Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-12-28
SCHOOLBOY HERO
WOUNDED AGAIN
Rowland Hannum in List
Today-Lieut. Burk Also
Twice Hurt
DECORATED AS BRAVE
Chester Officer Stayed With
& Company Three Days De-
spite Severe Injury
DECORATED AS BRAVE

\ Chester, who was cited and decorated
for sticking with his company for three
days despite severe wound in his
head and Private Rowland Hannum
the fourteen-year-old schoolboy who
had all the city's truant officers by the
ears when he enlisted in 1915 and man
aged to get away to the Mexican border
with the old Sixth Regiment y. G. P
are named on the days casualty list
Both have been wounded for the second
time. Hannum was in the famous Lost
Battalion
Names of thirty-six men from Phila-
delphia and vicinity appear in the Casu-
atty record for today. One man was
killed in action, three died OF wounds
one died of disease, four are missing. and
the remainder wounded
Among those reported missing is Lieu
tenant Norton Downs, OF Three Tuns,
an aviator. who was killed In an aerial
battle in October and whose fate was
reported through unofficial channels on
November T. Apparently tho Wer De-
partment, despite the positive proof OF
Lieutenant Downs's death, has not ''offi-
cially" recognized the fact as yet. Lieu
tenant Downs is the only soldier listed
today who was killed in action. Two
are reported TO have died of wounds,
eleven as wounded severely, four as
less seriously injured and two are miss
ing.
Though born in Chester Lieutenant
Burk spent several years in Phlladel-
phia and later removed to New York.
He married Philadelphia Girl Miss
Bessie L. Bardsley, of 928 West Lehlgh
avenue. A baby boy was born to Mrs.
Burk on December 10 and has been
named Walter Scott Burk, Jr. Lieuten-
ant Burk earned his commission at the
first officers training camp, Fort Nj
agara, and was attached to the 357th In
fantry, a regiment OF selectlve service
men from New York. This unit went 10
France last June and has been at or
near the front ever since, attached to
the Nineteenth Division. This division.
by the way. was highly praised by Cen
eral Pershing who declared that it's
work was second to none in the EXpedi-
tionary Force.
Lieutenant Burk was wounded for the
first time during the fattening of the
St. Mihiel salient, and was laid up for
twenty days. His second injury came
during the great battle of the Meuse,
and though shot in the head he re-
fused to quit. and stuck 10 his post
until his company was relieved. three
days later.
Young Private Hannum was attend
ing the Belmont Public School. West
Philadelphia. when the Mexican border
troubles sent the National Guard scurry-
ing to Texas. He was wild to so along,
but his parents and teachers could not
see II that way. Being big and strong
for his age, he managed " get by the
recruiting officer and Join the old Sixth
Regiment. n. G.. P, but had a harder
Job getting away frim his parents and
from the truant officers. Allotted hy a
wise and willy sergeant, however, he
turned the trick and landed in Texas
with his unit. Later, when this coun-
try entered the war, the truant officers
tried to get him again, but the army
authorities stood back Of him, and he
went off 10 Camp Hancock with MS
comrades. When the Sixth was reor-
ganized there he was attached TO COM
pany NJ.
some time ago the War Department
reported Hannum as missing, but re-
,eently his mother. who lives at 12o
North Forty-first street, received let
,,r from the youthful soldier in which
ha ekplaIns that he has been slightly
,younded and was recovering rapidly IN
n base hospital. Young Hannum comes
of hshtlng stock, both of his srandtath'
ers having served in the Union Army
during the civil War In hts letter to
his mother he says: We'll ! wanted &c
get TO Berlin. but guess ! won't no"
Sor the Germans got me. But it's moi
3 serious, 30 don't worry" Speaking o.
his experience when the Lost Bat
talon was surrounded in the Argonn'
Forest, he said, "Tt was terrible. W.
had nothing to cat and nothing to drlni
for days. You could hear the wounded
men moaning and shrieking on all sides
The enemy shclled us mercilessly, Bu
our commander, Lieutenant Colone
whi,tesley told the Dutchman TO e.
ntunb TO hell when they asked him Il
surrender and we stuck it out unit
rescued
A brother. Sergeant Alfred Hannun
IN a n,ember Of the FCrtIeth Airplan
Battalion.