American Made Heroes

Many countries have created special awards which are the highest honor that can be bestowed on men and women serving in the armed forces for actions during military operations. America has the Medal of Honor and France has the Legion d’Honneur, while in Britain it is the Victoria Cross which was instituted by Royal Warrant in 1856, during the reign of Queen Victoria. Since that time it has been awarded 1,355 times, with the most recent being the posthumous award to Lance Corp. James Ashworth of the Grenadier Guards for actions during operation in Afghanistan in 2012 and confirmed in 2013.

The history of the Victoria Cross has been well documented, but just a very brief recap as a refresher is always helpful. The design of the award is a cross pattée cast in bronze, the arms of which measure 38mm equally in the vertical and horizontal, on the obverse of which is a lion gardant, facing left to reveal its left flank and its head turned to the left to present its full face. A small crown summits the lion’s head, which in turn stands astride a royal crown. A scroll stretches out under the crown and bears the motto “FOR VALOUR” in capital letters. There are raised edges along the arms of the cross and the uppermost arm has an attachment point for the suspender through which a ring passes to link it to a “V” on the clasp, which is decorated with laurel branches. The reverse is blank to allow the date to be inscribed. The recipient’s name and other service details are inscribed on the reverse of the clasp.

At the time the Victoria Cross was officially instituted in 1856, Britain was engaged in the Crimean War against Russia, the first “industrial” war for British forces. To cover the acts of valour prior to its creation, it was made retroactive back to 1854 with the first awards being made in Hyde Park in London on June 26, 1857. Prince Albert, the husband of Queen Victoria, had been involved in the design and establishment of the award, meant for all military personnel regardless of rank. The award went through several design stages before it was approved by Queen Victoria herself. One version was cast in copper, but the queen declared it ugly and suggested bronze. That is what was finally chosen, with the metal coming from the cascabel section of a Russian cannon captured at Sevastopol.

In the almost 170 years since its creation the design of the Victoria Cross, VC, has never altered. The only change made to its appearance is the ribbon. Originally, the award had a blue ribbon for Royal Navy holders and crimson, sometimes referred to as “wine red”, for the Army. When the Royal Air Force was established in 1918, the ribbon was standardised as crimson for all branches of the services.

All troops serving with the British forces, including India, Australia and Canada, were eligible for the VC. Even foreign nationals from other countries have been awarded the VC, such as Ferdinand Schiess, a Swiss national who fought at Rorkes Drift in 1879, and Anders Lassen, a Danish officer in WWII.

At auction VCs often fetch hundreds of thousands of pounds, which puts them outside the reach of most collectors. However, that does not stop enthusiasts from following and tracking the prestigious awards, and with over 1,300 individual histories of recipients most people may only know the details surrounding a few of the more prominent cases. For example, Capt. Noel Chavasse of the Royal Army Medical Corps, the only man to be awarded two VCs during WWI. The American “Unknown Soldier” from WWI was posthumously awarded the medal during his interment service at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia on Nov. 11, 1921.

What may come as a surprise to many collectors and military history enthusiasts is that from an earlier period five Americans won the Victoria Cross.

William Henry Harrison Seeley, Ordinary Seaman

The first case involves William Henry Harrison Seeley, born May 1, 1840 in Topsham, Maine. His British connection begins in the 1850s when he ran away to sea at age 14, joining the crew of a merchant ship called Salem, while it was docked in Boston. In 1862, the ship was berthed in Hong Kong, a British colony since 1841 following the First Opium War. Dissatisfied with his conditions, Seeley jumped ship and swam ashore.

After a short time ashore, having spent all his money, he opted to enlist in the British Royal Navy, joining the crew of HMS Euryalus, a steam-powered frigate serving on the China Station, which had been deployed to support the Imperial Army of the Great Qing during the Taiping Rebellion, commanded by Gen. Charles George Gordon. Two years later, the Euryalus, along with nine other ships, including four Dutch and three French, was dispatched to support land operations around Shimonoseki between Sept. 5-6, 1864.

During this action Seeley’s unit was tasked with reconnoitring a rebel-held position, during which he received a wound to his right arm but still managed to deliver his report. The British forces advanced against the strong rebel position and soon began taking heavy casualties, which included Capt. J.H.J Alexander. Seeley saw Alexander fall and made his way to the officer, picking him up carrying him to safety. Reports and accounts written after the action came to the attention of senior officers. The reports stated stating how ordinary seaman Seeley: “…in ascertaining the enemy’s position, and afterwards, when wounded in the arm in the advance, continued to retain his position in the front”.

