USA > Washington > Whitman County > An Honor roll containing a pictorial record of the loyal and patriotic men from Whitman County, Washington, U.S.A., who served in the world war, 1917-1918-1919 > Part 27
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"Before the next shell came I found a big shell hole at the foot of the steep bank by the little railway. There were about eight inches of oozy mud and a little water in the bottom of it, but I fig- ured that it was as safe a place as any, for a shell would have had to make a direct hit to harm me.
"Several minutes after the last shell came over I heard several calls for medical aid, so I crawled out and started to find some one of the medical corps. I found a lieutenant and another man busily patching up some badly shattered legs that had been injured in the shelling. I told him where he would find some more patients. and he told me to send a call for stretcher bearers, which I did. Then I went back to find my rifle, and as I came to the little railway again I met several boys from F company. They wanted to know where their company was, but I could not tell them. We then walked up the track, discussing our re- cent plight, then another shell came screeching through the air. I could feel it in my bones that it was going to hit close, so I turned and ran in
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the direction we had just come. I dropped in a narrow ditch by the side of the track, and then there was a deafening crash and the next instant the air was filled with debris and dirt. After sev- eral minutes' waiting I got up to see where the other boys were. To my awful surprise the shell had struck in the midst of them, as they ran up the track. The explosion had torn up the track to the point where I had laid, a distance of about forty feet from where the shell struck.
"What happened to the boys? Four of them were blown to atoms, the largest part left of any one of them being the left thigh and the lower part of the body. The other three were lying about the ground like so much sausage meat; the fifth was lying in the ditch with the left arm and half of his head gone. The sixth of the group was lying on the other side of the track in slow death struggles, and I, the seventh one, was view- ing the sight, without so much as a scratch. The horror of it was too much for me, so I went up to where I had left my rifle, and there I found just such a sight as I had left, only these were boys whom I had known for months. Four of them had been killed outright, another one was slowly dy- ing, and two more had been severely wounded. I tried to give some first aid. I bandaged up the fellow who had his leg shattered just below the knee. Then I started on the other fellows, when the medical men appeared, so I turned the job over to them.
"As I could be on no more assistance, and as I was sick at heart, I went to see if I could locate any more of the company. I found that our supply sergeant had been killed, and two more of the boys severely wounded. I then made their loca- tion known to the 'medicos.' I tried to find the company or some of the officers, but I found that they had moved across the ridge to another for- est, so for the time being I was lost. After the excitement had worn off I was half sick and weak in the knees. When a fellow goes through and ex- perience like that and says that he was not scared, he is nothing short of a liar. For I know.
"I went to brigade headquarters, after a lot of running around to find it, and they told me to stay there until the company was relieved on the line and returned for the night, which I did.
"That night I roosted out in the open fields, away from the road as I had had plenty of shells for one day. The next morning I found that I had had three dead Boches for neighbors, lying thirty or forty yards out in the grass by a machine gun pit. About the middle of the forenoon I got back with my company, as it was preparing to go for- ward to the front line. We were held up continu- ally by machine gun fire, but we managed to ad- vance across the valley to a wooded ridge, where we were again held up by the enemy's resistance. However, before dark, we had captured a six-inch howitzer and a large store of ammunition for it.
"The next day was a hard one, for we ran past our own barrage when it slackened to move up, and the Germans laid a barrage back of us. Then they cut loose with crossed machine gun fire, and for some twenty-five minutes we surely passed through hell's fire, if ever there was such a thing. I dug into a shell hole into which I alighted, but was soon forced to dig my way out as one of our shells struck close by, jarring some of the wall
onto me. A few minutes later a German shell struck just in front of my shelter, the jar of which nearly deafened me, and crumbled the banks of the shell hole onto me. I figured that every shell that came over had my name and address on it, and surely enough one did, for it landed onto my back porch, so as to speak. When I heard it com- ing I kissed myself good bye, and the next instant it landed just within easy reach at my right shoulder. It was a 'dud' from a German '77'; for if it had not been and had exploded, I would not be telling about it now. The barrage was such a ticklish trap and with no possible escape in sight, the only thing possible was to lie low and trust to a chance of coming out all right. If a fellow had tried to run through, as some did, he surely would have been killed. A number were killed in this manner.
"The next day we were held up most of the fore- noon cleaning out the machine gun nests in the woods, after which we made an advance to an- other wooded hill.
