>%* >^ ^ • ^o %^^T'^ ^0^ '% "'^^"^ ^^^'^''^o ^^^^*^ .^^"^^^ *"- '■^ "^ ^~ fV o « o V:^ A V .^^"^ ■^ v^^ G^ \5 *v7.T* A <' H o "-^^-■'-■^^ THE STORY OF THE FIRST GAS REGIMENT BY JAMES THAYER ADDISON REGIMENTAL CHAPLAIN WITH ILLUSTRATIONS BOSTON AND NEW YORK HOUGHTON MIFFLIN COMPANY (Xtt Ulitec^iDe pcej^jtf CambtiDoe 1919 ■^ COPYRIGHT, I9I9, BY JAMBS THAYER ADDISON ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 3.^ <^ AUG 2! 1919 ©CI.A53 58 9 TO THE HONORED MEMORY OF OUR COMRADES WHO DIED THAT WE MIGHT LIVE IN A NEW WORLD CONTENTS I. Beginnings i II. The Organization of the First and Second Battalions 9 III. The Overseas Training of the First and Second Battalions 21 IV. The First Actions 40 V. The First Battalion in the Chateau- Thierry Offensive 55 VI. The Stabilized Fronts in July and August 79 VII. The St. Mihiel Operation 115 VIII. The Argonne-Meuse Operation 133 IX. Last Days 186 X. The Third and Fourth Battalions 200 XI. Conclusion 205 Appendices ; 209 A. Casualty List B. Table of Dates C. Sample "Operation Order" Sample "Operation Report" D. Description of Weapons E. Awards, Citations, and Recommenda- tions F. List of Officers and Men ILLUSTRATIONS A Smoke Cloud in Action Frontispiece Colonel Earl J. Atkisson, Commanding Officer 2 The Colors 12 La Ville-aux-Bois 28 Four-Inch Stokes Trench Mortar 28 Livens Projectors 42 Lieutenant Fleming 42 Projector Discharge at Night 42* Explosion of Smoke Bomb 62 Lieutenant Joseph T. Hanlon 66 Chateau-Thierry 74 Sunken Road near St. Thibaut 74 Officers of Company C, July, 1918 96 Company A 142 Company B 146 Trenches near "Le MoRT Homme" 152 Nantillois 152 Company C 156 Church at Gercourt 164 Ferme de la Madeleine 164 Company D 170 Company E 174 Company F 178 Medical Detachment 182 X ILLUSTRATIONS First Battalion Headquarters Detachment, February, 19 19 186 Second Battalion Headquarters Detach- ment, February, 1919 190 Regimental Headquarters Detachment, February, 19 19 194 The Regimental Band 198 Officers of Third and Fourth Battalions 202 Officers of the First Gas Regiment, Febru- ary, 1919 206 Supply and Headquarters Company, Third and Fourth Battalions 300 Company G 304 Company H 308 Company I 312 Company K 316 Company L 320 Company M 324 MAPS British Front 22 Operations of June 19 and Aug. 3, 1918 46 ChAteau-Thierry and Vesle Sectors 58 Luneville and Vosges Sectors 82 Verdun and St. Mihiel Sectors 116 Argonne-Meuse Sector 134 THE STORY OF THE FIRST GAS REGIMENT THE STORY OF THE FIRST GAS REGIMENT CHAPTER I BEGINNINGS The Magna Carta of the regiment, to which we trace our origin and all our rights, is General Order io8 of the War Department, dated August 15, 1 91 7. That order reads as follows: Under authority conferred by Section 2 of the Act of Congress "authorizing the President to increase temporarily the Military Establishment of the United States," approved May 18, 1917, the President directs that there be organized for the period of the existing emergency, the enlisted strength being raised by vol- untary enlistment or draft, the following special and technical engineer troops: A. For each army: (i) A Gas and Flame Service (one regiment). This authorization had resulted from a decision of the General Staff of the American Expedition- ary Forces to establish a Gas Service and to re- quire, as part of it, an offensive Gas Regiment. Such a service was established on September 2 by General Order 31 of General Headquarters of the A.E.F. and Colonel Amos A. Fries was ap- 2 THE FIRST GAS REGIMENT pointed as its chief. The immediate task of raising and training this new regiment — to be known as "The Thirtieth Engineers" ^ — was given to Captain Earl J. Atkisson, Corps of Engineers, who was assigned to the regiment on August 30, and ordered to report to the Commanding Officer of Camp American University, D.C. With our leader and our standing thus assured, the remain- ing needs were for officers, men, equipment, and information. In order of their availability these were sought for and found. During the early part of September arrangements were made whereby the investigations, experiments, and conclusions of the Bureau of Mines and the Gas Defense Sec- tion (then part of the Surgeon General's Depart- ment) could be utilized, a step which led to the helpful co5rdination of useful material. Initial requisitions, furthermore, and full plans of organ- ization, were prepared in advance to speed the readiness of the regiment for foreign service. Lieutenant Harris E. Dexter, of the 20th Engi- neers, reported to Major Atkisson^ on September 9, and two days later Corporal Eugene P. Welcher, of the Headquarters Detachment, 20th Engineers, was detailed for duty as stenographer. ^ From August, 1917, to August, 1918, the name of the regi- ment was "The Thirtieth Engineers." Thereafter our title was "The First Gas Regiment." * Accepted commission as Major, September 25, 1917. . COLONEL EARL J. ATKISSON Commanding Officer BEGINNINGS 3 The quest for personnel began with a search for officers who were Hkely to have the required skill. Some were obtained from Engineer training camps, some from civil life. While this was pro- ceeding, the nucleus of our enlisted men began with the formation on October 2 of a Second Casual Company of the 20th Engineers, then stationed at Camp American University. These original 34 men, picked because of their special training and their desire to see service more excit- ing than foresting afforded, were moved into separate barracks and placed under the command of Lieutenant Malinka. By October 10 they totaled 59 men. Five days later came at length the official authority to organize a battalion of two companies of 250 men each and a Battalion Headquarters of 24 men, with a commissioned personnel of 16 officers.