The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1919-06-19
l1DEsERvED
lEC1eIAl0A UEsUhG
wan HrsruRY COMMISSION.
ves1D L1GAf sn Hnpsrtant Question Of
WE u Deserving Of specini Reesw-
nleses N Ccnptiattoa of virstnias
pare In war.

That the French army was more gen
arcus with its Crosx du Gaerre and
D<Aer decorations than was the Ameri-
san army. but that they did not al
wayy necessarily mean that those re-
sewing them deserved them. was the
statement made last night by Major
Allan Potts before the Virginia war
Aistory commission.
because a soldier wears a foreign
decoration" he said. does not mean
that he has performed ar act of gal
iantry. But he added. when you
seS "A American soldier decorated by
the American army. you can rightfully
conclude that No deserved the decora-
stcn Many more who deserved either
tie c6n xtkssicnal medal Of honor. the
distinguished service cross or the dis
tiK9utshed service medal ala not re-
ceive them Many who deserved even
notA did net receive so much as cits
ticn And scores and hundreds who
r. eetpe4 ekHtters deserved decora-
He told Of two soldiers whom he had
rseenme aded fer decoration because OF
exceptional bravery. The decorations
were refused q. The same two soldiers
later rescued 4 French under heuten-
ant and the iatxss, and rot his rescuers,
Was DECORATED not only by the French
high command hut by the American
stan A. weli
Na3cr Potts and Captain David Kerr
Of Generals Omar Rundys STAFF, had
been asked by Arthur Kyle Davis, OF
Petersburg. chairman OF the. Virginia
war history commission. to define who.
in their opinions were entitled TO dis
tsnEuished service mention in the
forthcoming history OF Vtrginia's part
IN the world war
CAPTAIN Kxrr replied tina, those who
had received either the congressional
medal OF hnnor. or the distinguished
service crose or medal. He paid sig
raj compliment to Lieutenant Colonel
Stuart Mcclure when he singled him
out among the personnel CT base hos
pttai No. AZ, which rendered such
valiant service overseas, as deservin e
such mentiQ.
Major Potts told the commission that.
II hts opinion. the roll Of honor should
include not only those who had re-
ceived such awards. but that those who
were cited. Asa also those whose n ara es
might be made known by some compe
tent authority, should be investigated
with the view OF determining whether
or not they.Sere entitled to niche in
posteritys NALL OF fame
- Bishop Frcker-e f-the Episcopal
church. thought the roll should include
all those who Were deserving OF recog
milton, whether or not they had received
medals, crostes or citations. whom he
referred to 1s heroes unsung by army
officers.
Chairman Davis was OF the opinion
that the stake OF Virginia is competent
10 make awards in compilation of the
part playedYby sones of the Old Do.
minion, without suggestion from or ap-
prevail OF army officers, and that many
outside Of the regular army are equal,
As deserving of mention as those wht
h~tt f@A "a,
wrought wei for Virginia during tn
trying day. Of the struggle between
democracy And autocracy
III we did not go thus far" he said
I'VE would be derelict In our duty. Tn
man or woman whose services and he'll
were an Inspiration to others in fur
therance OF Americas vast task in tn
winning OF the war. Is as much deserv
ing Of recognition as the most heroi
khaki-cjad lad
Others who spoke were Lieutenant
Colonel Stuart MCGUIRE and Major Rob
ert G. Bryan. who outlined briefly tn
work done by Virginia physician
overseas; DR. Ennion G. williams, stat
.he2fth commissioner. who tutu of wfra
other medicos did on this side. the re
marks OF tho three having to do wit
the proper handling OF Vtrginias med
tcal and surgical contribution to tn
war in the Forthcoming history; Col
onei Leroy Hodges. who outlined tn
budget plan to which the commissio
Will have to conform In order to obtai
from the general assembly necessar
funds with which to prosecute its work
John Stuart Bryan. chairman OF tn
committee on post war activities. Ad
e futant General 10 Lane Stern. Bisho
Tucker. DR.. Lyon G. Tyler, Colone
Charles r. Kelley. secretary OF tn
commission. and others.