"The company stayed in the reserve the next day, and the regiment following us took over the front line. There was a 'ball up' in orders some way, causing a long delay, and the Germans took advantage of it and launched a counter attack. That was a busy time, and it was while I was en- gaged in sniping on a machine gun nest across the hollow from where I was, that I was struck in the shoulder. I was concealed in the edge of the wood, in a thick clump of bushes, and I had shot three bandoliers, each holding sixty rounds of cartridges, and had started on the fourth. My rifle got so hot that it would burn my fingers every time that I would insert a new clip, and the grease and oil under the wood smoked in grand style. The heat deflection from the muzzle of the gun made the front sight quivver and blur. I was taking a clip from the bandolier when I got hit with a brick, or what seemed like it, for it surely rolled over me. While I was trying to find out how badly damaged I was, a machine gun squad came and ran me out of my hiding place. The lieutenant told me that if I was unable to make I had better go back to where the first aid was located, so I struck out, and many thanks to the Germans for the thin barrage that they were lay- ing, and I got through safely. While I was being cared for, the enemy began shelling the valley with gas shells.
"After my wound was dressed they told me to go back to the ambulance station for further treat- ment. When I got there I had to wait a short time, after which they treated me and tagged me all the same as an express package. I struck out for the little town at which place the rest station was located, and when I got there it was so crowded that they told me if I could make it, to go back to the field hospital which was back about three kilometers, so I continued on my journey, landing there at about 11:00 o'clock that night. I was pretty well tired out, traveling most of that time from 4:30 that evening, when I was wounded. I was the second one in the tent that night, and the next morning it was a full house. I stayed there all day, and at about 6:00 o'clock that even- ing they sent a lot of us away on trucks, tak- ing us to the evacuation hospital, conducted by the French with the aid of American doctors. We
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were delayed by the heavy traffic toward the front so that we did not get there until about a quarter of four the next morning. We were chilled to the bone by the cold. After being dressed and drink- ing hot cocoa, I went to bed and slept until about 1:00 o'clock that afternoon. We remained there until 4:00 o'clock that afternoon, when we were placed on board a French hospital train and taken away back to the base hospital. Five days later I was sent to the convalescent hospital."
SHOT DOWN FOUR TIMES IN ONE DAY
Walter E. Allen, Jr., of Tekoa, Bears Scars of Hard Fought Air Battles-Has Four Cita- tions and Decorations.
Walter E. Allen, Jr., of Tekoa undoubtedly saw as much strenuous service during the war as befell the lot of any man from the state of Wash- ington. He enlisted in the regular army, aviation service, on December 14, 1916. He was shot down four times in one day while flying over the enemy lines. In one engagement that day the steering lever was shot from his hands 5000 feet in the air. Notwithstanding this catastrophe he landed safely. At three other times he crashed to the ground in his planes, once suffering fractures of one leg, his collar bone and four ribe. His many escapes from death were absolutely miraculons, and he was regarded as an extremly luckly man.
In one of the encounters the young man fell with- in the enemy's lines. He set fire to his plane to prevent it from falling into the hands of the Ger- mans. He started back to the American lines on foot and soon encountered a patrol of nine Ger- man soldiers. He shot one and took the remaining eight prisoners.
Sergeant Allen had the distinction of having been the youngest noncommissioned officer in the service. He wears a British distinguished service cross and was cited three times for bravery.
During his various engagements he received three bullet wounds, one in the leg, one in the foot and the third through the left lung.
The following are the citations received by the Tekoa soldier:
Special Order 146.
In compliance with instructions received from General Headquarters, Chaumont, the following commendation is ordered:
For gallantry on the night of April 5, 1918, when he participated at and near Joyce Green, Dartford, Kent, in aerial combat against H. A. and displayed exceptional bravery and ability by continuing although the control lever had been shot away, until his guns jammed and he was forced to retire, the following man is highly commended by the Commanding General:
Corporal Walter E. Allen, Jr., 162d A. S., A. E. F."
The citation is signed by Major General Persh- ing, by J. J. Norman, lieutenant colonel, executive officer.
Office of the Commandant, Naval Air Station Zebrugge, June 17, 1918.
To the Commanding General, Air Station Activi- ties, Base No. 3, S. O. S.
Subject: Commendation.