^ From then on it became possible to appeal di- rectly to the public. Letters asking for cooperation and circulars describing the future regiment were dispatched to many prominent gas, mechanical, and chemical engineers, to different gas and chem- ical associations, and to the large industrial plants who might have in their employ the men we needed. Citation of the new authorization and * First indorsement, W.D., A.G.O., October 15, 1917, to Chief of Engineers. 4 THE FIRST GAS REGIMENT information regarding the men desired was sent to all of the United States recruiting officers and district Engineer officers. And, finally, vigorous publicity work began with the help of 350 news- papers all over the country. Special articles were reproduced by syndicates; and few intelligent Americans were left without an opportunity to learn about the new "Gas and Flame Regiment" and the exceptional chances it afforded. This campaign, conducted without cost to the Govern- ment, was made possible by the generous cooper- ation of the press. Most of the articles make good reading, and they are worth quoting, even at length, for to their initial efforts we owe so large a number of our recruits. As typical of these appeals, we read in the "Boston Transcript" for October 26: Washington, October 26. "Only keen, red-blooded men who are desirous of seeing active service are wanted for this regiment" — so announces Major E. J. Atkisson, Corps of Engineers, upon whom has been placed the duty of organizing the "Hell Fire" regiment with which to fight the Germans. Officially the new regiment will not bear this striking title, al- though it is known officially as the "Gas and Flame Battalion" of The Thirtieth Engineers at Camp American University. Like the celebrated Camouflage Battalion, it is being organized on the cabled request of Lieutenant-General John J. Pershing for a body of men to do pioneer work in the front-line trenches in BEGINNINGS 5 Flanders. The Germans violated all the laws of war and humanity with their introduction of searing flames and poison gases into the trenches of the Allies, and now American genius and patriotism are relied upon to beat the Hun at his own game. For reasons which will be suggested later, Army officers are confi- dent that this can be done. Major Atkisson, who is forming this unique battal- ion, is an officer of the Regular Army, a graduate of West Point and Cornell, who has specialized in elec- trical and mechanical engineering. For eighteen months he worked under Sibert on the locks of the Gatun Dam and is thoroughly familiar with that wonderful piece of engineering which will carry the name of Sibert for- ever as high as that of any other man that was associ- ated in the Panama Canal enterprise. The Major also has been director of electrical and mechanical engi- neering in the Engineer School of the Army and thus is in every way fitted to conduct the operations which will require a thorough working knowledge of mechan- ical technique. The Government is calling for volunteers for the Gas and Flame Battalion. The immediate need is of 250 privates, 30 chemists, 12 interpreters who speak French, 12 electrical experts, 24 mechanical experts, 12 explosive experts, 10 gas experts, 6 blacksmiths, 10 steam engineers, 8 carpenters, 8 gas engineers, 6 plumbers, 8 pipe-fitters, 32 chauffeurs, 12 cooks, 8 clerks, 2 mess sergeants, and 2 supply sergeants. All men must first enlist as privates at $33 a month and expenses. Men with the necessary experience may be assigned to special duty and given non-commissioned ranks at rates of pay ranging from $42 to $96 a month and expenses, which include food, clothing, medical attendance, and transportation. Those who enlist will be eligible immediately for promotion. Many of the 6 THE FIRST GAS REGIMENT non-commissioned places will be filled almost immedi- ately upon entrance to the service, and opportunities will develop with service. As it is hoped to make this a volunteer organization, men of the qualifications al- ready stated, including also automobile repair men, need not be of the prescribed age for the selective draft, but may be anywhere between eighteen and forty years of age. The privilege of enlistment will be lost by men already called by a local board in the draft, but men will be drafted from the selected army to fill the ranks of the Gas and Flame Regiment if necessary, and presumably drafted men of the classes named above who would like to be among the pioneers in the latest development of modern warfare would be given preference in making the selection. The "Hell Fire Battalion" offers a real chance for men to perform active service on the battle front. They will go to France earlier than men in many other commands and they will be at the head of the