The French decorations were probably the sincerest marks of esteem and admiration. They were bestowed by French officers who were close to the doughboy in the field. And they are prized as tokens of the affection of the French for Americans.
In speaking of American decorations we can hardly write without heat. The doughboy did not get his just deserts. And he, without doubt, is correct in placing the blame for the neglect at the door of the American commanding officer, Colonel Stewart. Men and officers who died heroically up there in that North Russian campaign, and others who carry wound scars, and yet others who performed valiantly in that desperate campaign, went unrewarded.
AMERICAN DECORATIONS
Distinguished Service Cross
BUGLER JAMES F. REVELS, “I” Co., 339th Inf., for gallantry in action, Sept. 16th, 1918, Obozerskaya, Russia.
LIEUT. CHARLES F. CHAPPEL, “K” Co., 339th Inf., for gallantry in action, Sept. 27th, 1918, Kodish, Russia. (Citation posthumous.)
SGT. MATHEW G. GRAHEK, “M” Co., 339th Inf., for gallantry in action, Sept. 29th, 1918, at Verst 458, Obozerskaya, Russia.
SGT. CORNELIUS T. MAHONEY, “K” Co., 339th Inf., for gallantry in action, October 16th, 1918, Kodish, Russia.
CORP. ROBERT M. PRATT, “M” Co., 339th Inf., for gallantry in action, October 17th, 1918, Verst 445, near Emtsa, Russia.
PVT. VICTOR STIER, “A” Co., 339th Inf., for gallantry in action, January 19th, 1919, Ust Padenga, Russia. (Citation posthumous.)