The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1918-08-28
j. A. GORDON AWARDED
ITALIAN DECORATION
Barre Young Man, Who Is Red Cross
Ambulance Driver, Got Blue Ribbon
with Bronze Medal.

John A. Gordon, son of Mr.. and Mrs.
John w. Gordon, who is Red Cross am
bulance driver on the Italian front, has
been decorated with the blue ribbon with
bronze medal in recognition of his serv-
ices during a recent offensive on the Ital-
ian front. The announcement is pretty
well concealed in the following letter
which the modest young man wrote
home;
Italy, July 20, 1918.
Dear Father and Mother: am now on
permission and expect to spend two
weeks in the mountains.
Yesterday we were in Milan and had
the pleasure of seeing the first American
infantry unit that has ever marched
| through that city. Flowers were show
cred down upon them from balconies and
windows. Pretty girls pinned bouquets
on their coats and caps, and everybody
was shouting, "Viva l'America." BY the
way, it is the first unit of American
soldiers that have seen since / left little
old Vermont. They certainly were a
bronzed and fit, looking crowd.
Again am promising you letter
about our work during the offensive. |
started to write to you on the 4th, but
never finished the letter for various rea-
sons.
On the oath July six of our section
were decorated by the king, Three 9TH
ers were to be decorated at the same
time, but were absent on leave
1t was the most remarkable affair /
ever saw. There were over $4,000 troops,
representing every conceivable branch of
the army on the field. The king, all the
high officers and generals, including Diaz
and the duke of Aosta, were there. Some
$50 men received decorations at the hand
of the king. Each man that received
decoration marched up the steps to the
lroyal box, saluted the king, received his
! medal, shook hands with him, saluted
again and marched down the steps on the
other side. After the decoration business
was finished a grand review Of all the
troops was held 1t certainly was very
| impressive and interesting sight. There
were the arditi tshock troops), who don't
give damn for anybody" and excel
lent fighters. The begsaglieri on bicycles,
with their band playing as they rode.
Armored car sections. The lanciers with
their lances held upright and blue pen
nants streaming from each, a wonderful
sight Cavalry with sabres drawn. In
fantry galore, batteries of "75's" and
''l49's,' machine gun corps with their
pack mules, a captive balloon drawn by
its motor car with the observers up in
lit, carbinieri, supply trains, medical
corps, engineers, American Red Cross am
bulance drivers, who did very well con-
I-s1 IL Ii
a unit before, Alpini with their noun
tain guns and many others that ] have
forgotten. Each regiment carried its
battle SCARED flag, and they received a
salute from everybody. All the troops
on the field had taken part in the often
sive of June 1925 For a finishing touch
and thriller about dozen fighting planes
flew back and forth over the marching
columns, Swimming so low and at such q
terrific speed that it actually made your
heart miss half dozen beats at a time.
4 There were representations of eight
or ten different nations present. Two
Japanese generals, an American major
general, and the American congressional
committee were there / nearly forgot
to mention the Czecho-Slovaks. They
certainly were fine looking specimens and
marched with just touch OF the German
stiffness, due no doubt to their former
training.
| received your letters dated June p
and June 20. You mentioned that you
had not received letter for over two
weeks. Also | don't think you win re-
eeive any letters written by me during
the month of June, for 1 had quite a
sweat up most of that month and did
not write any.
The spirits of the allies is very high
now since the counter offensive started.
The eoncensus OF opinion, both in France
and Italy, seems to be that things are
rapidly coming to head and that it Is
not at all improbable that the war win
be over by Christmas. Certain factors
tend to give a great deal Of Importance
TO this opinion.
| received the blue ribbon with bronze
medal, for work during the offensive, on
the oath. l got so interested telling
about the review nearly forgot TO men
ton it. Johnny.