USA > California > Alameda County > History of Alameda County, California. Volume I > Part 42
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A royal welcome awaited the "Grizzlies" in the Bay region and Oak- land joined with San Francisco in welcoming them. They were the first complete organization of returned troops to reach the East Bay. They came by Santa Fé in four sections, the first arriving in Oakland at 3
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o'clock the morning of January 18, and the others following at half hour intervals. The troops were not permitted to detrain until 8 o'clock, when they were served with a hot breakfast by the women of the Oak- land Red Cross on the mole. It was the biggest single undertaking of the Oakland chapter up to that time, but is was well done.
Oakland sent a delegation to San Francisco to join in the enthusias- tic reception given the veterans by her sister city. Charles H. J. Tru- man and Mrs. Addie Mosher, grand president of the Native Daughters of the Golden West, headed the delegation, which assembled along the line of parade in Market Street between Third and Fourth, and pelted the boys with California poppies as they marched by. Oakland was also represented on the speaker's stand when the One Hundred and Forty- fourth was welcomed by Mayor James Rolph, Jr., at the city hall.
The "Grizzlies" were demobilized at the Presidio before February 6, 1919. Colonel Mullally was the last man mustered out.
THE FORTIETH DIVISION
The Fortieth Division, to which the One Hundred and Fifty-ninth Infantry, the One Hundred and Forty-third and One Hundred and Forty-fourth Field Artillery and other units to which Alameda County men were assigned for World war service, was made up from the National Guard of California, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, Arizona, and New Mexico, at Camp Kearney. The overseas movement began Au- gust 7, 1918. The last units arrived in France August 28, 1918. Upon arrival in France, the division was used for replacement purposes, and was ordered to the La Querche area, Département de Cher in central France, and became the Sixth Depot Division. The division was then broken up and its personnel was used to supply replacements for the combat divisions at the front. Maj .- Gen. Frederick S. Strong com- manded the division, which was popularly known as the "Sunshine Division." Its insignia was a golden sun superimposed upon a blue square. The insignia and name were selected as the designation which best represented the climatic conditions of the California camp at which the division trained.
Unfortunately the great service of many men of the Fortieth who went to the front as replacements in other divisions redounded more to the credit of those divisions which participated as units in the smoke of battle, than of the organization which had trained them. In order that the divisions on the line might carry on the fight, eleven thousand
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men were stripped from the Fortieth. Men from this division were among the Americans who barred the way to Paris at Château-Thierry. Men of the Fortieth were with the Twenty-sixth or "Yankee Division" in the trenches of the Toul sector; they fought in Foch's epic battle of mid-July, stormed the Bois des Eparges at the battle of St. Mihiel, raced down the Grande Tranchée de Calonne on the famous night march that joined the two American attacking forces and cut off thou- sands of German prisoners, and fought to the last in the operations of this division north of Verdun, which ended with the armistice on No- vember 11th. Machine gun replacements from the Fortieth gained the highest commendations of their commanders in the Thirty-second Divi- sion, made up originally of the National Guard of Michigan and Wis- consin. They fought with the Thirty-second in its brilliant storming of the Kriemhilde Stellung, the last organized line of the enemy de- fense south of the Meuse. Four thousand of the Fortieth went to fill the ranks of the Seventy-seventh National Army Division, the "pride of New York," and drove forward with the Seventy-seventh in its re- markable advance through the Argonne forest to the left bank of the Meuse, southeast of Sedan. The officers of the Seventy-seventh Divi- sion were high in their praise of the splendid deportment of these men of the west. The "Sunshine Division" also sent two thousand men to the Twenty-eighth Division, National Guard of Pennsylvania, one thousand to the Eighty-first and two thousand to the Eightieth, Eighty- second and Eighty-ninth divisions.
