Military Honor Men from Montana, World War I
The officers of the American
Expeditionary Forces who entered the service from the state of
Montana, and who were killed in action were as follows:
Orville L. Anderson,
captain Company C, 128th Infantry, killed August 1, 1918;
Lee S. Cassell, first lieutenant One
Hundred and Thirtieth Field Ambulance, Medical Corps, killed
November 14, 1918;
Harold H. Joyce,
First Lieutenant Company I, One Hundred and Twenty-eighth
Infantry, killed August 30, 1918; Raymond J. Saunders, first
lieutenant Ninety-fourth Aero Squadron, killed October 23, 1918;
George Ahlquist, second lieutenant
Three Hundred and Twenty-seventh Infantry, killed October 20,
1918; James C. Simpkins, second lieutenant Two Hundred and
Fifty-fifth Aero Squadron, killed September 18, 1918; and
Randolph C. Stocker, second lieutenant Company D, Thirty-ninth
Infantry, killed September 28, 1918.
Emmet E. Carruthers,
first lieutenant of Company A, Three Hundred and Sixteenth
Engineers, died of wounds, November 2, 1918.
The following officers died of
disease or other causes:
Winfield S. Faulds,
first lieutenant Thirty-fifth Sanitary Squad, died October 10,
1918.
Cyrus J. Gatton, first lieutenant
First Aero Squadron, died November 4, 1918.
Clinton V. Reed, first lieutenant
Medical Corps, Base Hospital No. 40, died October 7, 1918.
Charles L. Watkins, first lieutenant
Headquarters Detachment, Signal Reserve Corps, died June 23,
1918.
George S. Reisz,
second lieutenant, Headquarters Detail, Aviation Instructor,
died September 19, 1918.
Montana's soldiers who won the
Distinguished Service Cross were fifty-three in number. The
award of the Distinguished Service Cross is confined to anyone
who may distinguish himself or herself by extraordinary heroism
in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of
the United States under circumstances which do not justify the
award of the Medal of Honor, and may be awarded to any person
who while serving in any capacity with the army distinguishes
himself or herself. Following is given the names of the heroes
who received these awards and details of the deeds for which
they were thus honored.
Arthur Aamot,
sergeant, Company D, One Hundred and Twenty-sixth Infantry. For
extraordinary heroism in action near Juvigny, France, August 29,
1918. Sergeant Aamot had sought cover in a shell hole, after a
difficult advance in the face of heavy machine-gun fire, when he
observed distress signals from a tank nearby on which
concentrated artillery and machine-gun fire was being directed
by the enemy. Leaving his shelter, Sergeant Aamot proceeded
through the fire to the tank where he found a wounded man, whom
he courageously carried to safety. Residence at enlistment:
Saco, Montana.
John Ora Adams,
second lieutenant, Ninth Infantry. For extraordinary heroism in
action near Medeah Farm, France, October 3, 1918. He remained on
duty after receiving two shrapnel wounds in the arm, and
continued to lead his platoon to its objective. He directed the
consolidation of his position and the reorganization of his
platoon before finally reporting to the aid station, eight hours
after being wounded. Residence at appointment: Kalispell,
Montana.
Ernest H. Anderson,
private first class, Company F, First Gas Regiment. For
extraordinary heroism in action near Moulin de Guenoville,
France, September 26, 1918. Private Anderson, with three other
soldiers, advanced nearly 200 yards over an open hillside
exposed to machine-gun fire and carried two wounded men to the
protection of a nearby trench. Private Anderson was later killed
in action. Emergency address: Mrs. Christine Anderson, mother,
706 Chestnut Street, Anaconda, Montana. Residence at enlistment:
706 Chestnut Street. Anaconda.
Oliver Anderson,
sergeant, Company L, Three Hundred and Sixty-second Infantry.
For extraordinary heroism in action near Steenbrugge, Belgium,
October 31, 1918. Sergeant Anderson, with two other soldiers,
attacked a strong machine-gun position from which destructive
fire had been poured into his platoon and the platoon of the
flank company, wounding his lieutenant, the platoon sergeant and
many others. They drove the machine-gunners from the position,
thereby enabling the line to continue the advance. Residence at
enlistment: Sand Creek, Montana.
