The Idaho recorder. [volume] (Salmon City, Idaho) 1886-1927, 1918-09-20

New York.-Bnck of the meager Of
fetal dispatch announcing the hwarn
by the Italian government of It's sii-
yer medal for valor virtually the high
est military recognition that can come
10 an Italian soldier. Is one OF the
most thrilling and romantic episodes
of the entire war; one which. In tact,
may be said To have had distinct
and definite hearing upon the success
of the Italian arms.
The cable message announcing the
award. and which was published In
America few days ago. read:
awarded to First Lieut.. the later
received his cuptancy) Francesca
Mario Guardabassi of Perneia. while
on the staff Of the commander OF dlvi-
sion. Energetic co-operntor OF the
high command of the division. First
Lieutenant Guardnbassi gave nm nd
mIrnbie proof of determination, energy
and bravery In very difficult circufn-
stance during the drive from the Car
so TO the Plave. firmly checking sud
den and thrcatenlne panic aroused
among the troops. gliamento
lFtIEt VI IsHtlsHilH, u 'ftlbttis i't's
Captain (then first lleutenanD
Guardnbassi, by his action, prevented
fhe Italian retreat from the Carso to
the plnve from becoming dlsorderly
rout and transformed 1t into an or
derry retirement. which enabled the
italian forces to reform and to make
their position on the Pave impregna-
bile. II was Captain Guardabassl who,
standing virtually alone on the bridge
head Of Latisnna. inspired the troops
OF the Third army to hold their ground
wheh overwhelmed with fear aud
panic.
10 Here on Special Mission.
Captain Guardabaasi. who Mt the
time was aid.de-camp OF General Pc
tho. divisional commander In the
Third army OF Italy. In the last few
months has become familiar figure
I'm New York. Following his achieve
ments on the Tagliamento he was
called to Rome and. because Of his
wide knowledge OF America and Amer
fcans. was sent To the United States
on a special mission from the Italian
government. Captain Gunrdabassl
was persuaded to tell the story of how
he won the decoration. II Is best told
In his own words;
"You can imagine the spirit OF our
army last October" said he, "whea
our generals OF the Third army an.
nounced that we were to fan back.
We had worked so hard to establish
= our line on the Taglipmento. aud we
were so proud. Now the orders came
That we were to get back on the ri.
Eve, There were no finer fellows In
the world than In the Third army, but
wave of encouragement swept
through the ranks. We're we to be
beatenY
The Pifve line was stronger--it
was our natural line. There we conld
hold OFT the Austrians coming down
from the north and prevent their
breaking Into the Italian plains. II
was only 80 miles hack yet our army.
none or us, could realize this. II was
retreat. And 1t became more and
xnore difficult TO keep up the soldiers
morale. To hold them together.
THE Third army numbered 400, 900.
IL was reduced during the campnirn
from 100000 to 10000, bur that was IFS
size when The retreat was ordered
There were complications In the re-
treat for down from the northwest
began &c come detnchments from the
Second army. mlngllng with our men,
tcndlng 10 produce disorder.
Rain Makes Retreat Difficult.
Il shall never forget how IL rainet
during these days The Carso-Taglia
Encnto region Is marshy country
Where we were was not fur from IN,
seu. In the retreat we had 10 keep Il
the roads, This made our falling bacl
all the harder
Il could never have done what has
Co do had 4 not been for my general
General retillo, and the fact that
was his aid-de-camp. Remcmhe
tAnt besides the hurriedly rctreatlnt
soldiers pouring along the roads ev
srSwh"re. disheartened aud fearful. IN
country people by thousands were re-
.r9sFiing. Nobody knew what migh
rappeu, The feeling was growing tina
flic wnr was lost. That we would 500
mnke y new stand and brilliant on
nionr The rlHye and later retrieve @,
sry'h'n, nobody realized. You ,uI
<ei have told them that