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

~~sS'
Ridge Division, and published by tn,
S0th Division Veterans Association
at Pittsburg, Penn, in its July mum
ber, contains beautiful tribute K
the late Lieut.. Jos. N. Davidson. >,
his sergeant, Russell L. Stultz, 31Sti
Infantry. The article follows:
i Recognition of a duty well and
faithfully done oft comes tardily-
too often not at all, if we measure
the token in terms Of material re.
ward-yet for those who served and
know there ever remains the greater,
more enduring satisfaction of possess
ing treasured memories devoid of
selfishness and regreta Paeans of
glory have been sung for untold
scores of heroes of tna World War,
praise usually deserved and won under
the stress Of circumstances designed
to encourage and bring out all that
is fine and good in manhood. How
ever numerous these material ex-
pressions Of recognition may have
been, it is to the infinitely greater
number whose deeds Of sacrifice and
valor have gone unsung and unac-
knowledge. tina. We must silently
recognize and pay tribute.
Without suggestion Of boastfulness
or false pride, it can be said that the
men of no combat division Of the A.
+. F. displayed more personal fn-
itiatiye or bravery than the men who
wore, the "Blue Ridge" insignia, if
we reckon their accomplishments in
point and length of active service,
yet the. record Of official citations
awarded members Of the 9Th is piti-
fully brief by actual comparison. The
list, however, is slowly but surely
being extended and each additional
name that is added must inevitably
afford some slight measure Of grati-
ficatibn to those comrades-in-arms
and loved ones who, long ago, knew
and jealosuly treasured achievements
Of the man.
OF all the recognitions bestowed
since the Arnistice, assuredly none
was more merited nor has been re-
ceived with q more sincere degree
Of satisfaction than the announce
ment by the War Department q few
months ago that the Distinguished
Service Cross had been posthumously
awarded to 1st Lieutenant Joseph
NJ. Davidson, who was killed in action
on November 4, 1918, while leading
a detachment of Company C, 31Sth
Infantry. just three years after his |
death, fitting tribute came to the
memory Of one who had '.fought .
good fight" yet paid the great price
at the climax Of victory.
Through the courtesy Of Capt. H.l
v. s. Negus, Of Bound Brook, N. j.,
We have been privileged to see ex-
tracts from Louisiana newspapers and
copies Of communication from Warl
Department officials relating to the
award. "Jody,"' as he, was Familiarity
known to his boy-hood friends. was
one of the most popular of thel
Louisiana boys in Washington. He |
was in the office Of u. S. Senator
Rsnsdell for two years. as his assist
ant secretary. When. war with Ger
many was declared, he entered the
Officers Training School at Fort
Meyer, Va. Here he. made a brilliant
record. as he did in France, being /!
commissioned . Lieutenant Of In
fantry and assigned to tie 30th Di.
vision at Camp Lee. II
Arriving at Camp Lee, he was as
signed to the 31Sth Regiment and
shortly afterward became Adjutantl
of the Second Battalion Of that or |
ganization, commando by Major
(later Lieut.. COLI Charles Svssney.
1t was while serving in this import |
ant capacity that Lieut.. Davidson had
his initial opportunity to display those
qualities of manliness and leadership
ever characterising. the progress Of
his military career. Efficient, jealous
and untiring, all Through the weary
months Of organization and. training,
he labored indefat;sshly in the work
Of converting the newly-formed Bst-|
talon into an orderly, capable mill
tary unit. How well he succeeded,
the admiration and respect Of both
his superiors and suhordinatesr attest
in terms unmistakab}e.. Ahosa : all,
however, he possessed the ra,c quail
tiles Of ready sympathy and broad
understanding Of his fellow-men, and
those under his command found him
ever tolerant Of their weakness and
interested in their welfare.
Lieut.. Davidson was Adjutant Of
the Battalion when his Regiment eza-
barked for overseas and continued to
discharge the increasingly arduous
duties during the period Of prepa-
ration for battle service. Several
months after arrival in France. he
was assigned to Company &C, S1Sth
Infantry. and It was while galIantly
leading members Of this command
that he lost his life and won imnoF-
tai glory.
Printed words, ut best, slly portray