Harold B. Anthony
(army serial No. 2260112), supply sergeant, Company D, Three
Hundred and Sixty-second Infantry. For extraordinary heroism in
action at Bois de Very, France, September 26, 1918. Sergeant
Anthony, while leading a small detachment operating on the flank
of his company, suddenly came under heavy machine-gun fire.
Alone he crawled up close to the machine-gun, killed the gunner
and captured four prisoners. Again, at Eclisfontaine, France,
September 29, 1918, the company was held up by machine-gun fire
from front and flank. Sergeant Anthony spotted the machine-gun
nest. While attempting to reach an automatic squad to point out
the hostile gun he was killed by the machine-gun fire. Emergency
address: Alex H. Anthony, father, 1 122 Sharp Avenue, East,
Nashville, Tennessee. Residence at enlistment: Y. M. C. A.,
Miles City, Montana.
Ivan Y. Bailey,
private, Intelligence Section, First Battalion, Three Hundred
and Sixty-first Infantry. For extraordinary heroism in action
near Gesnes, France, October 10, 1918. While on a liaison patrol
Private Bailey and Corp. Carl G. Theobald attacked and captured
a hostile machine-gun nest and its entire crew. Private Bailey
then took the prisoners across "No Man's Land" to the American
lines under machinegun fire. Residence at enlistment: Fort Shaw,
Montana.
William Belzer,
second lieutenant, Air Service, observer, Observation Group,
attached to Fourth Army Corps. For extraordinary heroism in
action near Jaulny, France, September 12-13, 1918. On September
12, Lieutenant Belzer, observer, and First Lieut. Wallace
Coleman, pilot, while on an artillery surveillance mission, were
attacked by an enemy plane. They waited until the enemy was at
close range and then fired fifty rounds directly into the vital
parts of the enemy machine, which was seen to disappear out of
control. The next day, Lieutenants Belzer and Coleman, while on
a reconnaissance mission, were attacked by seven enemy aircraft.
They unhesitatingly opened fire, but owing to their guns being
jammed were forced to withdraw to the American lines, where,
clearing the jam, they returned to finish the mission. Their
guns again jammed and they were driven back by a large patrol of
enemy planes. After skillful maneuvering, they succeeded in
putting one gun into use and returning a third time, only to be
driven back. Undaunted, they returned the fourth time and
accomplished their mission, transmitting valuable information to
the Infantry headquarters. Residence at appointment: Glasgow,
Montana.
Henry N. Benoit
(Army serial No. 2293659), private, first class, Company D,
Three Hundred and Sixty-first Infantry. For extraordinary
heroism in action near Gesnes, France, September 26 to October
4, 1918. During eight days while acting in the capacity of
runner between his company and battalion headquarters, Private
Benoit was constantly subjected to heavy shell fire, but
performed his mission without thought of personal danger,
carrying the many messages promptly and successfully. Residence
at enlistment: Ekalaka, Montana.
Arthur I. Clark
(Army serial No. 2258790), sergeant, Company C, Thirty-ninth
Infantry, Fourth Division. For extraordinary heroism in action
near Esnes, France, September 26, 1918. Sergeant Clark was in
command of one platoon of his company, which was being held up
by intense enemy machine-gun fire. Accompanied by two other
soldiers, he voluntarily made an attack on one of the nests
under heavy fire, firing a rifle grenade into it and forcing its
surrender. He then advanced on another machine-gun nest and
captured it, taking seven prisoners from both nests. His platoon
having been forced to fall back by machinegun fire from the
rear, he reorganized it and led it in a successful attack on
seventy-five of the enemy whom he discovered nearby. Residence
at enlistment: Helena, Montana.
Oscar Clauson,
private, Company F, Three Hundred and Sixty-second Infantry. For
extraordinary heroism in action near the Scheldt River, Belgium,
October 31, 1918. When the advance of the front line was held up
by the fire from a machine-gun nest 300 yards to the front,
Private Clauson, with two others, crossed the open field in the
face of fire from enemy artillery, machine guns and snipers.
