The actual Croix de Guerre he received
My grandfather, Rex R. Forsyth, was in France during WWI (The Great War) serving in Section 625 of U.S.A.A.C. (United States Army Ambulance Corps). He had volunteered, learned to drive the Ford Model T ambulance in the Allentown, Pennsylvania fairgrounds. Once his training was done, Rex was shipped overseas. His unit was attached to, and served the French Army.
My grandfather was a true hero. On May 2, 1918 members of U.S.A.A.C. Section 625 were awarded the Croix de Guerre for bravery in action on April 17, 1918, having crossed a “zone violently bombarded by the enemies artillery” to continue to remove wounded from the battlefield.
Shown is Colonel Bertrand, 162nd French Infantry, pinning the Croix de Guerre on the coat of Rex Forsyth. Note in the right background that you can see the front end of one of the Model T Ford Ambulances.
Detail of certificate
Compare to photo of medal
Certificate that Granddaddy received in 1926 from the French Ministry of War
Because his unit was attached to the French, not the American Forces, photography was allowed. We are very fortunate to have photo albums and his diary among other “memorabilia”. Section 625 was part of the post war Army of Occupation. His unit was stationed at Kaiser Wilhelm’s castle in the Black Forest.
Roadtirement 
He sounds like a very interesting man and soldier! Have given your blog a follow. Thanks for sharing!
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Thank you for the follow. I have other posts about his service in WWI France coming.
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Very cool!
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Thank you Geoff!
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Amazing, congratulations and thank you to your family! ❤️💪🏻👍🏻
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Thanks, John.
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It is wonderful you have these still in the family. I just discovered my grandmother’s scrapbooks of my dad’s service. It puts a different perspective in place to see it in the photographs and read the letters from him as well as his commanding officers.
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So glad you discovered the scrapbooks of you dad’s service history!
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Very cool. What a treasure!
My grandfather was an engineer with The Yankee Division.
He was just a private and I don’t think earned any medals.
I have his helmet and some uniform shirts. I used to play with his gas mask bag when I was a kid. Had no idea what it was and could have lost it so many times.
We have very few photos of him in uniform during the war.
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Sounds like you have some treasures, too. I know The Yankee Division was there in France the same time my grandfather was.
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So interesting. I never knew that the fairgrounds had this bit of military history. You are fortunate to have those photos.
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Thanks! My grandfather met my grandmother some where in Allentown when he was stationed there: they were married in New York when he got back from the war.
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Quite a man, your grandfather. Bless his heart.
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Thank you guys! Much appreciated.
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