Norman Prince : $b A volunteer who died for the cause he lovedBabbitt, George Franklin
History
Norman Prince : $b A volunteer who died for the cause he loved
Babbitt, George Franklin
Prince, Norman, 1887-1916; World War, 1914-1918 -- Aerial operations; World War, 1914-1918 -- Personal narratives
On the occasion of the reception given by the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts and the City of Boston to the French Envoys who came
to this country in an official capacity, the patriotic devotion and
sacrifice of Norman Prince were gracefully alluded to by the Envoys who
included in their number M. René Viviani, Minister of Justice, Marshal
Joffre, Vice-Admiral Chocheprat and the Marquis de Chambrun, Deputy, and
descendant of Lafayette. At the lunch in Faneuil Hall, given by the City
of Boston, Vice-Admiral Chocheprat, in his reply to the Mayor’s address
of welcome, paid a touching tribute to “Mr. Frederick H. Prince’s son
Norman, the gallant young aviator who sacrificed his life for France,
and the cause of the Allies.” Thereupon Marshal Joffre arose from his
seat at the table and placing his hand over his heart made a bow to the
young hero’s father, who sat by the Marshal’s side and who was acting as
chairman of the reception committee.
Subsequently at the reception given to the Envoys at the Boston Public
Library, M. Viviani, in concluding his graceful response to Governor
McCall’s address of welcome, said:
“I salute that young hero, Norman Prince, who has died after having
fought not only for France, but for America, because we have the same
ideals of right and liberty.”
M. Henri Franklin Bouillon, French Minister of International Affairs, who
made an official visit to this country later on, took occasion to express
his admiration of this fine American aviator. Speaking subsequently at
a public gathering in London of his observations in America he said: “I
cannot better express to you the sentiment of the American people than
by quoting that young American hero Norman Prince, who, in acknowledging
a salute to the American aviators in Paris, said, ‘We have done what we
have done; you must judge us by our hearts.’”
VIII
MESSAGES OF CONDOLENCE AND APPRECIATION
As Norman Prince was among the first of the American volunteers offering
their services to France and to make the supreme sacrifice for her
cause, it was but natural that his fate occasioned widespread and deeply
sympathetic comment. The mournful tidings served in no small measure to
bring home to the American people a more adequate realization of the fact
that it was a World War that was waging on the European battle-fields
and that the sooner this situation was recognized here the better for
the cause of civilization everywhere. The messages of sympathy and
appreciation were as numerous and universal as they were fervent and
sincere. They found expression in the press, in the pulpit and in the
forum, and the name of this hero came to be accepted as a fitting symbol
of patriotism and self-sacrifice. Few of these messages were more tender
and appreciative than those which came from Norman’s comrades in the
aviation service in France. Commanders and subordinates were alike in
this respect. A message from the comrades gathered at his bedside when he
died said:
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account