Seeley and other wounded men were transported back to Portsmouth in England where he recovered from his wounds. His VC was presented in September 1865 in a ceremony at Southsea. He left the service in 1866 and then discovered he had misplaced the medal. He was finally reunited with it three months later. Later in Boston, the medal was stolen from Seeley. After being separated from his award for 15 years he was re-united with it for a second time.

Seeley eventually returned to Massachusetts, settling down to marry and run a farm and had a son. On Oct. 1, 1914, Seeley died at age 74. He was buried in Evergreen Cemetery, Stoughtham, Mass. His VC continued to be passed through the family and finally in 1943 went missing while in the care of a granddaughter. Since then nothing has been seen or heard of the whereabouts of the medal. Seeley had been the first American national to win the VC and it would not be for another 52 years that the opportunity would arise for another American to follow suit in 1917.

The First World War began in August 1914, but although America would not enter the conflict until 1917 that fact did not prevent American nationals from joining one of the Allied armies. Because of the rather relaxed attitude to British recruitment at the time, sometimes not even asking for a birth certificate, things were relatively easy for overseas national to enlist in the British army. It is believed that some 700 Americans were able to serve in the British army because of the speed they were processed. If there was a query concerning nationalities, usually due to the man’s accent, it was simple to pass as Canadian. During the war the Canadian army expanded to 630,000 from a pre-war scale of about 3,000 men. The urge to become part of this historical clash between great powers was too great for some American men and they crossed the border to enlist in the Canadian army. It would have been easier for them to pass as Canadians and perhaps as many as 40,000 Americans served in the ranks of the Canadian army.

Among some of the first volunteers to enlist were William Metcalf born in Talmadge, Main on Jan. 29 1894, and George Mullin born in Portland, Ore. on Aug. 15, 1891. Metcalf joined the 16 Battalion Canadian Scottish, while Mullin joined the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry in December 1914 and both served as part of the Canadian Expeditionary Force, CEF. The following year saw Bellenden Hutcheson born in Mount Carmel, Illinois of Dec. 16, 1883. Another future award winner, Raphael Zengel, was born in Faribault, Minn. on Nov. 11, 1894. They followed their fellow countrymen and joined the CEF. Hutcheson was a qualified doctor and renounced his American citizenship to enlist with the Royal Canadian Army Medical Corps attached to the 75th (Mississauga) Battalion. Zengel joined the 5th (Western Cavalry) Battalion and would reach the rank of sergeant.

Sgt. George Harry Mullin, M.M.

On October 30, 1917, the VC was awarded to an American for the first time for actions whilst serving with a Canadian regiment. Mullin had experienced heavy fighting earlier in the war, for which he had been awarded the Military Medal and promoted to the rank of sergeant. On the day in question his regiment was serving as part of the 7th Canadian Brigade of the 3rd Canadian Division during the Battle of Passchendaele. Early that morning his unit was advancing northeast from a point known as “Snipe Hall” when the following series of actions took place.

“For most conspicuous bravery in attack, when single-handed he captured a commanding ‘Pill-box’ which had withstood the heavy bombardment and was causing heavy casualties to our forces and holding up the attack. He rushed a sniper’s post in front, destroyed the garrison with bombs, and, crawling on to the top of the ‘Pill-box,’ he shot the two machine-gunners with his revolver. Sgt. Mullin then rushed to another entrance and compelled the garrison of ten to surrender. His gallantry and fearlessness were witnessed by many, and, although rapid fire was directed upon him, and his clothes riddled by bullets, he never faltered in his purpose and he not only helped to save the situation, but also indirectly saved many lives.”

— London Gazette, 11 January 1918.

Mullin survived the war and ended his military service with the rank of lieutenant. He died on April 5, 1963, at age 71 and is buried in Moosomin South Side Cemetery, Moosomin, Saskatchewan. His VC is on display at the Museum of Regiments in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

Sgt. Raphael Louis Zengel, M.M.

It would be almost another full year before the next American volunteer won the VC for his actions. By early 1918, Raphael Zengel, now aged 23, was an experienced soldier with three years of service, promoted to the rank of sergeant and awarded the Military Medal. During his time on the Western Front he had seen much action many times. On Aug. 9, 1918, the 5th (Western Cavalry) Battalion was holding positions in the area of Warvillers, about 15 miles east of Amiens in France, where Zengel was serving as a platoon sergeant.

“For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty when protecting the battalion right flank. He was leading his platoon gallantly forward to the attack, but had not gone far when he realised that a gap had occurred on his flank, and that an enemy machine gun was firing at close range into the advancing line. Grasping the situation, he rushed forward some 200 yards ahead of the platoon, tackled the machine-gun emplacement, killed the officer and operator of the gun, and dispersed the crew. By his boldness and prompt action he undoubtedly saved the lives of many of his comrades. Later, when the battalion was held up by very heavy machine-gun fire, he displayed much tactical skill and directed his fire with destructive results. Shortly afterwards he was rendered unconscious for a few minutes by an enemy shell, but on recovering consciousness he at once continued to direct harassing fire on the enemy. Sgt. Zengel’s work throughout the attack was excellent, and his utter disregard for personal safety, and the confidence he inspired in all ranks, greatly assisted in bringing the attack to a successful end.”

