History of the American Negro in the Great World War: His Splendid Record in the Battle Zones of Europe; Including a Resume of His Past Services to his Country in the Wars of the Revolution, of 1812, the War of Rebellion, the Indian Wars on the Frontier, the Spanish-American War, and the Late Imbroglio With MexicoSweeney, William Allison
History
History of the American Negro in the Great World War: His Splendid Record in the Battle Zones of Europe; Including a Resume of His Past Services to his Country in the Wars of the Revolution, of 1812, the War of Rebellion, the Indian Wars on the Frontier, the Spanish-American War, and the Late Imbroglio With Mexico
Sweeney, William Allison
African American soldiers; African Americans -- History -- 1877-1964; World War, 1914-1918 -- Participation, African American
Later the same day a bursting shell added two more wounds, the same
shell killing the captain and two other officers of his company. He then
assumed command of the company and organized its position in the
trenches. Displaying wonderful courage and tenacity at the critical
times, he was the only officer of his battalion who advanced beyond the
town and, by clearing machine gun and sniping posts, contributed largely
to the aid of his battalion in holding its objective. His example of
bravery and fortitude and his eagerness to continue with his mission
despite the several wounds, set before the enlisted men of his command a
most wonderful standard of morale and self-sacrifice. Lieutenant Robb
lived at 308 S. 12th Street, Salina, Kansas.
Second Lieutenant Harry C. Sessions, Company I, 372nd Infantry, was
cited for extraordinary heroism in action near Bussy Farm, September 29,
1918.
Although he was on duty in the rear, Lieutenant Sessions joined his
battalion and was directed by his battalion commander to locate openings
through the enemy's wire and attack positions. He hastened to the front
and cut a large opening through the wire in the face of terrific machine
gun fire. Just as his task was completed, he was so severely wounded
that he had to be carried from the field. His gallant act cleared the
way for the rush that captured enemy positions.
In August, 1918, back in the Champagne, a German raiding party captured
a lieutenant and four privates belonging to the 369th Infantry, and was
carrying them off when a lone Negro, Sergeant William Butler, a former
elevator operator, made his presence known from a shell hole. He
communicated with the lieutenant without the knowledge of the Germans
and motioned to him to flee. The Lieutenant signalled to the four
privates to make a run from the Germans. As they started Butler yelled,
"Look out, you Bush Germans! Here we come," and he let go with his
pistol. He killed one Boche officer and four privates, and his own men
made good their escape. Later the German officer who had been in charge
of this raiding party was captured and his written report was obtained.
In it he said that he had been obliged to let his prisoners go because
he was attacked by an "overwhelming number of "blutlustige
schwartzemaenner." The overwhelming number consisted of Elevator
Operator Bill Butler alone.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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