TWELFTH UNITED STATES INFANTRY
Alameda County was also represented in the Twelfth United States Infantry, one of the few regular army outfits, which through no fault of its own, did not get overseas. This regiment, which had been on border duty at Nogales, Arizona, shortly before the United States en- tered the war, was at the Presidio of San Francisco in the spring of 1917 split into three skeleton regiments, the Twelfth, Sixty-second, and Sixty-third, and later, at Camp Fremont, filled to war strength with volunteer and drafted recruits from the Bay region as well as from the western states.
The Twelfth moved to Camp Fremont near Menlo Park, Califor- nia, in January, 1918, after losing a large number of its non-commis- sioned officers who were sent to other camps to train National Army
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troops. The first contingent of drafted men, including some from Ala- meda County, arrived in May, and August found the Twelfth ready for overseas. At this time, however, the War Department drew on the Twelfth and other units of the Eighth Division of which it was a part, for replacement troops for service in Siberia. In consequence, the Twelfth was again but the skeleton of a regiment. After the ranks had been refilled with conscripts, the influenza epidemic once more de- layed the departure of the Eighth Division. The third week in October finally brought orders from Washington that the Twelfth and other organizations were to leave for overseas.
The regiment arrived at Camp Mills on the first of November and all was in readiness for boarding the transport when news of the sign- ing of the armistice brought disappointment to the Alameda County boys and their comrades from other parts of the west. Shortly after the armistice was signed, the Twelfth was ordered to Camp Stuart, Virginia, for duty during debarkation. Unlike the National Army or- ganizations, the Twelfth was never completely demobilized. Those Ala- meda boys who had enlisted for the period of the emergency or who were drafted were discharged during the latter part of 1919.
The following Alameda County men held commissions and were assigned to the Twelfth Infantry during the period described above: Machine Gun Company. First Lieut. William H. Thomas, Berkeley, commanding. First Lieut. Charles W. Arnold, Berkeley. Supply Com- pany. Second Lieut. Allan P. Rose, Oakland. Company H. First Lieut. Sherman K. Burke, Berkeley. Second Lieut. Bertram P. Puckett, Ber- keley. Company I. Capt. Bernard P. Miller, commanding, Oakland.
THE EIGHTH DIVISION
The Eighth Division, of which the Twelfth Infantry and its brother regiments, the Sixty-second, Eighth, and Thirteenth Regiments of In- fantry, were a part, was organized as a branch of the Regular Army. Save for the career of several of its units which got overseas before the signing of the armistice, its history is like that of the Twelfth. The Eighth was the last division to reach the Port of Embarkation at Camp Mills, New York, before the end of the war. Its Divisional Headquar- ters reached France November 2nd, 1918, with Maj. Gen. E. A. Hel- mick in command. Throughout its ranks of approximately forty thou- sand members were scattered men from Alameda County. The Thir-
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teenth and Eighth Regiments of Infantry reached France, the Eighth being selected to form the nucleus of the Army of Occupation on the Rhine, but the Twelfth and Sixty-second Regiments were detained at Hoboken, as has already been mentioned in the story of the Twelfth Infantry. But even in the face of this great disappointment, boys from Alameda County and other sections of the west showed the same plucky spirit exhibited by their comrades in the organizations that did get to the front.
Brig .- Gen. Hugh Johnson, commanding the brigade of which the Twelfth and Sixty-second regiments formed a part, paid these men the following tribute:
"I saw them under the most discouraging conditions that could oc- cur. After six weeks in quarantine at Camp Fremont, California, they were brought to New York for overseas embarkation and placed in a camp accessible to the city, but were again placed in quarantine and were kept in that camp for two weeks under the most miserable con- ditions of rain and cold without adequate facilities for their comfort. During that time a portion of them were placed aboard ships to achieve their ambition for foreign service. Due to a blunder they were removed from the transports and thus missed the last convoy that carried troops to France. At this juncture the armistice was signed and they were left in a condition of disappointment and suspense. During that time I never heard a grumble. The absences without leave were almost nil. There was no slackening in the vigor and spirit of their drill, of their attitude toward their superiors, or of the zest with which they did their work. In my opinion there could be no more severe test of the morale of an organization short of actual combat, and certainly no organization could have gone through such a test with a better record."
