This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Allen, Lair, (2) Kearnes, Ripple, Hoffman, Murray, Wilson Classification: Military Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/AQB.2ACI/255 Message Board Post: Plattsmouth Journal, Monday, April 29, 1918 BOYS FROM HERE HAVE BEEN IN BATTLE OVER THERE LETTER FROM RALPH ALLEN WRITTEN APRIL 3 TELLS OF EXPERIENCES. Eight Plattsmouth Boys are Seeing Active Service in the World’s Greatest of Battles. >From Friday’s Daily. A letter received yesterday, written on April 3rd, from just behind the lines in France, tells of how the boys from here are faring. The letter was from Ralph Allen, and tells of their having been at the front and having served their stated time in the trenches, being at the time of writing in the resting camps behind the lines while others took their places in the trenches. At the time of writing but minor engagements had been had in this sector, but since then and within the past week it has been one of the places picked out by German generals to share the heavy brunt of the terrific onslaught of the German troops and without doubt the boys have had a real taste of what it all means here now. In the letter, Ralph states that the boys from here are all well and feeling fine. His own birthday occurred on March 22, and he said he would tell his mother when he returned how he spent the day. He also said he had received a present on that occasion but it was not like the cake which had been given him a year ago. It is a matter of great satisfaction to the many friends and relatives of the boys from here, to know that they were all feeling well and enjoying life in France at such a late date as April 3 and it is probable they all continued in that state as no word has been received to the contrary. They boys from here who are serving with Iowa companies at the front are Ralph ALLEN, Ralph LAIR, Hugh KEARNES, Albert KEARNES, Eddie RIPPLE, Wm. HOFFMAN, Earl MURRAY and Alfred WILSON. Plattsmouth Journal, Thursday, July 18, 1918 THE RAINBOW DIVISION. >From Monday’s Daily. There are eight boys from this city in the Rainbow Division, and we have heard from the bunch often, and from most of the boys individually, but from Hugh KEARNES his folks have not heard directly since he has been gone. About three weeks since, his young lady friend at Glenwood, had a letter direct from Mr. KEARNES, and as the family had not heard, Mrs. KEARNES departed this morning for that place to see what she could learn from her. Numerous letters from the other boys from here all say the whole bunch are all right and we suppose he is all right. Plattsmouth Journal, Thursday, March 20, 1919 PERSHING BIDS RAINBOW UNIT GODSPEED HOME PRESENTS DECORATIONS TO MANY MEMBERS OF THE 42D DIV. SOON TO SAIL FOR U.S. Coblenz, March 17. – General PERSHING said goodbye to the boys of the 42d division today. In a farewell address to the troops of the Rainbow unit, who are preparing to start for home the first week in April, the American commander-in-chief wished them all good luck in the peaceful occupations into which they will go on the other side of the Atlantic. The inspection and review of the division took place in a great field near Remagenon, on the west bank of the Rhine. From the heights across the river hundreds of German civilians assembled and watched the review through field glasses. General Pershing spoke from the rear end of a wagon, with the soldiers gathered about him. Before his address the commander-in-chief presented one congressional medal of honor, two distinguished service medals and 44 distinguished service crosses to officers and men of the division. Manning Decorated. The medal of honor was pinned by General Pershing on Corporal Sidney MANNING of the 107th infantry for leading his platoon during an attack on the Oureq after its commanders had fallen. Despite wounds he had suffered, Manning led the men forward and gained and held an important position in the face of terrific enemy fire. All but seven members of the platoon were killed or wounded. Manning himself was wounded nine times in this attack. When the United States entered the war, Manning was a farmer boy near Brewton, Ala. The distinguished service medals went to Brigadier General Douglas MAC ARTHUR and Colonel William HUGHES, jr. Sunday morning General Pershing inspected the troops of the third corps near Vallendar. After the review of the 42d division, General Pershing went by automobile to Cobleux, where he had dinner with Major general DICKMAN. Plattsmouth Journal, Monday, March 24, 1919 WILL HAVE HISTORY OF RAINBOW DIVISION [front page] Will Hoffman, a Member, and Eddie Steinhauer, Compile History of the Glenwood Company >From Friday’s Daily. Will HOFFMAN, who some time ago returned from the western front in France, where, as a member of the Glenwood company of the Rainbow Division, he saw much fighting and was himself wounded in action, in conjunction with Eddie STEINHAUER, has compiled a history of the Rainbow division, and especially of the Glenwood company, which is now in the hands of the printer. Mr. Hoffman was discharged some time ago and returned to his home here. The Rainbow Division, with the exception of those who were wounded, is still on duty with the army of occupation, but is expected to sail for home early in April. Eddie Steinhauer departed this morning for Glenwood, where they are having their book published, to make some arrangements for cuts and pictures of the boys which will be contained within its pages. The project is one of merit and will afford an accurate history of the organization which will be kept for years by the members of the company and their friends.