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Andrew Clifford Tait
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Meuse Argonne(Front) |
Meuse Argonne(Back) |
ANDREW CLIFFORD TAIT
Andrew C. Tait enlisted into the U.S. Army as a Private on 4 April 1917, and went through Training Camp at Camp Mead, Maryland. He was assigned to Company E, 304th Engineers, 79th Division and was sent to France, with The American Expeditionary Forces, in World War I. He fought along with the soldiers in Company E in the Meuse Argonne Offensive.
During this offensive, Andrew and many other soldiers were subjected to a Mustard Gas attack, from the German Army which affected his feet. Mustard Gas is a vesicant oily liquid which induces serious blistering. It took Andrew many years to get his feet back to somewhat normal, but as long as he lived, he would never let anyone touch his feet because they were so sensitive.
When Andrew was nearing his discharge date, he received a very nice letter, from John J. Pershing, Commander in Chief, dated 28 February 1919, thanking him for his service in the 304th Engineers. This letter was forwarded to Andrew by James F. Barber, Colonel Engineers, U.S.A. Commanding, 304th Engineers, U.S.A.
On 12 April 1919 during an inspection of the 79th Division, Andrew was one of many soldiers who received from General John J. Pershing, The Lorraine Cross Emblem, for his participation in the Meuse Argonne Offensive. In early May, Andrew left France and returned to the United States where he was Honorably Discharged from the U.S. Army, on 25 May 1919.
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THE LORRAINE CROSS
The Lorraine Cross is a symbol of Triumph and The Insigna of The 79th Division. Since the great battle of Nancy in the 15th Century when defeat of Charles the Bold, Duke of Burgundy, ushered in the glorious reign of the House of Anjou (Rene II, 1473-1502) the cross was adopted as the sign of victory of the reigning houses. Not only to the people of the Province of Lorraine, but the French nation the triumph of justice and the right in this historical battle remains one of their most popular national souvenirs, and the Lorraine Cross is but the outward symbol wherein is centered the affectionate and zealous love for liberty, justice and freedom.
The *LORRAINE CROSS PIN* is shaped like a shield 1/2" by 1/2" with Dark Blue enamel background and the Cross symbol is pale blue with a pale bule border.
*THE MEUSE-ARGONNE RIBBON and MEDAL*
The front of this medal is a multi-colored ribbon with a bronze pin and two bronze bars.
The first Bar inscription: *MEUSE - ARGONNE*
The second Bar inscription: *DEFENSIVE SECTOR*
Attached to the ribbon at the bottom is a large Bronze Medallion with a relief of a Winged Armored Warrior in Robes with a Sord and Shield and a 'Liberty like' halo.
The back of the medal has a U.S. Shield with a relief of a double sided axe through the center. At the top is inscribed *YHE GREAT WAR OF CIVILIZATION*
Along the left side of the U.S. Shield is a list of countries:
FRANCE, ITALY, SERBIA, JAPAN, MONTENEGRO, RUSSIA, GREECE
Along the right side of the U.S. Sheild is a list of countries:
GREAT BRITAIN, BELGIUM, BRAZIL, PORTUGAL, RUMAINA, CHINA.
Six relief stars ring the bottom.