The Alaska daily empire., 1923-03-20

Superiors Praised Gotwals
 Here is what his commanding of ficcr, General w c. Langfitt, Chic Engineer of the American Expedi tionary Forces, has to say of his wal record:
 His regiment performed excel lent anti-aircraft service with the F'ronch Army around Amiens and St. Pol, and Nlso with the British. The part taken in the St. Mihiel and Argonne operations deserve highest praise.
 This officer was placed in ex- elusive charge of all scarchlight work and development in the A. E. r. and in conference with British and French specialists, worked out the plans under which scarchlights were Finally operated by all the Allied powers.
 Confronted with mode of werfare which Inhibited tho de- velopment of entirely new methods and equipment, he displayed re- markablc genius for invention and organization and a faculty for CO., operation which resulted in the creation of an exceedingly ad- vanced technical service.
 'It should be emphasized that the duties performed by this off cor required that he operate prac- tically independently. and exercise a high degree of intelligent initia- tive
 "And by General H. Taylor, Chief Engineer, s. o. s.:
 "Due to his technical ability, his unlimited energy and capacity for hard work, and duo to his hard common sense, he took very prominent part in tho development of searchlfghts and devices for de- telcung the presence of aircraft.
 Through his personal efforts, he succeeded in enlisting the CO., operation of searchlight authori- fiics of both the British and French armies. and eventually acquired the knowledge of searchlights and their technical employment which won him recognition of both these Allies as an authority on the sub jaet.
 Comes to Alaska
 "Upon his return to the States late in 1910, Colonel Gotwals soryed a few months as Department En gincer in Now York City, and wal .hen detailed to duty in Alaska with the Alaska Road Commission. Hii history is familiar to yol all. I need not enlarge upon it more than to have you note that the samf habits of hard work and study, thl same unlimited energy and hard com mon sense, have accompanied him t Alaska. Ifs services here have re gently bccn recognized by his ap poi,rtmcnt as vice-chairInan of ths Alaska Engineering Commission.
 'sHis standing hero in Juneau is wcn attested by the fact that he has been elected Vice Commander of the local post of the American Legion It is especially fitting, therefore. tha the American Legion should have . part in this ceremony"
 Colonel Steese then read the pre- amble to the Constitution of the Le zion. At this request Colonel Got walls was then escorted to the ros trum. being preceded by the Colori and thc Color guard. As they ap preached the platform, Colonel Steest turned to the Governor and said
 Governor Bone, it affords mo espe cial pleasure to request you, tht name df tho President of the United States, to road this citation, and to pin this medal upon the breast oi Colonel Cotwals."
 Citation Read by Mann
 At the request of the Governor Adjutant Mann read the citation which follows:
 John C. Gotwals, Major, then Lieutenant Colcnel, Corps of En- gincers. United States Army. For exceptionally meritorious and dis tfnguished services. AS Chief Scarchlight Officer, American Ex- pediHonary Forces. he rendered conspicuous service in position