great offensive which supposedly will open in the spring. They often will be the vanguard of the attacking forces, supported by the whole power of the great military organization behind them, with its thousands of can- non, and its hundreds of thousands of rifles. The faith expressed by Army officers of the ability of the United States to teach the Germans the war game in the use of their own hellish weapons is based not so much upon the possible superiority of American over Ger- man chemists as on the inventiveness of the American mind in the designing of apparatus for the projection of gases and of flames, and, above all, upon the in- exhaustible resources of the United States which will enable the American troops to make use of an equip- ment immeasurably better than the Germans can command. The time has gone by for any ethical dis- cussion as to the propriety of using gas and flames BEGINNINGS 7 against the enemy. The Germans started the fiendish practice and are keeping it up. The American prefer- ence would incline toward the use of a gas that would stupefy and not kill or poison, but the Germans have set the pace and the practical officers of the Army realize that their fire must be fought with hotter fire. These forms of advertisement, however, were not confined to any one section of the country. Like accounts, for instance, appeared in the Florida "Times-Union," in the Houston "Chron- icle," and in the "Engineering News- Record." Results quickly followed. Beginning with Octo- ber 19, the stream of recruits was almost con- tinuous. The first man to enlist directly for The Thirtieth was F. C. Devlin, who applied for en= listment at Pittsburgh, enlisted at Washington Barracks, and reported at Camp American Uni- versity on October 19. During the next two weeks 21 other recruits had reported. Eleven new officers had been assigned to the regiment and one at- tached, making a total of 15 ofificers. 5 During this period of the search for personnel and its subsequent organization, similar progress, equally valuable, had been made in technical and supply work. Captain C. P. Wood, who assumed his duties September 20, was given charge of the Engineer work, and began at once to gather all possible information on the subject of the Gas 8 THE FIRST GAS REGIMENT Service, from the War College, the Bureau of Mines, and various other sources. On the basis of such information, Captain Wood made recom- mendations for the purchase of equipment and conducted experiments and tests. On October 24 the progress of the past month was celebrated and the new regimental spirit of The Thirtieth signalized by a "Mess Kit Supper" and dance given by the men for the members and friends of the regiment. The supper was given in the Mess Hall, and the rest of the programme carried out in the Assembly Room of the Hall of History building. During the course of the evening Major Atkisson made a brief address, and was followed in turn by Captain Wood and Lieutenant Hall. The regiment had already begun to feel itself a unit. CHAPTER II THE ORGANIZATION OF THE FIRST AND SECOND BATTALIONS Company A and Battalion Headquarters were organized on October i6, and assignment of officers was at once made. Among the latter were Lieutenant H. W. Favre and Lieutenant Scott Trammell, who, in addition to their other duties, were directed to prepare to take charge of a second company when the need should arise. The story of the succeeding month is one of rapid accession to the numbers of officers and men. On November 3, B Company was formed, with Lieutenant Favre in command, and nine days later Captain Gribbel took command of Company A. Little by little the ranks of the companies were filled, by transfers from A to B and to A and B from the Second Casual Company of the 20th Engineers. By November 16, eight more officers had reported, and two days later non-commissioned officers for both companies were appointed. On November 20, 120 men arrived from Fort Slocum, N.Y. On 'November 28, Regimental Headquarters was authorized and organized. . While this building-up process was going on lo THE FIRST GAS REGIMENT The Thirtieth continued to court and to receive publicity. A highly colored account of what we were, or were thought to be, may be read in the Baltimore "Evening Star" for November 15: HELL FIRE BATTALION Washington, November I5. If His Satanic Majesty happened to drop around at the American University training camp to-day, he would see the "Hell Fire Battalion" at work and might blush with envy. On the War Department records the battalion is known as the "Gas and Flame Battalion of the Thir- tieth Regiment Engineers." Throughout the Army they are known as the "Hell Fire Boys," This name is literally true. A group of red-blooded Americans, most of them youths, are daily training in gas and flame fighting and learning how to make a literal inferno in return for German "f rightfulness." Gas and flame fighting is a new wrinkle in the American Army, but the "Hell Fire Battalion" has taken to it as the duck takes to water. It is a volunteer organization. Every man has offered his services. There is a general rush of engineers to get transfers to the battalion, for it offers more possibilities of adven- ture and action than almost any other branch