Recently, Several subscribers described their first time viewing of the Hollywood made film of the life of Kentucky's Sgt. Alvin York, awarded our most prestigious honor of the United States of America, "The Congressional Medal of Honor" for feats in World War I. Kentuckians should be very proud to have had Three (3) such Kentucky men who made North America proud Americans. In Leslie County on Thursday, February 11, 1999, The Leslie County News published an article by Cousin Owen Morgan, who reported the Death of Belvia Roberts Sandlin at age 96, and whom was living with one of her daughters in St. Matthews a suburb of Louisville, Kentucky. The article explained that Belvia had reburied husband Willie Sandlin from Leslie County to the National Cemetery where President Zachary Taylor was buried and that Belvia Roberts Sandlin had requested to be buried next to her husband, and that she was laid to rest as requested by her living children. The article explained that Belvia was 47 years age when Willie Sandlin died. She never married again. Their love and respect had lasted their lifetime on this earth. For those present owners of the Book, BOLLING-BOWLING-USA-ROOTS TREE-POCAHONTAS, they will receive a personal email containing a page of photos. ON Sunday, March 11, 1928, "The Kalamazoo Gazette", featured a story by George Bidinger", a reporter. That article is presented here for those not familiar with this great Kentuckian. The headlines read: "ONE OF U.S. GREATEST WAR HEROES...." First, here are the facts: Willie Sandlin, born January 1, 1890, at Jackson, KY Died May 29, 1949, and buried at Hurricane Cemetery, Hyden, Leslie Co.,KY Reburied: Zachary Taylor National Cemetery, at (E-10A)(mH), Louisville,KY On August 9, 1990. Rank in World War I : Sergeant, 33rd Division, Company 'A', 132nd Infantry. Service: U. S. ARMY "The Kalamazoo Gazette", Willie Sandlin moved his family up from Big Creek recently to his wife's folks, at the mouth of Owl's Nest Creek, a half-mile from here. (Hyden). Willie had to give up his rented farm on Big Creek because his health is getting worse. His wife helped him all she could on the farm last year, but her three babies took much of her time. Willie and his family aren't living in their old two room cabin anymore. Mrs. Cora Wilson Stewart, founder of the "Moonlight Schools" said it was a "disgrace to Kentucky" that the Sandlin family should be living in a place like that. Willie Sandlin has a three little daughters. Senator Hiram Brock, who represents Leslie County where Sandlins live, introduced a bill in the Legislature to buy Willie Sandlin a $10,000 farm. The bill has been reported favorably by the Senate committee and the Senator thinks it has a good chance of being passed. (year 1928). The House Committee hasn't given a report on it yet. (Caption): TOOK OFFICER'S PISTOL He doesn't mind showing you the Lugar, pistol that he took from a German Officer, But he is rather reticent about the other trinkets, and unless you ask Mrs. Sandlin they may not be brought out of an old trunk. Here is a list of the "souvenirs" that Willie Sandlin brought home in his pockets when he came riding home over the Leslie County hills, back in 1919: "The Congressional Medal of Honor"; "Croix de Guerra (with palm)"; "Medal Militaire of France"; "Italian War Cross" and "Montenegrin War Cross". (Caption): KILLS GUN NEST CREW "Sergeant Willie Sandlin showed conspicuous gallantry in action at Bois de Forges, France, 26 September 1918, by advancing alone directly on a machine gun nest which was holding up the line with its fire. He killed the crew with a grenade and enabled the line to advance. Later in the day he attacked alone and put out of action two other machine gun nests, setting a splendid example of bravery and coolness to his men." There are more details. In the first nest he killed three men single-handed, after which the platoon he was commanding was able to move forward. Half an hour later at the second nest when the line was again halted and the men ordered to lie down, he killed four men single-handed and the line went on again. His total for the day was 24 enemy killed. The citation bears the signature of "General John J. Pershing.." (Describing Willie)"He coughs and wheezes a great deal, (in 1928), "I'm not one-third the man I used to be before the War" he says laconically. "If I take 25 steps up the hill, I'm done for." "My winds gone." His health has been getting worse the past two years.....(paragraph skip)...... (Caption): GASSED TWICE IN WAR Willie has spent time in hospitals in Chillicothe, Ohio, Cincinnati, Ohio, and other places. He was gassed twice in the war. He also was wounded by shrapnel in the leg and in the face and there is little bits of metal embedded in his face to this day. But he believes it is the gas, that makes him cough and wheeze and keeps him in bed half the time. (Paragraph skip) (Paragraph skip) (Caption): GETS $10 PENSION For about a year after the war the government paid him $40 a month. Then it was reduced and finally abolished. His Congressional Medal entitles him to $10 a month, he gets nothing else. Life after the war has been just one examination after another for Willie. Three months ago, he was examined at Cincinnati and given a 69 percent disability rating, which would have entitled him to a fair compensation. But the Louisville Veterans Bureau, under whose jurisdiction Sandlin comes, has appealed at Chicago and that bureau has placed the case before the Veteran's Bureau at Washington. Laws operate in queer ways sometimes, and although the bureau always has been sympathetic toward Willie Sandlins case, technicalities have blocked compensation for him. Special action by Congress may be necessary. (Caption): WILLIE STILL WAITING Willie is still waiting. It soon will be nine years since they mustered out Sergeant Sandlin. (END OF ARTICLE QUOTES - SUNDAY, MARCH 11, 1928) - - - - - - - - - - - - FACT: Former Five Medal Awardee Sergeant Willie Sandlin died MAY 29, 1949 WILLIE SANDLIN is a BOLLING-BOWLING descent of JAMES BOLLING 1756VA-1826KY, (Major) John Bolling 1700VA, (Colonel)John Bolling 1676VA-1729VA, and Robert Bolling 1646 England-1709VA who married Granddaughter of Pocahontas Rolfe.