Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1922-08-11

mand Of Major Charles Sweeney, VII
likewise had been transferred fro1
the Second Battalion Of chat Reg
ment, embraced the advanced uni
of the 80th Division engaged in tn
titanic effort to sweep . stubborn
tenacious enemy nerthward to Sedal
and back upon German soil.
Almost from the moment Of il
entry into the line, the Battalion ha'
been in constant contact with de
tachments Of the enemy, bat the reT
sistsnt initiative and -aggressivsnes
displayed by the Battalion Command
er, who had his p. C. In The from
line, and his men swept all Oppose
ton before them. Lieut. Davidson
while leading . platoon of &c" Com
pany against maehine-gun position
before Ii Polka FARM. near Som
mauthe, across open ground, swspt
by q hail Of bullets, was killed jus'
on the eve Of attaining the strongly
held objective, but his men, inspired
by his coolness and example, fought
on and snatched victory out Of the
jaws Of defeat. We win let the terse
language Of the War Department.
letter describe the action resulting in
Lieut.. Davidson's death and. citation
for valor:
Washington, D. c.,
Dec. II, 1924.
Mr.. William N. Davidson,
st. Joseph, La.
Dear Sir;
Under the provisions Of the act Of
Congress approved July Q. 1918. Bull.
letin No. ~, w. D., 1919, . DIS
tinguished service cross was post
humously awarded your soon, the
late First Lisutenant Joseph H.
Company C, 31Sth Infan-
Try, on November 4, 1913, by tie
War Department. with the following
citation:
"For extraordinary heroisn in ae-
lion near La Polka. Farm, France,
November 4. 1918, while commanding
Company C, 31sth Infantry. His :ins'
vas stopped 800 yards from The La
Polka Farm bypa terrific eoaeentsae
ion of maehine-gun iire dhested
rom the high ground and woods on
he farm. By bic coolness add eourrI
'ge he quickly collected together q
and leading them acressl
pen ground swept BY maehine-gun
ire, he attacked the machine-guns.
lust before reaching the enemy,
lieut. Davidson was killed, bat his
nen, inspired by his coolness and
levotion, fought on and captured the
nests."
The Quartermaster Supply Officer
" Washington, d. c., has this day been
lirected to forward the distinguished
ervice cross to the Commanding
General, Fourth Corps Area, Fort
4aePherson, Ca, Tor presentation to
'ou.
It is requested that the Gallantry,
Certificate previously awarded your
on by the Commanding General,
American Expeditionary Ferces, be
'eturaed to this offiee for caneella-l
ion,. as the. Distinguished service
ross is a higher award than the GER
ificate for gallantry, and Is awarded
N account Of the isame services for
which the certifcats was grautsd.
Very rsspectfnlly,
p. C. HARRIS
rhe sAdjutant Gensral of the Army.
Original plans for the presentation
#, the Distinguished Service Gross
Lieut.. Davidson were sub,
changed, and instead Of
he presentation taking place at Fort
dacPherson, Ca, -. had been ar
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