1919 General Orders No. 6

This document is an order issued by Col. Gerlach in 1919 to the 146th Infantry. It serves both as a notice of impending disbandment of the infantry due to the end of the war and as a congratulations to the members of the infantry for their valiance in service. The letter may be found in the Frank Gerlach file.

Transcription

GENERAL ORDERS Headquarters 146th Infantry.

NO. 6.  10 April 1919.

1. This regiment is shortly to be demobilized and each of us will return to our several homes. In this final General Order, the Regimental Commander desires to record his satisfaction with the conduct of its officers and soldiers and to complement them upon the wonderful achievements of the regiment throughout the tour of duty in the war with Germany. You are veterans. None can question your valor or your courage. You carry back home with you the proud consciousness of a new Americanism born of sacrifice.

2. Without complaint you have endured incessant toil, privation and danger. You have seen many of your comrades make the supreme sacrifice in order that freedom may live. Your deed will always be cherished among the glorious pages of the history of our State and Country. You are heroes indeed.

3. Be proud! It fell to you to execute some of the hardest tasks of the war and you succeeded magnificently. You have added immortal glory to the name of “McKinley’s Own.” You have built up an enviable “Espirit de Corps” and have made fine traditions which place this regiment high in the records of our Army.

4. That period of waiting after the ceseation [sic] of hostilities was one that tested your soldierly qualities to the utmost. You met and overcame all tendencies toward relaxation in discipline, in conduct and in appearance. During our visit in various cities where we paraded en route from New York to Camp Sherman, I gave you absolute freedom and you did not disappoint me. Everyone commented upon your gentlemanly conduct.

5. I charge you to meet the test of American citizenship as gallantly as you sustained American honor and ideals upon the battlefields of Europe.

FRANK C. GERLACH

Colonel, Infantry,

Commanding.