Now what should be done with a corporal who, with rifle and automatic
pistol, outfought a machine-gun battalion and took 132 prisoners in
addition to killing twenty-five of the enemy? First they made him a
Sergeant. Then somewhat later, after his amazing story was officially
examined and verified by affidavits, in the presence of all the
officers of the 82d Division, Major General C. P. Summerall decorated
him with the Distinguished Service Cross, and said to him: “Your
conduct reflects great credit not only upon the American Army, but
upon the American people. Your deeds will be recorded in the history
of the Great War, and they will have an inspiration not only to your
comrades but to the generations that will come after us. I wish to
commend you publicly and in the presence of the officers of your
division.”
[Illustration:
© _Committee of Public Information from Underwood and Underwood._