Description:

CROIX DE GUERRE AND DSC OF A WORLD WAR I BLACK SOLDIER
Two medals, the Croix de Guerre and Distinguished Service Cross, issued to Larland F. Hewitt, Second Lieutenant in the 370th U.S. Infantry, 59th Division. According to his Officer's Service Record (included), Hewitt, of Jamaican descent, was a Club Steward as a civilian and was awarded the Croix de Guerre on Dec. 15, 1918. The medal bears a ball and pin suspension, French mount style pin on an unused period ribbon. On the same date he was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, likely stateside as the pin does not appear to be of French manufacture. Neither medal is engraved with the soldier's name, or award number. Hewitt's record indicates that was wounded in action in Conde en Barrois, May 18, 1918, but returned to duty. In the ‘Remarks' concluding page of his service record, his C.O. notes: ‘…Hewitt's service with my command has been one of the highest calibre…In our attack and taking of Logny, on about Nov. 6, 1918, he led the advance platoon with much tact and bravery, and is deserving of promotion…'. Included are Hewitt's printed separation notice, titled ‘General Orders No. 4765' and signed in text by Commander of the 59th Division Joseph Vincendon, 1p. 4to., Dec. 8, 1918, which reads, in part: ‘…You are leaving us: the impossibility at this time that the German Army can recover from its defeat…leads the UNITED STATES to diminish its effectives in FRANCE. You are chosen to be among the first to return to American. In the name of FRANCE ‘THANK YOU'. In the name of your comrades of the 59th DIVISION, I say to you ‘AU REVOIR'…The hard brilliant battles of CHAVIGNY AND LEURY, and of the BOIS DE MONTIER generously put your regiment at the disposal of the FRENCH HIGH COMMAND to reinforce us…We at first at MAURIEL sur ORCO in September, admired your firm appearance under arms…November the 5th, SERRE as last crossed…Patton's battalion was first to cross the HIRSON RAILROAD at the heights of AUBONO, where the Germans tried to resist. DUNCAN'S BATTALION TOOK LOGNY…'. In split and worn condition. Also included is a bifold pamphlet, 4pp. 8vo., announcing ‘Peter Salem Day' on June 17, 1925, in honor of a Revolutionary War soldier who served in the Framingham Militia and was killed in action at Bunker Hill, fair. Together, the five items, were received directly from the family by retired U.S. Army Lt. Col. WILFRED CHARLES BAUMANN (1929-2020) who joined the army in 1952 and served in the Korean conflict as well as Vietnam, reaching the rank of Lt. Col., a known collector of Black veteran's records and militaria.

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March 27, 2026 10:00 AM EDT
Elkton, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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