1919 — Lt. Stephen Jessop, a Hillsdale College student and soldier of World War One, lives to tell his tale back on College Hill. Jessop had survived bombings and a poison gas attack as part of an ambulance corps on France’s front lines. When his vehicle was destroyed and the driver killed, he carried wounded soldiers over a mile through raining shells to safety. For his heroics, Jessop was awarded the famous Croix de Guerre (pictured), established in 1915. Only 474 Americans received the honor during WWI, including four of Hillsdale’s own.
-Compiled by Dane Skorup