Charging the nest they killed two of the crew, wounded two
others and captured five, together with the machine-gun.
Residence at enlistment: Havre, Montana.
Milan Debney
(Army serial 2293685), private, Company B, Three Hundred and
Forty-eighth Machine Gun Battalion, Ninety-first Division. For
extraordinary heroism in action near Eclisfontaine and Tronsol
Farm, France, September 27 October 1, 1918. Throughout five days
of action Private Debney maintained liaison between company and
battalion posts of command, repeatedly passing through enemy
barrages and constantly subjected to enemy sniping. Residence at
enlistment: Care of the Baltimore Hotel, Butte, Montana.
Louis C. Dolce,
corporal, Company C, Second Field Signal Battalion. For
extraordinary heroism in action near Exermont, France, October
8, 1 91 8. He volunteered and laid a telephone line to an
advanced observation post under heavy artillery and machine-gun
fire, working his way the entire distance of nearly 1 kilometer
through dense undergrowth and barbed-wire entanglements.
Residence at enlistment: 632 Maryland Avenue, Butte, Montana.
Charles H. Evans
(Army serial No. 574149), private, Company B, Fourth
Division. For extraordinary heroism in action near the Bois
de-Brieulles, France, September 27, 1918. When his company was
held up by heavy enemy machine-gun fire, Private Evans and two
other soldiers advanced in the face of intense fire and captured
the enemy machine-gun nest, from which the fire had been coming,
killing two of the enemy and' capturing three prisoners with
their machine gun. Residence at enlistment: Lewistown, Montana.
Austin Gates
(Army serial No. 14556), private, Company M., Sixteenth
Infantry. For extraordinary heroism in action near Charpentry,
France, October 3, 19 18. He went forward with three other
soldiers, and, though subjected to intense enemy fire, rescued a
wounded soldier who had fallen in advance of the American lines.
Residence at enlistment: Drummond, Montana.
Leonard E. Guy
(Army serial No. 572657), sergeant, Company C, Fifty-eighth
Infantry. For extraordinary heroism in action near Nantillois,
France, September 27, 19 18. Sergeant Guy displayed exceptional
courage in attacking single-handed a machine-gun emplacement,
capturing the gun and taking as prisoners three machine-gunners.
Residence at enlistment: Great Falls, Montana.
Benjamin P. Harwood,
second lieutenant, Field Artillery, observer, Twelfth Aero
Squadron, Air Service. For extraordinary heroism in action near
Chateau Thierry, France, July 5, 191 8. He volunteered, with
another plane, to protect a photographic plane. In the course of
their mission they were attacked by seven enemy planes of the
Fokker type. He accepted the combat and kept the enemy engaged
while the photographic plane completed its mission, but his guns
jammed and he himself was seriously wounded. After skillfully
clearing his guns, with his plane badly damaged he fought off
the hostile planes and enabled the photographic plane to return
to the American lines with valuable information. Residence at
appointment: Billings, Montana.
Rudolph P. Hassler,
sergeant, Company K, Three Hundred and Sixty-second Infantry.
For extraordinary heroism at Gesnes, France, September 29, 1918.
Although he was seriously wounded, he remained in command of his
platoon until he was relieved next morning, displaying
exceptional devotion to duty. Residence at enlistment: Sumatra,
Montana.
Harry Hildebrand,
sergeant, Company C, Third Machine Gun Battalion. For
extraordinary heroism in action near Soissons, France, July
18-24, 1918. He went forward beyond the front line, exposed to
fire of snipers, and repaired and put into action an abandoned
enemy machinegun. Later, his platoon commander being wounded and
the platoon becoming disorganized through direct artillery fire,
he took command, gathered reinforcements, and protected a
dangerously exposed flank of the infantry. He also voluntarily
led his machine guns with the attacking battalion, rendering
most efficient service until wounded. Residence at enlistment:
Butte, Montana.
