Evening star., 1925-02-21

medals must not be worn together. Still
there was no reward authorized below
the extremely special gold medal OF
honor and the mere certificate of merit
when we entered the World War.
x \ x
When the United States entered the
World War, it was seen that this was
the only country which held out no
recognition for special gallantry be
low that which gave the extraordi-
nary medal of honor. Through the in
fiuence of public sentiment, President
Wilson, by executive order, establish
ed the distinguished service cross,
to be given for heroism not justifying
the medal of honor, and the distin-
guished service medal to be given for
specially meritorious service in a
duty of great responsibility. This ac-
tion was indorsed by Congress, the
following July G91S) as part OF the
national defense act. A little over
$500 distinguished service crosses
were awarded during the World War.
Under this act, the President gave
the medal of honor in the name of
Congress, but the distinguished serv-
ice cross not In the name of Congress.
both of these to be won on the field
of battle. Also the President gave
the distinguished service medal (but
not in the name of Congress) to those
who distinguished themselves in the
| war, while serving in any capacity
| with the Army. This latter has been
given to men who served in America
in various bureaus.
BY this act all awards for World
War heroes were limited to the de-
cision of the awarding commission
within three years of the close of the
4
concentrated its attention upon World
War cases until the limit expired.
The same act covered the Spanish
| Civil and Mexican Wars. and since the
expiration of the World War limit
| the commission has been investigat-
! ing the records bearing upon those
wars. That accounts for the recent
awards, and shows that in no sense
| has there been dilatoriness of action
but simply compliance with tho 1918
legislation in searching actual rec
ords. 1t is declared emphaticalIy that
no political pull" nor other consid-
erations, but only the facts as re-
corded in the War Department, affect
| the awards. The Navy awards have
always been more liberal than those
of the Army.
III tLiS cOilHeCllOIlb IL Will De reCa IL
| ed that soon after the Spanish War
there was much discussion as to
whether a medal of honor would be
granted to Col. Theodore Roosevelt
for his action in the battle of San
tiago and San Juan Hill. None was
granted. There is considerable in
terest today in watching the lists as
they come for the granting of distin-
guished services crosses. The inves-
tigatfon at present has just reached
Santiago in announcing such crosses.
In the World War Gen. John. j.
Pershing won, not a distinguished
service cross nor a medal of honor,
but a distinguished service medal, per
G. o. Ill. A large number of enlisted
| men got the higher emblem-the
D.. S. C. In the same order the d. S.
NJ. was also given to Field Marshal
Ferdinand Foch, Marshal Joseph
jacques Joffre, Field Marshal Sir
Douglas Haig, Gen. Petain OF the
French army, Lieut.. Gen. Diaz of tho
Italian army and Lieut.. Gen. Gillian
of the Belgian army, and later to
King Albert of Belgium, who per-
sonally commanded the Belgian army.
Congress has authorized tho ac-
ceptance by our officers and men
of all medals given them by any of
our allies In the World War. All SOL
diers who served in the World War,
whether they crossed the ocean or
were of those who also serve who
only stand and wait" are entitled to
wear the victory medal, given soon
after the armistice.
Gsssksaa 1s9N. lG Raai u 1snl.Ae 4As