_26th Division, 101st Infantry._
Cited for skill and courage displayed May 8, 1918, while making a
daring patrol in the enemy’s front line trenches resulting in the
death of 2 German officers and the gathering of valuable information.
He participated in 44 raids, receiving 3 citations.]
“When our ship left in 1917 we sailed a little way, then broke down,
came back, and tied up at Hoboken with our cargo of Thanksgiving
turkeys and black troops. We got fixed up and started again. We didn’t
get quite as far as before when the ship caught fire. I sneaked back
and reported the mishap to General Shanks at the port of embarkation.
Our ship was overhauled and a third time we set out full of hope, but
the machinery broke down again. When I reported to General Shanks this
time, he said: ‘Goodness gracious, Colonel, are you ever going to get
those coons and turkeys to France?’
“When at last we reached the French front in the Argonne Forest I
reported to the French officer in command that I had arrived with the
15th New York Infantry and would place myself and men at his disposal.
‘It is impossible!’ exclaimed the officer. ‘There’s no such American
unit due here.’ Finally he said in surprise, ‘Are you the 369th
Infantry Regiment of the United States?’ and I replied, ‘I are.’