Shoshone journal. [volume] (Shoshone, Idaho) 1884-1931, 1918-07-26

| 80 WV mas never gone IN
@$e1SS very heavily for hon
e. Nv ors and decorations
and whose representatives are distinct
ly forbidden by the constitution to ac-
cept 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
here. Since the days of the Civil war
there has existed congressional med
al of honor, which, though little
known, Is regarded by many as one OF
the highest military or naval decora-
lions to be won In any land This
medal always has been and always
VIII be the most coveted honor In our
army and navy. But 1t has remained
for President Wilson, acting upon the
recommendation OF General Pershing,
to Institute not only several new hon
ors, but new rules for their award, |
which In some respects will revolu- |
donize American. practice In such !
matters. In a word, the order estab-
fishing our new war decorations Is
expected to cut away much of the red
tape which enveloped unfortunately,
more than one American hero of the
past
New Decorations.
Briefly, the new war decorations in
stituted by the president are these:
1. The distinguished service cross.
2. The distinguished service medal.
3. War service chevrons.
4. Wound chevrons.
Coupled with the congressional I
tons give to the American soldier vir-
tually the same rewards for especial
service that are offered in the French I
md British armies. The British have I
heir Victoria Cross and the French s
heir Medaille Militaire. and to these
he American Congressional Medal of I
referred to as the {
'Valor Medal" or American Star of t
be said to correspond. +
The new American Distinguished
Service Cross has no exact counter 4
art in the British army, inasmuch as d
he nearest thing to 1t, the d. S. O., I
: offered only to officers. The French c
)roix de Guerre with palm) CORE Il
ponds perhaps more closely. The n
I 4,
nd the French Croix may be won by D
len or officers, regardless of rank. Il
erhaps, 1t was to meet this deficiency IL
hat the British in 1916 established a Il
ew military medal for plain soldiers b.
nd noncoms. ''in recognition of bra Il
cry in the field" Within the two f
ears $4,000 of these military medals
ave been given out.
For the new American Distinguish r.
Service Medal there is the Distin- w
llshed Conduct Medal in the British h,
my Omitted TO non-coms. and men), w
lille In the French army its place is w
ken In part by the Crolx de Guerre ii
With starr and the Legion of Honor. ST
he tendency In the British army has hi
zen to distinguish between officers he
I'd men In recognizing services, OF
hereas the French pursue more of
policy, and in general ST
eat officers and men on an equal of
citing In bestowlng honors. Indeed,
ch distinction as Is drawn in France wi
In favor of the common soldier. The m
CHEST OF all French military decora- 10
Medaille Militaire-is given an
ly to the plain soldier and noncom- af
ssioned officer, or TO a commanding WI
neral. Joffre and one or two 9TH GU
5 are the only officers who have re- tic
lved ii. or,
Follow French System. bill
II Is the French system that Is to wi
followed in respect to the awarding arr
American honors. Courage, hero
u. bravery, or the signal perform d.
ce OF duty-at home as well as In fol
ance--are to he rewarded without VIII
gard 10 military rank. All our med ma
!, new or old, are offered 20 officers in
q men alike. More than that. they of
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ue Newspaper Under Difficulties. ant
rhe Union Republicalne de In pri
s-.l.