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\\Aii nut rifiiuirod to doON FIELD OF BATHEDeserter, Sentenced to Death,Now Cited by Gen. PershingWashington. Jan. I4.- From faring’ death before a firing squad on conviction of desertion in the face of the enemy to citation for conspicuous bravery under lire and restoration ‘o duty was the remarkable transition of Private Richard L. Stierheim. Company D. 315th infantry, a conscientious objector.Private Sterheim left the camp of his unit at Brocourt, France. September 14 and wandered about the country, sometimes riding: in freight cars i;i an effort to reach the Spanish border and seek internment until apprehended September -2 at C« rboro. Before a court martial he pleaded guilty in the face of repeated warnings. that only tin* death penalty could be applied in such a enso.Stierheini maintained he understood fully the gravity of Ills idea and was prepared to take the cop.so-0uenccs. He said he was opposed 10 war on religious grounds. which lie, stated at some length .The case was reviewed by the divisional Judge advocate and the death penalty approved. Before the wheels of military Justice had finished grinding, however, the 7 9th division, commanded by Mu Jot General Joseph I* Kuhn e nd trained at Gamp Meade. Md.. was ordered into action near Verdun. Private Stierheim was taken with his company as a prisoner.During the attack which precededthe capture of Mill 37#. north of Verdun. November 2. and lt;xtendingthrough subsequent operations until the armistice was .signed November 11 the record shows that Private Stierheim vobmtarih performed “efficient and roura^ous service in bringing back wounded officers and men from the battalion aid post in a d'tigout under constant fir* and otheracts which has a p r iso nr t.So conspicuous was the work oi Stierheim while German machine : guns raked the lines a id shells wu.ru! bursting on every hand that Gicui. 1V. \V. Gallagher, his cou:paii corn- , mamJcr, declared he had m*\ • - witnessed such bravery, and urged that j The sc it* nee be modified.Gli.pt. Wallace Ihilford. medical el-fid r id charge of the battalion aid p*i.st also miule u jilea for clemency j for Stierheini. saying that Stierheim j hud guided many wounded men from that post, with machine guns popping in all directions, to the regimental aid post further hack. Repeatedly The condemned conscientious objector carried water from a nearby farm for wounded soldiers. He brought in some wounded to Gapt. Bulford's post, rescuing six men unaided, and assisted the chaplain In the burial of dead heroes under fire of the enemy.While affirming the correctness of the verdict of the court martial a.id stating that the death penalty properly applied. Gen. rershing announced that he had set aside sentence and ordered Stierheimwas has i herestored toservice.duty aid non-combatantWAR LABOR BOARD THROWS UP HANDS.\ttempts to Settle Strike H;ne Failed and Kvcnts Musi TakeTlieir Course.Washington, Jan. 9.—Secretaries Daniels and Baker called into conference * today representatives of the railroad administration and shipping board to consider the New York harbor strike situation. It was intimated that sumo definite action might be expected during the day.Reports were current before the opnfcrence, called for noon, that either the Navy or the War department would take over operation of all harbor facilities.War labor board officials said live board had exhausted 11s powers in efforts to adjust tin difficulties between harbor cork, rs and their employers and could do nothing bu1 let tie- strike rnk»■ its course uniil a favorable situ-aMop developed
Newspaper Details
New Britain Herald
New Britain, Connecticut, US
Thu, Jan 09, 1919
Page 9
Full Page
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AK, USA 07 Jun 2021
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