New-York tribune., 1920-07-02
Marines WI no
Slew Haitian
Bandit HOnOred
Commandant Lejeune Gives
Lieutenant and Corporal
Medals for Kidding the
Republic of Outlaw
Was Terror for Years
Disguised as Natives, They
Penetrated Lair in Hills;
Fought Way Back to Camp

WASHfNGTON. July l.-Poss bly,
the most signal examples of military
heroism since the armistice were Off
clally recognized here to-day wnen
Major General John A. Lcieune, the
new commandant of the Marine Corps,
pinned naval medals of honor on Sec
ond Lieutenant Herman II. Ucnrckcn
and Corporal William r. Button.
Extraordinary heroism, conspicuous
gallantry and intrepidity in actual con-
flict,' was the Official citation.
In unofficial language, the two Ameri-
cans used an extraordinary amount of
Yankee nerve and the traditional sur
pslse strategy which SO often charac-
tened the work OF Use marines in
France, to Kill Charlemagne Peralte,
o.Sd bandit chief of layti, with nine
OF his personal bodyguard, fight off
nandlt attacks throughout the night of
November in the Naytan hills and
dlspcrse several other bandit bands on
their way back to camp.
Terrorized Republic for Years
Despite the long occupation by Amer
[ =
alte had terrorized the small republic
for years. Somewhat after the fash
ion of Francisco Villa, in Mexico, lead
ing picked followers Peralte had been
able to commit depredations at will and
escape.
Information reached the regional
marine headquarters, to which Henne-
ken and Button were attached, on Oc-
tober 81, that Pevlte, leading about
l,200 outlaws, planned to pillage the
provincial town Of Grande Rivere.
The bandits headquarters were To-
Gated near Capois, within striking dis
tance of Grande Riviere. Henneken
and Button got permission to capture
the bandit leader. Disgusting them
selves by backing their faces and
twenty followers from among the ma
tive gendarmerie and went into the
hills.
Toward nightfall about seven hun
dred of Peralte's followers had been
observed advancing toward Grande
Riviere. The bandit was not with his
attackers, and it was indicated tina. he
would direct the attack from his head
quarters near Capois.
Disguise Proves Effective
The Americans, with their men trail
ing. climbed for three hours into the
Haytian hills through terrain they knew
was infested with Peraltc's men, and
finally reached the first outpost guard
ing the bandits camp. Their disguise
was effective and bandit sentrie1 al
lowed them to pass after a cursory eX-
animation. Four more outposts were
passed IN the same manner-w without
incident. The sixth outpost was Peralte s
immediate guard and the bandit, him
self, was seen within thirty PAGES OF
the sentries.
Believing the arrivals were runners
returning with news of the attack on
Grand Riviere, Peralte allowed Hen
neken and Button to advance to within
a few feet Of his person before he and
his sentrleS senSed something wrong
Hanneken was armed with two govern
ment automatics and Button had q
light Browning machine gun. Without
further ceremony, the two Americ leans
opened fire. Henneken killed the ban
dit chief instantly and Button devoted
his attention TO the bodyguard. But
tons score was nine.
Firht Way Back to Camp
The marines then dug in and an
swered a desultory fire from consider
able numbers of the enemy during the
night During the day of November
they fought their way back to marine
head quarters, encountering and dis
pers'ng the outlaw bands which were
returning from an unsuccessful attack
on Grand Riviere.
Although the exploit occurred sever
months ago the Navy Department saw
tit 10 announce it officially only to da y
when Rear Admiral Coontz, Actinl
Secretary of the Navy, in the absence
Of Secretary Daniels at san Francisco
gave out the following statement coin
cidenr with the award Of medals:
Second Lieutenant Henneken an
Corporal Button not only distinsuishe,
themselves by their excellen. judg
ment and leadership, but at all time
placed themselves unhesitatingly il
great personal danger. Their move
ments took place at night in thickl,
wooded country overrun with severa
hundred we'll armed Haytian bandits
At any time during the night thu
slightest hesitancy or error Of iudg
ment would have forfeited not onl,
their own lives but the lives of the de
tachment under their commando