Court-martial of an officer in the 89th Div as well as letter from BG George H. Wood (Colonel)

[prmccoy]

Posting for those that haven't seen one before. Happens to be my great grandad. It was rescinded immediately. He went on to receive a battlefield promotion to Maj. and was hit with arty at Meuse-Argonne while in command of the 1st battalion. What I find odd is his fellow Captain from a different company also refused to fall back when wounded at St. Mihiel and was awarded DSC for it. It was well documented in various books written by their superiors in the division that Captain Atkins and Portmann were wounded and kept fighting. Even in the After Action Report it is noted. He was hit with MG rounds through the left hand and left arm. There are photos of him infirmed with bandages on both.  He was the only officer left in the fight from his company. He was awarded a Silver Citation instead of the DSC, though. I am wondering if it had to do with this CM. I know the famous photo of the 89th being pinned with DSC's by Pershing he was in a hospital bed from his wound at MA. I don't think him being wounded and not present would be the reason. Found these in his footlocker thought some may find them interesting. Included is a copy of the After Action Report. The citation shown is from the division level not the AEF even though it says "extraordinary heroism". Fort Knox says that division level wouldn't issue DSC but AEF would. AEF used that citation to issue Service Citation.

 

The other handwritten letter is from then Colonel George H. Wood after court-martial. I believe he was with the 42nd or 37th. He was BG of the Ohio National Guard. I don't know how they knew each other, other than they were both attorneys from Ohio.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[jemo4570]

Very interesting! Thanks for posting.