CAPT. AMANN CITIZEN SOLDIER

Captain Henri Amann, who has been acting as French, military instructor to the Reserve Officers' Training Corps, has, as a citizen soldier of France, played a part in the war destined to make his presence as instructor here of the greatest value to the Corps.

Born at Paris in 1884 of Alsatian parents who had removed to French Territory after the Franco-Prussian War in 1870, Captain Amann was educated at the University of Paris, first in the Lycee Montaign and later in the Lycee Louis le Grand. Leaving the University at the age of 16, he entered the leather business and became connected with the Paris branch of an American leather concern. He began his two years military service in 1905, in which he rose to the rank of sergeant. In 1910, he passed examinations for a commission and was made a reserve 2nd lieutenant.

During the period preceding the war, Captain Amann spent much time in the United States and South America engaged in carrying on his business, and was living in Buenos Ayres at the out-break of war in 1914. He returned to France and joined his regiment, the 115th Infantry, which was sent to the Champagne front. He was at once promoted to a 1st lieutenantcy and in June 1915 was appointed a temporary captain.

In the second battle of Champagne in October 1915, he was severely wounded leading his battalion in a successful attack on the German trenches after the major and three of the captains had been killed. For this act he was shortly afterwards awarded the Croix de Guerre.

The following January his commission as captain was confirmed but owing to ill health he was sent to the interior to train recruits from the 1917 class for his regiment. Later he accompanied them to the Verdun Army School and while there last July, was ordered to report to Col. Azan in Boston, to aid in the training of American soldiers. He was at once assigned by Col. Azan to the "Iron Battalion" of Plattsburgers then in Cambridge, and later to the R. O. T. C.