5883 Class of August 30th,1917 Near Fleville, Meuse – Argonne about dusk October 4th he attacked and captured enemy machine gun nests at Chatel Farm. On October 5th the enemy began shelling his command with anti-tank guns and shrapnel. While making reconnaissance, Lieutenant Long was struck fragment of shell killing him instantly. Age 23
Frank Sidney Long, the son of Lieutenant Colonel and Mrs. Frank S. Long, Coast Artillery Corps, was born August 31, 1895, at Burlington, Iowa. He attended and graduated from Hull Grammar School, Hull, Massachusetts, the English High, and the Huntington Preparatory School of Boston, Massachusetts.
Having spent his boyhood on army posts, and his ancestors having served their country in the Revolutionary War, War of 1812, Mexican War, Civil War, and Spanish-American War, it was only natural that Sidney should choose the army as a career.
He entered VVest Point with the Class of 1918, in June, 1914, and graduated on August 30, 1917. While a cadet, Sidney won the love and friendship of all his classmates by his cheerfulness, straightforwardness, and loyalty to his friends. Upon graduation he was assigned to the 7th Infantry, but before joining his regiment he was detailed as an instructor in the Second Training Camp at Plattsburg Barracks, New York, being relieved from this duty and joining his regiment at Camp Greene, South Carolina, at end of camp.
In February, 1918, he sailed with the 7th Infantry for England, en route to France.
Lieutenant Long’s first service at the front was with the 7th Infantry, one of the regiments of the Third Division at Chateau Thiery in June, 1918. While leading his platoon to the relief of a detachment of Marines that had been cut off by the enemy, he was severely wounded in the chest by a hand grenade. He was evacuated to the hospital, where he remained until late in September, when he was sent to the Replacement Depot in the Toul Sector. From the Replacement Depot he was assigned to and joined the 110th Infantry at Chatel-Chehery, near Grand Pre, on the afternoon of October 4, 1918. This regiment was actively engaged when he joined and Lieutenant Long was at once sent to the front line to take command of Company “D”.
Upon crossing the Aire River to join his company, Lieutenant Long found about 250, men of “A”, “B”, “C”, “D” and “I” Companies without an officer. These were all that were left of the First Battalion and were at the foot of a wooded slope that was being shelled by the enemy.
Lieutenant Long organized these men into four companies with Sergeants in command, administered first aid to the wounded and sent the latter to the dressing station. He then began advancing his men to better positions along the Grand Pre-Varennes Road about three-fourths of a mile east of Fleville. While returning through a wood for the second company his left shoulder was broken by shrapnel. He went to the dressing station and had his wound dressed and, though tagged for hospital, refused to be evacuated to the rear, returning to his men and leading them to the selected positions where they could engage the enemy.
About dusk he attacked and captured enemy machine gun nests at Chatel FarmAbout dusk he attacked and captured enemy machine gun nests at Chatel Farm. On the . On the morning of October 5th the enemy began shelling his command with anti-tank guns and shrapnel. While making reconnaissance toward Fleville for better positions, Lieutenant Long was struck in the right shoulder by a fragment of shell and an instant later received the fragment of another shell in his heart, killing him instantly.
Citation for distinguished service: EXTRACT.
General Orders, No. 95.
War Department, Washington, July 6, 1919.
VII-AWARDS, Posthumous, of Distinguished Service Cross.
By direction of the President, under the provisions of the Act of Congress approved July 9, 1918 (Bul. No. 43, W. D., 1918), the Distinguished Service Cross was awarded posthumously by the Commanding General, American Expeditionary Forces, for extraordinary heroism in action in Europe to the following named officers and enlisted men of the American Expeditionary Forces:
Frank S. Long, First Lieutenant, 110th Infantry. For extraordinary heroism in action near Fleville, France, October 5, 1918. Having been wounded in the side by shrapnel, while caring for wounded men of his platoon, Lieutenant Long refused to be evacuated, but returned from the dressing station to his command. While withdrawing his platoon to a better position under a heavy barrage he was instantly killed by shell fire. His courage and self-sacrifice furnished a splendid inspiration to his men. Next of kin: Colonel F. S. Long, father, 71st Artillery, C. A. C. Home address, 309 West One Hundred and Fifth Street, New York, N. Y.
By order of the Secretary of War.
PEYTON C. MARCH, OFFICIAL: General Chief of Staff.
P. C. HARRIS,
The Adjutant General.
He was buried that night on the field of battle. In 1919 his body was removed to the Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery, Grave 10, Row 5, Block A, Romagne-Sous-Montfaucon (Meuse), France, which is one of the permanent American Military cemeteries in France.
A further act of the appreciation by the United States Government of his heroism and self-sacrifice is shown by the following:
(G. 0. 13) WAR DEPARTMENT,
Washington, March 27, 1922.
General Orders
No. 13.
Annual Report, June 11, 1924 53
EXTRACT.
III-Naming of Military Reservations and Seacoast Batteries
2. Names of seacoast batteries are announced as follows
:
a. On the Fort Duvall, Mass., Military Reservation
.
Battery Frank S. Long, in honor of First Lieutenant Frank S. Long, Infantry, who was killed in action in France, October 5, 1918.
By order of the Secretary of War:
OFFICIAL:
P. C. HARRIS,
The Adjutant General.
JOHN J. PERSHING,
General of the Armies,
Chief of Staff.
Upon the death of Frank Sidney Long, the army lost a brave, faithful, efficient and conscientious officer, and all his classmates and associates lost a true, loyal friend.
So let us all hope and pray that when our opportunity comes that we will acquit ourselves as well as he – and not be found wanting.
S. P. HUFF, Classmate.
Valor
http://militarytimes.com/citations-medals-awards/recipient.php?recipientid=13213
Memorial
http://warmemorial.us/mediawiki3/index.php?title=FRANK_SIDNEY_LONG_-_MA_(Fort_Revere)_WWI
For What They Gave on Saturday Afternoon 