The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1920-09-25
A..E. F. HERO Who
WON MANY MEDALS
BRINGS BACK BRIDE
Sergeant Louis Van IerseI Is
Claimed to Have Won More
Decorations Than Famous
Sergeant Alvin York.

NEW YORK, Sept. 25. by Inter
national News Service. )-Sergennt Louis
Van lersel, formerly OF Holland but now
OF Fassatc, n. j.. has just arrived at
TINS port from the Netherlands brings
with him his bride. formerly Miss
Hendricks de Ronde, OF Dussen. Meth
eriands, and with his coming the story
81 his amazing war record as n United
states soldier has been revealed for
the first time.
Sergeant Van Iersel. although he has
tnodestly refused to say anything about
it, won more medals for bravery in the
world war than any other member OF
the American expedltionary force His
exploits top those OF the famous Ser.
geant York. OF Tennessee He gathered
IN some fifteen coveted medals crosses,
shields. badges. etc. during his little
experience on the other side and has a
small packet OF citations certificates.
etc, expressing appreciation for hia
bravery.
II was in 1916 that Sergeant Van
iersei came TO this country a fine.
healthy young Hollander who couIdp't
even speak English. on the voyage over
person on the ship fell overheard
while the liner was proceeding at fun
speed Van Iersel promptly threw him
sell INTO the sea from the deck of the
SHIP and held the person from sink
ing until the big ship could be brought
and look for him, II was thrilling
rescue and II started his collection OF
medals, for he was awarded two hero
medals for his bravery.
When the United States entered the
war. Van Iersel tried to enlist but ne
couldn't understand English He studied
hard and soon was able to master the
language and enlisted in PershinE' q
Second division. As soon as he got
up TO the fighting lines he began 10 win
medals again for his unusual deeds of
daring
Single handed In the Champagne sec
Tor ne captured 65 Germans, all OF them
armed. Van Iersel came upon them and
ne was all alone II was case Of either
me 90 or be captured so Van Iersel.
able TO speak excellent German, stem.
PED out before them and told them that
iihey were entirely surrounded by Amer.
loan soldiers but that IL they wouldn't
get disagreeahle about Il they would
ne taken back to the lines and none
OF them would be shot down by the
hot-headed Americans. who. were lust
nchlnE to annihilate them. The Ger
InsnS surrendered and Van Iersel
marched them back TO his lines without
losing prisoner, He received the
Croix de Guerre for this act.
van lersel Is also one OF the few
ENLISTED men who were awarded the
congressional medal OF honor. This was
hutu 10 nun Iof MS tearlesSneSs
ana bravery In going out and obtains
ing information from the enemy which
saved his unit, Company NJ, Ninth in
tantry, from humiliation Just in the
nick OF time. >''S
Among his other decorations are
me Medale Milltiare, the Belgian Cross
the Distinguished Service Cross. The
Montenegrin Medal. two other Croix de
Guerre, one with two palms and a star.
and regimental fouraguerre
sergeant Van Iersel. however, saws
nothing of his war record, and when
newspaperman asked TO see his
medals he was vlsibly embarrassed
seemingly because he had won so many
OF them. But he has them. however.
one. WIZ
When the war was over he returned
70 Holland and there married his sweet
heart from playmate days
Inc newly married couple are now in
iassaic, where Van Iersel has a posi :
ton as the special officer OF a large
nank. From his war record he cer-
tainly should be able to deliver a good
account OF himself and faithfully guard
me property placed under his watchful
care. ~