CAPTAIN GEORGE MALLON

I bought your book on Captain George Mallon. I sat down and read the first 100 pages or so and it’s great. I feel like I got to know Captain Mallon on levels I wasn’t aware off. I’ve blocked reading time tomorrow and I can’t wait to get into the next 100 pages. To me, being excited about reading is the true indicator of a great book. Thank you for all the time you put into it, it’s a masterpiece.

“Captain Mallon Doughboy Hero” is a book every student of history should read.  George Mallon, Medal of Honor recipient and one of General Pershing’s 100 Heroes of World War 1 was much more than a soldier.  He was the working man’s friend who fought vigorously for labor rights during the time when corporations dictated wages, benefits and workplace conditions. The hundreds of hours of research that Steve Chicoine put into this book reveals fascinating details from the life of George Mallon that have never been published before.  I highly endorse this masterpiece and encourage everyone to take the time to read it.

Jim Sullivan, Vietnam Veteran

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This is a terrific story about one of our little known World War 1 soldiers. George Mallon was born in Ogden Kansas in 1877. Enlisting with the 22nd Kansas Infantry at the onset of the Spanish American War in 1898, he would not see action until the Philippine resistance a year later. After his discharge, Mallon moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota, where he became involved in politics and the labor movement. In 1917, Mallon enlisted once again and fought in the Meuse Argonne Offensive as a captain, where he earned the Medal of Honor by taking out German machine guns and cannons, leading 9 soldiers with rifles. Following the war, he was named one of General Pershing’ s 100 heros. Returning to Minnesota, George and his wife Effie, raised their family. He continued to fight for the working man, working in the Nonpartisan League and becoming Hennepin County Commissioner. George Mallon died in 1934 and was buried at Saint Mary’s Cemetery in Minneapolis. In September of 1939, the body of George Mallon was reinterred at the new Fort Snelling National Cemetery. He was the first to be buried at this cemetery. This was a great read, vividly told by Steve Chicoine and very relevant during this time of the 100 year anniversary of our involvement in World War 1.

Herb Reckinger, Jr., volunteer extraordinaire for Faces Never Forgotten, gathering photos of every Minnesotan lost in Vietnam.

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Portrait of a Genuine Hero and Man of Integrity. 

This is a meticulously researched history of the political and economic struggles of America emerging as a world power in the early 20th century—the Spanish-American War, World War I, the Great Depression, Prohibition, and the struggle for economic justice and worker’s rights. But above all this book is about character. To be introduced to Capt. George H. Mallon, the World War I Medal of Honor winner from Kansas and Minnesota was a rare privilege for me. A man who could take a punch in the ring as well as he could deliver it–once knocked down nine times for a mandatory count of eight—Mallon was still standing when the fight was called. His heroics in the Meuse-Argonne battle also show a man of rare courage and leadership as he led the charge into the German lines. He and his men captured large numbers of German guns and soldiers. Sometimes Mallon used his famous uppercut on the German in preference to a bullet. In this loving portrait, author Stephen Chicoine describes a man guided not by ego, but principle. Modest to the core, Mallon spent his years and his celebrity after WWI fighting always for the unions, the underdog, the common working man. In today’s climate of chest-thumping, demonstrative egotists and narcissists, I recall the expression “An empty bucket makes the most noise.” It is refreshing to witness Mallon’s example of what a real hero and man of integrity looks like.

Jim Sudmeier, Ph.D., author of Patton: The Madness Behind the Genius

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• James Wilkinson [from amazon.com ]5.0 out of 5 starsI 
• certainly enjoyed this book   November 6, 2017
• 
  Format: PaperbackVerified PurchaseI certainly enjoyed this book. 

My great grandmother was Jane Elizabeth Mallon Boller, who was George’s, aunt I believe. She was the widow of Felix Boller, recognized as the first law enforcement officer killed in the line of duty in Kansas, in 1866. If I’m correct, I would be a first cousin, twice removed, to George. When I was a kid, the Mallon WW I story was told and re-told. I knew nothing of him post war, and found that to be fascinating. In Sept., 2016, a cousin and I were at a Boller reunion In Ogden (where my mother was born), and we went all through St. Patrick’s cemetery, mentioned early in the book. Thanks for taking the time to write this, Mr. Chicoine.
Jim W., Leawood, Ks.

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Nancy R [from amazon.com]  5.0 out of 5 stars

George Mallon, an Honored Soldier  September 12, 2017
Format: Paperback

This is a terrific story about one of our little known World War 1 soldiers. George Mallon was born in Ogden Kansas in 1877. Enlisting with the 22nd Kansas Infantry at the onset of the Spanish American War in 1898, he would not see action until the Philippine resistance a year later. After his discharge, Mallon moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota, where he became involved in politics and the labor movement. In 1917, Mallon enlisted once again and fought in the Meuse Argonne Offensive as a captain, where he earned the Medal of Honor by taking out German machine guns and cannons, leading 9 soldiers with rifles. Following the war, he was named one of General Pershing’ s 100 heros. Returning to Minnesota, George and his wife Effie, raised their family. He continued to fight for the working man, working in the Nonpartisan League and becoming Hennepin County Commissioner. George Mallon died in 1934 and was buried at Saint Mary’s Cemetery in Minneapolis. In September of 1939, the body of George Mallon was reinterred at the new Fort Snelling National Cemetery. He was the first to be buried at this cemetery.
This was a great read, vividly told by Steve Chicoine and very relevant during this time of the 100 year anniversary of our involvement in World War 1.

