New-York tribune., 1919-03-24

original position on the outer edge of
the oval.
Major General Barry stepped for
ward when the men came to attention
and delivered an address that was as
brief as it was impressive. He said:
SIT goes without saying, and history
confirms it, that officers and enlisted
men OF the American army are gallant
and intrepid in action at all times. and
therefore, to be clearly entitled to the
distinction awarded, one must 20 be-
yond the usual acts expected of Ameri
can soldiers, and the bestowal of such
honors upon you means that you arc
distinguished and marked above YOUR
comrades, who are especially noted for
such characteristics.
Highest Distinction Possible
"There is no distinction that can be
conferred upon the American soldier
that exceeds the distinction thus con-
ferred upon you, when fully merited.
as in your cases. 1t seems needless for
me to remind you that the honors time
conferred upon you carry the respon-
sibility that from now on you must
maintain in peace and war such stand
ards Of personal and official conduct
that no blot may ever come to the dis
tlnctlon you have gained.
With all others in your state and
country. glory in your great achieve
ments IN war, and ! know it must be
great satisfaction to you all to have
these honors conferred upon vou at
nome and in the presence of your
mothers, wives, sweethearts and
friends.
II know it will be great honor to
have the crosses pinned upon YOU by
the distinguished commander who led
you most efficiently in all your battles
over there, and therefore ask General
O'Ryan, as your names are called. to so
honor you and himself"
The commander of the division
stepped forward and, with but word
OF greeting to the men, began pinning
the decorations upon their breasts.
with each D. S. c. went hearty hand
clasp that made even these veterans of
Flanders fields vince.
When General O'Ryan had pinned
the last cross upon the last khaki coat
in the line Major p. II. Cheffaud, oe
the 296th French Infantry, represent
ing the French republic, stepped for
ward to present the medals of bis own
government.
The first was pinned upon the coat
Of Private Gallagher, who blushed and
seemed surprised when the trim French
officer failed to imprint kiss upon his
cheeks, as he had been told was the
practice. Instead his hand was grasped
in much the same manner as had his
comrades who received American hon
ors.
Second Lieutenant Gilmore was the
second member of the division named
for the French Cross, but his inability
to be present made it necessary for
the emblem to be returned to Major
General Organ for bestownl later.
The third bronze was delivered to the
brother Of Private Ressner, who, in
civilian clothes, stood at the end Of
the line.
Honor Men Review Troops
Then came the review of the bat
talon by the men. This Is the only
occasion upon which privates may re-
view troops--another evidence Of the
desire Of the army to do honor to the
men who had served their country so
we'll. The crowds broke forth into
wild chcerr for the first time when,
with colors flying and band playing,
the battalion passed in front of the
line Of men on whose breasts were
exhibited their newly received decora-
tons.
AS the last man OF the marching SOL
diers passed the little line Of heroes in
the centre Of the oval, the patience Of
the crowd appeared to be exhausted
In spite of protests from futile police
men, men and women rushed forward
and captured the twenty-five heroes.
They swarmed over the field, oblit-
Grating every vestige of order and lit
orally carrying their prizes before
them. Major General O'Ryan and his
party were caught in the rush. but ac-
cepted their fate good naturedly.
1t was the hour Of the heroes of the
9th. Nothing else mattered.