The insignia of the Eighth Division was the head of an Indian war- rior in black on an orange background, bounded by a circle of blue.
AMERICAN DECORATIONS FOR VALOR
At least seventeen citizens of Alameda County were decorated by the United States Government for unusual heroism during the World war. Many others received the French Croix de Guerre and other for- eign decorations. Below are the names and a short account of the ex- ploits of men from Alameda County who were rewarded for their valor by the American Government.
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Alameda
Bates, Charles E. H. Second Lieutenant, One Hundred and Third Infantry. Distinguished service cross for extraordinary heroism in action near Marchville, France, September 26, 1918. Lieutenant Bates displayed the highest qualities of courage and leadership in leading his platoon through to its objective under a heavy barrage of machine-gun fire and artillery fire without flank support. He held his objective under murderous artillery and machine-gun fire until relieved. Home address, H. L. A. Bates, 727 Paru Street.
Smyth, Roy M. Deceased. Major, Fourth Infantry. Distinguished service cross for extraordinary heroism in action near Les Franzuettes Farm, France, July 23, 1918. After part of his battalion had already en- tered an open field before Les Franzuettes Farm, enemy machine guns suddenly opened fire from several points and at the same time hidden mines in the field were exploded. Major Smyth constantly exposed him- self to great personal danger while getting his men into the best avail- able cover and reorganizing his position. Next of kin, H. M. Smyth, brother, 1723 Lafayette Street.
Berkeley
Anderson, Walter N. First Lieutenant, Three Hundred and Sixty- third Infantry. Distinguished service cross for extraordinary heroism in action near Very, France, September 26, 1918. With the aid of an enlisted man, Lieutenant Anderson attacked a nest of enemy snipers and succeeded in killing two, wounding one, and taking the remaining two as prisoners. Home address, 2341 Ellsworth Street.
Bailey, Henry S. First Lieutenant, Three Hundred and Sixty-third Infantry. Distinguished service cross for extraordinary heroism in action during the Argonne-Meuse offensive, France, September 26, 1918. Commanding a small detachment which was being held up by machine gun fire, Lieutenant Bailey, with one soldier proceeded to force the enemy's withdrawal. Working ahead under terrific fire, although wounded, he made his way to the right flank of the enemy's position, and within fifteen minutes silenced the fire. Home address, 615 Twenty- second Street.
Blake, Robert. First Lieutenant, Fifth Regiment, U. S. M. C. Dis- tinguished service cross for extraordinary heroism in action near Bois de Belleau, France, June 6, 1918. When the line was temporarily held
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up, Lieutenant Blake volunteered and maintained liaison with the Forty-ninth Company, continually crossing and recrossing an open field swept by intense machine-gun fire. Later in the engagement he es- tablished liaison with the French unit on the left flank, crossing a wheat field under heavy machine-gun and sniping fire, and returned with valu- able information. Home address, Mrs. J. J. Blake, mother, 1148 Ama- dor Avenue.
Irving, Livingston Gilson. First Lieutenant, Aviation Section, One Hundred and Third Aero Pursuit Squadron. Distinguished service cross for extraordinary heroism in action near Bantheville, France, October 10, 1918. Accompanied by another pilot, Lieutenant Irving at- tacked an enemy formation of eleven planes, four of which were above him. In spite of the great odds, he dived into the lower formation, and after a short combat destroyed one plane, and with the aid of his com- panion forced a second plane to earth. Home address, S. C. Irving, father, 1332 Shattuck Avenue.
Fruitvale
Surdez, Louis. Sergeant, Company G, Sixtieth Infantry. Distin- guished service cross for extraordinary heroism in action near St. Mi- hiel, France, September 16, 1918. Although wounded by shell fire a few minutes before his company took up the advance Sergeant Surdez led his platoon through seventeen hours of shell fire, and by his excep- tional example during the advance and consolidation of the new posi- tions encouraged his men to do their full duty in action. Home address, Mary Michelet, sister, Fruitvale.