"I. For service of exceptional merit consisting of the undermentioned acts of gallantry, Sergeant Walter E. Allen, Jr., is especially recommended for reward.
2. Having volunteered for duty of highly danger- ous character he was assigned to a patrol for night bombing of the enemy's aeronautical base and upon the night of June 3, 1918, succeeded in penetrating the enemy's aircraft defense and af- ter beating off two hostile aircraft, accomplished his mission in a manner that left nothing to he desired. He was forced to land at this station and it was discovered that his plane was completely riddled with shrapnel and that both petrol tanks were pierced. His observer states that this was done while crossing the defense but that he re- fused to return until his mission was accomp- lished.
3. This action was observed and verified by Flight Lt. H. B. Stevens of this command.
R. J. MARSHALL, Lieutenant Commander. Commanding Officer.
Headquarters Independent Section R. A. F. Group 3, Wing, A
Tourilles, France, Aug. 23, 1918.
By Order of the King:
For the following acts of gallantry, Sergeant W. E. Allen, Jr., is awarded the distinguished ser- vice medal.
Having proceeded over the enemy lines in the vicinity of St. Mihiel on photographic mission, he was attacked by a formation of H. A. and was shot down, but landed behind our lines.
Proceeding a second time, he gained part of the information desired but was again forced to retire, but only after shooting one H. A. down in flames.
Proceeding a third time with escort he was at- tacked but remained after his escort was driven away, his observer killed and his plane riddled with bullets, and retired only when his controls were shot away.
Proceeding a fourth time against orders and without escort he accomplished his mission, shot another H. A. down in flames and was severely wounded himself. While returning to his air- drome he was attacked by a formation of H. A. and forced to land, but crashed between the lines. However, he secured the photographic plates of great value and returned to our lines after killing one member of an enemy patrol and taking eight others prisoners.
The above mentioned facts were verified by Second Lientenants V. L. Warren and James D. Cline, R. A. F.
The above mentioned man is a member of the 162d aero pursuit squadron, attached independent air force.
R. BURLINGHAM, Maj. Gen. Sir Richard Burlingham, Royal Air Force.
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Independent Section, R. A. F. Marcy, France, Nov. 2, 1918 By Order of the King:
The gold bar of the Distinguished Service Medal is awarded to Sergeant First Class Walter E. Al- len, Jr., for the undermentioned acts of gallantry on October 22, 1918.
Having been assigned to offensive patrol in the vicinity of St. Mihiel he proceeded to completely demoralized a large number of reinforcements being brought up by the enemy, after which he silenced two batteries of artillery which were in- flicting large casualties among the Americans in that sector. Observing a French photographic plane being attacked by a large number of enemy aircraft, he went to its aid and succeeded in driv- ing them away after shooting one of them to earth.
Altho severely wounded he continued to pro- tect the French plane until its objective was ac- complished.
This action was observed and reported by Lt. Col. Ransey, R. A. F.
MAJ. GEN. BRACKNER,
Commanding Independent Sec. R. A. F.
BALLOONIST WRITES OF EXPERIENCES
Lieut. Fred Fuller of Colfax Tells of Sensations Encountered While in Training at Texas Camp.
Lieut. Fred Fuller, son of Mrs. W. H. Melrose of Colfax, wrote many interesting letters home, telling of his experiences. The following excerpts were taken from one of his letters:
"Since the last try at this letter I have had an- other trip, which makes two. The first one we went up above the clouds and sailed along for about ten miles, but on the next one the sky was as clear as crystal and we could see for miles .* *
"This part of Texas is very dry and, while there are a great many cultivated fields, scrub oak and cactus predominates. This is called mesquite, and if by chance you have to land in it, you can depend upon it that you will have to see a beauty doctor, as you will be a little scratched up.
