French Croix de Guerre Recipients during World War I
French Croix de Guerre Recipients during World War I
The French Croix de Guerre, ‘War Cross,’ or literally ‘Cross of War,’ was established on 8 April 1915 to recognize acts of combat valor. There are four degrees of the decoration, determined by the echelon of French military command in whose dispatches the individual or unit was cited: bronze star for regiment or brigade, silver star for division, gilt (gold) star for corps, bronze palm for army (a silver palm denotes those awarded five bronze palms).
The Croix de Guerre was often, but not always, bestowed upon U.S. service members for the same act of valor for which they were bestowed U.S. decorations.
I do not know how many Soldiers from the 32D ‘Red Arrow’ Division earned the French Croix de Guerre during WWI, but we have to start somewhere. Let us begin with these five hundred and seventy-seven brave men.
Capt. James M. Wilson earned three Croix de Guerre, possibly four.
At least 11 personnel earned two Croix de Guerre: 1st Lt. Clifford E. Bischoff, 2d Lt. William S. Brittain, 1st Lt. Harold W. Burns, Chaplain (Maj.) Patrick R. Dunigan, Master Engineer Alanson B. King, Col. Russell C. Langdon, Maj. Gen. William Lassiter, Maj. Emil G. Prellwitz, Sgt. Ray C. Rolain, Col. Gilbert E. Seaman, 2d Lt. Oscar T. Slagsvol, Brig. Gen. Edwin B. Winans, Jr.
Additional recipients from WWI will be added to this roster as they are identified.
