Richard Copeland - HISTORY BUFF
Several young men who were living in Cass County during World War I entered the U.S. Army and were sent to Europe to fight. The men in the next few articles received the Silver Star for gallantry in action. Some of them were born elsewhere but came to Cass County.
Frank R. Sales a private first class in Battery E, 12th Field Artillery, 2nd Division won the Silver Star in Germany on Dec. 31, 1918. Frank staunchly continued in the service of his respective piece (large gun of some type) under galling and accurately adjusted enfilade fire. When a shell wiped out the entire gun crew of the first piece, he bravely continued his duties with utter disregard of his own safety. This occurred during the St. Mihiel operation on Sept. 12, 1918. Gen. Lejeune ordered the Silver Star. Frank received a second Silver Star for gallantry in the Champagne sector, also ordered by Gen. Lejeune.
Frank was born in Delphi in 1895. His parents were Richard R. and Mary E. Kermis Sales. The main battles that Frank participated in were Chateau-Thierry, Soissons, Saint Mihiel, Champagne, Meuse-Argonne, Toulon and Aisne-Marne.
James Edwin DeLong, a captain, 1st Ammunition Train, 1st Division was cited for gallantry in action. Near Missy-aux-Bois, France, on July 22, 1918, he volunteered to take a convoy of infantry ammunition to the front line positions in daylight, exposed to a violent concentration of enemy shell and machine-gun fire, and succeeded in making deliveries of badly needed ammunition over almost impassable roads. Two days later Captain DeLong volunteered to do the same action with eight trucks loaded with ammunition.
James Edwin DeLong was born in Zionsville, to James and Frances DeLong on May 31, 1889. The main battles that he participated in were Sommerviller, Ansauville, Cantiguy, Montdidier-Noyon, Soissons, Aisne-Marne, Saint Mihiel and Coblenz. He also was involved in the Army of Occupation.
John Patrick Dugan was a sergeant in the 71st Company, Transportation Corps. He received a citation certificate for meritorious services on April 18, 1919. Gen. John J. Pershing presented the certificate in appreciation of his exceptional meritorious and conspicuous service at Ferme Rayer, France.
John Patrick Dugan was born in Logansport on March 14, 1880, to John and Catherine McGaughey Dugan. He had worked as a yard brakemen until he entered the service on May 1, 1918. John died Feb. 18, 1924.
Earl T. Green was a corporal of Company K, 28th Infantry, 1st Division. He received a Silver Star for distinguished conduct during the battle south of Soissons July 19-22, 1918. He assisted an officer to the aid station and returned to the front line showing great bravery and highest soldiery qualities.
Earl T. Green served in the battles of Sommerville, Ansaville, Luneville, Toulon, Cantigny, Saizerais, Montdidier-Noyon, Saint Mihiel and Coblenz. He was wounded Oct. 1, 1918. Earl was discharged Dec. 30, 1919.
• Richard B. Copeland is a Cass County historian and may be reached at ptnews@pharostribune.com. The material for this article came from the Indiana Historical Collections, the Book of Merit.
