The mirror., 1919-12-18
DECORATIONS OF WAR FOR VALOR
How Each Nation Decoraes its Men for Bravery War
The Valor of Our Boys
The International Syndicate.

tache in Washington made the pre-
sentation; the two women receiving
the medals were Mrs. James Cum
rnings Barr, of New York, and
Mrs. William Davenport Platt, of
Baltimore.
Belgium has a medal for meritor-
ious service for the present war. 1t
was instituted by King Albert in
1915, and is known as the Belgium
Cross de Guerre. This, like the
Italian decoration has been won by
a few Americans.
Sergeant Ruth Farnan, an Eng
lish woman, the first one to hold
command in the Serbian Army, has
been decorated with the Order of
Karagorge, founded in 1904 by King
Peter of Serbia. 1t is conferred with
a sword for specially notorious SER
vice in the Serbian Army. 1t is
especially beautiful, being made of
gold and enamel and hung with red
ribbon. This lady also received two
lesser decorations for bravery under
fire.
| Naturally every country has its re-
ward for merit for brave deeds done
in war and our own country has its
United States Distinguished Service
Gross for extraordinary heroism- the
most coveted of all decorations by our
boys. This may be given to men of
all ranks. A private in the perform
ance of his duties as runner was
obliged to travel over a road which
was under constant and heavy shell
fire, but he succeeded in delivering
message to his commanding officer,
which enabled the latter to so place
his guns that direct fire, was made.
A major general in utter disregard
for danger was such an inspiring ex-
ample to his men that it resulted in
the crossing of the Aire and the cap
ture of Grand Pre- and St. Juvin.
Both men received the United States
Distinguished Service Cross.
Almost every day the United
States Official Bulletin published by
the government chronicles the bravery
of men who are named by General
Pershing to receive this honor. They
come from no special part of the
country and their addresses show
that the men from California and
New York, and the ones from Min
nesota and Florida, have all given
wonderful exhibition of bravery.
They are officers and privates and Y.
NJ. G. A. and Knights of Columbus
men all doing their duty fearlessly.
The two latter in many instances
helped to rearganize stretcher bearers
after the greater part of their COM
panies had been killed and in this
way saved many lives. 1t seems to
have been the chief delight of the
Huns to bomb Red Gross hospitals and
roads over which the wounded were
compelled to pass. A recital of the
brave deeds of our boys would fill vol
umes, and it is hoped that when all
the awards are made that they will
be published so that all may read how
these young men of all classes and
conditions went forth to clear the
world of militarism and although
many lost their lives in so doing, how
admirably they succeeded.
The first woman to win the Amer
ican Army Distinguished Service
Medal was Miss Beatrice MacDon-
aid of the Reserve Nurse Corps, who
was seriously wounded while re-
naming at her post with wounded
men at British Casualty Station dur
ing German air raid. Miss Mac
Donald lost one of her eyes through
her devotion to her patients. Secre-
tary Baker made the presentation to
| the fearless nurse at the War Depart
| ment in Washington.
Recently number of civilians have
been given medals for the part they
have taken in furnishing the sinews
of war. Among them is Edward r.
Stettinius.
The four medals given by the Uni
ted States which are most coveted by
the men are known under four names.
lOf course, there are various medals
for sharpshooting, Workmanship, ETC.,
but the four shown are the "real"
honors from the Government.
The Distinguished Service Cross is
bronze Maltese cross with rounded
knobs on the end. In the center there
is an eagle with outstretched wings,
and just below it the words, "For
Valor" are engraved. 1t is also hung
from red, white and blue ribbon
the blue being in the center and bear
ing a bronze oak leaf.
The Distinguished Service Medal
is a wreath of blue enamel, which
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