New-York tribune., 1919-05-18
Medal Laden Troops
From Illinois Back {;
Get Hearty Welcome
Always Advanced, Never
Retreated," Gen. Bell Says
of Prairie Division; Gov.
LowdeN Here to Greet Men

Two of tne most decorated mon in
the American fighting forces arrived
at Hoboken yesterday aboard the
transport Mount Vernon, with their
comrades of the 33rd ("Prairie") Divi-
sion, composed of former National
Guardsmen of Illinois. There were
$500 troops aboard the ship, the van
guard of the 33rd's personnel.
The heroes of the division were Cap
tain George H. Mallon of Co. E, 132d
Infantry, who lives in Kansas City,
and Sergeant Sidney G. Gumpertz, of
Chicago, the son of Mr.. and Mrs. Gus
tave Gumpertz, of 701 West 178th
Street, this city.
Captain Mallon in civil life was busi-
ness agent of Local AIT, United Asso-
citation of Plumbers, Steamfitters and
Sprinkler Filters. He has the Con-
gressional Medal of Honor, a decora
tion of the Legion of Honor and the
Croix de Guerre, all because on Sep
tember 26 last he captured q battery of
four German howtzers which were en-
flading his regiment. He started with
fifteen men, but nine were lost before
he reached the enemy.
captured 4U Germans
Forty Germans were captured by the
captain, and when one officer tried to
shoot him he responded with a we'll
directed left hook to the point of the
Germans jaw.
Gumpertz, who is sergeant in
Captain Mallon's company, won his
laurels-the Congressional Medal of
lo
Medal Militaire, highest honor France
bestows on enlisted men--in the same
action.
A machine gun nest was holding up
the l32d advance and Gumpertz with a
corporal went out to "get it," The
corporal was killed, but Gumpertz
killed two gunners and captured four
teen others. Only forty-five minutes
later the hero and two men started to
silence another machine gun nest. A
she'll killed his companions and he
made detour, stealing up on the
enemy from behind. One shot and a
gunner fell across the gun. clogging i.
so that it could not be used. Sixteen
Germans surrendered
General Bell Praises Men
The Mount Vernon also brought
Major General George Bell, jr., COM
mander of the 33d Division, and his
headquarters staff. Of his men Cen
eral Bell said:
"Wherever our division has rested
on its lourneyings, that have covered
France from west to east and into
Germany, wherever they have come
IN contact with the foe, it has been
the verdict of all-British, French,
Australians, and even the Germans
that the troops from Illinois were in
deed men in the best sence of the
word.
The conduct of the officers and
men of this division, in my opinion, is
unsurpassed by any division in the
army. The 33d has served with the
French, British and American armies,
and has at different times been in five
armies and twelve army corps. From
army commanders it has received un-
! stlnted praise for the work it has
accomplished. 1t always advanced,
never rctreated."
Illinois gave her men a splendid
welcome when they reached this port
Governor Frank O. Lowden was on
hand with his staff, and others who
were there included:
Roger c. Sullivan, Democratic leader
in the state; United States Senator
Medill Mccormick and Chief of Police
John D. Garrity, Of Chicago.
Mayor Thompson of Chicago was not
at the pier to welcome the troops. 1t
was reported he was in Atlantic CITY.