Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1919-04-10
N, L. HOWELL. FORMER IOWA
EDUCATOR AWARDED
FRENCH HoNoRs.
CITED FOR BRAVERY
AND DEVOTION TO DUTY
Familiarity With German Positions
and information Furnished 10 French
Army Officers Brings Reward FOR
Services Rendsrsd-Howsil Now At
Camp Sherman, o.

Camp Sherman, o., April l0.-"For
bravery, remarkable devotion under
trying circumstances and for spirited
effort" Is the translation from the
French of the citation for the Croix
de Guerre, received by Mr.. NJ. LIZ How :
ell, now engaged in ~" work at the
educational department at the base
hospital. Mr.. Howell is well known in
central Iowa and is prominent in edu-
catlonal circles in his home state.
Mr. Howell left this country for
France, March 3, 1918. an director for
~" work in the French service.
Shortly after his arrival, April II, he
Vas attached TO the Eighth French
army at Champeniau. ~" huts, as
they are called in this country. are
known as Foyer du Soldat., in
France, Mr.. Howell wss occupied in
the capacity of worker at this
Foyer" Until October he rendered
service with the Fourth, Third and
Tenth French army corps.
Knew the Front.
During this period Mr.. Howell. by
making several trips TO the front lines
and several dugouts, became familiar
With the lay of the land, not only oil
Champleniau. but of the whole sector.
q Lieutenant Montgomery, Sixth divi-
sion, l.. $. A. was sent by General
Pershing to reconnoiter the sector at
Laitre- Sous Amans. Colonel Degre,
commanding the Ninety fourth French
regiment, was stationed here also. The
lieutenant had no knowledge OF
French nor could the colonel talk Eng
lish, and Mr.. Howell acted as inter-
prefer in liaison work.
1t was Lieutenant Montgomery s
mission to get all the information
possible about the terrain of this sec
tor and more SO, of the enemy ter
rain. Information of all kinds was
especially valuable as 1t was TO DE
used in making preparations for the
attack to follow the st Mihiel often
sive
Use Howell as Guide.
The colonel requested Mr.. Howell to
show the lieutenant the front. AS has
been mentioned. Mr.. Howell was well
acquainted with the front trenches
and dugouts. az n result of caring for
the needs of the soldiers there The
officer and Mr.. Howell started on their
expedition at dayoreak AS they were
approaching the enemy position, MT.
Howell pointed out to the officer the
wires. trenches. dugoCs. etc. on the
allied side Of the line. Arriving at
Brin. n town once occupied by 5000
inhabitants, but now nothing but a
debris Of buildings, as result of Ger
man bombarding. the two went thru a
communication trench Il mile long. in
heavy rain. The rain was welcome.
too, rs it prevented the enemy from
getting sight Of them. Their objective
was n bridge. where they could get a
clear view Of the enemy territory.
Seeking every available means Of
shelter and conceament they hid in
the ruins of the town. gradually crawl
ing toward the bridge. They finally
came to a hillside where, slowly crawl
ing on hands and knees. they advanc-
ed to their objective. This bridge was
under special guard Of the enemy. as
It was the only point to cross branch
of the Moselle River. It was in plain
view OF the enemy. and If the two men
were detected it meant sure death.
Make Valuable Sketches.
1t was at this spot. in sight of enemy
artillery and machine guns. that the
lieutenant and Mr.. Howell made
sketches of the enemy terrain-obtain-
ing the information Of the officers
mission. These sketches furnished
the necessary knowledge for laying
out the plans of our artillery and the
location OF the place for our tanks
advance. Besides making the sketches.
these two men got the range of enemy
machine gun nests. Mr. Howell saw
three Of them.
Having accomplished their mission,
they proceeded to their starting point
taking as much precaution in their
return AS their start. With good luck
and skill they reached their point Of
departure at 3 o'clock in the after
noon.
All the work was done in broad
daylight and this was the reason for
the citation of the CroiX de Guerre.
complimented by Pershing.
After the lob was finished Mr..