The Union daily times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1918-current, 1922-07-26
JOHNSON RIFLES
HAS GOOD RECORD

In looking over National Guard
units that have been fright there"
when the call came, the Johnson Rifles
Of Union comes in for first call. This
comany, known officially as Company
E, One Hundred and Eighteen infan-
try, is one of the best now on encamp-
ment and is an all around excellent
outfit.
The company has a service record
dating back to 1846 and this record
has never suffered stain in anyway
or form. The unit was organized at
the outbreak Of the Mexican war by
Capt. Richard Johnson, whose name
it now bears. The company served
in the Mexican war and at the out
break of the Confederate war was
again in action, serving throughout
the four years of fighting.
In 1898 the company was the first in
South Carolina to report ready for
service in the Spanish-American war
and in 1916 it was again the first to
report equipped and ready for duty
on the Mexican border. In 1917 it was
still holding this honor, having been
the first to get off for the world war.
The company served on the Mexican
border as Company E, One Hundred
and Eighteenth infantry and overseas
under the same name. The unit was a
part of the "Old Hickory" in France,
helping to make the great record OF
that division.
Twenty-nine men of the company
were killed overseas and large num-
ber was wounded. Two members of
the company, Capt. Witt s. Fore,
commanding the unit and Sergt.
James E. Fore, received three decora-
tions, all alike, for gallant fighting
in action. Both were members of the
outfit overseas and are still in the
company. Captain Fore and Ser
geant Fore received the distinguished
service cross, the medal militaire and
the British medal of honor. Sergeant
Fore received all his decorations over
seas, while Captain Fore was decorat.
ed in Washington with the British
medal of honor by the Prince of
Wales.
Forty-two members Of the company
are ex-service men, 25 of them having
served overseas with the unit. Prac-
tically all. the noncommissioned OH
GERS. are fofanefsszervies men. sFWe
former Offices are now serving in the
enlisted personnel.
AS an indication of the popularity
of the company, no recruits other than
ex-service men have been accepted
for seven months. The company is
far above the minimum and could dou.
BILE its strength if it were allowed
to.
The unit was one Of the first to be
reorganized after the world war, the
Spartanburg company having one day
on the outfit. 1t was reorganized
December II, 1919.
All three encampments since tho
war, two at Mt. Pleasant and the
present one at Camp Jackson, have
been attended by Company E. The
unit holds the DUPONT cup for the
highest average in shooting and the
Charleston cup for the best shooting
Of any unit outside Of Charleston
Captain Fore was the best individual
shot in 1920 and was a member of tn,
teams going to Camp Perry for TIVE
years. He will be in charge of tn,
team this year, having been appoint
ed yesterday to captain the guar,
crew to the hio tournament. The com
pany has some crack shots and Cap
tain Fore, the commander, is no meal
lad with a gun.
In addition to good shooting tn
company also can do about anythin,
else wanted. 1t has a good baseball
team and expects to be in the cham
pionship match Friday. The team i
fully equipped and has played som
mighty good baseball.
One factor that can not be over
looked in citing the causes for higl
standard of Johnson Rifles is tn
pride in the organization held by tn
men. The personnel is of the highes
type and every man does his best fo
the unit. The unit has an excellen
armory equipped with shower baths
lockers, rooms and everything tina
looks to the comfort of the men.
Captain Fore is assisted by tw
able officers, First Lieut.. Harry N
Arthur and Second Lieut.. James F
Jeffries. Elliott r. Ashford is tn
"top kicker" and he has been in tn
National Guard % years. Fifty pc
cent of the men have been in the Ma
tional Guard from 8 to % years. Al
| of the officers are ex-service men,