“Washington, D. C., May 30.—[Special.]—The heroism of a Wisconsin
sergeant, who deliberately sacrificed his own life to save those of
his men in the fight at Hegenbach, Alsace, July 4, 1917, is told with
official brevity and skeletonized simplicity in to-day’s war department
report announcing the award of distinguished service crosses for
bravery in action.
“The martyr hero was Sergt. Willard D. Purdy, a member of Company A,
127th Infantry. During the engagement at Hegenbach, Sergt. Purdy, after
returning with his patrol from a reconnaissance of the enemy’s line,
was engaged in calling the roll of his men and collecting their hand
grenades when the pin of one of the grenades became disengaged.
“Seeing the grenade could not be thrown away without making certain the
wounding of American troops—most probably some of his own men—Sergt.
Purdy instantly commanded his men to run. Then he himself seized three
of the grenades and, bending over, held them against his stomach. The
grenades exploded, killing Sergt. Purdy instantly, but his presence of
mind and self-sacrificing action had saved the lives of his companions.
“When the pin of a grenade becomes disengaged nothing can be done to
prevent the bomb from exploding within six or eight seconds.
“Sergt. Purdy’s home address was Box 632, Marshfield, Wis., and his
next of kin was given as Mrs. Esther Purdy, his mother.”
No grand adventure; no risk with cheering comrades in a mad assault;
no thrill with the consciousness of perils to be met and with luck
avoided; no taking of hazards with the hope of an achieved success. Not
like a flight into the air to shoot down, after vivid combat, an enemy
plane. Not much of a story for the press. But think about it. Match it.