The Czechoslovak Review/Volume 3/Miscellaneous (11)
The Czechs of Cedar Rapids, Ia. are proud, because they have given a hero to the American army. Ladislav J. Janda, whose father Václav Janda is city street commissioner, has received all kinds of distinctions for his service with Uncle Sam. He was promoted several times, until he became major of the 9th regiment of infantry. The French gave him the croix de guerre with palms, and General Pershing cited him in special orders for extraordinary bravery in Belval Forrest on November 3, 1918, during the American offensive. In addition he is to get a decoration for brave conduct under fire in leading a counter attack at Thiancourt on September 12, 1918.
Major Janda since his demobilization is again attending engineering courses at the Ames State College.
One of the oldest civil war veterans died recently in Cedar Rapids. His name was František Peřina and he was born in Bohemia in 1837. From 1862 to 1865 he served in Company H of the 6th cavalry regiment of Iowa and participated in many battles.