[Illustration: Made in France
American locomotive builders assembling an engine in shops behind the
battle lines.]
_Barkley, John L., Private, first class_, Company K, 4th Infantry,
3rd Division, Blairstown, Mo.—Cunel, France, Oct. 7, 1918. Private
Barkley, who was stationed in an observation post half a kilometer
from the German line, on his own initiative repaired a captured enemy
machine gun and mounted it in a disabled French tank near his post.
Shortly afterward, when the enemy launched a counter-attack against
our forces, Private Barkley got into the tank, waited under the
hostile barrage until the enemy line was abreast of him, and then
opened fire, completely breaking up the counter-attack and killing
and wounding a large number of the enemy. Five minutes later an enemy
77-millimeter gun opened fire on the tank point blank. One shell struck
the driver wheel of the tank, but this soldier, nevertheless, remained
in the tank; and after the barrage ceased broke up a second enemy
counter-attack, thereby enabling our forces to gain and hold Hill 253.
* * * * *
_Hays, George Price, First Lieutenant_, 10th Field Artillery, 3rd
Division, Okarchee, Okla.—Grèves Farm, France, July 14-15, 1918. At
the very outset of the unprecedented artillery bombardment by the
enemy of July 14-15, 1918, his line of communication was destroyed
beyond repair. Despite the hazard attached to the mission of runner, he
immediately set out to establish contact with the neighboring post of
command; and, further established liaison with two French batteries,
visiting their position so frequently that he was mainly responsible
for the accurate fire therefrom. While thus engaged, seven horses were
shot under him and he was severely wounded. His activity, under most
severe fire was an important factor in checking the advance of the
enemy.