of the service. The "Hell Fire Battalion" is going "over there" within a short time. To-day they are preparing for the trip. Full equipment has been issued, and they expect to see action as soon as they arrive. There will be no long period in training camps for the "Hell Fire Boys." They will go immediately to the front, where they will train under actual war conditions with French and British "gassers." Thousands of dollars have been spent in research work for the "Hell Fire ORGANIZATION ii Battalion." They are going to Europe equipped with a gas mask that experts claim far surpasses anything in use now. Moreover, they will take with them gas ammunition tanks and tanks of "hell fire," that are recent inventions. In addition to gas work, the "Hell Fire Boys" are becoming smoke artists. They are practicing daily with smoke clouds. Over the campus at American University they are sending out huge black volumes of smoke. In Europe these smoke clouds are used to hide troop movements and to unnerve the enemy. The enemy never knows what is back of a smoke cloud. It always causes nervous excitement, for it inevitably is followed by an attack from some unexpected point. There will be but one gas and flame regiment for each American army. As a result of this policy the gas and flame fighters get a greater variety of action than any other unit. There is no long station at one place. They move about quickly from one front to another. Gas attacks always come in the heaviest battles and the **Hell Fire Boys" expect to be among those present at every big attack made by the American forces. To the men the necessary training that filled the months of November and December looked suspiciously like close-order drill; but the public continued to think of them as dealing chiefly in poisonous gas and hell fire. With occasional experiments, such as the use of smoke clouds, disciplinary drill went steadily on as the com- panies grew more and more ready for overseas service. In anticipation of orders to leave, an impressive 12 THE FIRST GAS REGIMENT step in the life of the regiment was taken on De- cember 9. At 3 P.M. on the Wisconsin Avenue pa- rade grounds, at Camp American University, there was held a special ceremony to receive the regi- mental colors presented by Mrs. John Markle, aunt of Lieutenant Robinson, of Company B. The colors were taken out by a color guard and presented by the Regimental Adjutant to a guard in command of Lieutenant Owen, Company B, sent out from the battalion formed in line. The guard, bearing the colors, then returned to their place in line, and the battalion passed in review before the Commanding Officer.^ Some weeks later, on December 22, the bat- talion again made a creditable appearance in public. At 8 A.M. on that day. Companies A and B, with the Regimental, Battalion, and Medical Detachments, left camp for an eight-mile practice march. On returning to camp at 10.30 a.m., orders were received from the Post Commander to pro- ceed at once to pass in review before the Secretary of War in front of the State, War, and Navy Building in Washington. Packs were taken off hurriedly, the command was on the road at 10.50, and after a march of five miles, stood ready at 12.07 to pass in review. The command, led by * Major Atkisson received his commission as Lieutenant- Colonel, N.A., on December 20. ORGANIZATION 13 the regimental band,* was reviewed by the Secre- tary of War. Among those on his staff were Gen- eral T. H. Bliss, Chief of Staff; Major-General John Biddle, Assistant Chief of Staff; Major- General W. M. Black, Chief of Engineers; Briga- dier-General E. E. Winslow, Corps of Engineers; and Colonel C. E. Potter, Director of the Gas Service. After the review the organization marched directly back to Camp American University, ar- riving about 2.30 P.M., and thus completed, with- out a man dropping out, a march of 18 miles, 8 miles of which had been in heavy marching order. The long-awaited order to leave for overseas service called for departure on Christmas Day. At 3.30 P.M. on December 25, the command ^ was formed on Massachusetts Avenue, and marched through Washington in a snowstorm to the rail- road siding. There they entrained at 6 p.m. for the "Port of Embarkation." At 3.30 a.m. the fol- lowing day the battalion arrived at Jersey City, detrained at 7 a.m. and, after a short ferry trip to the Hoboken piers, embarked on the U.S. Trans- port President Grant, former Hamburg- American liner, which sailed that afternoon at four o'clock. Colonel Atkisson, who had accompanied the com- * Organization of the band had begun December 6. The instru- ments were the gift of Major Weinberg. * The command that sailed included Regimental H.Q., First Battalion H.Q., ^nd Companies A and B. 14 THE FIRST GAS REGIMENT mand to the pier, returned to Fort Myer to be with the Second Battahon. Other troops on the transport were the 2ist Engineers, the 303d Stevedore Regiment, a cas- ual detachment, and an Ordnance detachment. Colonel Peek, commanding the 21st Engineers, assumed command of the troops. The other ships in the convoy were the U.S. Transport Pastores and the U.S.S. Rochester. To these were added, two days before reaching France, a squadron of destroyers. The chief event, memorable for all on