The New York herald., 1921-07-16
MONSON Is BURIED
AS MILITARY HERO
LiaisOn Runner, Who Brought
Help to Lost Battalion
Goes to His Rest.

John J. Monson. liaison runner. who
got through the German lines in the Ar
gonne Forest the night OF September
$3.50. 1918. and brought help to the First
had been surrounded and cut off for
twenty-four hours, went to his grave a
hero yesterday. Although at the time
of his death from tuberculosis in Belle.
absent without leave from Company a.
Sixty-first Infantry. in which organiza-
ton he enlisted after his return from
France. Secretary OF War Weeks is
sued orders that he be buried with full
military honors in the National Gene
terry Cypress Hills. Brooklyn, and that
his army record be fully cleared.
Escorted by the Second Corps Area
Band from Governors Island, a firing
squad from the Twenty Infantry,
scores of his former comrades and dele
cations from patriotic societies, Mon
sons body was taken from the UNDER
taking rooms at 954 Amsterdam avenue
to the Church OF the Ascension, 221 West
107th street. where Father A. C. Dneen,
chaplain of the Twenty-second Infantry,
Rev. James J. Halligan. formerly chap
lain of Monson's old regiment overseas,
was one OF the deacons, and delivered
the eulogy.
"In his heart burned the fire of pa
triotism which had deveoped during the
course of his humble life In this me-
tropolis." said Father Halligan. Hero
ism such as his Is not the birth of a
single moment, but the result of con-
stant acts of faithfulness to duty. I'm
less the spirit OF man has obtained
ascendancy over human weakness it is
impossible for ore to rise to heroism
such as his. The lesson for us in his
life is that we owe allegiance to country
and to God"
After the service the procession moved
down Broadway to Ninety-fifth street
in the rain. The windows were crowded
and barred heads greeted the flag draped
casket. Lieut.-Col. Charles Whittlesey,
commander OF the Lost Battalion" to
which Monson belonged. marched in the
rear of the hearse, as did Jacob Hersko-
witz one of the dead soldiers compan-
ions in the Lost Battalion" Lieut..
Arthur Mckeogh, who with Herskowitz
shared in the dangers of breaking
through the German lines, Joined the
funeral cortege at the cemetery. Hersko-
witz who has received similar decora-
tions himself, carried Monsons medals
the Medaile Militaire, the Croix de
Guerre with Falm, and the Distinguished
Service Cross-on cushion in his
hands.
Capt William Tate, Jr.. commander
OF Monson's company, followed. as did
Leo c. Weller, commander of the 308th
Infantry Post, American Legion: Frank
De Marcos OF the knights of Columbus,
fattt
Federation des Veterans Francais. and
Miss Margaret A. Bogart and other rep
resentatives of the Women's Overseas
Service League. Members of Monson's
company marched on either side of the
hearse n pallbearers. Mrs. Mary Furey
of 269 Flfty-sixth street Brooklyn, Mon
sons half sister. walked in the process
sion with her two children and husband.
David T. Bloomer, cousin was another
of the mourners. Another half sister,
Mrs. John Phelan. Is Z. IN tine Cumber-
land Street Hospital. Brooklyn, and
could not attend the services
Three volleys We're r.red over the
grave. bugler sounded taps and there
was a short service conducted by Father
Dineen and Father Halligan. Several
hundred persons were present at the
cemetery.
Lieut.. Mckcogh said yesterday that
soon after he. Monson and Herskowitz
started through the woods TO bring help
to their beleagured comrades they sep
arated, belle ying their chances of get
ting through would thus be enhanced.
Monson. so the Lieutenant said, saw a
dim figure through the trees. Believ-
ing 1t was one of his comrades he
sought to attract the mans attention.
but in vain. Monson crept slowly toward
him and could have touched the man
with his hand when he suddenly discov-
cred that his supposed comrade was a
German. Monson fired four revolver
shots into the breast of his enemy and
went crashing through the thick growth
toward the American lines. McKeogh
said.
There has been some confusion over
the exploit OF Monson, Herskowltz and
McKeogh. which is due entirely. 1t was
explained yesterday, TO the fact that
Lieut-Col. Whittlesey's command-.ne
Lost Battalion"-was cut off second
time few days later. from October 2
to s. Upon this second, and more
famous occasion. another soldier, Abra-
ham Krotoshinski. made his way through
the Germans and brought help after sew
eraI runners had been killed. He too
oht ipad tba Distipc,ished Service CrnsS