to get glimpse of King George. They
| liked him right Off the bat He Is
very human and democratic and quick
to see the bright side Of things. My,
| but the men felt proud. 1t isn't every
| day that king pins medals on fell
low. 1t was a proud day for the men
band n history making event"
Afterwards n number of Australians
, were decorated.
| The nineteen Americans OF the rank
/ of lieutenant and downward who were
| lOuOIcu Wclt.
! Lieut.. Frank Schraw, Lieut.. Albert
G. jefferson, Second Lieut.. Harry
Yagle, Second Lieut.. Michael Kem-
crewski. Sergt. James f. Krum, Pri-
vate Christopher Keane. Corpl. Thorn
as A. Pope. ,Corpl. Andrew c. Shah
| niger, Corpl. Lester c. Whitson, Corpl.
Raymond II. Powell. Private William
+. Linsky. Private Harry Shelly.
Corpl. Albert C. Painspp. Private
Fred f. Wilkins. Sergt. Frank A. Kos
| Jane. Corpl. John De Smidt, Scrgt.
A. Erhard. Corpl. H. Zyburt and Corpl.
/ J. Sweredo.
All were from the middle west, chief
| ~ in the region of Chicago.
The king received all Of the corre-
/ spondents attached to the British
| groups, according to their nationality
| He wore the uniform of British field
marshal, with silver spurs and tan
gloves. l was among those presented
! to him and he shook my hand with n
! firm grip at both the opening and close
| of the meeting.
The king was in splendid health and
spirits. He has Il merry. kind eye and
close cropped hair and beard.
King George was found by the
Americans to have n keen sense OF
humor and was surprisingly informal
and keenly alive to world develop
ments. He was enthusiastic over the
American army and the war spirit of
the United States
In the course of an offhand chat the
king said he had been visiting some
of our troops and found them splen-
did fighting material. He expressed
the belief that the Germans would he
sorry they got the United states into
the fight.
Men have the right spirit when they
come to kill or to be killed, declared
the monarch, adding that they can do
no more.
King George said that it is no time
for peace--not just yet.
Commenting upon the work of the
correspondents he said it must be very
hard. He had got taste Of 1t. as he
had been at the front nine days, dur
ing which he had motored 800 miles.
When the king visited several camps
Of Americans fighting with the British
during the past rode in an automobile
in the royal dying squadron"
King George received rtattering
village and town the French and Bel
gians hung out flags The streets and
roads were lined with American and
British troops and civilians.
The Americans gave the king three
cheers every time they saw him.
The Americans were reviewed in
parade formation, King George chat
ting with sergeants, corporals and pri-
Yates with the same ease he talked
with generals. He asked ono blushing
East Slider" what the green ribbon on
his uniform stood for and was told 1t
represented service on the border.
Keen interest was shown by the
royal visitor In the 5panish war rib
bon and medal worn by an American
top sergeant.
The king went into the trenches in
spite Of the shellng and said he felt