New-York tribune., 1919-03-12
Army's Youngest
Captain Won his
Spurs With 9th
Walter W. Slayton, 2l, of
Rochester, Earned British
Medal on Hindenburg
Line; Praises City's Boys

CAMP MILLS, March 11.-This, by
way of introducing Captain Walter w.
Slayton, said to be the youngest Off
Ger of his rank in the entire American
army:
Walter W. slayton, of Rochester,
Company NJ, 1o5th Infantry, 27th Divi-
sion, U. S. A, went into the war 2
humble private and came back can
tain. Moreover. he brought with him
the coveted British Military Cross and
a citation from British General Head
quarters, and all at the age of TWENTY
one.
Captain Slayton celebrated his twcn-
ty-tirst birthday recently. He is the
youngest captain in the 27th Division.
and his brother officers declare he IS
the youngest officer of his rank in the
entire American army. Captain Slay-
ton is blue-eycd, ruddy faced, stocky
and modest. Seated in Company NJ
barracks, the 105th headquarters. to-
day, he told the story of his rise and
the winning of the British medal. fol-
lowing fighting on the Hindcnburg line
during which he led his company, all
though only a second lieutenant at the
time.
"There is not bit of credit due me-.
he said "Its all the men. I can't
say too much for them | enlisted in
June, 1916 in the old Sd Infantry. up
in Rochester. | saw service on the
border and then when we were called
out for the big scrap | went to Wads-
worth. l was made a sergeant March
80, 1918, then went to the officers
training school and on to France.
81 was in Belgium when | got my
second licutenant's commission, and
was assigned to Company NJ. of the
looth. Before | met those men | used
to think the upstate boys had it on
your New York CitJ lads. but must
admit now that New York City bows are
there. can't say too much for their
spirit
Il might talk about Major STANLEY
bulkely, who lead the battalion, and
who though shot in the head fought
with us for five hours until he col
lapsed' lie got the British Military
gross Tor ms work. My captain was
away at school and the first Lieutenant
was killed, so led Company NJ on
those two days of hell on the Hinden-
Durs line. When we came out of that
action | only had nine men left
"k-I-L-M, We Did"
There was funny incident about
the Third Battalion. Our companies
marched in the order K-1-L-M and we
did XIII en-"
Slayton got his first licutcnacv Oc-
tober 20. On January "a came bull
letln from British general headquar-
ters citing hlm for gallantry and CON
1crrIng on hlm "by order of the King,
the British Military Cross. The eta
tlon read:
During operations against the Hin
denburg line, east of Ronssov. Scn-
tember 29, 1918, Lieutenant W. "
Slayton exhibited great dash and qal-
lantry IN personally conducting patrols
against several machine gun nests OF
the enemy and succeeding in putting
them out OF action with bombs Dur
ing. the entire engagement this Off
GERS courage and bravery set a fno
example to his comrades.'
hen on February 10 came word that
Nlayton had been made a captain.
AS for this British medafS ,''li, cnn+;r
ued Captain Slayton, 81 don't doser"o g,n
any credit for that. It's all in tbe
days routine. You do somotbinfr ana
superior sees you. That's all ''iN
'But I'm glad about it for mo+bor,s
sake went home SATURDAY. vo'' "
know, and saw her for the frst t;,oa 0'
since we've been back. '''''0
She was so happy She cried fon
half an hour Ou -oi