The Birmingham age-herald., 1919-02-13
BESSEMER BOY IS FIRST ID RECEIVE
 ). $. |. IN AMERICA
Cross Comes to Sergeant Whited After His Return Home and Is Presented
 at Camp Merritt

New York, February 12.-tSpe-
 cial.)-Sergt. Homer Whitcd of tte
 first provisional company at Camp
 Merritt and formerly of Company
 ID, 167th infantry, American expe-
 ditionary forces. ssaIlows" he would
 sooner face Jerry any day than walk
 before multitude of his buddfcs
 and have the distinguished service
 cross pinned to his chest.
 Sergeant Whited has faced the Hun very successfully and that is the di rect cause of his having 10 fece yes Ierday's ceremony. which brought to ritt 9 few of the yells which have been monopolized by France.
 Sergeant Whited is the first dough- boy to receive his distinguished ser vice cross in this country. The honor is invariably awarded while the recip- tents are in France, but it came to Sergeant Whited after he had returned home from duty and so by direction Of the adjutant general. the ceremony of presentation took place yesterday at Camp Merritt.
 Sergeant Whited is husky young southerner. from Bessemer Ala and took his honors with the modesty thNt has become characteristic of the Amer ican soldier He will converse readily on any topic save the manner of his winning his decoration, but the cita- tion issued by General Pershing con cerning him tells the tale
 It reads as follows: Corporal Ho- mer Whited, Company D. 167th infar- try. was member of a patrol of five men which on March 4 191S encoun- tered an enemy patrol of II men, which it attacked and routed. taking two prisoners"
 "BUDDIES" CITED ALSO
 The four Company D men who accom- panied Whted on this exploit were also cited, and received their crosses in France. Yesterday was visitors day a. Camp Merritt and a large crowd of civilians and soldiers witnessed the con ferring of the decoration. The Thir- teenth infantry, in command of Capt. Benjamin H. Pope. was drawn up in raradc formation on the drill ground. and as Col. Lewis S. Serley commanding officer of the Thirteenth presented the medal and ribbons to Sergeant Whited, the band played the Star Spangled Ban ner and the ranks came to present arms
 Expressing his pleasure at presenting the cross Colonel Serley said:
 Tn the operation of war there are many ways in which the Vaior of the sol dier may be exhibited, The dashing charge upon the euemys position is one of them. and it is an inspiring and mag rnificept sight, but skillful conduct of the small patrol is the basis of all larger activities and calls for the highest quail ities of alertness. perseverance and cour- age. Of this character was the work for which you are today receiving the grateful recognition of your country. This cross will be to you a reminder of duty well done, and to your family for many generatj tjons 1t will be an heirloom typify ing honor and distinction-' s
 Afterwards. the crowd pressed tabout Sergeant Whited congratulating him. fle was the guest of honor at reception given at the Young Womens Christian association hostess house under the di- rection of Mrs. Flora Smith. He is 23 years old and joined the Alabama na- tional guards in May, 1914. He served on the border and for nine months in France He was gassed in Alsace-Lor- raine last May and was returned to this country to work forth Third 1ib- erty Loan and the second Red Cross drive.