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‘ RATIIBUN CITED POE BRAVERY. IILee Rathbun of Scotch Grove town-11 ship, and a soldier In the Great war, Ihas received a Victory medal for his 11 services. This medal Is an unusually I honorable one. It is decorated withII four major battle clasps, and is sur- I mounted with a silver citation star— I a mark of great honor bestowed by [I tho government, because of notable I bravery shown in battle. The follow- I ing la the story of his citation; IRathbun was a first class private 11 In a machine gun battalion, stationed)! on the front line of a defensive sec- II tor, A barrage was thrown on his)! battalion’s position. .It was of such I intensity and effectiveness, that thell battalion retired, leaving thoir grins 11 unmanned. Rathbun and one com-11 panion remained with the machine I guns, and fired at the German lines 11 for over four and one-half hours, while I the battalion was absent. They were I entirely unsupported, during all that I time, and were fighting In the midst of | a destructive barrage. After four and II one-half hours, the battalion returned I to the line and resumed its position, 11 and Rathbun and his companion were)I relieved. He was sent to the com-(I manding officer's headquarters, and I from there* he was sent from one 11 headquarters to another until hell reached the comraander-in-chief, Gen- I era! Pershing, who complimented him I very highly, and gave him a certificate, I signed by the commander-in-chief of I : the A. El. P., citing him for exceptional I bravery in battle. That citation was I confirmed by a general order, issued I from the headquarters of the A. K F„ ■ ! and also General Citation order, No. 5, « Issued by the chief of staff of the army ( i in Washington. This citation entitles Rathbun to wear, above the battle) l clasps of his Victory medal, a silver star, signifying that the wearer was a 1 recipient of this distinguished honor, j Since the war, Rathbuu has married and has been an industrious, saving 1 farmer, who has profitably conducted a rented farm. However, the mental strain of his services has borne heav-1 fly upon him, during the last year. The shell shock and exposure has to I some extent clouded his mind. Last summer, he was compelled to give up his farm operations, so that he might receive medical treatment. He is not entirely restored at this time, but the necessity of supporting his family has I made it advisable that he again apply himself to his business of farming.|E. E. Reed has been active in looking after Mr. Rathbuu’* rights.
Newspaper Details
Monticello Express
Monticello, Iowa, US
Thu, Apr 07, 1927
Page 5
Full Page
Clipped by
Anonymous
IA, USA 19 Aug 2019
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