Melvin B. Johnson
(Army serial No. 84054), corporal, Company M, One Hundred and
Twenty-seventh Infantry. For extraordinary heroism in action
near Gesnes, France, October 14, 1918. When his battalion was
held up after suffering heavy casualties from flanking
machinegun fire, he went out alone with an automatic rifle to a
position 250 yards in advance of the American lines, and,
although subjected to intense fire from three directions,
operated his gun and so neutralized the enemy fire while his
battalion reformed. Pie was killed on this mission, undertaken
on his own initiative. Emergency address: Mrs. Oliva Johnson,
mother, Clear Brook, Minnesota. Residence at enlistment: Greve,
Montana.
Clifford M. Jordan,
private, Company L, Sixteenth Infantry. For extraordinary
heroism in action near Cantigny, France, June 2, 1918. He went
forward under intense machine-gun and artillery fire and
assisted in the removal of a wounded soldier over a distance of
1 kilometer. Now deceased. Emergency address: J.I. B. Hanson,
friend, Malta, Montana. Residence at enlistment: Malta, Montana.
Emanuel Karch,
private, Company B, Sixteenth Infantry. Displaying exceptional
initiative and bravery throughout the operations south of
Soissons, France, July 18-22, 1918; he with extraordinary
heroism, July 21, with two companions captured two machine guns
that were causing heavy losses to his company. Residence at
enlistment: Angela, Montana.
Eugene F. Knoke,
private, Company M, Three Hundred and Sixty-second Infantry. For
extraordinary heroism in action near Gesnes, France, September
29, 1918. He performed his duties as company runner with the
utmost fearlessness, crossing fire-swept fields on two occasions
to carry important messages to neighboring units. Residence at
enlistment: Glasston, Montana.
Christian Kurle,
private, Company H, Three Hundred and Seventh Infantry. For
extraordinary heroism in action near Oches, France, November 4,
1918. Exposing himself to heavy machine-gun fire, Private Kurle
crossed an open field 300 yards wide and rescued a severely
wounded comrade. Residence at enlistment: Angela, Montana.
Arthur S. Long
(Army serial No. 44521), private, Company D, Sixteenth Infantry.
For extraordinary heroism in action near Hill 272, France,
October 9, 19 18. Facing direct fire from a 77-millimeter gun
which was enfilading his company, he advanced against the gun
with an automatic rifle. Attacking the German gun position, he
captured the crew, making it possible for his company to hold
the ground it had gained. Residence at enlistment: Box No. 57,
Roberts, Montana.
Luzius Luzi,
private, Company M, Twenty-third Infantry. For extraordinary
heroism. He fearlessly and frequently passed through heavy
machine-gun fire while performing his duty as runner near
Chateau Thierry, France, June 6, 1918, after being twice
wounded. Residence at enlistment: Salesville, Montana.
Daniel McAuliffe,
corporal, Company M, Sixteenth Infantry. For extraordinary
heroism in action in the Argonne Forest, France, October 4,
1918. Leading his squad on enemy machine-gun nests which had
been inflicting severe casualties on his platoon, Corporal
McAuliffe opened an effective bombing attack on the nests, and,
although severely wounded, remained in command until the strong
point was reduced. Residence at enlistment: 939 Hornet Street,
Butte, Montana.
William McLoughlin,
private, Company A, Third Machine Gun Battalion. For
extraordinary heroism in action near Berzy-le-Sec, France, July
21, 1918. He advanced against a machine gun, and, single-handed,
killed or captured the entire crew. Residence at enlistment:
Anaconda. Montana.
Duncan A. McRae,
sergeant, Company M, Three Hundred and Sixty-second Infantry.
For extraordinary heroism in action near Gesnes, France, October
n, 1918. He took out a patrol for the purpose of ascertaining
the position of the enemy and the location of machine guns.
Three of his men were killed but he continued on over a
difficult terrain and returned with information of the highest
value in subsequent operations. Residence at enlistment: 902
Ninth Avenue, Helena, Montana.
