Part 50

_Wickersham, J. Hunter, Second Lieutenant_, 353rd Infantry, 89th Division, Denver, Col.—Limey, France, Sept. 12, 1918. Advancing with his platoon during the St. Mihiel offensive, he was severely wounded in four places by the bursting of a high-explosive shell. Before receiving any aid for himself he dressed the wounds of his orderly who was wounded at the same time. Then, although weakened by the loss of blood, he ordered and accompanied the further advance of his platoon. His right hand and arm being disabled by wounds, he continued to fire his revolver with his left hand, until, exhausted by loss of blood, he fell and died from his wounds before aid could be administered.

91ST DIVISION

_Katz, Philip C., Sergeant_, Co. C, 363rd Infantry, 91st Division, San Francisco, Cal.—Eclis-fontaine, France, Sept. 26, 1918. After his company had withdrawn for a distance of 200 yards on a line with the units on its flanks, Sergeant Katz learned that one of his comrades had been left wounded in an exposed position at the point from which the withdrawal had taken place. Voluntarily crossing an area swept by heavy machine-gun fire, he advanced to where the wounded soldier lay and carried him to a place of safety.

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_Miller, Oscar F., Major_, 361st Infantry, 91st Division, Los Angeles, Cal.—Gesnes, France, Sept. 28, 1918. After two days of intense physical and mental strain, during which Major Miller had led his battalion in the front line of the advance through the forest of Argonne, the enemy was met in a prepared position south of Gesnes. Though almost exhausted, he energetically reorganized his battalion and ordered an attack. Upon reaching open ground, the advancing line began to waver in the face of machine-gun fire from the front and flanks, and direct artillery fire. Personally leading his command group forward between his front line companies, Major Miller inspired his men by his personal courage; and they again pressed on toward the hostile position. As this officer led the renewed attack he was shot in the right leg, but he nevertheless staggered forward at the head of his command. Soon afterward he was again shot in the right arm, but he continued the charge, personally cheering his troops on through the heavy machine-gun fire. Just before the objective was reached he received a wound in the abdomen which forced him to the ground, but he continued to urge his men on, telling them to push on to the next ridge and leave him where he lay. He died from his wounds a few days later.

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_Seibert, Lloyd M., Sergeant_, Co. F., 364th Infantry, 91st Division, Salinas, Cal.—Epinonville, France, Sept. 26, 1918. Suffering from illness, Sergeant Seibert remained with his platoon and led his men with the highest courage and leadership under heavy shell and machine-gun fire. With two other soldiers he charged a machine-gun emplacement in advance of their company, he himself killing one of the enemy with a shotgun and captured two others. In this encounter he was wounded, but he nevertheless continued in action; and when a withdrawal was ordered he returned with the last unit, assisting a wounded comrade. Later in the evening he volunteered and carried in wounded until he fainted from exhaustion.

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_West, Chester H., First Sergeant_, Co. D, 363rd Infantry, 91st Division, Idaho, Falls, Idaho.—Bois de Cheppy, France, Sept. 26, 1918. While making his way through a thick fog with his automatic-rifle section, his advance was halted by direct and unusual machine-gun fire from two guns. Without aid he at once dashed through the fire, and attacking the nest killed two of the gunners, one of whom was an officer. This prompt and decisive hand-to-hand encounter on his part enabled his company to advance further without the loss of a man.

93RD DIVISION

_Robb, George S., First Lieutenant_, 369th Infantry, 93rd Division, Saline, Kan.—Séchault, France, Sept 29-30, 1918. While leading his platoon in the assault on Séchault, Lieutenant Robb was severely wounded by machine-gun fire; but rather than go to the rear for proper treatment he remained with his platoon until ordered to the dressing station by his commanding officer. Returning within forty-five minutes, he remained on duty throughout the entire night, inspecting his lines and establishing outposts. Early the next morning he was again wounded, once again displaying his remarkable devotion to duty by remaining in command of his platoon. Later the same day a bursting shell added two more wounds, the same shell killing his commanding officer and two officers of his company. He then assumed command of the company and organized its position in the trenches. Displaying wonderful courage and tenacity at the critical times, he was the only officer of his battalion who advanced beyond the town; and by clearing machine-gun and sniping posts, contributed largely to the aid of his battalion in holding their objective. His example of bravery and fortitude and his eagerness to continue with his mission despite severe wounds set before the enlisted men of his command a most wonderful standard of morale and self-sacrifice.

TANK CORPS

_Call, Donald M., Second Lieutenant_, Tank Corps, Larchmont, N. Y.—Varennes, France, Sept. 26, 1918. During an operation against enemy machine-gun nests west of Varennes, Lieutenant Call, then Corporal, was in a tank with an officer, when half of the turret was knocked off by a direct artillery hit. Choked by gas from the high-explosive shell, he left the tank and took cover in a shell hole thirty yards away. Seeing that the officer did not follow, and thinking that he might be alive, Corporal Call returned to the tank under intense machine-gun and shell fire and carried the officer over a mile under machine-gun and sniper fire to safety.

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_Roberts, Garold W., Corporal_, Tank Corps, San Francisco, Cal.—Montrebeau Woods, France, Oct. 4, 1918. Corporal Roberts, a tank driver, was moving his tank into a clump of bushes to afford protection to another tank which had become disabled. The tank slid into a shell hole ten feet deep and filled with water, and was immediately submerged. Knowing that only one of the two men in the tank could escape, Corporal Roberts said to the gunner, “Well, only one of us can get out, and out you go.” Whereupon he pushed his companion through the back door of the tank and was himself drowned.

Transcriber’s Notes

pg 37 Changed: They let go their ammuntion belts to: They let go their ammunition belts

pg 50 Changed: Colonel Montgomery commandered General O’Ryan’s racing car to: Colonel Montgomery commandeered General O’Ryan’s racing car

pg 64 Changed: generally understod among us brothers to: generally understood among us brothers

pg 75 Changed: The comandming officer of the 32nd to: The commanding officer of the 32nd

pg 78 Changed: into the French capital were greeted with enthsuiasm to: into the French capital were greeted with enthusiasm

pg 82 Changed: Had is done what had been intended to: Had it done what had been intended

pg 106 Changed: a fierce bombardment from the enemy’s adtillery to: a fierce bombardment from the enemy’s artillery

pg 127 Changed: I could not restrtain myself any longer to: I could not restrain myself any longer

pg 277 Changed: picked up 156 offcers and men to: picked up 156 officers and men

pg 309 Changed: Involntarily, without the smallest intention of quitting to: Involuntarily, without the smallest intention of quitting

pg 345 Changed: (an offishoot of the National German-American Alliance) to: (an offshoot of the National German-American Alliance)

pg 383 Changed: awaited the second shock we knew would some to: awaited the second shock we knew would come

pg 390 Changed: further established liason with two French batteries to: further established liaison with two French batteries