Hayward
Jones, Arthur H. Second Lieutenant, One Hundred and Forty- seventh Aero Squadron, Air Service. Distinguished service cross for extraordinary heroism in action in the Toul sector, July 16, 1918. Lieu- tenant Jones and four other pilots were attacked by nine German pur- suit planes. Without hesitation he dived into the leader of the enemy formation, pouring machine-gun fire into him at 100 yards. After a quick and decisive combat the enemy leader fell out of control. He then attacked two of the other enemy planes, which were attacking him from the rear, and succeeded in driving them off. Home address, Haywards.
Reed, Albert J. Corporal, Headquarters Company, One Hundred
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and Forty-seventh Field Artillery. Distinguished service cross for ex- traordinary heroism in action near Juvigny, north of Soissons, France, August 30, 1918. While stationed in an observation post which was heavily bombarded with gas and high explosive shells, he assisted in carrying to the rear through this heavy fire another member of the party who was seriously wounded, it being possible to proceed only by going from one shell hole to another. After accomplishing this mis- sion he returned to his post of duty under the same severe fire. Home address, John A. Reed, father, Haywards.
Oakland
Carson, Ben C. Deceased. Mechanic, Machine Gun Company, Three Hundred and Twenty-second infantry. Distinguished service cross for extraordinary heroism in action near Moranville, France, No- vember 9, 1918. Although suffering acutely from a wound, Mechanic Carson continued with the advance, and after setting up his gun, pre- paring to open fire, he received a second wound, which caused his death. Next of kin, Eva S. Carson, Harrison Hotel.
Cook, Frank B. Second Lieutenant, Fourth Engineers. Distin- guished service cross for extraordinary heroism in action near Ville Savoy, France, August 11, 1918. Lieutenant Cook directed the con- struction of an artillery bridge on the Vesle River under constant ma- chine-gun and shell fire, set a splendid example to the members of his command by his disregard of danger. On the morning of August 11 he was wounded while personally looking after the safety of an out- guard during a heavy enemy bombardment. Home address, Frank B. Cook, father, Oakland.
Hermle, Leo D. First Lieutenant, Sixth Regiment, U. S. M. C. Distinguished service cross for extraordinary heroism in action near the Meuse River, France, November 1, 1918. When the company on his left was checked by a heavy machine-gun fire, Lieutenant Hermle led a platoon forward and surrounded a large number of the enemy, cap- turing 155 prisoners and seventeen machine guns. Pushing on, he took the town of Mim St. Georges and many machine gun positions. Al- though he was painfully wounded he refused to be evacuated, and re- mained with his men for two days until he was ordered to the rear. Home address, Mrs. V. P. Hermle, wife, 1226 Fifty-first Avenue.
Pearce, Zeno W. Deceased. Private, Company C, First Engineers. Distinguished service cross for extraordinary heroism in action near
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Soissons, France, July 20, 1918. When volunteers were called for by his company commander, Private Pearce volunteered and rescued wounded comrades from the barrage. Disregarding danger to himself, he continued the performance of these heroic deeds until killed. Next of kin, Joseph G. Pearce, father, 6932 Lockwood Street.
Rose, Harold W. Private First Class, Three Hundred and Sixty- fourth Ambulance Company, Three Hundred and Sixteenth Sanitary Train. Distinguished service cross for repeated acts of extraordinary heroism in action near Very, France, September 28 to October 4, 1918, and at Audenarde, Belgium, November 4, 1918. During the offensive in the Forest of Argonne this soldier displayed unusual courage and de- votion to duty in driving a motorcycle for his commanding officer and also in performing liaison service. He repeatedly showed utter disre- gard for his own life by riding through areas and over roads that were being heavily shelled by the enemy. He was for three days and nights without rest and with very little food. When his motorcycle was dis- abled by shell-fire, he continued on foot and delivered a message as he collapsed from exhaustion. On November 4 he drove a motorcycle with his commanding officer into the town of Audenarde to search for wounded, faithfully performing his duty where the streets had been blown up and timbers from bombarded buildings were falling around him. Home address, Mrs. Mary Rose, mother, 3438 Thirty-fifth Avenue.
