New-York tribune., 1919-02-14
Five Congressional Medals
Awarded to the Division
for Unusual Heroism
Three Given to the 77th
Jockport Soldier Breaks Up
German Machine Gun
Position Single Handed
By Wilbur Forrest
Netp York Tr15une
Special Gable Service

4
Special Gable Service
fcopyrisht 1919. New York Tribune Inc)
PARIS, Feb. 13-New York City will
soon have the opoprtunity of welcom-
ing home with the eth Division four
men who received the highest honor
that can be bestowed upon an Ameri-
ean soldier for extraordinary bravery.
Five Congressional medals have been
won by the division-up to now the
highest number Of the coveted honors
awarded any division in the American
army. With the three Congressional
medals awarded to members of the
nth Division. this gives New York
State a total of possibly the rec
ord held by troops from any state in
the Union.
Only one of the eight was awarded
posthumously Thomas Z. O'Shea, of
30 West Street, New York City. was
killed in action September 20 near lie
Catelet, during battle in which the
9th Division broke the Hindenburg
line. O'Shea and two other members
Of machine gun company of the 107th
acknowledgement Alan Eggers, of
461 Eighth Avenue. New York City,
and Sergeant j. c. Latham, of West
moreland, England. who joined the
regiment in New York-became sep
arated from their platoon by smoke
barrage.
Soldiers on Tank Rescued
They took refuge in a shell hole,
when they heard calls for help from
disabled American tank about fifty
yards away. Though the Intervening
space was swept by an extremely
heavy German machine gun and trench
mortar fire, all three ran to the aid Of
the tank. O'Shea fell mortaliy wound
ed, but Eggers and Latham reached
the tank, rescuing wounded officer
and two soldiers, and assisting them
to the cover Of nearby trench.
Eggers and Latham then returned to
the tank, dismounted one of the tanks
machine guns, and carried it back to
the trench. They were well advanced in
the enemy lines but used their ma
chine gun with such accurate effect
for the remainder of the day that the
enemy was unable to approach. When
darkness fell they regained the Ameri-
can line, carrying the three wounded
and the machine gun with them.
General Pershing pinned the honor
months after the deed was accom-
plished O'Sheas medal was sent to
his father in New York. All were also
recipients of the British Distinguished
Conduct Medal.
Private Frank Gafney, of Chapel
Street, Lockport. n. Y. is another
honor man. Gaffney. an automatic rifle
man with Company G, 118th Regiment,
won his badge for extraordinary hero
ism. near Ronsoy, Picardy, also on
September %. After all his compan-
IONS were either killed or wounded at
MS side Gatfney went ahead alone to
discover several Germans plac ng ma
chine guns into positions for fire upon
our infantry. Without regard for the
unequal numbers, Gaffney attacked the
entire German crew. killing them one
oy one with his rifle. He bombed out
several dugouts in the vicinity, killed
few more Germans with his pistol
and then held his ground until re
lnIorcements came up.
with the reinforcements he assisted
IN capturing eighty prisoners. Gaffney
vas later wounded and is now in a
nospltal but will have recovered suffi-
Gently when the division sails to be
able to accompany it.
Sergeant Reider Waller. of New York
city and Christiania, Norway, who
9oined the New York National Guard
IN New York City while a Norwegian
SUBJECT, returns to New York as an
tamerlcan t:ntI. citizen, wearing Americas
highest distinction for bravery, the fifth
Congressional honor medal held by the
New York divisions. Waalcr signed his
ytizenshlp papers q short time apo, lust
medal on him. ''''' '''~
Cra"led Into Blazing Tank
,ol.le Waaler is member Of Company A,
Iootn Machine Gun Battalion. Early
on the morning Of September ~. =
brush tank passed through the posi-
uon held ny Waalers platoon and
ssf1ck a mine 200 yards beyond. The
explosion lgnlted the tanks oil sup
piy and soon the tank was q blazing
mass. The tank was filed with am
muhitlon which promised to explode
a' any moment. Waller called Tor
soiunteers 10 help him rescue those
a. ~ the tank, but the others. thinking
we rescue useless, allowed Waalcr to
crawl out alone
me enSny was concentrating its
IRE on the blazing tank from the
nihpen0urg line beyond bur Waller
succeeded in reaching the tank and.
easerng 1t. he brodght out wound
~ lieutenant and two men. On rean-
essrinE the tank his clothing caught
IRE, nlt but he satisfied himself that all
''ners Of the tanks crew were dead.
Later he forced German prisoners to
sssslst sst him in carrying the wounded
eacA to safety. The Intensity Of the
IRE IN the vicinity Of the tank may
oe demonstrated By the fact that
very fourth man in Waalor's machine
gun company was either killed or
wounded.
len u. S. Army Men Get