The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-10-18
HIGHEST AMERICAN
 CROSS IS LAD ON
 TOMB 0F WARRIOR
Official Presentation Made By Harvey, But Pershing Lays Medal on Grave of
 Unknown
Rr Associated Press


 London october 17.-Upon the sim ply inscribed slab in Westminster abbey which marks the tomb of Great Britain's ''unnown warrior" was laid today, the highest decoration within the gift of the American people. It was the medal of honor voted by the Congress of the United States in re- affirmation of the comradeship which united the United States and Great Britain in the World war
 The official presentation was made by George Harvey. American ambas- sador to the Court of St. James, who delivered a brief address as the rep resentative of the American govern ment and of President Harding. The act of bestowing the medal was per formed by General John J. Pershing, commander of the American armies in France during the great struggle Simplicity marked the presentation and bestowal of the medal, there be- ing only brief choral service pre- ceding these ceremonies, which were witnessed by a distinguished assem- bly. Included in the group in the nave of the historic abbey were the Duke of Connaught, representing King George; members of the British cabinet, heads of governmental de- par rtments and attaches of the Amer ican embassy. whose presence testi- fled to the significance of the event. The trancepts and the choir of the ancient edifice were filled, there be- ing 1.200 visitors admitted to witness the scene.
 Ride in Royal Carriage
 General Pershing, accompanied by Mai oscar N solbelt military at tache; Vice Admiral Albert P. NibliclS and Rear Admiral Nathan c. Twining, left the American embassy and en- tered a royal carriage, which with an escort of mounted police. drove through Beligrave square, Sast St. James park and proceeded by the way Of Birdcage walk to the precincts of the abbey. There it met a part of the American composite battalion, which arrived yesterday from Co., blenz. With the Americans were drawn up officers and men from the royal navy. contingents of the royal air force, the grenadier, Coldstream Scots and Welsh guards, and de- tachment of territorials.
 The guard brigade band had marched with the American soldiers from the Duke of York's school, where they were quartered. to posi- lions outside the abbey,
 General Pershing's arrival had been preceded by a few minutes by that of the Duke of Connaught who was ac- corded the royal salute and the Brit ish national athem. General Pershing was received with the generals salute. the bands playing the Star Spangled Banner" General Pershing and the Duke walked between forma- tions of troops to the north transcept door of the abbey, where they were met by the dean and oanons and choir of Westminster and were es- corted inside.
 Dean Accepts Medal
 After a prayer by the dean. the procession moved to the grave of the Unknown Soldier" the whole way being flanked by American and Brit ish soldiers and sailors. After the medal had been bestowed the dean in brief address accepted it and the singing of the Battle Hymn of the Republic' and the American and Brit ish anthems concluded the service. Leaving the abbey, the duke and General Pershing were given the royal salute and the massed bands played the American and British anthems. The duke walked down in front of the lines of American troops while General Pershing walked in front of British soldiers drawn up before the doors of the abbey. The American naval contingent which took part in the ceremony was from the cruiser Olympia, which is lying at Plymouth.
 Seated in the nave of the abbey during the ceremony were Field Marshals Haig, French. Allenby. Robertson and Wilson; representa- tives of the Indian army. Lord Cavan. who commanded British forces on tho Italian front during the war, and many other British chieftains. There were also present army officers who have been chosen to act as British military representatives at the con- ference on limitation of arnaments at Washington. allied military, naval and air force attaches. high com nissioners and agents-general for the dominions and representatives of the British legion. the Pilgrims, the