Gunnison news-champion., 1919-08-22
saw Real
FICATInc

George Ruck. who recently returned
from France. hands ~ copy Of the
ivy Leaves" paper printed with the
A. =. =, aRd containing some very in
teresting reading natter. Geo. is
the Oldest son Of Nr. an1 Nm. VIM.
Rack Of Cur. city, and has beea with
the A. E F. the past year. returning
but . week ago.
Wagoner George Rack belonged to
Company D Of tie eth EAgineers and
left for foreign service Nay lst, 1915,
arriving 1t Bordeaux. France, May
18th, 1918.
His company was in the following
big battles: Aisne, Narne Offensive,
vesle River Sector, St. Mihiel Often
sive and the famous Meuse-A -Argonne
Offensive.
George was authorized to wear the
first Gold war service chevron on
Nov. 18th, 1915 ana the second Gold
war service chevron on May 18th,
1919. He became member Of the
Army Of Occupation Nov. II. 1918,
entering Lorraine on Nov. 22nd, Lux
the 3rd Of December. George re-
msined in Germany until July 18th,
1919 and then went to Brest, France,
and sailed from there on the ship U.
S. S. Won Stepen and landed in New
York on the 29th Of July and was dis
charged on the sixth Of August. Joe
Feriill of Crested Butte was also with
George in this division.
The 4th Division was called the Ivy
Division from the green-leafed insig-
MIA on its khaki sleeves, and from the
fact that II clung to duty as steed-
lastly rs the Ivy clings to the oak. 1t
has also been called "The Lost Le-
gion," being lost in print because Of
its modesty, not wishing to have its
deeds made known. During the great
Allied Offensive Of 1T days from
July 18th to Nov. 11th, this Division
was in action 6S days and in immedi-
ate reserve for four days.
Extracts Frem The ivy Leaves."
"The 4th Division WAS relieved
September 18th. only to prepare for =
far grimmer enterprise than st.
Mihiei. II was destined in fact, to be
one of the nine American divisions,
taking part in the initial stage Of the
last and greatest struggle Of the
-Pershing's Argonne- Meuse drive
tons3sd Goaan.s This o&ansive, be-
Rinning Eept 2eth, 1010, and forming
an essential part in the vast Allied
steam roller that was ilinging the foe.
back out Of France from Flanders to
Lorraine, ended only with the armis-
tice. II was the hardest, bloodieIt,
most stupendous battle in which the
American soldiers have ever been en-
gagged"
SFrom the summit Of Hill S04, look
ing directly down in the trenches, l
had the privilege Of beholding the 4th
Divisions onslaught that memorable
morning Of Sept. 26th. The follow
ing impression below was what was
cabled the world the same days"
"Fof three hours the night air was
torn to tatters BY the sing-song
shrieking and rcnding explosives Of
shells Of all calibers fed into the guns
by sweating artillerymen. Overhead
a half spent moon gazed TRANQUILITY
down upon the flaming tumult from q
cloudless purple sky. But in the val
leys Of the Verdun countryside gray
mist clung thickly yelling and yet in
tensifying the fantastic grimness of
that frenzy of man-made DEATH"
"Ahead, lighted by our bursting
explosives, was silhouetted the range
of heights mile away, marking the
enemy line. Even had there been no
haze it would have been too dark at
$50 o'clock to see the infantry move
forward to the fray. Half an hour
later, however, when sunrise brought
warmer light, j caught weird Gimp
ses Of them. Eerie gray wraiths they
looked. swarming up out Of q sea Of
gray mist in the valley, to linger an
instant on the hill crest, then vanish
abruptly on the other side"