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Contact Info
Home Town New London
Date of Passing Aug 07, 1950
Location of Interment Arlington National Cemetery (VLM) - Arlington, Virginia
Conrad Stanton Babcock had been cited for gallantry in action in the Philippines and, although a Cavalryman, commanded several Infantry regiments during the war, gaining two Silver Star citations and a Distinguished Service Medal.
He remained in Europe until late 1921, first with the Army of Occupation in Germany and then as Assistant Military Attacche in Paris.
He retired as a Colonel in 1937, but in 1940 was advanced on the retired list to Brigadier General. He died in 1950.
Imagine getting to the point where heaven was represented by a clean bed, with sheets on it, where a hot meal was paradise. But I do not think anyone can imagine it.
Col. Conrad S. Babcock, now in command of the Three Hundred and Fifty-fourth Infantry, summed it up: "I have seen my regiment go into an attack, get its objectives and then dig in and hold. They had taken along no slickers and few rations. Supplies could not be brought up. The men lay in the mud and the rain came down on them. What did they do? Why, they walked half the night to get enough warmth in themselves to sleep through the other half.
"Will their folks in St. Louis and the other Missouri towns ever realize how their sons fought and went through the campaigns? Will the people of any part of our country? I do not think it is possible for them to do so. Only the men who have been in France can understand.
"Mud? The man back home talks of mud when he gets the uppers of his shoes dirty, but mud will always be a horrible word for the returned soldier. The very day the armistice was signed I went through the regiment, telling them it was all off. I remember going through a field, when I found a lone doughboy. He was trudging along with his pack and his shoes and puttees were caked with red.
" ‘It’s all over,’ I said. ‘The armistice has been signed.’
" ‘Thank God,’ he replied. ‘Now we can get out of the mud.’ It was his first thought. He had been sleeping in it, marching in it, living in it for weeks."
As it was with the mud, so it was with the hunger and weariness. I have purposely dwelt little on the so-called horrors of war because it is of no avail to recount them. But it is well to say that it was not the danger, not the sight of sudden death that sickened the soul, but the filth, the weariness, the discomfort.
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Army Distinguished Service Medal to Colonel (Cavalry) Conrad Stanton Babcock, United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility during World War I. As Post Commandant at General Headquarters, Colonel Babcock served with distinction. Later he commanded the 354th Infantry Regiment, 89th Division, A.E.F., throughout the successful operations against the St. Mihiel salient and those of the Argonne-Meuse in which his regiment participated and subsequently when it formed part of the Army of Occupation. At all times he displayed military attainments of the highest order. His unflagging energy and marked tactical ability were demonstrated in the successful accomplishment by his regiment of all missions assigned to it even under the most trying conditions. His service was of great value to the American Expeditionary Forces.
General Orders:War Department, General Orders No. 87 (1919)
By direction of the President, under the provisions of the act of Congress approved July 9, 1918 (Bul. No. 43, W.D., 1918), Colonel (Cavalry) Conrad Stanton Babcock, United States Army, is cited by the Commanding General, American Expeditionary Forces, for gallantry in action and a silver star may be placed upon the ribbon of the Victory Medals awarded him. Colonel Babcock distinguished himself by gallantry in action while serving as Commanding Officer, 354th Infantry Regiment, 89th Division, American Expeditionary Forces, in action during the Meuse-Argonne Offensive, 1 - 2 November 1918, and for his courageous and brilliant leadership.
General Orders:GHQ, American Expeditionary Forces, Citation Orders No. 1 (June 3, 1919)
(Citation Needed) - SYNOPSIS: Colonel (Cavalry) Conrad Stanton Babcock, United States Army, was awarded a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star for gallantry in action during World War I.
General Orders:U.S. Military Academy Register of Graduates
