The commercial. (Union City, Tenn.) 190?-193?, 1919-01-03
Gallant Soldiers.

the Champs Elyoee and the sun
breaking thru the mi2ts fell on that
wonderful and magnificent monu-
ment of former French victories,
lie Arc de Triomph." At its base
workmen were clearing away the
boarding and the sacks of sand that
protected the beautiful sculptures,
for their need was no more, the
| threatened danger was over, the foe
routed and crushed in humiliation.
Surely" I thought, 'this scene is
| typical Of this great nation, never
| before so great as in it's days and
nights of trial-the mists are rolling
away, the sun shines forth ON it's
trophies of victory as its people tear
| down the hidoous defenscs that war
made necessary, end the nation tri-
umphant stands out in it's natural
beauty"
And what could be more appro-
pirate than that just at this hour a
detachment of American troops, with
Old Glory flying and smart military
| band at their head, should swing by
this majestic monument and into the
Bots de Boulogne where, drawn up
| in parade, two khaki-clad warriors
stood forth, major and private,
and there, es the sun shown thru
the mists and Illuminated the newly
disclosed decorations of the emblem
of France, so were these two men
decorated for exceptional bravery in
action while the martial strains of
The Star Spangled Banner rang tri-
umphant thru the air.
say appropriate" for did not our
| troops land in an hour of darkness
though not of despair, because these
| heroes of France knew no despair,
and as, side by side, the French and
Americans fought their way thru
the darkness, so the sun shone on
| the decorations of their victories.
have fought, bled and conquered side
| by side may be still comrades thru
the happier days of peace.
AS America can proudly hold up
her head for the record her hastily
levied troops have made on the
bloody fields of battle, SC also has
she no need to blush for the appear
ance and action of our mon on pa
rade. The decoration drill was pre-
coded at headquarters by the pre-
sentation of the Colors" to the ea-
cortland as the representative Of
the Salvation Army, present by in
vitation of the American Military
Headquarters, stood and talked to a
smart French officer, he was elated
at the praise lavished by this officer
on the Americans-their physique,
their bearing, the perfection of their
drill-all ELECTED his praise. And
how his eyes shone as he, loyal son
of France, saluted Old Glory as our
flag was borne past him. Never
doubt that in the heart of every
French citizen is the deepest graft
tude to the nation that stood by their
side in the hour of their dire3t need.
Before the decorations were pin
ned on the breasts of the two men by
Commanding General Hart, the cita-
tions were read by First Lieut.. Jen-
nings, secretary to the general, and
are as follows:
Major r. K. Whitson, 26th Inf
when his major was killed near
Scissors, Franco, 10Th of July, 1918,
he took command of his battalion
and, although wounded, led it for
word for the succeeding three days
to it's final objective, and, although |
wounded again, refused to be cvacu- |
ated until he had directed the con-
solidation of his posisition
Private Albert M. Hauss, LIST Com
pany, 28th Inf-For extraordinary
heroism in action near Scissors,
France, 10Th of July, 1918, with the
aid of two men he charged and cap
tured a machine gun.
And SO are added to the long and
glorious list of our national heroes
the names of Major r. X. Whitson
and Private Albert M. Hauss. God
grant that their records in war be
undiminishcd and untarnished in the
days of peace.
Paris, March 25, 1918.