South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-03-24
The Melting Pot
COME TAKE PorDUCK
WITH CB

Very nttingly does the United
States government award "Distin-
guished Service Crosses TO its citi-
zens for valient service. These Dis
tinguished Service Crosses CORE
correspond to the "Croix de Guerre,"
given by the French government to
its citizens for heroic deeds perform
ed on the battlefield.
Invariably those who have been
awarded the distinguished Service
Cross or the "Croix de Guerre," are
very reticent about relating the cir
cumstances that led to their receiv-
ing these badges Of honor.
The other night young fellow
modestly told OF the instance that
caused him 10 be given the great
badge OF honor by the American
government. II was only after much
questioning that he was made TO tell
how he advanced with his platoon
under a heavy German machine gun
barrage, captured an enemy trench,
and marched back, taking with him
three German prisoners. No amount
OF persuasion could induce this
young fellow 10 tell how his body
had been pierced by enemy bullets,
one going through his right leg and
the other through his hip.
Contrasted 10 the real heroes OF
the battleields OF France and Flan-
ders, however, are those native sons
OF america who, too, have been
awarded Distinguished Service
Crosses" but not for service render
ed overseas but for distinguished"
service rendered their government
at home.
Not that their service should be
will not be confused by the ordinary
citizen with those who risked their
lives is the protest raised.
For instance, a man who bought
some horses for the government
during the war has been awarded a
badge o. honor. This man lives in
South Bend and he is as proud Of
his "Croix de Guerre'' as is any
battIe-scarred hero Of any of the
French and Flanders fronts. He
wears this emblem of his great serv-
ice to his country on the left upper
corner of his vest, and wears his
thumb I'm the armhole OF the vest in
order that the badge of honor may
not by any chance be overlooked.
Then in addition 70 the horse
buyers there are a number of South
Bend lawyerswho have earned badges
of honor for distinguished service
during the war, and they wear them
in their left hand corner buttonhole
with as much pride as do the heroes
from overseas.
The wearers Of these little tokens
Of their governments esteem freely
admit that they helped those called
in the draft 10 make out their ques-
tionnaires. They say that everybody
who helped with the missionaries
is entitled to one of these little Dis
tinguished service Badges"
IF anyone doubts that the little
buttons and the badges are being
given out by Uncle Sam let him
look at the buttonhole of Capt. Bern
stein, South Bend attorney, and then
ask Capt Bernstein where he got
the button. The captain will tell
him.
Then let the doubling citizen look
at the left hand side Of DR.. Roy II.
Wolfe's vest. There he will see a
small medallion OF brass on which
is inscribed the words. United
States Forces" Above the medallion
is attached a small ribbon with three
stripes, one red, one white and one
blue.
Ask DR.. Wolfe, who is a veterinary
surgeon along with being South
Bends official milk inspector. where
he got the badge. and he will reply:
The war department gave it to
me-"
And ask him what for and he will
say:
81 bought some horses for the gov
eminent once"
CT. COOPER.