The 2nd Division A. E. F. — Letters Of Commendation

F.—Letters Of Commendation

The following letter was received, commending the work of the men of Company "D" who did special work with the artillery:

Headquarters, 12th Field Artillery,
American Expeditionary Forces,
France, 20th Sept., 1918.

FROM: Commanding Officer, 12th Field Artillery.
TO: Commanding General, 2nd Division, American E. F.
SUBJECT: Work of 2nd Engineers.

1. I wish to call the attention of the Division Commander to the valuable services rendered this organization by a detachment of the 2nd Engineers, during the offensive of September 12th, 1918.

2. A detachment of 24 men, 2nd Engineers, attached to the 12th Field Artillery, by its prompt and efficient work, constructed a road through no man's land, over a complicated trench system, thus enabling our Batteries to closely follow the infantry and take position in time to properly accomplish their barrage mission.

(Signed)
JOHN A. HOLABIRD,
Lieut. Colonel, 12th Field Artillery.

JAH/ghg

1st Ind.

HQ, 2nd F. A. Brigade, 20th Sept., 1918—To C. G. 2nd Division. American E. F. France.

1. Forwarded, inviting attention to the above letter. The Engineers attached to this Brigade during the recent attack did excellent work. They displayed an energy and efficiency that completely won the hearts of their artillery brothers in arms.

(Signed)
A. J. BOWLEY,
Brigadier General. N. A.
Commanding.

2nd Ind.

201.1 (Commendation)
(Det. 2nd Engr)

Hq., Second Division, American E. F., September 22, 1918—To Commanding Officer, 12th Field Artillery, who will submit the names of the officers on duty with this detachment as well as the company or companies from which this detachment was drawn so that proper credit can be given to the individuals of this detachment.

By command of Major General Lejeune:

(Signed)
MADISON PEARSON,
Major, Infantry,
Adjutant.

MP/vl

3rd Ind.

Commanding Officer, 12th Field Artillery, Am. E. F., 28th Sept., 1918, To the Commanding General, 2nd Division, Am. E. F.:

1 The detachment referred to was composed of men of Companies "A" and "D" 2nd Engineers under command of 1st Lieutenant L. M. Chase, Company "D," 2nd Engineers.

(Signed)
JOHN A. HOLABIRD,
Lieut. Colonel, 12th Field Artillery.

JCR:hi

4th Ind.

Hq. 2nd Division, A. E. F., 15 October '18—To C. O., 2nd Engineers.

1. Inciting attention to letter of C.O., 12th F. A. A copy of this letter, in which the Division Commander fully concurs, will be furnished each officer and man of this detachment, and special privileges awarded them in the way of passes when the opportunity occurs.

By command of Major General Lejeune:

(Signed)
J. C. RHEA,
Colonel, General Staff,
Chief of Staff.

The following are the names of the men referred to in letter from Commanding Officer, 12th Field Artillery. Through error, the number of men composing the detail was given at 24, while the correct number should be 1 Officer and 28 men:

First Lieutenant LYMAN McE. CHASE (In Charge)

Sergeant WILLIAM STEIMEL	Private AXEL JOHNSON
Corporal ORVILLE A. DISNEY	Private MICHAEL F. MADDEN
Corporal FRANK EICHBERG	Private LOUIS BUTCHER
Corporal GEORGE A. HARTNETT	Private JOHN DARMSTEADTER
Private ALFUS F. LATTRELL	Private ALLEN BLOOD
Private HOWARD S. TURNER	Private ENNIS S. SUDDITH
Private ANTHONY M. BREWSTER	Private MALCOLM STATHAM
Private JOSEPH ANTONUCCI	Private ELDEN ARMSTRONG
Private FRANK KUEZMARSKI	Private CLARENCE W. ANDERSON
Private JOHN P. FITZGERALD	Private CHARLES KIEHL
Private FRANK P. BALLISTER	Private ALBERT J. MUTSCHLER
Private FRANK BOCHARD	Private JOSEPH YORKOVIC
Private SAMUEL J. SMITH	Wagoner FLARENCE CONSIDINE
Private JOHN R. THORNTON	Private FRANK NASCOMENTO

While he was on duty with the 2nd Engineers, Colonel Mitchell was four limes recommended by the 2nd Division Commander or the Chief Engineer A. E. F. for promotion to the grade of Brigadier General. The following letter was received after he had left the regiment:

Headquarters Second Division (Regular)
American Expeditionary Forces
August 1, 1919.

From: Commanding General, 2nd Division
To: The Adjutant General, War Department, Washington, D. C.

Subject: Commendatory Report of the Services of Colonel William A. Mitchell, C. of E.

1. The 2nd Division, A.E.F., being now about to be disbanded, I desire to bring to the attention of the Adjutant General the distinguished war service of Colonel William A. Mitchell, C. of E., while serving under my command, and prior thereto.

2. Colonel Mitchell arrived in France in the spring of 1918, and was engaged in the performance of staff duties until July 5, 1918, when he joined the 2nd Division, having been detailed as the commanding officer of the 2nd Engineers, and Division Engineer Officer. He served in this capacity until November 20, 1918, when he was detached from the division.

3. He participated in the Aisne-Marne Offensive (Southwest of Soissons); and In the engagements in the Marbache sector; ST. MIHIEL, Blanc Mont Ridge, and Meuse-Argonne.

4. Colonel Mitchell showed himself to be, at all times, zealous, energetic, able, courageous and efficient, and gave himself completely to the performance of his highly important duties. I consider him to be fully qualified to command a combat brigade. He was recommended by me for the Distinguished Service Medal; the Cross of the Legion of Honor; and for promotion to the rank of Brigadier General.

JOHN A. LEJEUNE,
Major General, U. S. M. C.
Commanding.

HEADQUARTERS
SECOND REGIMENT OF ENGINEERS
American Expeditionary Forces.
18 November, 1918.

WAM/wtp
File

From: C. O., 2nd Engineers.
To: Chief of Engineers, FRENCH ARMY (through French Mission).
Subject: Lt. Pierre Oudiette.

1. It is desired to give some testimonial of the value of Lt. Pierre Oudiette of the 6th French Engineers, and to secure his promotion.

2. Lt. Oudiette has been with the 2nd Regiment of Engineers since February, 1918, and has always shown great zeal in the service. He has been with us through six campaigns, and the character of these campaigns can be shown by the fact that the regiment has been awarded the Croix de Guerre for its work in these campaigns. In every one of these campaigns, the work of Lt. Oudiette has been very satisfactory and he has always shown a desire to assist; likewise ho has shown the knowledge, experience and ability which has assisted us very materially in increasing our efficiency.

3. Lt. Oudiette has always been courteous and affable in every way, and we have absolutely no complaint to make of him in a personal way. We are glad to testify to the fact that we are much pleased to have him with us and among us.

4. It is therefore recommended that, if entirely practicable, Lt. Pierre Oudiette be promoted in the French Army to the grade of Captain, as a reward for his excellent service to France and to the United States.

W. A. MITCHELL,
Colonel, Engineers,
Commanding.

United States, and W. A. Mitchell. 1920.
The Official History Of The Second Regiment Of Engineers And Second Engineer Train, United States Army, In The World War.
[San Antonio]: [San Antonio printing Co.].