The other Germans couldn't stand so much excitement. The Boches
surrendered and I took them into our trenches as prisoners."

Not a long story for such an able and courageous exploit, yet it
contains the germ for an epic recital on bravery.

First Sergeant John A. Johnson a colored member of Company B, was
decorated with the Croix de Guerre with palm for exceptional bravery
during a charge over the top, and for capturing single-handed, two Hun
soldiers who later proved valuable as sources of information. Sergeant
Johnson's home was at 1117 New Jersey Avenue, Washington, D.C. He was
equally reticent about boasting of his deeds.

"Near Sechault during the time the District men were making a big
effort to capture the town," said Johnson, "I was put in the front
lines not fifty feet away from the enemy. A greater part of the
time I was exposed to machine gun fire. I suppose I got my medal
because I stuck to my men in the trenches and going over the top.
Quite a few of the boys were bumped off at that point."

Another hero was Benjamin Butler, a private. The citation with his Croix
de Guerre read: "For displaying gallantry and bravery and distinguishing
himself in carrying out orders during the attack on Sechault, September
29, 1918, under heavy bombardment and machine gun fire."

"I did very little," Butler said. "During this fight with several
others, I carried dispatches to the front line trenches from
headquarters. They decorated me, I suppose, because I was the only
one lucky enough to escape being knocked off."

Private Charles E. Cross of 1157 Twenty-first street, Washington, D.C.
was awarded the Croix de Guerre, his citation reading: "For his speed
and reliability in carrying orders to platoons in the first line under
the enemy's bombardment on September 29, 1918." In some cases he had to
creep across No Man's Land and a greater part of the time was directly
exposed to the enemy's fire.

Private William H. Braxton, a member of the machine gun company of the
regiment, whose residence was at 2106 Ward Place, Washington D.C.,
received the Croix de Guorre for "displaying zealous bravery."

"An enemy party," reads his citation, "having filtered through his
platoon and attacked same in the rear. Private Braxton displayed
marked gallantry in opening fire on the enemy and killing one and
wounding several others, finally dispersing the entire