Carl J. Maier,
private, first class, Company I, Three Hundred and Sixty-second
Infantry. For extraordinary heroism in action at Bois de Cheppy,
near Meuse, France, September 26, 191 8. Working with a patrol
in an attack on an enemy machine gun, he crawled upon the
emplacement and without assistance killed three enemy gunners
and captured their machine gun. Residence at enlistment:
Glendive, Montana.
Jesse Marlin,
corporal, Company B, One Hundred and Twenty-seventh Infantry.
For extraordinary heroism in action at Juvigny, France, August
31, 1918. He was one of a party of three officers and two men
who, armed with one German machine gun and three German rifles,
attacked a machine-gun nest held by seventy Germans. Under
terrific fire from the enemy, who laid down an artillery barrage
upon their position, they concentrated their rifle fire so
effectively that thirty-two Germans surrendered within an hour.
After the prisoners had been brought in, Corporal Marlin, with a
private, established another machine gun in an advanced position
and kept up a concentrated fire on the Germans until he was
wounded in the body five times by machine-gun fire. Emergency
address: L. C. Hall, friend, General Delivery, Billings,
Montana. Residence at enlistment, same.
Robert J. Maxey,
lieutenant-colonel, Eighteenth Infantry. On May 28, 1918, at
Cantigny, France, he advanced with the first wave and, in the
face of heavy shell and machine-gun fire, located the objective
of his battalion. He was a cool, dependable and heroic leader.
Although fatally wounded, he gave detailed instructions to his
second in command and caused himself to be carried to his
regimental commander and delivered important information before
he died. Emergency address: Mrs. Lu Knowles Maxey, wife, 900
First Street, Missoula, Montana. Residence at appointment: same.
Frank D. Miller
(army serial No. 2706), private, Medical Detachment,
Twenty-eighth Infantry. For extraordinary heroism in action near
Exermont, France, October 1-12, 1918. His detachment having been
reduced to but three men, Private Miller displayed conspicuous
courage and devotion to duty in caring for and evacuating
wounded across an area swept by shell and machine-gun fire to
the regimental aid station and returning with badly-needed
medical supplies to the forward aid station. His conduct was an
inspiration to his associates, their commanding officer being
absent and the sergeant in charge having been killed. Residence
at enlistment: Great Falls, Montana.
James H. Moore,
Jr. (army serial No. 3137555), corporal, Company E, Two Hundred
and Seventh Infantry. For extraordinary heroism in action in the
Argonne Forest, France, October 2, 1918. During an attack, when
his platoon encountered enemy wire, Corporal Moore calmly went
forward and alone proceeded to cut a passage through the wire.
While performing his work he was subjected to the fiercest fire
of enemy machine guns and grenades, which wounded over half the
platoon. He continued in this work until he accomplished his
purpose. Residence at enlistment: Ridgway, Montana.
John J. Murphy,
private, first class, Battery F, One Hundred and Forty-eighth
Field Artillery. For extraordinary heroism in action near
Nantillois, France, October 31, 191 8. Private Murphy displayed
a remarkable example of heroism by carrying two wounded men from
the gun pit after being seriously wounded himself, when a German
shell exploded within a few feet of the piece which was being
loaded, setting fire to several boxes of powder and to the
camouflage cover of the pit. After carrying the wounded men to
safety, he returned to the pit, closed the breech of the piece,
verified it's laying, and fired it, preventing what probably
would have been a very serious explosion. He was quickly carried
to the aid station, where it was found that he had suffered
serious burns from the terrific heat, besides being wounded in
several places by shell fragments. Residence at enlistment:
Butte, Montana.
Vincent A. Nolan
(army serial No. 303736), pharmacist's mate, third class, United
States Navy, attached to Company E, Fifth Regiment, United
States Marine Corps, Second Division. For extraordinary heroism
in action near St. Etienne, France, October 5-9, 191 8. During
the operations at Blanc Mont Ridge he repeatedly went through
intense machine-gun fire and shell fire to administer first aid
to officers and soldiers who were wounded and lying in exposed
positions. Residence at enlistment: Livingston, Montana.
