As Norman Prince was among the first of the American volunteers offering their services to France and to make the supreme sacrifice for her cause, it was but natural that his fate occasioned widespread and deeply sympathetic comment. The mournful tidings served in no small measure to bring home to the American people a more adequate realization of the fact that it was a World War that was waging on the European battle-fields and that the sooner this situation was recognized here the better for the cause of civilization everywhere. The messages of sympathy and appreciation were as numerous and universal as they were fervent and sincere. They found expression in the press, in the pulpit and in the forum, and the name of this hero came to be accepted as a fitting symbol of patriotism and self-sacrifice. Few of these messages were more tender and appreciative than those which came from Norman’s comrades in the aviation service in France. Commanders and subordinates were alike in this respect. A message from the comrades gathered at his bedside when he died said:
“Norman passed peacefully away this morning. He died like the brave man he was. He was more than a brother to us. We are all heartbroken.”
The French Government took formal and appreciative notice of the event, the representative of the French Army in this country sending this message to the family:
“The French Government transmits to you expressions of its deep and sorrowful sympathy on the occasion of your son’s glorious death. In my name as Military Attaché representing the French Army in the United States, I desire to say that his death has been for all his French comrades a cause of profound grief. It is with the greatest admiration that we have seen all these gallant young Americans risking and giving their lives for the cause of France. Their memory deserves to be kept in the hearts of our compatriots as is that of Lafayette in this country.
“We bow gratefully and respectfully before his grave.”
Representing the British Admiralty, Rear-Admiral Alfred E. A. Grant sent this message from London: “It was splendid of him to come over to fight for the Allies. You could have felt nothing but pride to have heard how his commanding officers speak of him—of his popularity with all his comrades; how gallantly and faithfully he performed his duties and how deeply his loss is regretted by all who knew him.”
DECORATIONS awarded to Norman Prince by the French Government
CROIX DE GUERRE (Red and green ribbon)
Star, won for being cited in L’Ordre du Jour of his Division for having been the only one of twenty-five aviators to reach Douai in 1915.
First Palm, won for being cited in L’Ordre du Jour of the French Army for having brought down an enemy avion.
Second Palm, for having brought down two enemy avions on the same day—at the same time receiving the
Third Palm, cited in L’Ordre du Jour for having brought down a fourth enemy avion, and for meritorious service in a raid on the Mauser ammunition works at Oberndorf—at the same time receiving the
MÉDAILLE MILITAIRE (Yellow and green ribbon)
CROIX DE LA LÉGION D’HONNEUR (Red ribbon)
Rev. Dr. Endicott Peabody of the Groton School wrote: “I must tell you how deeply Mrs. Peabody and I sympathize with you in Norman’s death. He gave his life in a great cause. That will be a comfort to you both, and he met his death with the courage that is characteristic of his family. Even with these considerations, I realize that your hearts must be heavy. It will please you to know that one of Norman’s classmates at Groton, who had followed his career in France with keen interest, has sent a contribution toward a memorial that he desires established at the school.”
Speaking for the Harvard Class of 1909 of which Norman was a member, its Secretary, Francis A. Harding, said: “On behalf of the Harvard Class of 1909, I wish to express the very deep regret which every Harvard man, and especially every classmate of Norman’s, has felt after reading the announcement of his death in France. To those of us who knew Norman intimately, the news of his death comes as a distinct shock, and every member of our class feels proud to have known and to have been affiliated with one who had the courage to give in such a noble way everything he possessed to the great cause in which he believed.”
From South Carolina Senator Tillman wrote: “Your son gave his young life in defense of what all of us know is a sacred cause. He was a twentieth century Lafayette, a modern knight errant whose statue will yet grace the capital of France. Prince? Yes, a Prince indeed—‘sans peur et sans reproche.’”
Many other thoughtful and tender messages came from others, friends and strangers, at home and abroad, testifying their commingled sorrow and admiration. Senator Henry Cabot Lodge telegraphed from Washington this tribute:
“Nothing could have been more gallant than his life—nothing finer than his death in a great cause, dear to his heart.”
An eloquent and fitting epitaph!
TO NORMAN PRINCE
From a Boston Boy, in France, American Ambulance Field Service, October 20, 1916.
The Riverside Press
CAMBRIDGE. MASSACHUSETTS
U. S. A