1919 Extract from Orders No. 13.316

This document is a letter from Marshal Petain to Col. Gerlach commending him for his service in World War I. The document is dated February 8th, 1919, and is found in the Frank Gerlach file.

Transcription Notes

• Typographical errors, such as capitalization and spacing errors, have been corrected where appropriate.
• Given the age and condition of the document, certain names and segments have been rendered illegible.

• Suggestions have been given in brackets where appropriate.
• Empty brackets indicate that a segment is missing, however, no suggestion has been made; the notation [illegible] may also be used.
• The notation [sic] has been inserted where possible mistakes have been made.

• As with all names and old documents, misspellings and phonetic spellings are common. Please be advised that certain sounds and letters, such as "B" and "P", "M" and "N", "T" and "L", and "I" and "J" are frequently confused and adjust your search accordingly.
• As the original document is French, it is written in the French language; transcriptions of the original French version and an English translation have been provided below.

French Text

DES
ARMÉES FRANÇAISES DE L’EST
ÉTAT-MAJOR
BUREAU DE PERSONNEL
(Decorations)

ORDRE No 13.316 “D” (EXTRAIT)

Après approbation de Général Commandant en Chef les Forces expéditionnaires Américaines en France, le Maréchal de France, Commandant en Chef les Armées Françaises de l’Est, cite à l’Ordre de l’ ARMEE:

Colonel Franck [sic] C. GERLACH, Commandant la 145º Régiment d’Infantrie Américain:

“Officier Supérieur de tout premier ordre. Dans les diverses affairs où son régiment a été engagé a montré un esprit d’initiative, un courage et une énergie exceptionnels. Sous le feu de l’ennemi n’a cessé de montrer le plus beau calme inspirant à tous la plus grande confiance.”

Au Grand Quartier Général, le

8 FEVRIER 1919.

LE MARÉCHAL,

COMMANDANT EN CHEF LES ARMÉES FRANÇAISES DE L’EST,

PETAIN

POUR EXTRAIT CONFORME:

Le Lieutenant-Colonel,

Chef du Bureau de Personnel,

[illegible signature]

English Translation

The French Armies of the East State- Major Bureau of Personnel (Decorations)

Order No. 13.316 "D." (Extract)

After approval of the General Commander and by the Head of American expeditionary forces in France, the Marshal of France, Commander in Chief of the French Armies of the East, put into motion the order of the Army:

Colonel Franck [sic] C. Gerlach, Commander of the 145th American Regiment of the Infantry:

A superior officer, of the highest order. In the diverse affairs in which his division was engaged, he displayed a spirit of initiative, courage, and exceptional energy. Under the fire of the enemy, he never failed to show the most handsome composure, inspiring within all a most grand confidence.

From the Grand Headquarters

8 February 1919.

the Marshal,

Commander in Chief of the French Armies of the East,

PETAIN

For consistency with the extract:

The Lieutenant-Colonel,

Head of the Bureau of Personnel,

[illegible signature]