The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-06-17
COL. BACH, FORMER
PRIVATE, Is CITED
Recruiting Officers Point to
His Rise as Example to
Couptry's Youth.
CITATION POSTED HERE
Chief of Staff Of Fourth Divi-
sion Was Clerk When He
Joined the Army.

The recent announcement by the War
Department OF the award by Gen. Per-
shing OF the Distinguished Service Medal
to Col Christian A Bach. formerly Chief
Of Stan OF the Fourth Division. was used
yesterday by Gen. Wilbur Il Wilder and
other army officials in charge OF the re-
cruiting drive in the New York district
for Americas new peace army.
A copy Of the official citation that &C
companied the award to Col Bach was
posted at recruiting headquarters and I'M
decided but interested men were referred
TO Il and TO the Coioners record as
proof OF what service In the army will
do for men who approach tho PROPOSE
ton in the right spirit and with a de-
termination to advance.
Col. Bach began his military career
in the ranks of the Minnesota National
Guard in 1898 and the citation that
brought with It the d. g. NJ. reads as
follows:
For exceptionally meritorious and
distinguished services. As Chief OF Stan
OF the Fourth Division since its organiza-
tion he has performd his duties with the
utmost loyalty. excellent Judgment and
tireless energy during the training pc
Rod and In actual combat. To his en-
ergy and military ability is due. in
no small degree, the excellent record OF
his division in tina lighting on the vesle
River and during the Meuse-Arsonne Of
fensive"
BY his application and devotion to
duty after enlisting in an infantry unit
OF the Minnesota National Guard Bach.
who was clerk at the time of his en-
listment, soon became a non-commis-
stoned officer and in 1899 was made a
First Lieutenant. Bach made such good
uoe OF his opportunities for study that at
the end Of the Spanish war when his
regiment was mustered out he was hon
orably discharged and then commits
stoned a Second Lieutenant in the Reg
ular Army.
He transferred from the infantry TO
the cavalry for scout service in the
Philippines and found time in the inter-
walls to graduate from the Army School
OF the Line at Fort Leavenworth. The
outbreak OF the present war found him
with the rank OF Captain in command
Of a training company In the First Re
serve Officers Training Camp at Fort
Sheridan. By the time the second camp
closed he was a Lieutenant Colonel and
won his silver eagles when he was APP
pointed Chief of Stan OF the Fourth d.
vision when that command went over
seas.
One OF the officers at Recruiting Head
quarters, 4s1 Eighth avenue. speaking OF
Col. Bach's rapid advancement as an IL
lustrat ton Of what the army can do for
an ambitious, determined man. said:
'I knew Col Bach at Fort Sheridan.
He was a Captain then and he was a
revelation to me. He was a mine Of
Information. an encyclopedia of facts, an
authority on everything on which he
spoke. He knew what he talked about
He knew what to do. AS an illustra-
ton. he was the best authority on die
tetics I ever knew. Why? Because
part OF his course was through the
Bakers and Cooks School. He delivered
a short talk one day on the Messing
OF Troops that was so completely the
last word on the subject that II was
printed and used as a text book in the
second camp.
The opportunities that Col Bach
found have been multiplied many times
The educational course has been ex-
banded and vocational training added
and the achievements he has won are
within the reach OF any young man who
has character and determination. The
diversified activities OF the army and
the wide field II covers offer equal
chances to the youth who would be a
wireless operator. surveyor. electrician,
photographer. gas engine expert or any
thing else toward which his talent in
clines"