Cornelius J. O'Brien,
sergeant, Company E, Second Engineers. For extraordinary heroism
in action near Ville-Savoye, France, August 11, 1 91 8. While
engaged on the construction of a bridge over the Valle River, he
voluntarily left shelter during intense fire and carried one of
his wounded officers through a heavy machine-gun and artillery
fire to a dressing station. Emergency address: Mrs. Mollie
Prine, sister, 2 Ridgely Avenue, Butte, Montana. Address at
enlistment: same.
Solomon Peterson,
sergeant, Company I, Three Hundred and Sixty-second Infantry.
For extraordinary heroism in action during the Argonne
offensive, France, September 26-29, 191 8. He repeatedly led
patrols in successful attacks on enemy machine-gun emplacements,
displaying calmness and keen judgment. After being wounded he
insisted in remaining in command of his platoon. Residence at
enlistment: Mosley, Montana.
Philip W. Prevost
(army serial No. 2284906), private first class, Company D, Three
Hundred and Sixty-fourth Infantry. For extraordinary heroism in
action near Eclisfontaine, France, September 28, 1918. A combat
group had worked its way far ahead when the remainder of the
line was held up by heavy bursts of machine-gun fire, and the
order to dig in and hold the position was given. Private Prevost
volunteered to carry the message through heavy machine-gun fire
to the combat group, which was still advancing. He delivered the
order and returned with information which enabled the battalion
to make dispositions for the capture of the line of enemy
machine-gun nests and the saving of the combat group. Residence
at enlistment: Geyser, Montana.
John E. Reese,
sergeant, Company F, Three Hundred and Sixteenth Engineers. For
extraordinary heroism in action at Audenarde, Belgium, November
I, 191 8. He volunteered to accompany an officer and three other
soldiers on a reconnaissance patrol of the City of Audenarde.
Entering the city under heavy shell fire, the party
reconnoitered for seven hours, while it was still being
patrolled by the enemy, advancing two kilometers ahead of the
American outposts and beyond those of the enemy. Residence at
enlistment: 415 South Colorado Street, Butte, Montana.
Charles L. Sheridan,
captain, Company A, One Hundred and Sixty-third Infantry. For
extraordinary heroism in action on Hill 230, near Cierges,
France, July 31 and August 1, 1918. He demonstrated notable
courage and leadership by taking command of the remnants of two
companies and leading them up the hill and into the woods
against violent fire from the enemy. He personally shot and
killed three of the enemy and under his direction six machine
guns were put out of action and the hill captured. Residence at
appointment: 1022 West Curtis Street, Bozeman, Montana.
Robert A. Simpson
(army serial No. 41804), private, Company A, Sixteenth Infantry,
First Division. For extraordinary heroism in action near
Soissons, France, July 22, 1918. After being wounded, Private
Simpson returned to the line and continued to carry messages
with absolute disregard of his own safety until he was wounded a
second time. Residence at enlistment: Shelby, Montana.
Sidney Smith,
private, Company H, Three Hundred and Eighth Infantry. For
extraordinary heroism in action near Bainarville, France,
October 28, 1918. When his company had been cut off from
communication he, though seriously wounded, refused to seek
shelter. He participated in several attacks with courage and
-aggressiveness, using his rifle very effectively and
encouraging his comrades. When relief came he walked back to the
dressing station so that medical attention could first be given
to the more seriously wounded. Residence at enlistment: Blaine,
Montana.
Clayton Evans Snyder,
second lieutenant, Ninth Machine Gun Battalion. For
extraordinary heroism in action near Cunel, France, October 13,
1918. Although wounded by machine-gun fire, he refused to be
evacuated, and, going out into No Man's Land, located several
enemy machine guns which were endangering his platoon, and
directed the fire of his men with such accuracy that the guns
were silenced. Residence at appointment: Malta, Montana.
Carl J. Sonstelie,
first lieutenant, Third Brigade, Tank Corps. For extraordinary
heroism in action near Montfaucon, France, September 26, 1918.
He displayed bravery and leadership of a high order in the
advance toward Montfaucon by going out ahead of the engineers,
reconnoitering a tank route under fire, and urging the tanks
forward. He located the resistance in the Bois de Cuisy in
advance, later rallying disorganized soldiers and enabling them
to hold that point. Residence at appointment: 628 Third Avenue,
West, Kalispell, Montana.
