The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1918-05-15
President Will Bestow High
est War Decoration in
Name of Congress
OTHER REWARDS
ALSO TO BE MADE
Distinguished Service Cross and Med
ais Open to Both Men and Women
Change Is Made to Remove All
Chances Of Delay.

WASHINGTON, May l5.-The house
and senate military committees have
received for immediate introduction
Secretary Baker S bill to be substitute
ed for all pending legislation providing
for the award Of decoration to the
American heroes in the present struggle
for democracy. The decorations are di-
vided into three classes, two OF which
are new. They are:
First, medals of honor; second, dis
tinguished service crosses; third, dis
tinguished service medals.
Medals of honor under the provisions
of the bill will be presented by the
President in the name of congress to
officers or enlisted men who in action
involving actual conflict, with an enemy
| distinguish themselves eonspicuously by
gallantry and intrepidity at the risk
of life above and beyond the call OF
duty.
| The medal of honor to be presented
| by the President takes the place of the
congressional medal of honor heretofore
awarded only by congressional act
This removes the chances for DELAY in
the distribution of America s most
signal military distinction. The medal
OF honor under the terms Of its grant
parallels the French croix de guelrc
with palms
To win the American medal of honor
requires a deed OF Sallantry equivalent
TO that required to earn the Victoria
| Cross, the highest British distinction
but with the exception of the ~. c. :"
is given only where the act is per
| formed under the observation of the sol
der s commanding officer
The distinguished service crosses will
be awarded u the President, but not in
the name Of congress. They will 90 To
men or women who while serving in
any capacity in the army since the
United States entered the present wal
] has distinguished or who shall here
fafter distinguish himself or herself by
extraordinary heroism in connection
with military operations against al
armed enemy.
Distinguished service medals will h,
awarded to any person serving in any
capacity in the army "who has or VIII,
NlAttli ittitbI NJ IiSliIgulSn himself 81
herself by exceptional meritorious serv
ice 70 the government in a duty o.
great responsibility in time of war o
in connection with military operations
against an armed enemy
The distinguished service cross prac
tically parallels the French croix d.
gueTe of the ordinary . class or TIL
British distinguished service order. TIL
distinguished service medal has no ex
act parallel in the allied services
Such decorations among our allies hav
various and snndrv expressions in til
form of special orders and crosses.
No mention is made by Secretar,
Baker either in the bill or in common
upon it Of the question SO freouentl
preached i'll and out of congress of per
uniting American fighting men to ac
cept marks of distinction from our al
lies. Neither does he say anvthipr q
the proposed granting of our honors t
4 our allies. Technically through fail
urc of congress thus far to enact tn
necessary legislation prescribed by tn
constitution every medal presented b
the foreign commanders to our soldier
1 is illegally worn.