The Meeker herald. [volume] (Meeker, Colo.) 1885-current, 1922-01-14

France. Also his 20 years Of active
service entitle him to retirement. Also the mill.
ary authorities have practically picked him out az
the greatest fighting man of the A. +. F. So II
would seem as II America could do no 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
hns introduced such bill In the senate And
Representative Roy o. Woodruff of Michigan has
done the saine In the house.
Representative John s. Benham Of Indiana
started the movement In the house. You see he
WIS proud as peacock because Sergeant Wood.
NIL enlisted in 1901 from his district-the fourth
Denham had the clerk read q paragraph from
General Order No. 10. bearing date Of January
p 1919. and signed BY Gen. Peyton c. March.
chief Of stan-Lieutenant Woodnu's citation ac.
companynE his award Of the Congressional Medal
u Honor
Woodfils army record in full from his enlistment
in 1901.
Then Woodruff Of Michigan who was a major
Of infantry in France and at one time, after the
armlstice, was woodnlls commanding odicer. was
given the floor. As preliminary to giving notice
that he would Introduce the bill mentioned In
the foregoing. he set forth his rst-hand knowledge
Of WOOdfill's efficiency lieutenant In the Bor.
'leaux embnrkaton camp and related how he re-
turned from receiving the Congressional Medal of
Honor at Chaumont without opening his mouth
nhout II. Excellent behavior, efficiency and mod.
ssty bulk large In Woodfil's makeup.
The presentation Mt Chaumont took place on
the quadrangle British G. H. Q. on Sunday at 40
before a large crowd Of American. British. French.
Belglnn and Italian officers Headquarters bat
TALON acted guard Of honor. Woodfll received
other awards In addition to the Congressional
Media, 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 CroIx de Guerre. with palm). Later he
awarded the Legion Of Honor and the Order
M Prince DnnilO I fMonfeneUrOl He a1sO yyparN
the Victory Mednl with three clasps the Philippine
and Mexican border ribbons and expert ride
mans medal.
Notwithstanding woodflrs exploit and his cIta.
lions he remained undiscovered 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.
aser and ren hero Mt last after all the event.
AL years that had passed since he enlisted there
In 1901, there were thousands hungry for such a
tale Of the wnr that WoodhiI held In his bosom.
But woodhu didn't tell 1T. He went quietly about
his work md returned to his command. When
he was discharged as nm ofhcer. he kept to the
habit he had followed from his Philippine days
Vie re-enlisted at about ss4 q month.
Then came the preparations for the burial Of
the unknown soldier at Washington on Armls.
tice day.
The board Of army oficers, searching the rec.
ords for the purpose Of selecting soldier from
the infantry to act q body bearer for the un.
known dead. picked Sergeant Woodnil When the
aams was sent to PershIng. the commander Of the
A. 4 r exclaimed: "Why have already picked
tiat man a. the greatest single hero In tho Ameri.
ran fosces."
General Pershings report on the heroes and sol.
Siaes n the World war contains this mention of
WSsdAils deed, given the place Of honor over two
eaGto II distinguished heroism which already have
se>lved Americas recognition:
sDtsds Of vaier were too numerous to mention
49, 0utsta ndiuk was the heroism Of Lieutenant