Gilbert Straabe,
private, Company D, Three Hundred and Sixty-first Infantry. For
extraordinary heroism in action near Gesnes, France, Octo her 3,
191 8. He voluntarily and unhesitatingly left shelter under
heavy shell fire and without thought of personal danger rendered
first aid and carried a wounded comrade to a place of safety.
Residence at enlistment: Devon, Montana.
Joseph J. Sullivan,
corporal, Company M, Three Hundred and Sixty-second Infantry.
For extraordinary heroism in action near Gesnes, France.
Observing that the left flank of the regimental line was
unprotected, he voluntarily took out a combat patrol, and, while
so doing, encountered three machine guns, which were employing
effective enfilade fire. Boldly advancing to this position, he
silenced the guns. Residence at enlistment: Jordan, Montana.
Clarence W. Thompson
(army serial No. 1039036), sergeant, Battery F, Tenth Field
Artillery, Third Division. For extraordinary heroism in action
near Greves Farm, France, July 15, 1918. Responding to a call
for volunteers, Sergeant Thompson, with eight other soldiers,
manned two guns of a French battery which had been deserted by
the French during the unprecedented fire, after many casualties
had been inflicted upon their forces. For two hours he remained
at his post and poured an effective fire into the ranks of the
enemy. Residence at enlistment: Van Norman, Montana.
Waldo Thompson,
corporal, Company C, Second Field Signal Battalion. For
extraordinary heroism in action near Exermont, France, October
5, 1918. He voluntarily went forward in the face of a most
destructive bombardment and kept in repair the telephone line
connecting the infantry and artillery, thereby assuring the
close co-operation between these two elements. Residence at
enlistment: 1108 East Sixth Street, Anaconda, Montana.
Hans L. Tveten,
private, Company K, Three Hundred and Sixty-third Infantry. For
extraordinary heroism in action at Gesnes, France, September 29,
191 8. When his company was under fire from two German machine
guns, he crept forward alone and put the guns out of action with
rifle grenades, capturing, single-handed, four Germans and both
machine guns. Residence at enlistment: Sandcreek, Montana.
Herman Wallenmaier,
private, Company D, Sixteenth Infantry. For extraordinary
heroism in action near the Argonne Forest, France, October 9,
1918. Although suffering painfully from wounds, he remained with
his company during the entire action, and then was evacuated
only when ordered to leave by his commanding officer, being
unable to proceed further because of the loss of blood.
Residence at enlistment: Valleytown, Montana.
George Whitcomb,
private, Company B, Ninth Machine Gun Battalion. For
extraordinary heroism in action near Gunel, France, October 12,
1918. Although seriously wounded, he refused to be evacuated
until he had gone under heavy artillery and machine-gun fire to
four other gun crews, requesting that men be sent to his gun,
thereby enabling an important gun to remain in action. Residence
at enlistment: Bonnerville Apartments, Helena, Montana.
Cecil J. Widdifield,
second lieutenant, Sixth Regiment, United States Marine Corps.
For extraordinary heroism in action near St. Etienne, France,
October 5, 19 18. He voluntarily went forward for a distance of
800 meters under heavy shell fire and rescued a wounded soldier
who had been left there the night before when the advance
patrols had been withdrawn. Residence at appointment: Troy,
Montana.
Frank Zilkey,
corporal, Company D, Sixteenth Infantry. For extraordinary
heroism in action near the Forest of Argonne, France, October 9,
1918. After all the other members of his squad had been killed
or wounded in advancing on a hostile machine gun, he pressed
forward alone in the face of direct fire from the gun, and by
remarkable courage captured both the gun and its crew. Upon his
own initiative, he then started out alone to attack another gun
and was killed. Emergency address, Mrs. J. J. Carr, mother, May,
Idaho. Residence at enlistment: Butte, Montana.
Return to
Montana AHGP
Source: Montana its Story and Biography,
by Tom Strout, Volume 1, The American Historical Society, 1921
|