Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1921-12-09
DON'T SCRAP
ARMY, ADVICE
OF WOODFILL
Indiana Man Suddenly Made
Famous Makes Visit to
New York.

NEW YORK, Dec. 9.-Sergeant Wood
fill and his wife recently made their first
visit to New York, the guests Of Justice
and Mrs Philip J. McCook. They came
up from Washington, where the First q.
S. Hero represented the infantry at the
burial of the Unknown Soldier.
Just the efficient training of the Regu-
lar Army" explains this remarkable SOL
der, called the wars bravest by General
Pershing, as he modestly attempts to
shift the credit for his acts. Sergeant
Woodfiu is a six-foot Hoosier and may
well be added to the list Of talent that
has come out of Indiana
Il was twenty years with tho Regu-
lar Army" he says. But he does not COM
plain that mention of his splendid deeds
Of Oct. 1913, lay buried in Army records
for three years.
Woodfll wears his laurels well He is
striking in appearance and somewhat
serious in manner There Is about him
the steadfastness Of the pioneer. During
the war he was made a lieutenant and
promoted to a captain for heroism. Upon
returning to this country he re-enlisted
at Fort Thomas, KY, as sergeant, but
it is hoped that he will be returned to
the status OF captain.
EXCITEMENT
IN HOUSEHOLD.
In the McCook household there was ex-
element amorr the three young sons OF
the family concerning the hero who was
coming to visit their father. Daniel, who
has reached the dignity Of twelve years,
was more reserved than John Sheldon,
who is eight, just as John did not give
way to the emotions that racked Philip.
Philip possessed the jumpingest heart
that ever beat .nder a 5-year-old size
sweater. He finally had to have his hat
and coat put on so he could do sentinel
duty outside the door of his dwelling till
the great guest came. Sergeant Woodfn
probably will never have a more sin
cere admirer.
From the sergeant's vivacious young
wife comes another type of testimonial
Mrs. Woodfll says her husband does not
dsdain to help about the house or with
the dishes, and is very good at Kitchen
police"
Mrs Woodfu. a Kentuckian. is a
descendant Of Daniel Boone. They have
been married four years.
PISTOL THEN
TANNED.
Sergeant Woodfu was prevailed upon
to discuss some of his experiences:
II can remember In the Argonne how
the Germans were sweeping the ground
with a hail of bullets. One Of them
opened up on me when I was within ten
yards Of him. got him. The next was
about thirty five yards off l had to
crawl along on my toes and elbows and
throw myself down fat every now and
then. After I fred about ninety rounds
of ammunition 1t gave out My pistol
jammed.
There was some American tool on
the ground, a mattock' such as engi-
neers use-it's like a pick. 1 went after
them with that-and that's all"
That's an'-says the greatest hero Of
the United States, who is palpably man
Of action and not conversation. But he
does say of the funeral at Arlington of
the unknown warrior:
THAT moved me deeply-it made a
tremendous impression"
Would you like to see the Army, as
well as the Navy, scrapped?" he was
asked.
Not altogether-I think we need a
regular army of soldiers. For police,
at least. Soldiers should be International
police.
"But 1t might be a good thing to limit
the Army"
Sergeant Woodfll is the son of John
Samuel Woodflll, a Mexican and Civil
War veteran, and from earliest youth
has been an expert shot. Some Of his
early days In soldering" were spent in
Alaska and the Philippines. 1t was this
familiarity with firearms that enabled
this Hoosier to meet the Huns with
eQuanimity.
Besides the Congressional medal Ser
geant WoodiIl wears a Croix de Guerre
with palm, the Legion of Honor, and
the Order Of Prince Danielo of Monte
negro.
Because he had been commissioned
from the ranks on his return home he
had to resign, but rather than leave the
service he reenlisted as sergeant. His
former comrades of the New York camp
of the First Division have asked Secre-
tary of War Weeks to reinstate him as
a captain to prevent injustice to Amert-
can valOr."