board, was a submarine attack in which the Presi- dent Grant escaped a torpedo only by a prompt change of course, and which ended with an entry on the ship's log that a German submarine had been sunk. Though no men of The Thirtieth were responsible for this unusual victory, several of our members performed admirable service as volun- teer firemen during the voyage, of which a letter from the Captain expresses grateful appreciation. U.S.S. President Grant Base Seven January 11, 1918 From: Commanding Officer. To : Colonel Commanding Troops. Subject: Appreciation of voluntary services of the firemen of the 21st and 30th Engineers. I. I desire to express my very sincere thanks, ORGANIZATION 15 through you, to the below named men of the 30th Engineers, who on the recent voyage have assisted in the fireroom of this vessel : Private ist CI. R. Hamilton. Private ist CI. E. P. Frink. Private A. W. Archer. Private R. C. David. Wagoner C. B. Barnes. Musician W. F. Evans. 2. The consistently good performance of the boilers enabled us to arrive exactly on scheduled time in spite of unlocked for contrary winds and heavy seas. There are many excellent firemen among the men enumer- ated and our own firemen received much valuable training from them. 3. To have performed this service in the most dan- gerous part of the ship, all through the war-zone, indi- cates magnificent spirit on their part. It is not so bad to be on deck where you can see what's happening, but I always feel a peculiar anxiety and sympathy for those whose duties call them to the fire and engine room, and where, in case of disaster, their chances of surviving are very much reduced. To have volunteered for this duty was splendid, and I hope that each of the men will know how grateful the officers and crew of this vessel are for the services they rendered. J. P. Morton The President Grant arrived at Brest at 10 A.M. on January 10, 191 8, but the troops did not land for eight days. Our men finally disembarked on January 18, and entrained the same afternoon. After forty-eight hours of railroad travel, -they i6 THE FIRST GAS REGIMENT left the train at Wizernes, marched to Helfaut, near St. Omer (January 20, 4 p.m.), and were immediately billeted. Almost a month before the First Battalion set out for France, it became possible to start the organization of the Second Battalion. On Novem- ber 28, the First Casual Company of The Thirtieth was formed, with Lieutenant Scott Trammell in charge of 90 recruits. This company was sent for training to Belvoir, Va., and a week later the re- cruits, now numbering 137, were assigned as pri- vates. On December 9, Captain Lowenberg took command, with four first lieutenants and one sec- ond lieutenant as additional officers; and Com- pany C began its formal existence. Company D meanwhile had begun to be visible. On December 5, Lieutenant Stoepker took charge of 39 privates, drawn from the First Casual Com- pany, and the next day Lieutenant Dayton took command of what was now Company D. On De- cember 14, Company C, then at Belvoir, and Company D, then at Camp American University, moved to Fort Myer, where Captain Geiger as- sumed command of Company D. The men were quartered in barracks adjoining those of the Sec- ond Cavalry, and remained at this post until their departure for France. Recruits continued to ar- rive, and by the end of the year C Company was ORGANIZATION 17 183 and D 167 strong.^ At the New Year non- commissioned officers were appointed for both companies, and three weeks later both had reached their full strength. Most of the training of these companies, up to this time, had consisted of the necessary initial work of close-order drill. A further valuable step in their education was now made possible by arrangements for a fortnight's rifle practice. Be- tween January 20 and 22, the battalion was trans- ported a distance of 45 miles in motor trucks to Annapolis, where it encamped at the Naval Tar- get Range. With naval officers to superintend the schedules and instruction, and with bluejackets as guides and teachers, all our officers and men shot both the Navy and Army courses, under the difficult conditions contributed by severe cold and frequent snowfall.^ The officers in Camp at An- napolis will always remember gratefully, both as helpful organizers and as cordial friends, Lieuten- ant Harrington and Ensigns Zink and Simpson. By way of showing their appreciation of their naval hosts and teachers, our officers and men organized an entertainment for all the naval men, which took place in the Annapolis Armory on the ^ Second Battalion H.Q. had been organized December 28. * The range record for the Army course as shot by Company C included 2 sharpshooters and 44 marksmen. D Company achieved 5 sharpshooters and 38 marksmen. ' i8 THE FIRST GAS REGIMENT evening of January 31, and which included a suc- cessful programme of basketball, boxing, music, and refreshments. On the Saturday and Sunday following, the entire command returned to Fort Myer (Febru- ary 2 and 3), and there began the work of final preparation for impending departure. The de- parture continued to impend for three weeks more — a period actively given over to procuring and inspecting all necessary equipment. Time also was found for Company C to organize an orches- tra which was "the feature of the evening" at a dance and supper given on February 13, in cooperation with 125 ladies, employees of the Treasury Department. Sunday services held by the Chaplain became from now on a regular feature of the weekly schedule. During the week of February 17, the work of preparation was more tense and interesting. Fre- quent practice marches were undertaken, usually preceded by "get-away" drills as rehearsals of final departure. On Monday afternoon, February 25, at 3.30, the companies assembled with full equipment, and after roll-call, marched to the Roslyn Station, near the Potomac Bridge, where they entrained with neatness and dispatch.