The Natchitoches enterprise., 1919-02-13
Honorable Mention

Attic insistance of many friend.
who. besides the personal interest
feel that, as a Natchltoches boy
ne has reflected honor usor ii.
home town, rhe following ltltei
to Captain H.. Z. Breazrale from
Brigadier-GeneraI j. p. O'Nyi!.
commanding the Goth Division, i,
published
HEADQUARTERS (OKLAHoMA) Brigade.
AMERICAN ExPEDrrIoNARY FoRCEA.
JANUARY 1, 1919.
You have been chosen as part of the
Army of Occupation. You occupy
portion of Prussia, which once boastec
its soldiers were the finest in the world.
You have been chosen to show the
German people what the American Sol
der is and what every soldier should
be. You were chosen for this homo,
because you unfailingly displayed the
highest qualities which a soldier can
possess, and in doing this you have
helped to make the reputation Of the
goth Division.
The 2Sth Division-"The Kaiser's
Favorite." the 9th Division, the goth
Division, the 117th Division, the 41st
Division, the 5th Bavarian Division of
the famous German Army, you have
met, beaten and taken prisoners from
their ranks. The names of Boise de
Friere, Vilcey-sur-P reny. Forest des
Vencheres, Bots DIES Rappes and Soule-
uverefme, in the St. Mihiel sector, and
of B%antheville, Bourrut and the Aim
creville road, Hallss, Villefranche,
Wiseppe and the ruined bridge at Sas-
sey, north of the Argonne, and lastly
Ballon and ~Stenay-all these recall the
merit Of your achievements.
In your first assault of September
18th. you attained every objective. In
spite OF every possible obstacle, both
natural and artificial, you progressed.
Counter attacks by superior forces never
checked your advance. Finally inthe
raids of September 23rd. and 26th. you
penetrated the famous Hindenbuig
Line; winning the special commem-
dalton of the Commanding General of
the 4th. Corps. In the Argonne Sector
you again won the praise from the
Commanding General Of the 3rd. Corps
and also from the Commanding General
Of the LIST. Army for the capture Of
Bantheville and the heights north Of
the place, a feat which had thrice been
attempted by others without success.
Again on November 10th, after a
night march of fifteen miles, you at
tackled: Advancing across country
swept by machine gun and artillery fire
you entered the towns of Baalon ard
Stenay, the very spot from which the
Crown Prince in the height of his pow
er directed the attack on Verdun. To
halt your advance the enemy threw in
last division; it was beaten.
Not only did you gain every objective
against which you were launched, not
only did you exploit every success to
the limit allowed. but every foot of
ground you took you hele, under fire
from front, flank and rear, shelled
with high explosives and gas, machine
gunned and bombed by aircraft, wheth-
at Los HUT Chemins, Bots de Rappes,
Hill 2l0, or the Aincreviile road, you
held and improved your positions.
The Division Is you know was rs days
under fire without relief (other than
change of sector); of that time you
held the front line alone for 10 days
and at least half Of the divisional sec
tor for 81 days more. This, despite
the fact that you led the attack in enc
major offensive, and executed 6 OF the
severe minor operations undertaken BY
the division, not to mention the pursuit
thru Bois de Halles to the Mouse and
the attack on Stenay.
Courage and fighting ability are not,
however. the only qualities demanded
the soldier. Equally admirable is that
and courteous behavior to-
ward the civilian population. particu-
larly women and children, whether of
friend or foe, which retains the friend |
If Allies, and breaks down tie
hatred Of the foe. Amongs t the people
# France you were well beloved and
,ften the people of the towns were
heard to say, ''these men will fight
veil. the Americans are indeed a great
.,ation," while the population of the
conquered territory have nothing but
'raise for the men who have conquered
hem.
What the New Year will bring we
now not. Whether we shall shortly
eturn to take up the battle of indus
~, or whether we shall again be called
lpon to defeat the forces of tyranny or
we cannot tell. Whatever
be event, l await it with my Brigade
4 perfect confidence.
J.P. O'NEIL,
Brigadier-G General, Commanding.