— London Gazette, 27 September 1918.

Zengel survived the war and decided to settle in Calgary, Alberta, where he joined the local Fire Department in 1919. He served there until 1927, before moving to Rocky Mountain House. He died of Feb. 27 1977 in Errington, British Columbia at age 82. He is buried in Pine Cemetery, Rocky Mountain House, Alberta. He bequeathed his VC and other medals to the Rocky Mountain House Legion.

Cpt. Bellenden Hutcheson, VC, MC

Only weeks later, some 50 miles south of where Zengel had performed his action, another Canadian unit was preparing to meet the enemy. On Sept. 2, 1918, Capt. Hutcheson was serving with his unit, the 75th Battalion 1st Central Ontario Regiment, in the area facing the German front lines between the towns of Drocourt and Quéant in France, opposite a fortified position known as “Wotan Stellung”. He was into his third year of service and during his time on the Western Front he had been gassed and served during the battles of Vimy Ridge and Passchendaele. Only weeks before he had been awarded the Military Cross for treating wounded men while under enemy fire.

It was early in the morning, around 5 a.m. when the Canadians advanced and forced the Germans away from their positions. Casualties were heavy and the actions that day led to seven Canadians being awarded the Victoria, one of whom was Captain Hutcheson. His citation reads:

“For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty on September 2nd, when under most intense shell, machine-gun and rifle fire, he went through the Queant-Drocourt Support Line with the battalion. Without hesitation and with utter disregard of personal safety he remained on the field until every wounded man had been attended to. He dressed the wounds of a seriously wounded officer under terrific machine-gun and shell fire, and, with the assistance of prisoners and of his own men, succeeded in evacuating him to safety, despite the fact that the bearer party suffered heavy casualties.

“Immediately afterwards he rushed forward, in full view of the enemy, under heavy machine-gun and rifle fire, to tend a wounded sergeant, and, having placed him in a shell-hole, dressed his wounds. Captain Hutcheson performed many similar gallant acts, and, by his coolness and devotion to duty, many lives were saved.”

— London Gazette, 14 December 1918.

L./Cpl. William Henry Metcalf, M.M.

On another part of the same battlefield that day, the 16th Canadian Scottish Battalion was helping to hold some 19 miles of the front line near Arras. Serving in that battalion was the now-promoted Lance Corp. William Metcalf, whose action would assist in moving forward to capture enemy positions during the action known as the Battle for Hill 70. He had already won the Military Medal during the Battle of the Somme in 1916, later adding a bar to the award, so there was no doubting his bravery or integrity on the battlefield.

His citation reads as follows:

“For most conspicuous bravery, initiative and devotion to duty in attack, when, the right flank of the battalion being held up, he realised the situation and rushed forward under intense machine-gun fire to a passing Tank on the left. With his signal flag he walked in front of the Tank, directing it along the trench in a perfect hail of bullets and bombs. The machine-gun strong points were overcome, very heavy casualties were inflicted on the enemy, and a very critical situation was relieved.

“Later, although wounded, he continued to advance until ordered to get into a shell hole and have his wounds dressed. His valour throughout was of the highest standard.”

— London Gazette, 15 November 1918.

In addition to Metcalf and Hutcheson five other Canadians also won the Victoria Cross that day, making a total of seven for the action at Hill 70, an unprecedented number for any unit during WWI. The VC was awarded 628 times during WWI; 66 were awarded to Canadians, meaning that more than 10 percent were won on the same day at Hill 70.

Metcalf survived the war and returned to Maine, where he worked as a motor mechanic. He married and raised four sons. He died on Aug. 8, 1968, in South Portland, Maine, at age 74. He is buried in Bayside Cemetery, Eastport, Maine. His Victoria Cross and other medals, along with other personal artefacts, are on display at the Canadian Scottish Regiment Museum, Victoria, British Columbia.

Captain Hutcheson also survived the war and returned to the United States, having reclaimed his citizenship. He died on April 9, 1954 in Cairo, Ill., at age 70, and is buried in Rosehill Cemetery, Mount Carmel, Ill. His VC is on display at the Toronto Scottish Regiment (Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother’s Own) Regimental Museum in Toronto.

The fact that all four VCs won by Americans in WWI while serving with Canadian regiments are on display in Canada is a tribute to the men’s loyalty to their respective regiments.