The Grenada sentinel. [volume] (Grenada, Miss.) 1868-1955, 1919-08-01
SOLDIER SAYS JOHNSTON
SYMPATHETIC OFFICER
Takes Pack of Sick Soldier On His
Own Back
A SPLENDID TRIBUTE WHICH
SHOWS THE TRUE HEART OF
THE NAN.

The following letter from Sergeant
Clark r. Gross, of the Tank Corps,
United States Army, in reference to
the military service of Lieut.. Oscar
Johnston. is self explanatory:
Mr. o Prude Jr., Secretary,
Johnston Campaign Headquarters,
Jackson, Miss.
Dear Sir:
/ have your recent communication
in which you state that certain politi-
cal enemies of Hon. Oscar Johnston
are circulating report to the effect
that as a commissioned officer in the
Tank Corps Mr. Johnston was notscon
siderate of the welfare of his COM
smand, or that he was not a popular
officA..,;th his men. | note your re-
Dues r,, re yqp frankly regard
ing the~ III Fads statement.
1t gives mo pleasure to re-
ply and to characterize any such
rumor as slander pure and simple.
Mr.. Johnston came into the Tank
Corps as private soldier, perform
ing the usual duties of private SOL
der for some four or five months,
during a part of which time he was to
some extent under my supervision,
being at that time sergeant. Later
on Mr.. Johnston was commissioned
and assigned to the 33rd Light Tank
Battalion which was being organized
l was also assigned to this battalion
with the grade of sergeant, and was
therefore directly under Mr.. john
ston's command continually until we
were mustered out, and can say with
absolute ltruthfulness that there was
no officer in the Tank Corps more
highly regarded by the men Of his
command nor who had a warmer place
in the affections Of his men than did
Mr.. Johnston. Mr.. Johnston was not
only a capable officer, but was with
If q gentleman, considerate at all
times of the feelings of the enlisted
men and solicitous Of the welfare OF
the Company. To illustrate this, re-
late. one of e number of instances.
On one night in December we afriVea
in Camp Dix, New Jersey. after md
night in a drizZling rain and had TO
march five miles to rea>fl the place
where we had been assigned quarters.
Shortly after we had set out on this
march, one Of the men IN our COM
pany. who had recently recovered
from an attack of flu, showed signs Oh
giving down when Lieut.. Johnston
promptly took the mans pack ana
carried it, together with ms own nav
ersack. the balance or the march.
Such acts as this won for Mr.. John-
ston the warm friendship Of every
man in Company b.
When our company was music red
ont. so warm a personal feeling ex-
listed that the officers and men per
fected permanent organization. VI
this organization I was elected secre-
tary. and as such am In constant
touch with the men of the company,
all of whom have been interested
and delighted to know that Mr.. John.
ston is a candidate for the office or
governor of Mississippi, and all join
me in the very sincere wish that ne
nav be successful. We only wish that
we might be permitted to cast vote
in this election for man whom we
know not only as our officer but also
is our personal friend.
With kindest regards, and with best
wishes for Mr. Johnston from the
BOWS of Company B, 399th T c. am
Yours truly,
CLARK F. GROSS,
Sergeant Co. B, 399th Bn. I. c.