The Colorado statesman., 1922-01-07


service enttle him to retirement. Also the mill
tary authorities have practically picked him out as
the greatest fighting man of the A. E. f. So it
would seem as if America could do less than
this for her hero of heroes"-a Regular of
the United States army and professional soldier
Anyway, Senator Richard p Ernst of Kentucky
has introduced such bill in the senate. And
Representative Roy o. Woodruff of Michigan has
done the same in the house.
Representative John S. Benham of Indiana
started the movement in the house. You see he
proud a peacock because Sergeant Wood
fill enlisted in 1901 from his dstrict-the fourth
Benham had the clerk read paragraph from
General Order No. 49, bearing date of January
90, 1919, and signed by Gen. Peyton c. March
chief of staf-Lieutenant Woodfus citation ac-
companylng his award of the Congressional Medal
of Honor.
Benham also put into the Congressional Record
Woodfll's army record in full from his enlistment
in 1901.
Then Woodruff of Michigan who was a major
of infantry In France and time, after the
armistice, WoodflIs commanding officer was
given the floor AS preliminary to giving notice
that he would introduce the bill mentioned in
the foregoing, he set forth his rsthand knowledge
Of Woodfs efficiency a lieutenant in the Bor-
deauX embarkatiOn camp and related how he re-
turned from receiving the Congressional Medal of
Honor at Chaumont without opening his mouth
nhout it, Excellent behavior, efficiency and mod
esty bulk large In Woodfill's makeup
The presentation at ChaumOnt took place on
the quadrangle British G. II. @. Sunday 3 80
before a large crowd of American, British. French,
Belgian and Italian officers Headquarters bat
talon acted as guard of honor. Woodfll received
other awards in addition to the Congressional
Medal of Honor. He received the Legion of Honor
Mt the hands of the high admiral of the French
navy and Mai Gen. Hanson e. Ely presented to
him the Crox de Guerre. with palm). Later he
was awarded the Legion of Honor and the Order
Of Prince Dnno 1 (NIontenegro). He also wears
the Victory Medal with three clasps the Philippine
aud Mexican border ribbons and expert rifle
mans medal.
Notwithstanding Woodflls exploit and his cita-
tlons he remained undiscovered as the "hero of
heroes" And Woodfll certainly didn't help along
the discovery. When he went to Louisville with
returning troops in the summer Of 1919, real SOL
der and a real hero at last after all the event
Ill years that had passed since he enlisted there
In 1901, there thousands hungry for such
tale of the that Woodfll held in his bosom.
But Woodfn didn't tell 1t. He went quietly about
his work and returned to his command. When
he was discharged officer he kept2to the
habit he had followed from his Philippine days.
tie re-enlisted at about sS4 month
Then came the preparations for the burial of
the unknown soldier at Washington on Armis-
tice day.
The board of army officers, searching the rec
ords for the purpose of selecting n soldier from
the infantry to act as body-bearer for the I'M
known dead, picked Sergeant Woodflll. When the
name was sent to Pershing, the commander OF the
A. e. T. exclaimed "Why. have already picked
that man as the greatest single hero in the Ameri-
gan forces"
General Pershing's report on the heroes and sol
s,ers In the World contains this mention of
WooddIl's deed given the place of honor over two
rases of distinguished herolsm which already have
.ceIyed Americas recognition:
.sDeeds of valor too numerous to mention
bere Outstanding the heroism of Lieutenant
samuel Woodfiil Fifth division In attacking sin gle
handed series of German machine gun nests near
Cunel and killing the crews of each In turn until
reduced TO the necessity of assaultng the last de-
.oct,nent with pick. dispatching them all. And