Cresco plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1913-1945, 1918-08-09
HOW The MARINES
RECEIVED CROSSES
DESCRIPTION OF THE CEREMONY
OF THEIR DECORATION BY
THE FRENCH NATION.
THEIR HER0ISM IS LAUDED

THEIR HER0ISM IS LAUDED
Our Army Needs More chapIaIns and
10 Training Them-Unlform Physl-
cal Standards Adopted by War De-
partment-HoIIow Tile an EssentIai.
(From Committee on Public 1nformation.)
! Washington. = Marine corps heaq'
quarters gives the committee on pub
uS information a graphic account OF
The decoration Of American marines
NTH the French Croix de Guerre fqr
heroic service In battle last May. 1t
51ys in part:
! aWithin the sound and range Of the
German guns, hidden by the shelter
6e trees OF a dense forest, under a
6fAvy morning mist and a driving raln'
French veterans Of veEdun, the 4arne.
the Aisne and the Somme honoted
their younger comrades Of America by
S6hferring upon them the Croix de
GIerre. Thirty marines, including Owe
6{acers, were awarded this coveted
6fench decoration for gallant conduct,
Courage and GOODNESS In action against
tie enemy during the occupation Of q
Sector by the marine brigade. OF the
total number cited in French orders
Tor this decoration only eleven were
ffesent, three having been killed In &C.
ton and sixteen were wounded and In
the field hospital.
"A number Of French soldiers were
decorated at the same time. As is the
Custom half . company from each OF
tie companies whose men were hon.
8yed was present and drawn up 80 as
TO form q square. The presentation Of
tie decorations took place within this
human enclosure. The marines and
&oSlus, side by side, presented . pic.
Tire symbolical Of the close bond ex-
i0ting between America and France In
Ills conflict and particularly 20 Of the
hammer In which marines have worked
3nd fought with the Preach SOLDIERS
1fring the period Of their Instructions
Il an adjacent sector. J.,lS...<s.
'Ths French general who pinned
the decorations on the breasts Of the
proud marines eloquently praised their
achievements in a short speech In
which he summarized their deeds of
bravery, remarking on the line state
4f discipline and efficiency Of the bri-
Sade, and congratulatingi Its command
Ing oncer upon his excellent organi-
cation. He then pinned the little
bronze emblems on the men, and shook
each one by the hand with q personal
Word Of congratulation."
Uniform standards Of physical ex-
Apinations governing entrance into all
bfanches Of the regular army, the ma
Honal army and the National Guard
have been adopted by the war depart
@ent and will be observed BY the army
Medical department and the local ana
Medical advisory boards under the Sc
lGctive service regulations. r-f y
Observance Of the new rules ana
regulations by the local boards win
yfSult, 1t is believed, In uniform *
LIMITATIONS in all parts Of the country
md should prevent men physically Dis
8allided for military service from b.
~ sent out to camps. The new stand
Ids also Will enable local physicians
rs. make examinations with . bstter
udefstandihs of the needs 81 the
6my and WIN clear any miSconfSp'
Hons and o misunderstanding that
MINT result In the sending TO camps
6fimen who had been rejected. q;
Heretofore the physical standards
pt the three armies. have differed land
{n1tances have been noted where men
Iho have been rejected for service By
The recruiting ofncers Of the regular
2my have been accepted for military
.Stvice BY draft board physicians. On
III the new uniform standards ibis
Fau not be possible unless the disqSAli-
(J{ng defect has been removed. The
kaie for all three armies II that to
@Ake q good soldier man must be
lble to see we'll, have comparatively
FOOD hearing, his heart must be able
3 stand the stress Of physical exer.
Don, he must be intelligent enough to
Understand and execute military ma
R1pvers, obey commands, protect him
~, and must be able to transport
R{lnSen by walking as the exigencies
81 military life may demand.
Exceptions from the new standard
niles are made In the case Of men N
[ected for special and limited service.
The experience Of the past year has
enabled the medical authorities to e.
ESblish these new standards Of exam
&Ations which will relieve the local
boards Of doubtsas to decisions in un-
fgual cases. Enough such cases have
been examined to establish q policy In
determining their military fitness. In
ytructions are given as to what classes
II men may be accepted for limited
service. and for treatment for remedia-
lie defects.