William Patrick Kircher
Kentucky Post, Monday, 24 February 1919, page 1
CLIFTON YANK MAY BRING DOG HERO TO KENTUCKY-When William Kircher, Clifton soldier now in Germany, returns to his Kentucky home he is expecting to bring with him one of the heroes to whom the French War Cross was awarded for bravery in action. The hero is Verde Belle, a 4 year old dog, which took part in every battle in which the Second Division of the American Army participated.
And Verdun Belle has a record of countless American lives saved thru her work on battlefields of France, as evidenced by the little iron emblem which she wears on a ribbon on her neck. Few dogs have won the War Cross from the French Government. Award of the medal is proof of unusual bravery. Time and time again Verdun Belle went "over the top" in the face of German shell and gas and machine gun fire to seek wounded Yanks and guide stretcher bearers to them.
Kircher and Verdun Belle are great chums and the Kentucky boy is planning to adopt the dog and bring her home with him. At present the soldier is stationed in Bendorf, Germany, keeping watch on the Rhine. He expects to be in Germany for some time, he writes to friends in Newport and Clifton as his division has been selected as part of the American Army of Occupation. Kircher enlisted at the beginning of the war and has been in France 18 months. He has had his share of fighting and is eager to return to his home. Germany, he says, has no attraction for the Americans.