^ The train left at 5 p.m. and reached Jersey City at ^ Battalion Headquarters remained behind. ORGANIZATION 19 2.30 A.M. After four hours of waiting and a brief ferry trip, the battalion was reassembled on the pier at Hoboken, and before 1 1 a.m. had embarked on the U.S. Transport Agamemnon, 22,000 tons, once the Kaiser Wilhelm II. Colonel Atkisson joined the battalion aboard ship. He had left Fort Myer on February 3, with orders to proceed to France, but an attack of diphtheria had delayed his departure, fortunately not too long to prevent his sailing with his own men. On the evening of the following day the Aga- memnon sailed. Lieutenant-Colonel Stacey, of the 28th Infantry, assumed command of the troops on board, which included part of the 26th Engineers, and several Signal Corps and Casual companies. The convoy consisted, besides the Agamemnon, of the U.S. Transports Mt. Vernon (the former Kronprinzessin Cecilie) and America (the Amerika), joined, on March 3, by the U.S. Armored Cruiser Seattle, bearing the Secretary of War. Daily "abandon-ship" drills kept the men in proper training, and almost nightly "movies" helped to lighten the long evenings. Two days after entering the "danger zone" came what looked like an attack on a submarine, in the course of which the Seattle fired three shots astern and sharply changed her course. The America fired one of her five-inch guns, and a call to 20 THE FIRST GAS REGIMENT quarters sounded on all the ships. A few minutes later "recall" followed, and unlimited discussion began as to the cause of the incident. The log, however, unfortunately records that we attacked no more than a floating log. Early next morning the convoy was cheered by the sight of a flock of destroyers which accompanied the transports to port. Though they escaped casualties from attacks, the companies were unfortunate enough to lose three men on the voyage by death from pneu- monia, On Sunday morning, March lo, the Agamem- non anchored in the harbor of Brest, and between three and five o'clock the next afternoon the bat- talion disembarked and marched four miles to the Pontanezen Barracks, quarters designed by Vau- ban and used by Napoleon. After two days at this post, the companies entrained at Brest, and began on March 13, at 3.40 p.m., the journey which ended March 16, at 3 a.m., at the town of Langres (Haute-Marne). Shortly after noon the companies formed and marched three miles to the village of Humes, on the river Marne, where they were billeted. ^ Sergeant Carroll and Private Farrell, Company C, and Pri- vate Hartman, Company D. CHAPTER III THE OVERSEAS TRAINING OF THE FIRST AND SECOND BATTALIONS The day after arriving at Helfaut, the First Battalion was stationed at Depot Special Brigade, Royal Engineers. Officers and men of the bat- talion then began, under Major W. Campbell- Smith, M.C., R.E., a five weeks' course of training in offensive gas warfare. The instruction, given by officers of the Special Companies, consisted largely in field work, supplemented by occasional lec- tures. By the time this preliminary education was completed, our men were ready to take an active share in work on the British front. Each platoon was attached to a Special Company of the Royal Engineers^ and while remaining at times in the * Assignments of our platoons to Special Companies, R.E.: 1st platoon, Company A, to F Special Company at Erquinghem. 2d platoon, Company A, to Z Special Company at Neuve Eglise. 3d platoon, Company A, to No. 2 Special Company at Neuve Eglise. 4th platoon. Company A, to L Special Company at Nieppe. 1st platoon, Company B, to No. 4 Special Company at Bethune. 2d platoon. Company B, to B Special Company at Sains-en- Gohelle. 3d platoon. Company B, to M Special Company at Verquin. 4th platoon, Company B, to O Special Company at Sains-en- Gohelle. 22 THE FIRST GAS REGIMENT charge of its own officers, worked under the super- vision of British commanders.^ The portion of front over which the platoons were extended in- cluded, roughly, the thirty mile stretch from Ypres to Lens, a battle-ground already historic, and on the verge of becoming even more famous. Five platoons had reached their stations at the front as early as March 2, and within less than two weeks were joined by all the others. By thus entering upon front-line warfare less than three months after completing its organization and six weeks after landing upon French soil, the First Battalion of The Thirtieth holds the record (among combatant troops) for speed. Six of the eight platoons were engaged in in- stalling projectors; the other two worked with Stokes mortars.