(Jewish Daily Bulletin)
Congressman William I. Sirovich of New York introduced a bill authorizing the Secretary of War to award a Congressional Medal of Honor to Private Abraham Krotoshinsky of the East Side of New York City, who served with the “Lost Battalion” in the World War, and whose heroism is known throughout the world.
Private Krotoshinsky served in Company K, 307th Infantry, and was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for extraordinary heroism in Argonne Forest, France, October 6, 1918. Private Krotoshinsky was on liaison duty with a battalion of the 308th Infantry, which was surrounded by the enemy North of the Forest de la Buinonne in Argonne Forest. After patrols and runners had been repeatedly shot down while attempting to carry back word of the battalion’s position and condition, Private Krotoshinsky volunteered for the mission and successfully accomplished it.
The attention of President Coolidge was called to the case of Private Krotoshinsky and on December 16, 1927, at the request of Congressman La Guardia, he issued an executive order which permits the appointment of the “Savior of the Lost Battalion” in the postal service. He also recommended that Private Krotoshinsky be appointed to any locality favorable to complete recovery from the physical disability which still afflicts him as a result of his war service.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
