The mirror., 1919-12-18

lfN.NlT has been customary for
| lN|D2S88QNN time immemorial to award
lVS@MA0sl some tangible symbol OF
lHrNESH bravery and heroism. 1t is
u 9 done in the ordinary course
of affairs for some extraordinary feat
or achievement which has been ac-
complished and philanthropists have
subscribed large sums of money to pro-
cure medals or other evidences of
brave deeds so that those who risk
life and limb for some just cause or
to rescue someone from danger may
be rewarded for their courage. HUI
man nature seems to respond in that
way in the recognition of unusually
conspicuous meritorious conduct. 1t
finds expression with equal readiness,
whether the heroism is in the walks
of life where the general public is
benefited or in private affairs where
the benefit may be an individual.
| The high conception of the pur-
pose of such rewards is fully main
tanned in its application to deeds of
heroism and sacrifice in the great
conflict just ended. Hundreds of our
boys are receiving medals from other
countries as we'll as our own and the
brotherhood of man has never been
shown to such an extent as in the
deeds which have merited these re-
wards.
/ The fearlessness of our boys
amazed the officers of the other coun-
tries, not because there were not
brave men among their own soldiers
but because these fresh young patriots
from America were not tired like
their own men, but eager and ready
for the fray at any time. They
fought side dy side with the British,
French and Italians and their never
say-die spirit encouraged these men
who for three years had fought many
times with their backs against the
wall. The horde of young Ameri-
cans who came 5000 miles to help
break the lines of the Huns and who
hesitated at nothing until the COB, "
as they called it, was finished gave
them new courage and they de-
lighted to honor them with medals
for their brave acts.
| Of course, of the foreign honor
medals England's Victoria Cross was
the most coveted and even before
the United States entered the war so
many of our men had fought both in
the British and Canadian army and
shown such great bravery that many
of them had been decorated.
The Victoria Cross was instituted
in 1856; the Distinguished Service
Order in 1886; the Military Gross
on January 1st, 1915. The Distin-
guished Conduct Medal in 1854 and
the Military Medal in April, 1916.
The Victory Cross is conferred for
military or naval service of unique
valor or for personal bravery of an
unusual degree. If given to an Eng
lishman or colonist it carries with it
and implies right to pension and by
British law may never be taken from
| the recipient under any condition
whatever. There is but one class of
this medal but when conferred upon a
naval man it has blue ribbon while
when given to the Army it hangs
from a purple ribbon. In former
wars only 1872 in all were given out.
| During the present war a much lar
ger number were awarded for never
in the history of the world have men
shown such acts of bravery and the
achievements of soldiers in all for
mer wars were completely over
shadowed. The Victoria Cross is
given to both officers and privates.
The Croix de Guerre of France
was established on April 9th, 1915.
There are four classes of this, the
first one being for mention in regi-
mental orders and for each subse-
quent citation is added a star, or a
wreath for air service.
| Major General John A. Lejune,
the popular commander of the Second
Division of the Marine Corps, re-
ceived this medal, the presentation
being made after the armistice was
signed, at Leutesdorf, Germany.
The Order of the Crown of Italy
was founded in 1868 by King Victor
Emmanuel of Italy. 1t is of five
classes and may be awarded for any
distinguished service to the nation in
war or peace. 1t has been conferred
upon several Americans.
| The Italian Military Medal, an
award brought about by the recent
war, was recently sent to the mothers
of the first two Americans whose
were killed. The Italian military
bravery deserved it. Both were
killed. The Italian military at