Rochester has sent men into every American war and the following is just another example of sacrifices our veterans have made to keep this land free.

For gallantry in action in the First World War, as a result of which he lost his left hand. Frank Ames of Spring Street, East Rochester has received the Silver Star Award.

Enlisting at Camp Devens in the 26th Division, Mr. Ames was transferred to Georgia and was shipped overseas with the 82nd Division. While in the Toule Sector, his group, composed of 21 other Americans and 22 French soldiers who had volunteered for patrol duty, heard a peculiar and incessant noise and Ames and 15 year-old French youth volunteered to investigate. Creeping through the underbrush, they came suddenly upon a number of German soldiers in a trench, equipped with machine guns, gas guns and a mortar.

The French soldier fled in terror but Ames emptied his gun at the Germans before trying to get back to his group. Growing weaker as he ran, he found his left hand shattered. He applied a tourniquet and reached a dressing station where he was treated, and later moved to an evacuation hospital, where his left hand was amputated.

His commanding officer said his discovery had undoubtedly saved his group from being wiped out. Before he could receive his award for bravery his Captain was killed, the place where they had been billeted was bombed and all records destroyed. From records at Walter Reed Hospital in Washington, where he was treated after his return to this country he received the Purple Heart decoration in 1933.