Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1919-02-13
M'NULTYS'DEEDS
win Them fame
Though Not Related, They Edge
Their Way Into Hall
of Fame.
LIVES ARE NEARLY PARALLEL
Coming From Extremes Of Continent,
and Entering Marine Corps, They
Distinguish Themselves by
Remarkable Deeds Of Valor.

WaShingtOn.-WhafS In the name
McNulty?
The encyclopedia is silent concern
ing its origin, but two marines Of that
name, who probably did not even know
one another had lives that were near
ly parallel to one another, and both
distinguished themselves as heroes on
the battletieds of France. Which Is
indicative that the same fighting blood
courses in the veins of these McNultys
from an ancestry that was dOubtlessly
Irish.
Their names We're nearly alike
Thomas John McNulty and John Nc
Nuty hey We're both III the be-
ginning of their forties-they were
both in the marine corps-they were
both first sr"-rants-and both had
seen 10 years of service under the
Stars and Stripes. Moreover, both
fought in the same battles in France
and both were seriously wounded.
And the clmactic result of this strange
parallel was that both distinguished
themselves as heroes almost ut the
same time. John was awarded the
distinguished service cross and Thom-
as was cited for distinguished service.
Parallel Ceases.
But here the. parallel ceases and
things begin to take opposites. Thom-
as John enlisted In San Francisco. and
it was at the other side of the conti-
nent-Norfolk, Va.-that John enlist
ed. Thomas John was born in Amer
lea and John in England Thomas
John was first sergeant of the Sixty
sixth company Of marines and John
was the first sergeant of the Seventy
seventh company. And finally John
had been with the United States army
during the greater part of his 10 years
military service, while Thomas John
had put his 10 years entirely into the
marine corps.
1t was in the marines great fight
at Beleau Wood that First Sergt.
Thomas John McNulty won his fame
and subsequent citation. He led his
company of men in daring charge
across field of popples against Bel
leau Wood, whence German machine
guns poured death into their midst.
His grim shouts of encouragement
cheered them on to victory until his
voice was silenced by lead and he fell
seriously wounded amid the blossoms.
But his was hardihood that could
not die by any sudden means. Upon
his recovery he joined a replacement
battalion and was in the heat Of sub
sequent battles up to the time the
armistice went into effect. He has a
father, Patrick McNulty, living at No.
1913 Bennett street. Scranton, Pa.
Extraordinary Heroisn.
First Sergt John McNulty was
awarded his cross for extraordinary
heroism in the fighting between Blanc
Mont and Saint Etienne. Under a
heavy artillery and machine-gun fire
that rolled forward with n German
counter-attack he stuck by his machine
gun. Every man of his gun crew was
shot down beside him, but he stuck.
Shot after shot burrowed its way into
his vitals, but still he stuck to his ma
chine gun with tenacity that could
only be broken with death and re-
gard that he did not have for his life.
1t was at moment when it seemed
that his iron power of will was soon
to have no living body to direct that
the German attack was beaten off, and
First Sergeant McNulty laid his head
! on the ground exhausted Even then
he stuck by his gun, and 1t was only
when ordered to the rear by his COM
manding officer that he finally retired.
"He was an inspiring example to his
men," according to memoranda in con-
nection with his being awarded the
distinguished service cross.
His mother is Mrs. Jane A. Wilson,
who lives at No. As Dashwood street,
II