_Pike, Emory J., Lieutenant Colonel_, Division Machine Gun Officer,
82nd Division, Des Moines, Iowa.—Vandières, France, Sept. 15, 1918.
Having gone forward to reconnoiter new machine-gun positions, Colonel
Pike offered his assistance in reorganizing advance infantry units,
which had become disorganized during a heavy artillery shelling.
He succeeded in locating only about twenty men, but with these he
advanced; and when later joined by several infantry platoons rendered
inestimable service in establishing outposts, encouraging all by
his cheeriness, in spite of the extreme danger of the situation.
When a shell had wounded one of the men in the outpost, Colonel Pike
immediately went to his aid and was severely wounded himself when
another shell burst in the same place. While waiting to be brought
to the rear, Colonel Pike continued in command, still retaining his
jovial manner of encouragement, directing the reorganization until
the position could be held. The entire operation was carried on under
terrific bombardment; and the example of courage and devotion to duty,
as set by Colonel Pike, established the highest standard of morale and
confidence to all under his charge. The wounds he received were the
cause of his death.
* * * * *
_York, Alvin C., Sergeant_, Co. G, 328th Infantry, 82nd Division, Pall
Mall, Tenn.—Châtel-Chéhéry, France, Oct. 8, 1918. After his platoon had
suffered heavy casualties and three other non-commissioned officers had
become casualties, Corporal York assumed command. Fearlessly leading
seven men, he charged, with great daring, a machine-gun nest which was
pouring deadly and incessant fire upon his platoon. In this heroic feat
the machine-gun nest was taken, together with four officers and 128 men
and several guns.