339th Inf. Croix de Guerre Award
Ceremony
Verst 455, Vologda Railroad Front,
Russia
Monday, 17 February 1919
The men in the two photos below were awarded the French Croix de Guerre medal for their bravery in repulsing the Bolshevik attack that occurred on 04 Nov 1918 at Vest 445 on the Vologda Railroad Front (read the "Report of Engagement"). At the time of the attack, they were fighting alongside a unit of French artillerymen and officers, therefore they were awarded this French military decoration for their actions.
Officers
and men of Co. I, 339th Inf., 85th Div., who received the French
Croix de Guerre for bravery in action. The decoration, which was
conferred by the French Government, was presented by Gen.
Ironside (British) Officer commanding the Allied Expeditionary
Forces in North Russia.
L to R: 2nd Lt. Dwight Fistler, Co. I, 339th Inf., Cpl. John C.
Smolinski, Co. I, 339th Inf., Cpl. Theodore H. Sieloff, Co. I,
339th Inf., Cpl. Clement A. Grobbel , (Co. I) 339th Inf., Pvt.
Frank Rank, Co. I, 339th Inf., Pvt. Oscar Lighter, Co. M, 339th
Inf., Pvt. Herman A. Soder, Co. I, 339th Inf.
Verst 455, Vologda R.R. Front, Russia, Feb. 17, 1919.
(official Signal Corps photo caption)
An
American Officer and seven (sic) enlisted men about to be
presented with the French Croix de Guerre for gallant action in
fighting along the Vologda R.R. Front.
In order from L to R: 2nd Lt. Dwight Fistler, Co. I, 339th Inf.,
Cpl. John C. Smolinski, Co. I, Cpl. Theodore H. Sieloff, Co. I,
Cpl. Clement A. Grobbel, Co. I, Pvt. Frank Rank (Co. I), Pvt.
Oscar Lighter, Co. M, 339th Inf., Pvt. Herman A. Soder.
Two other medals were awarded the same day, one to Pvt. Leo R.
Ellis (Co. I), who is dead, and the other to Pvt. John Kukoris (Co.
I), who was in the hospital at the time.
Verst 455, Vologda R.R. Front, Russia, Feb. 17, 1919.
(official Signal Corps photo caption)
Col.
Geo. E. Stewart, C.O., U.S. Troops in Northern Russia,
congratulating the Officer and Men of Co. I (off camera) who
have just received the Croix de Guerre, for their gallantry. In
the background are shown, from L to R, Lt. C.J. Gardner, Adj. 3rd
Bn., Major C. Archer (French), Lt. De Rein (sic) (French),
Interpreter, (French), Col. Dunlop (French), Col. Lucas (French),
Buglar, and Maj. J. Brooks Nichols, 3rd Bn. 339th Inf. 85th Div.
Verst 455, Vologda R.R. Front, Russia, Feb. 17, 1919.
(official Signal Corps photo caption)
Officers
- American, British and French, who were present during the
awarding of the decorations to the soldiers of Co. I, 339th Inf.,
85th Div.
One officer and seven men of this Company were presented with the
Croix de Guerre, which had been conferred on them by the French
Government. The presentation ws made by Gen. E. Ironside (British).
One man of Co. M, 339th Inf. received the decoration at the same
time.
L to R: Col. Dunlop (French), Col. Lucas (French), Gen. E.
Ironside (British), Col. Geo. E. Stewart, (C.I.C. American Troops),
Maj. C. Archer (French), Maj. J. Brooks Nichols, 3rd Bn. 339th
Inf. 85th Div., and Lt. De Reim (sic) (French).
Verst 455, Vologda R.R. Front, Russia, Feb. 17, 1919.
(official Signal Corps photo caption)
Co.
I, 339th Inf. 85th Div. lined up preparatory to the awarding of
the French Croix de Guerre to eight members of their Co. by
General E. Ironside (British) Commanding North Russia
Expeditionary Forces. Capt H. G. Winslow is shown in front of his
Company.
Verst 455, Vologda R.R. Front, Russia, Feb. 17, 1919.
(official Signal Corps photo caption)
SOURCE:
National Archives and
Records Administration (NARA II), College Park, MD.
Finding Aid Location: NARA II Still Photos Research Room, 5th
Floor, Cabinet #6, rear of Drawer #2, Folders 46 (North Russia)
and 50 (Siberia & N. Russia).
Photo Locations: RG 111-SC, WWI, Box 845, photos #161083, 161084,
1611000, 161101, 161102.
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