And in Spite of Regulations and Red Tape the Old Sergeant Got to France
and Into the Front Lines
Let no one dare deny the heroism of Bill Davidson. His name may not be
found among those cited for distinguished service, but that is because
distinguished services are not enumerated in the military code. If
there is an instance of more determined valor or of more successful
triumph over the impossible it does not appear in the chronicles.
Nevertheless it is necessary to introduce Bill Davidson, and the
greatest distinction that can be conferred upon him in the estimation
of Bill Davidson himself is to say he was orderly to Lieutenant Colonel
John C. Greenway, First Division, A. E. F. He hailed from out Arizona
way. In the days when the United States was engaged with Spain in the
discussion of matters more or less serious, Jack Greenway was a Captain
of Rough Riders, and Bill was his Sergeant, and by the testimony of
that Captain, now Lieutenant-Colonel, Bill was the best first Sergeant
in Cuba. There Bill took into his spiritual system an affection of
devotion to Greenway that time and circumstances can never diminish.
Therefore, when the United States declared war against Germany, Bill,
who was in the employ of the New Cornelia at Ajo, straightway thought
of Jack Greenway. He said to himself, “All hell can’t keep Jack
Greenway from going to the front, and it’s me for Jack Greenway.” He
foresaw a great experience “over there,” the doing of extraordinary
things, and he wanted to be with Greenway in the performance.
Greenway, of course, tendered his services to the Government at once
and was given a commission as Major of Engineers. Now let the Bisbee
_Review_ continue the story as it got it direct from Colonel Greenway
in Bisbee town.
One day Bill walked into the Captain’s office in Warren just as he was
preparing to close his desk and quit the office.
“Well, Captain, I’ve quit over yonder,” Bill remarked, after the
salutations.
“What did you quit for, Bill?”
“I’m going into the army with you.”
“Have you enlisted?”
“Hell, no. I’m no fool. If I enlisted over here I might not go to
France for months, perhaps not at all. I’m going with you, and shall
enlist in your regiment after I get to France,” was the way Bill
figured it out.
[Illustration:
_Courtesy of Munseys._