WWI hero George Mallon subject of history lesson

LOCAL NEWS

JAN 20, 2017

CLAY SCHULDT

Staff Writer

cschuldt@nujournal.com

Staff photo by Clay Schuldt 

Steve Chicoine gave a lunchtime seminar on WWI hero George H. Mallon at the Brown County Museum Annex. Chicoine has done in-depth research on veterans serving in every American war from the Civil War to Vietnam.

NEW ULM — The Brown County Historical Society kicked off its World War I speaking series with a lunchtime seminar on WWI Medal of Honor recipient George H. Mallon. Historian Steven Chicoine recounted the life and times of Mallon to a crowd at the Brown County Museum Annex. Mallon is one of the best-known Medal of Honor recipients from Minnesota. He was the first man to be buried at Fort Snelling National Cemetery. Chicoine said Mallon is well-known for his war record, but he also led a fascinating life after the war.

Mallon was born in Kansas in 1877, and by the time of the Spanish-American War, he was old enough to enlist in the 22nd Kansas Volunteer Infantry. Mallon re-enlisted in the regular US Army in the 12th US Infantry Regiment and fought in the Philippines where he saw significant combat.

One of the more interesting facts Chicoine was able to uncover about Mallon’s time in the Philippines was his background in boxing. According to newspaper articles, Mallon had won the title of boxing champion of the Philippines islands. Chicoine is still researching how Mallon received the title and whether it was only a regimental honor, but his ability to deliver a punch would play a role in his earning the Medal of Honor.

After being discharged from the service, Mallon moved to Minneapolis and began to work installing sprinkler systems in buildings. Not long after, he became involved in the Labor Movement. “Bear in mind, we’re not in 2017” Chicoine said. “In 1913, if you are in a labor union, you are a radical.” Mallon was very outspoken in politics and was a strong supporter of labor rights. In 1916, the Socialist candidate Thomas Van Lear was elected Mayor of Minneapolis. Mallon was a friend of Van Lear’s and his support was referenced in the newspapers of the time. After the United States entered WWI in April 1917, Mallon joined up again. He was assigned as a captain to Company E of the 132nd Infantry. Before leaving, he promised to return as a strong union man after the war.

Mallon received the Medal of Honor for his actions in the Meuse Argonne Offensive in September 1918. The Medal of Honor citation credited the captain for leading nine soldiers forward to attack nine hostile active machine guns without the loss of a man. Continuing onto the woods, he led his men in attacking a battery of four enemy howitzers. During this encounter, Mallon personally attacked an enemy soldier with his fists. Mallon received the medal for the capturing of 100 prisoners, 11 machine guns, four howitzers and an anti-aircraft gun. Mallon and his men managed to achieve this feat despite being outnumbered ten to one. General John Pershing would personally pin the medal on Mallon. He would also be named one of Pershing’s 100 heroes. Mallon was wounded by a shell on Oct. 1, 1918. He was transferred to a hospital and remained there for the rest of the war.

After returning home, Mallon kept his promise to continue fighting for labor and union causes. On Labor Day 1919, Mallon gave a pro-labor speech. He was upset with companies that made money off the war while returning soldiers were struggling to make ends meet. He railed against people who would plunge the nation into war for the “blood money” they would make.

He was also against the creation of Universal Military Training. Mallon felt if the entire country was militarized, the temptation to use the military would be too great. He also wanted to see conscientious objectors receive the military bonus.

For his outspoken support of unions, many on the opposition side labeled him and others in his labor organization “Red” or “Bolsheviks.” However, since Mallon was a Medal of Honor Recipient and one of Pershing’s 100 Heroes, these labels did not stick.

Mallon was part of the Nonpartisan League and this group would ultimately lead to the creation of the Farmer-Labor Party. He did run for lieutenant governor of Minnesota, but lost to his friend and fellow veteran George Leach. Mallon was elected county commissioner in Hennepin County. He served through most of the 1920s, but lost an election in 1930. He passed away in 1934 at age 57 from a stroke.

Years after his funeral his body was reinterred at the Fort Snelling National Cemetery. Mallon was the first person buried at this cemetery.

Chicoine said Mallon’s story is impressive not only for his war record, but for his outspoken nature during peace time. Chicoine’s research on Mallon will be included in upcoming books. Chicoine is also working on a book profiling a number of veterans from the Civil War through the Vietnam War called “Glory, Tragedy & Trauma: Stories from a National Cemetery.”

For more information on Chicoine’s work, visit his website, www.freedomhistory.com

SYNOPSIS: George Mallon, recipient of the Medal of Honor, was a powerfully built man with the courage of a lion. The son of an Irish immigrant, he grew up on a wheat farm in rural Kansas, immediately adjacent to the eastern edge of Fort Riley. He served in the regular army in the Philippine War, rising to the rank of sergeant. Captain George Mallon led a company of infantry in the assault on a formidable German position on the opening day of the World War’s Meuse-Argonne Offensive. Days later, he was badly wounded. He became one of Pershing’s 100 Heroes of the war. However, George Mallon’s life was so much more than his impressive military accomplishments. As a young man, Mallon pursued a promising boxing career. He became a labor leader & organizer and ran for state office in Minnesota. He had the courage of his convictions to improve the life of the working class in a time when those in power considered such a position radical. Thugs and mobs, who harassed and attacked his colleagues, always faded away when Captain Mallon was present. Through all of this, he maintained close friendships with his political adversaries, who, like Mallon, were war veterans. Perhaps his greatest honor was being chosen to be the first to be buried in the newly established Fort Snelling National Cemetery in 1939.

Too seldom is there found in one man both physical and moral courage. Captain George H. Mallon combined these qualities as they may have seldom been combined in any one individual – editorial in Minneapolis Labor Review upon Mallon’s death.