"The first time, our basket alighted astride a barbed wire fence. One of the boys was 'scared stiff' as he thought we would hit a fence post and it would drive through the basket. We bounced off very nicely and landed in a cotton field. The next time we had a little more wind and as we did not get down soon enough the pilot thought we would blow into a fence, so we made a big jump. This was done by throwing out sand just as we hit the ground. We bounced about a hund- red feet into the air and alighted about a hundred yards away. To stop the balloon on landing, the pilot must tear out what is called the rip panel. located in the top of the bag to allow all of the gas to escape. * * *
"You ought to see the rabbits, deer and cattle stampede when we go over, especially when we are near the ground and our drag rope is drag- ging on the ground. This is a heavy rope about 300 feet long which we let out to 'cushion' us when we come down. It takes more and more weight off the balloon and also acts as a guide rope for the basket. * * *
"While speaking of sensations, did I tell you about how exciting the captive balloons are on a windy day? We go up with a jerk and scamper off across the field, first in one direction and then come tearing back, it may be to take a big nose dive. The rigging whines and snaps, and the auto- matic valve lets out gas with ghostly noises. Then the balloon stops with another jerk and the basket hits the under side of the gas bag, and we swing, wondering whether we will break away or not. Coming down is even more exciting. We brush the tops of trees, nearly hit the ground, stop to regain normal position, then do all of it over again, finally settling gently down as easy as you please."
COLFAX OFFICER DESCRIBES BATTLE FIELD
Captain F. A. Bryant Saw Chateau Thierry Battle Field-Marveled at Manner in Which Americans Won Out.
Dr. F. A. Bryant of Colfax, who won a captain's commission, and who spent several months at the front, wrote the following letter home concerning the battle field of Chateau Thierry:
"I had a trip to the front yesterday and it was some sight, although it was very quiet, they said. I did what I had to do and then returned to camp by the way of the Chateau Thierry front, and I surely got my eyes full.
"How the boys crossed the Marne river and got up the hill on the other side with a German ma- chine gun placed every 20 feet at the top is more than I can say. The hill is very much steeper and higher than that back of the Colfax high school. The hill is stripped. All that there is left is a little cross here and there, and an old rifle stuck in the ground to mark the spot where one of our boys fell, but as you see by the newspapers, they have covered a wide scope of ground and I say we are going to cover a wider scope next month (November, 1918).
"* * * Say, if Colfax people are wondering what is going on with their money, just tell them to come to this country and they can soon see. It is surely a sight to know and see what the U. S. A. has done over here in the last year. But don't turn down the Red Cross for anything. It is doing a great work over here, and when any one gets down hearted tell him that there are girls working just twice as hard as anyone there, and I don't mean to throw rocks at the people at home. But it is surely great the way some of the women are working. They have houses at certain places and the troop trains stop there and if the women have time, they feed them. If they do not, they carry around coffee. They don't have to tell the boys to come and get it, for they are Johnny on the spot, and any one would be if he had to stand up in an old box car and stick it out for 48 hours he- fore he could get off.
"* * I want to tell you of a little girl whom I saw. She was only six years old and had both hands cut off at the wrist. She was as pretty as a pic- ture and she would feel so badly when one talked to her. Don't take my word, but write to the priest. Mrs. Bryant has his address and he will tell you the whole thing. The act occurred three
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years ago in Belgium. I have seen many things in the hospitals that I do not feel that I should tell now, but I feel that the American boys are surely paying them back."
MANY COLTON MEN IN ARMY AND NAVY
One Hundred Fourteen Available Men-Sixty-four Per Cent. in Service; Fifty-Two Per Cent Overseas.
The little town of Colton, in southeastern Whit- man county, had a unique record during the war. Of 114 available men, 64 per cent. was called to the colors, and of that number 52 per cent. was overseas. Fourteen more men had been call- ed and had their suitcases packed ready to go when the armistice was signed. It is doubtful if any other community in the state can equal this record.
In addition to the above, the citizens of Colton "went over the top" in every drive proposed in the county.
CLERGYMAN WINS CROIX DE GUERRE.
In recognition of his services as a Y. M. C. A. worker in France, the Rev. E. A. Ballis, who en- tered the service from Garfield in 1917, was awarded the Croix de Guerre and a citation from Marshal Petain, commander-in-chief of the French armies in the east. Rev. Ballis was for 16 months with the French and American armies. The cita- tion, which is dated October 1, 1919, reads:
"Mr. Eugene Ballis, since January, 1918, devoted himself particularly to supplying the wants of the troops day and night, never hesitating to minis- ter in the very front-line trenches of the sector of Genicourt, Ranzieres and Ambly, accomplish- ing his task with a zeal and bravery worthy of all praise."
Colfax Furnished Chinese Cook for Army.
