Bio: Baxter, Capt. William Mack (Legion of Honor Cross – 1919)

Contact: Ann Stevens

Email: ann@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Baxter, Dubois, Listeman

-- --Source: Neillsville Times (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 3/6/1919

Baxter, Capt. William Mack (Legion of Honor Cross Received– 23 JAN 1919)

Mrs. Wm. Mack Baxter, 611 Fullerton Parkway, has just received from her husband, Capt. Baxter,

chief of railroad transportation in Brittany, the jeweled cross of the Legion of Honor recently given to

him by the French government for distinguished service during the war.

In a letter to Mrs. Baxter under the date of Jan. 23, Capt. Baxter writes:

“This has been the most glorious day of my life. I was decorated with the Legion of Honor. The

ceremony took place before 10,000 troops, and I was much affected with the grandeur and pomp of the

affair. Both French and American regiments stood in attention and solid formation as I marched by

them.

“Gen. Dubois, the French commander, pinned the decoration on me, and after speaking in French, he

said in English, “France gives you this as a token of her gratitude for your loyalty and brilliancy in the

duties assigned to you.” He then said affectionately, “Mon petit, Captain,” and embraced and kissed me

on both cheeks. The French band then played the “Marseillaise”, followed by the American band,

playing “The Star Spangled Banner”, until I returned to my place.

“I received a tremendous ovation and many rushed up to congratulate me. I was certainly proud of this

beautiful decoration on my breast.”

The citation which accompanied the decoration praises Capt. Baxter for excellent co-operation with the

French authorities and says he has always accomplished his tasks brilliantly, even under enormous

pressure and with the greatest efficiency. Capt. Baxter is the son of the late Col. Baxter, president of

the Tennessee Central Railroad of Nashville, Tenn.

The above article, taken from The Chicago Daily News, refers to Capt. Baxter, who is well known in

Neillsville, being a brother-in- law of Kurt Listeman. His wife, formerly Miss Virginia Listeman, is a

frequent visitor at the Listeman home here.