Sessions, Harry C. Second Lieutenant, Three Hundred and Seventy-second Infantry. Distinguished service cross for extraordi- nary heroism in action near Bussy Farm, France, September 28, 1918. Although he was on duty in the rear, he joined his battalion and was directed by his battalion commander to find openings through the enemy's wire and attack enemy positions. He hastened to the front and cut a large opening through the wire in the face of terrific machine- gun fire. Just as his task was completed he was so severely wounded that he had to be carried from the field. His gallant act cleared the way for the rush that captured the enemy positions. Home address, Edward C. Sessions, brother, Oakland.
Vercruysse, Joseph. Private, Company H, Three Hundred and Sixth Infantry. Distinguished service cross for extraordinary heroism in action at St. Juvin, France, October 15, 1918. He volunteered and carried a message to supporting troops through an intense barrage, dis- playing courage and persistent devotion to duty. This message was of
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vital importance in connection with the capture of St. Juvin. Home ad- dress, 1723 Forty-first Street.
San Leandro
Reid, Allison W. Private, Company A, Second Engineers. Distin- guished service cross for extraordinary heroism in action near Medeah Ferme, France, October 8-9, 1918. Engaged as runner, Private Reid constantly carried messages through a sector which was under intense shell and machine-gun fire and infested with sniper fire. Home address, Mrs. Louise Rose, 1287 Washington Avenue.
THE COUNTY'S BRAVE DECORATED
The California Historical Survey Commission made public during the latter part of July the names of 907 California men and women who had received citations or medals for bravery and distinguished services during the World war. Of that number 122 were from Alameda County. On the list appeared the names of David P. Barrows, then state commandant of the American Legion, and president of the Uni- versity of California; Maud Cleveland, of Berkeley; Dr. William P. Lucas, of the University of California; Nelson G. Welburn, who was prominent in promoting the work of the American Legion throughout the state; Leroy Crusi, of Alameda; Arthur Jones, the American ace, of Hayward; L. Irving, the son of Berkeley's former mayor; Alfred C. Fletcher, of Berkeley; and other prominent Eastbay service men. The list of the commission, given below, shows that many from this county won the Distinguished Service Cross in recognition of their bravery and valor :
Leon Alder, Alameda, an American citation; Walter Anderson, Berkeley, Distinguished Service Cross; Lieut .- Col. David P. Barrows, Berkeley, Chevaliers de L'Ordre de la Couronne; Lieut. C. E. Bates, Alameda, Croix de Guerre (with palms) ; Elsie Graves Benedict, Pleas- anton, Red Cross medal; Merle Lorring Berry, Oakland Ribbon of Merit, Italian; Lieut. Robert Blake, Berkeley, American citation; Maj. Leonard Boyd, Berkeley, American citation; Lieut. W. C. Brown, Livermore, Croix de Guerre; Capt. Stanley F. Bryan, University of California, American citation; Ben C. Carson, Oakland, Distinguished service Medal; Lieut. W. T. Christensen, Oakland, Croix de Guerre and Distinguished Service Cross; Clifford Clearwater, Oakland, Italian
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War .Cross; Maud Cleveland, Berkeley, D. S. M .; Lieut. Frank B. Cook, Oakland, D. S. C .; Pvt. Gene Cory, Italian War Cross; Pvt. George F. Cotton, American citation; Ray Coyie, Oakland, citation by French; Clarkson Crane, University of California, Croix de Guerre; Lindsay A. Crawford, Berkeley, Croix de Guerre; Lieut. Gordon Davidson, University of California, American citation; Corp. George Dudley, Jr., Alameda, Croix de Guerre; Sergt. Kenneth de Huff, Oak- land, Italian War Cross; Miss Reba Dobson, Livermore, Russian Medal; Sergt. L. N. Dunkel, Oakland, Croix de Guerre ; Raymond Dur- ney, Alameda, Croix de Guerre; Dixon G. Fish, University of Califor- nia, Croix de Guerre; Stanley Fiske, University of California, Medal for Heroism; Alfred C. Fletcher, Berkeley, Chevaliers de L'Ordre de la Couronne; Lieut. Hugh Fulton, Oakland, Croix de Guerre.