^ The routine task of preparation, and the even more trying task of waiting for favorable weather conditions, occupied most of the first two or three weeks of March. This rou- tine varied with each platoon according to its location and the work assigned. Several platoons had forward billets and remained for work in that area for from two to six days, alternating * This work was strictly active warfare. Partly, however, for convenience, partly in deference to the fact that the operations were under British direction, this period is classed under "Over- seas Training." ^ A description of these weapons will be found in Appendix D. iSt.Omer Hazebrouck'y V y^ ^pres' ^ Messines* A^S^Tij? l<- Neuve E'^ise, V^■V.,;,. .>v vyWarnl-ton Plcteprsteert* /*^ ' Nieppe* '"Ni/J ■,x^,^tiAro.a JHjouplines Armeniiefes^ Erquin^emi- Airei R Mervijl; N/i ^C Auchy" Lai io- Basfee'e 1 LilleJ E/ Anneguiri* San, leguin • anjy* •HuUuch '\/ \ j Vs^^ /Grena^ Loos ...Dieval ^BarlinA^^^"^ ><- • ■•"•^ Vimy o rrasj A' %-^ BRITISH FRONT Statute Miles 10 16 20 OVERSEAS TRAINING 23 these periods with a few days of rest in billets far- ther to the rear. Most of the platoons, however, had but one set of billets, and migrated every day or two to the front for digging. But in either case the normal events were nightly digging and daily resting. Yet a description purely in terms of "digging" and "rest billets" gives too placid and peace-time a picture of the life of these companies. "Billets" were often merely a few cubic feet in the cellars of some ruined village (as at Cit6 St. Pierre) and "digging" involved working in the open on ground between front and support or support and reserve trenches. Add to this the constant need to inspect and repair projectors even after they had been installed, and the con- tinual passage of trucks or trains over roads "marked" and often observed by the enemy, and the picture will be truer to the realities of warfare which our platoons encountered. Their risks were real enough to result in three or four casualties from machine-gun or shell-fire and fourteen or fifteen more from gas, even before they had "pulled off" any "shows." Company A's fourth platoon was under heavy shell-fire during the bombardment of Nieppe on March 1 1 ; ten days later the first platoon was shelled with mustard and phosgene gas at Erquinghem; and on March 23 the Stokes mortar platoon (third) suffered from 24 THE FIRST GAS REGIMENT machine-gun fire at Neuve Eglise. These days of duty with the British, in short, may have been for purposes of training, but about the training there was nothing academic. Between March 19 and April 4, the Special Companies, assisted by our men, carried out a series of gas attacks on the enemy — the fruit of the weeks of labor and waiting. The second pla- toon of Company A, which had reached the front on March 10, took part in the action of March 19, east of Messines Ridge, when 1 122 projectors were fired. Two nights later all the platoons of B Com- pany participated in attacks, in the course of which two men were killed ^ and two wounded. The first platoon assisted in a Stokes mortar operation in front of Houplines; the second as- sisted in the preparation and discharge of 2500 projectors upon a target close to Lens; the third was engaged in a similar but smaller attack in the Bois Rase; and the fourth helped in the firing of 620 projectors into Lens. On March 2"] the third platoon of Company A, manning eight Stokes mortars, participated in a gas operation against Warneton; and the next day the three projector platoons of B Company carried out their second "shows" upon the same targets. The succeeding week was equally full of activity. On March 31 ^ Private First Class Gray and Private Neal. OVERSEAS TRAINING 25 (Easter Day) the first and fourth platoons of Company A were in action, the former helping to fire 1800 projectors east of Armentieres, the latter digging in and firing 400 into Warneton. The same night A's third platoon was in charge of twelve Stokes mortars firing upon Warneton. The following day the third platoon of B took part in a projector attack (675 guns) upon Cit6 St. Auguste and the second shot 400 reset guns against Lens. On the night of April 2, A's second platoon assisted in resetting and firing 478 guns; while B's first platoon (then divided) executed a Stokes mortar attack in the direction of Hulluch, and established a smoke screen 500 yards south in connection with a successful infantry raid. The latter may rank as first among the many famous smoke screens thrown by The Thirtieth. Finally the fourth platoon of B shared in the discharge, on April 3, of 1600 projectors into Lens. The original plans for the education with the British of the First Battalion had contemplated successive steps toward independence, in which first our single platoons and later our single com- panies should have assigned to them distinct sta- tions or sectors wherein they could carry out their share of the whole work planned. By the first week in April all the platoons were reported as ready 26 THE FIRST GAS REGIMENT for the first steps, though only one or two had been given opportunities to act as units; and the time was not far off when both companies could