Colfax furnished a Chinese cook, Ku Tong, aged 27 years, and part owner of a restaurant at that place, for the army. Ku Tong was born at Port Townsend, Wash., Mar. 1, 1891, and was taken to China by his parents when a few months old. He resided in that country until he was 17 years of age and then returned to this state. When called before the local board, Tong was not certain whether or not he was a citizen of this country, so the matter was referred to the district board which ruled that he was a citizen. Ku Tong is a good cook and was well satisfied with his army ex- perience. He was the only man of Chinese an- cestry to have been inducted into the army from this county.
Garfield Man Earned Citation
Perry Miller, of Garfield, who won the rank of second lieutenant during the war period, received a citation for heroic conduct at Bois D'Aigremont. The citation is as follows:
"Miller, Perry; first sergeant (554814) Company B, 9th machine gun battalion. In Bois D'Aigre- 14-15, learning that one platoon of his company
had become lost in the darkness, searched through the woods until he found them, although under a terrific bombardment, and guided them to their po- sitions. He then brought in wounded, regardless of personal danger, making frequent trips to search for wounded comrades. As soon as it be- came light he went to his observation post and kept his company informed of the movements of the enemy."
FELL 2000 FEET FROM SKY AND SURVIVED
Ensign C. E. Miller and Companion Dropped in Tail Spin in Seaplane During Machine Gun Practice off Pensacola, Fla.
Ensign Cleo E. Miller, of Pullman, had the unique albeit painful experience of dropping 2000 feet from the clouds and landing in the bay out from Pensacola, Fla., on March 18, 1919, and yet surviving to tell of his sensations. Ensign Miller treated the affair lightly, saying that far worse accidents were frequent happenings during the training period.
Ensign Miller had completed his training with the exception of machine gun practice. He was in a double-seated plane with Ensign Leztkus, an experienced overseas aviator at the helm. An- other plane was supposed to "take off," towing a target. The other plane did not perform according to schedule but Leztkus and Miller took to the air. When at an altitude of 2000 feet the pilot "shut off the gun" and went into a tail spin. His companion thought nothing of the matter until the first half of the drop had been negotiated, and then he awoke to the realization that all was not well. Remembering how one of his comrades had been mutilated in an accident by having the ma- chine gun falling with him, his first thought and effort was to unship the weapon and throw it over. However, before he could act, the plane struck the water. The engine dropped to the bot- tom of the bay, and the wings were crushed as ef- fectively as though it were solid earth. Ensign Miller sustained severe bruises and an injury to his back. His companion came out with a frac- tured jaw.
Ensign Miller met death in a crash of a commer- cial seaplane at Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, July 19, 1920.
Couplin Army's County Dentist
Captain C. A. Couplin of Palouse, late of the army dental corps, has been appointed army den- tist for Whitman county. All dental work done for disabled ex-service men is at the expense of the government.
John Newman Gassed in France.
John Newman, Colfax service man, was gassed in action while in France. His experiences are related in a letter home as follows: "I had to go to the hospital (July 11, 1918) for the first time since I enlisted. 1 got a heavy dose of gas about the second and am out of it for a while. I was near Chaumont for about five months, after which we traveled for a while. I was at Langres for a short time then to Vittel, a famous European watering place. We were there only a short time. I have been transferred to a machine gun company
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of the 23d infantry and went into the line. We had several engagements in which the Boche came off second best. We were lucky in my pla- toon as we had no losses from German fire. One of the men of my squad was injured by the ex- plosion of a hand grenade, dropped by another man. 1 was only three feet from where it drop- ped, so I dived into my dugout. The man who was injured was asleep in another dugout. The night that I was gassed I was carrying 'chow' to the boys. I held my breath while I put the load down, but it got into my eyes. With my mask on I could not see my way, so I lay there for a couple of hours. The gas shells and shrapnel fell thick but I did not get hit. We are well treated here and the nurses are fine. The hardest part is lying in bed. Many French people saw us as we lay on the stretchers and were very sympa- thetic. Several brought us chocolate and cigar- ettes. It was not as bad as I expected under fire. I was scared, but not as much as I thought I would be. We were under heavy fire, too. One day we launched a heavy barrage, which lasted from early morning until 8:00 p. m. The Germans replied at 2:00 p. m., and things were lively. Our men went across at 7:00 o'clock with considerable gain. We seem to have surprised the Boche a trifle in some ways, and I am glad to have had a part in it."
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