Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1919-03-05
WHO SAVED PARIS
BY SGT. Johnson
Madison Township Boy With the
Regular Army in Germany in
Letter to Us Tells About
Who Saved Paris
WAS SECOND DIVISION
OF THE REGULAR ARMY
This is the Division to Which SeRgt.
Johnson Belongs and He Says
He is Proud Of It
Bendorf, Germany
Feb q 101Q

Bendorf, Germany
". ...-... a..t Feb. q, 1919. ~
To My Friends of Winneshiek:
Dear Editor:-I will write about
some of our battles of Chauteau
Thierry, and let you know who saw
ed Paris. During the high tide Of the
German advance a certain division
was rushed in trucks around the out
skirts Of Paris and along the road
OF Chateau Thierry. Passing through
the town Of MeauX we began to meet
refugees crOwding the roads, and the
French territorials, who had been
giving away slowly, but steadily.
This division was thrown into the
gap on June 1st, directly across the
Paris and Metz highway, where the
Germans were nearest to Paris. This
was the second division, in which 7
have always been, and proud of 1t.
The Second Division is of the Regu-
Lar army troops, consisting Of the
Fifth and Sixth Marines, who are
fighting devils" and the Fighting
9th Infantry and 23d Infantry Regi-
ments. And this is the division par
excellence in the eyes of the French,
land some think it is the best division
in any army in the field. Without
any artillery at first and no food ex-
cept the emergency rations We stop
ped the Boche completely and held
there all through June. And after
this first day other divisions came up
and strengthened the lines, they can
truthfully say that they were at
Chateau Thierry, and get away with
I,it,y yRut the ere .hat actually saved
Paris, in the darkest hour, smashing
into Hindenburg's best troops and
fighting in the real American way
for the first time, and in the open
threw back superior numbers of the
enemy and held them there. This
was the Second Division. And to
celebrate this almost unbelievable
achievement half of them paraded in
Paris ON the Fourth of July amidst
the widest enthusiasm of the popu.
lace for these battle-scarred heroes
parading in full kit, tin hat and al.
with the dash and swagger typical
of the United States regular.
l celebrated the Fourth Of July in
a hospital in big city called Dillon.
France. Now this letter Is but
straight facts and official records
will show it to be true, and for fur
ther information write to General
March, U. S. Army, and he Will tell
you more about the Second Division.
Fortunately in this war there was
glory enough for all Of US. There
are four divisions that stand out
prominently for their splendid
valorious records. These are the
First and Second Regulars. the AID
Rainbow and the New England boys,
the 26th Division. These are all
veterans, shock troops, and quite the
flower of our army. But the one
above all that the French wiz long
remember with the deepest love and
respect, and that is the Second Div
ision.
| Well I have written about enough
for this time, and so think I had bet
ter close for this time. We are hav-
ing nice weather here in Germany.
I never thought would be here a
year ago, but lots Of things change
! in a year, so I hope nothing more
changes until I get home again.
| Yours truly,
| Sgt. CLARENCE c. JOHNSON.
Co. I. 9th Inf.
A. P. O. Box TO, U. S. Army.
p. S.-I send many thanks to you
for sending me the paper last year
and I will enclose a check in tho
next letter to continue the Public
| Opinion.