Evening Republican, Volume 22, Number 35, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 11 February 1919 — M’NULTYS’ DEEDS WIN THEM LASTING FAME [ARTICLE]

M’NULTYS’ DEEDS WIN THEM LASTING FAME

Washington.—What’s in the name McNulty? The encyclopedia is silent concerning its origin, but two marines of that name, who probably did not even know one another, had lives that were nearly parallel to one another, and both distinguished themselves as heroes on I lie battlefields of France. Which is indicative that the same fighting blood courses in the veins of these McNultys Irish. Their names were nearly alike — Thomas John McNulty and John McNulty. They were both in the beginning of their sorties —they were both In the marine corps—rthey were both first sergeants —and both had seen 19 years of service under the Stars and Stripes. Moreover, both fought in the same battles in France and both were seriously wounded. And the climactic result of this strange

parallel was that both distinguished themselves as heroes almost at the same time. John was awarded the distinguished service cross and Thomas was cited for distingjished service. But here the parallel ceases and things begin to take opposites. Thomas John enlisted in San Francisco, and it was at the other side of the continent—Norfolk, Va. —that John enlist-ed.-Thomas John was born in America?. and John- fnEngl »md. Thomas John was first sergeant of the Sixtysixth company of mar’nes and John was the first sergeant cf the Seventyseventh company. It was in. the marinas’ great fight at Belleau Wood that First Sergt. Thomas John McNulty won his fame and subsequent citation. He led his .company of men in a daring charge across a field of poppies against Belleau Wood, whence German machine guns poured death into their midst. His grim shouts of encouragement cheered them on to victory until his voice was silenced by lead and he fell seriously wounded amid the blossoms; But his was a hardihood that could not die by any sudden means. Upon his recovery he joined a replacement battalion and was in the heat of subsequent battles up to the time the armistice went into effect. He has a father. Patrick MeNul ty, living al No. 1013 Bennet street, Scranton, Pa. Extraordinary Heroism.

First Sergt. John McNulty was awarded his cross for extraordinary heroism in the fighting between BlancMont and Saint Etienne. Under a heavy .artillery and machine-gun fire that rolled forward with a Gorman counter-a t tack he stuck by his machine gun. Every man of his gun ?rew was shot down beside him, but he stuqk Shot after shot burrowed its way into his vitals, but still he stuck to his machine gun with a. tenacity that could only be broken with death and a regard that he did not have for his life. It whs at a moment when it seemed that his irqn power of will was soon to have no living-body to direct that the German attack was beaten off, and First stergeant McNulty laid his head on the ground exhausted. Even then he stuck by his gun, ,and it was only when ordered to the rear by his commanding officer that he finally retired. "He was an inspiring example to his men,” according to memoranda in connection with his being awarded the distinguished service cross. His mother is Mrs. Jane A- Wilson, who lives at No. 45 Dashwood street, Revere. Mass.