The Sylvester Family of Plainview, Minnesota*

Byrl Sylvester begins to recover; receives Croix de Guerre

September 19, 1917 - September 21, 1917

PAGE 104

beginning to learn quite a little French now. These old boys are a jolly bunch in spite of their ills. The food is good, but it will be better in the American Hospital. My first day here the commanding officers of this whole division and staff came in to see me. They seemed to make quite a lot of unnecessary fuss about it all – so that now it seems I am a privileged case around here.
If I remember right this is Fair week at home. Suppose the usual crowds will be on hand. Is Edwin Jr. getting a good start on his school work? There is no need to worry now. I will soon be well and better than ever. I will be home before Christmas and everything will come out fine. Send my mail to Credit Lyonnais, Paris.
Love, Byrl.
PLEASE DO NOT PUBLISH IN PAPER
DO NOT PUBLISH
Letter
Wednesday, September 19, 1917
Dear Folks,
Well I certainly do feel fine this evening. A short time ago the high officer of this division together with our lieutenant and our section leader called. It was a big surprise. The chief of our division presented me with a Croix de Guerre or French War Cross. He went through a solemn ceremony saying it was given to me for working hard and being brave in a dangerous sector. I feel mighty good in receiving this medal. In fact any person should, but more especially an American. When coming over here a medal was about the last thin I thought of receiving. Am going to be moved into Paris tomorrow or the next day, and I will soon be on my two feet again and getting fat. We just received the news that Foley and "Fudge" Wyman were on their way over. I may get a chance to see them while in Paris. Four U.S. Engineers called today to see me. We had a fine visit. Within a few days this French hospital will be taken over by an American hospital staff for it looks as though our men are going into service in this division.
I have just received your letter telling me about Edwin visiting Meta. Notice by the NEWS that the crops are fine and that everyone is ready for the big Fair. What’s the matter with a lot of those who were drafted? Your magazines and also Nettie’s have arrived at just the right time. Thanks. It would be a good idea, I think, to keep this quiet about the medal. Let it be found out through some other way. Also do not have these letters printed in the paper. As I mentioned in my last letter. Do not worry. "All is fine."
Love, Byrl.
September 21, 1917-

Byrl Sylvester is Wounded by Busting Shell
Cablegram Received Here Last Thursday Brings Shocking News to Parents
Young Man’s Companion is Killed by Same Shell
The entire community was severely shocked last Friday morning when news was received that Byrl E. Sylvester, son of Mr. and Mrs. E. L. Sylvester, had been badly injured at the front somewhere in France.
The news of his injury was contained in the following cable gram received by his parents.
"B. E. Sylvester was wounded in the back and thighs at front September 12. Not seriously. All possible care will be taken of him by his friends and the Red Cross. Except sincere sympathy and expression of pride in the way Sylvester has done his work. Norton."
His companion, Robert Hall, a former Minnesota University student, was killed by the same shell that wounded Byrl, while driving their ambulance on the French war front. The shell burst directly over the ambulance they were driving. Both were members of the Norton-Harjes Ambulance Corps and entered the service on April 24.
While the sad news has caused many to shudder over the awful fatalities of war, all are pleased to learn that his injuries are not serious and pray that he may return

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* SOURCE: Manzow, Ron (compiler), "The Sylvester Family of Plainview, Minnesota - a collection of information taken from the Plainview News, other newspapers, letters, and diaries beginning in 1884": Plainview Area History Center, 40 4th St. S.W., Plainview, MN 55964. Compiled in 2001.

NOTE: from Ron Manzow, December 2001: "Feel free to reproduce the pages for anyone who wants a copy. It was compiled to be shared... All I ask is that they consider sending a check to the [Plainview Area] History Center to help us out. That should be enough."