The Birmingham age-herald., 1919-06-12
BIRMINGHAM MAN
 AWARDED CROSS
 FOR HIS HEROISM
Col. J. K. Parsons, Popularly Known as ''k ely" Parsons, HOnored for Gallant Conduct at Mouse
 ArgOnne

| Colonel J. K. Parsons of Birmingham Icommanding Embarkation camp, St. Ma zaire, France, formerly in command of the 39th infantry, 4th division, has been awarded the distinguished service cross. lby the commander in chief for display ling extraordinary heroism in actidn dur ling the fighting in the Argonne- Mouse campaign September 27 to October Il by volunteering to take command of a bat talion and then refusing to be evacuated l off the battlefield after being blinded from the effects of gas and shell fire. 1 The following account appeared in the Gangplank News, the first real army daily in France in the edition of May 23 For having volunteered to command battalion whose commander had been wounded, continuing in command after being knocked down by shellfire, and on | the following day leading his regiment | even after being blinded by gas, Colonel u. K Persons commanding authorization camp. has been awarded the distin- gushed service cross
 Though knocked down by shell fire I near Cuisy, France during the period September 27, 1918 to October Il, 1918, the ! colonel who had asked to be placed III charge of the battalion of the 39th infan- | try which had lost it's major, rallied his | men and kept them so well organized ! as to withstand the heavy fire Of the en- emy. l eThe next day, assuming command or | the regiment Colonel Parsons led 1t TOT ward in successful attacks and though gassed so severely as to be unable to see' refused to be evacuated to the rear. ..The official citation, given in letter from Brigader General S. D. Rockenbach, commanding base section No. l. follows' l Hea adouarters Base Section No. 1. France, l A. P. o. 70l.
 l From: Base Commander. To: Editor of Gangplank News, Camp l. 1 Subject: Decoration of Colonei J. h Parsons.
 .1s It gives me great pleasure to fur nish YOU q copy of letter which have lreceived this date: General Headquarters, American Expe- l ditionary iorces, Personnel Dlvlslon' l Decoration Section, France, May l2, 1919 From. The Adjutant General, American IE. F.
 To: Commanding General Base Section' No. 1, A. P. O., 70l.
 l Subject: Decorations.
 .r. Forwarded herewith is one distin- |grished service cross which the commands ler-in-chief, in the name of the President Ihas awarded to the following officer TOT inc act of extraordinary heroism set op- posite his name:
 Colonel J. K. Parsons S9th Infantry
 
 No. 377S.
 For extraordinary heroism in action near Cuisy, France, September N-Octo- Der Ii, 191S
 1 Having volunteered to take command Of Q battalion whose commander had been 1 wounded. Colonel Parsons was knocked down by hostile shell fire. but he sue lceeded in rallying his men, and kept them well organized so as to withstand the Iheayy fire of the enemy. On the 1oi- flowing day he assumed command Of the regiment and commanded it in success fuI attacks, refusing to be evacuateo after being so severely gassed that ne was unable to see.
 You are hereby authorized to pre- sent this cross to Colonel Parsons, In the Iname of the commander r-in-chief ] 2 Attention is called to Par ", bui' a5. c. H. O., A. E. F., May g. 1919. Every effort will be made to accompany the presentation of the cross With as impress | siye a ceremony as possible.
 By command of General Pershing.
 (SigneO F. I. Whitley,
 Adjutant General.
 The ceremony for the presentation will take place in Camp l, shortly aitei the return of Colonel Parsons. ~
 S. D. Rockenbach,
 Brigadier~ General, U. s. A.
 Colonel Parsons is Birmingham mar land was >popularly known as Kelly Par sons He is a son of the late Lewis E
 Parsons, Jr., and grandson of Lewis Y
 Parsons. Sr, at one time governor or tnt state of Alabama. Colonel Parsons served in the Third Alabama in the span lish- American war.