Antonio P. Garcia, Oakland, Croix de Guerre; Leroy M. Gimball, Oakland, Croix de Guerre; Robert Graf, University of California, Croix de Guerre; Sergt. Robert Hampton, Oakland, D. S. C .; Laird Hadey, Oakland, Italian War Cross; Lionel H. Harris, Croix de Guerre and a post humous American citation; Sergt. Leroy Harrison, Oakland, Croix de Guerre; Lieut. Aubrey Holmes, Oakland, D. S. C .; A. J. Houck, Alameda, American citation; Milton Hughes, Oakland, American citation; Ralph Hutchins, Hayward, D. S. C .; Lieut. Arthur Jones, Hayward, Croix de Guerre and the D. S. C .; Lieut. L. Irving, Berkeley, Croix de Guerre and the D. S. C .; Theodore Jordon, Oakland American citation; Thomas H. Joyce, Berkeley, Croix de Guerre; Sergt. John Keller, Oakland, D. S. C .; Capt. D. R. Kilduff, Berkeley, American citation; Allen Kinoman, Claremont, Croix de Guerre ; Tracy B. Kittredge, Berkeley, Chevaliers de L'Ordre de la Couronne; Capt. Irving Kleis, Oakland, Croix de Guerre and D. S. C .; Lieut. Maurice Knowles, Oakland, American citation; Lieut. Leroy Krusi, Alameda, Croix de Guerre; Edw. H. Kunhle, Oakland, posthumous American citation.
Sergt .- Maj. Adolph F. Lassen, Alameda, American citation; Gen. E. M. Lewis, University of California, D. S. C., and Legion of Honor ; G. M. Lindsay, University of California, Croix de Guerre; Lieut. Ray- mond J. Little, Oakland, American citation; Dr. William P. Lucas, University of California, Legion of Honor and Belgium Medal of Honor; Lieut. John MacArthur, Oakland, D. S. C .; Lieut. Elmer J. McCluen, Oakland, American citation; Lieut. Jay W. McElroy, Ber- keley, American citation; Edward N. Moore, Alameda, American cita- tion; Douglas MacMonagle, University of California, Croix de Guerre;
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Maj. Kenneth Marr, Oakland, Croix de Guerre and D. S. C .; Marshall Maslin, University of California, American citation; Mrs. A. W. Mavor, Oakland, letter of commendation; Carl Mead, Oakland, Italian War Cross; Lieut. Rollin E. Meyer, Oakland, American citation; Corp. Alfred Miller, Oakland, Verdun Medal; Thomas Mulligan, Berkeley, American citation.
Nathaniel H. Neal, Alameda, French citation; LaMar C. Nelson, Berkeley, Croix de Guerre and Legion of Honor; Corporal Alfred Nuees, Irvington, American citation, posthumous; Sergt. Morgan O'Dell, Oakland, Italian War Cross; Pvt. Michael O'Rourke, Alameda, Victoria Cross and D. S. C .; Sergt .- Maj. William Pagen, Oakland, Croix de Guerre; Pvt. Zeno Pearce, D. S. C .; John Polan, Oakland, Italian War Cross; Corp. Alfred J. Reed, Hayward, D. S. C. and Croix de Guerre; Pvt. Allison W. Reid, San Leandro, D. S. C., Croix de Guerre, and American citation; Maj. Ralph E. Robson, Croix de Guerre ; Pvt. Harold W. Rose, Oakland, D. S. C .; Sergt. Jack W. Rose. Oakland, Croix de Guerre; Maynard Rotermund, Berkeley, American citation; Maj. W. H. Ruddell, Alameda, American citation; Sergt. Smith Russell, Oakland, Italian War Cross; Lieut. K. A. Ryerson, University of California, French citation.
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