The Arvada enterprise., 1919-05-08
ITEM LEFT OUT

An interesting item was received
too late for last weeks paper, and
we give it space this week because
OF the local interest to our readers !:
"After ten months service in the
Quartermaster's corps at Camp Hol-
ahiird, Baltimore, Md, Sergt. Arthur
J. APPEL returned to his home early
Sunday morning, April eth, for a
few hours enroute to San Francisco,
Calf, where he is to receive his
discharge. A mistake in the abrev-
iations of Cal, (California) and
Col, (Colorado) had been made at
the Personnel office at Camp Hola-
bird, which called for Sergt. Apel's
discharge at the Presidio in San
Francisco, instead of Ft. d. A. Russ
fell, rs should have been for Colorado
men. Rather than wait a week
longer until correction could be
made, Sergt. APPEL preferred taking
the trip to California and being dis.
charged there.
He was accompanied to his home
by Top-Sergt. Gibson, of Portland,
who was also on his way to SsnFran-
CISCO. to receive his discharge, and
who had seen 1s months service in
this country, also Sergt. Kobel, u
distinguished war veteran, whom
Sergt. APPEL met at Washington, and
who was on his way to hs home in
Champa, New Mexico, after receiv-
ing his final discharge from the Reed
Memorial hospital, at Washington.
D. c. Sergt. Kobel had seen some
terrific fighting, having spent six
months on the firing line as a ma
chine gunner in the early months of
Americas entrance into the war,
while the lanks were under French
command, until he was severely
wounded, when a shrapnel shell
burst, tearing off his right arm.
He is fine big boy, very quiet and
unassuming. Just the kind of men
that make fearless fighters. He
would not discuss the horrible scenes
he had passed thru, nor of the great
sacrifice he had made for his coun-
try. War was a thing of the past
with him-but memory. Anxious
to start life anew. His deeds are not
of his own telling-but matter of
history.
France bestowed upon Scrgt. Ko-
bel for individual acts Of bravery
the "croix de guerre." 1t was not
until just before he left we learned
he had been SO highly honored-for
he does not wear the "croix de
euerre"--not wishing to explain or
answer the questions of the curious,
how he got it. Modesty makes him
say he doesn't know how he got it
or why. ~ths modesty of these
fighting heroes is surprising. How
ever. while waiting for his train he
was interviewed by q reporter and
the facts made known were that he
lost his arm at Fossay France in the
counter offensive Of July 18th, when
the Third Division was making its
valient stand against the Germans,
who were trying to cross the Marne
river. He was with the Eighth Ma
chine gun Battalion which stood its
ground and moved down hundreds
OF Germans As they advanced up
the historic stream. A high explo-
sive shell tore off his arm ut the 81.
bow, injured another man in the head
and killed u horse. lie was taken to
u hospital but gangrecn developed
before treatment could be provided,
and the surgeons had to amputatc
his arm ut the shoulder.
Mr.. and Mrs. Ernest APPEL had the
pleasure Of entertaining besides the
officers above mentioned, Scrgt.
John Olson,. Miss Annabellc Smith,
Mr.. and Mrs. J. F. Bachcr, Mr.. Robt.
Allen. William Hansen at a five.
course dinner.