_1st Division, 18th Infantry_
He captured a nest of enemy machine gunners who were doing particular
damage to his unit and as a result he was decorated with the Croix de
Guerre and the Distinguished Service Cross. He is said to be the first
American soldier to receive the former decoration.]
The _Stars and Stripes_ in an article about Chaplain Brady has the key
to the man in the opening paragraph, which quotes him as saying:
“’Tis all one great church, the front line is. In all Christendom, in
all the rest of the world you will not find so much unselfishness,
so much Christian charity, so much loving kindness, as you find at
the front. There, if anywhere, the men are brothers. We feel it.
Denominations or sects are pretty much forgotten. Faith, war makes
strange bunkies, and ’tis me and my pal, the Presbyterian minister,
have been shelled out of the same quarters together.”
The article continues:
“Father Brady ought to know, for he penetrated the farthermost American
position and has crawled beyond the front lines to hear confessions of
Marines in the outpost. He was decorated for extraordinary heroism at
the battle of Château-Thierry where his unfailing ministrations were a
big factor in conserving the morale of the men.
“The true spirit of the Marines is Father Brady’s. He laughs at
obstacles and perils, and his indomitable will carries him through
the most difficult tasks. Often he has accomplished the seemingly
impossible and he is honored by Protestant and Jew as he is by those of
his own faith. Regardless of creed, the Devil Dogs of the 5th Regiment
are proud of their chaplain.”