have begun to operate as distinct additions to the British Special Companies. But the course of this evolution was rudely interrupted, and all other immediate plans of British and Americans swal- lowed up by the progress of the great German offensive. Beginning on March 21 with a drive toward Amiens, during which heavy gains in terri- tory were made in Picardy, the German attack was next pressed with equal force against the British front between Ypres and Lens. Before this phase of the offensive was fully under way the rearrangement of British plans made neces- sary the transfer of our platoons. A cylinder oper- ation was planned on a large scale to be under- taken by most of the Special Companies, R.E., all of which were by this time with the First Army around Lens. The area for this operation included the territory between La Bass6e Canal and Hill 70. In view of these designs, it was agreed be- tween the British Commanders and ours that our companies could not only best advance their own training, but also be of the greatest assistance at the moment by joining the preparation for this extensive gas attack. On April 6, therefore, the companies moved to the new locations assigned OVERSEAS TRAINING 27 and began work. This work was being carried on well within the active area of the greatest battle in history, and our battahon began soon to share the losses as well as the labors of those critical weeks. On April 8 and 9, the enemy shelled this entire front with mustard gas, putting over some 80,000 shells in forty-eight hours and throwing out of action, among others, a whole reserve bri- gade of British troops. Casualties everywhere, military and civilian, were very heavy. The woods were choked with ambulances and with swarms of French refugees. During these days our men were busy with cylinder installations; and though the concentration of gas to which they were sub- jected was slight, the fact of their continued work made casualties inevitable, and by April 9, 51 men of Company A were listed as wounded, in- cluding Captain Gribbel and Lieutenant Judson. On that day, too, the first deaths in the company occurred. A line of trucks returning with men to billets at dawn was caught in an enemy barrage near Annequin, and before the men could take shelter, Private Hass was killed and Corporal Dodd so seriously wounded that he died within a few hours. ^ Company B's Hst of gas casualties was briefer, but some 14 men were sent to the ^ Corporal A. W. Jones (later Sergeant and Second Lieuten- ant) was awarded the D.S.C. for his gallantry on this occasion. See Appendix E. 28 THE FIRST GAS REGIMENT hospital. The following day was marked by the German drive for Merville against the Portuguese contingent. On April 1 1 , Company B was ordered to move out of the fighting zone and to assist in an extensive movement of stores from Sains-en- Gohelle to Di6val. Company A continued work on the cylinder operation for ten days longer.^ With one company thus out of danger and with the other permitted by a lull in the offensive to work under less galling conditions, the subsequent casualties in the battalion were very few. But the fact that on April 14 B Company's effective strength was only 136 is clear evidence that in those days of Allied stress and risk our regiment had not been mainly concerned with saving itself. Decisions had been difficult as to how far our duties as a nucleus of the American Gas Service conflicted with our duties as fellow-fighters with the British; but none will regret that, before our departure, the opportunity was given and taken to spend our strength gladly in the common cause. The withdrawal of the First Battalion was com- pleted on April 22 when the command entrained at Barlin for Auchy-les-Hesdin. After a stay of three days there, the men were moved by train * This famous operation had not been carried out when our last man left, though at least one Boche, from across "No Man's Land," was heard to urge its speedy execution. LA VILLE-AUX-BOIS FOUR-INCH STOKES TRENCH MORTAR OVERSEAS TRAINING 29 to Chaumont,^ and after a march of four miles arrived at La Ville-aux-Bois.^ For three months our men had been under British direction, not merely in cooperation, but so mingled as to be working shoulder to shoulder with their allies. As an aspect of minor importance, the contact was socially a success. Americans, for some reason, will always show surprise at the un- mistakably British traits of the British, and their cousins cannot overlook the fact that Americans tend to be intensely American ; but such contrasts seem not to have made for discord. Baseball games with the Colonials, entertainments and concerts, mutually given and enjoyed, all ex- pressed and promoted good feeling. The officers, too, who messed as well as worked with their British colleagues, retain the happiest memories of the friendship and hospitality of their teachers and allies. Turning from play, however, to the main story of work achieved, it will always be gratifying to members of The Thirtieth that we were not the first to word the praise of our own record. That ^ Chaumont, La Ville-aux-Bois, and Langres, Humes, and Choignes (subsequently mentioned) are too far behind the front to appear on the maps. Chaumont (American G.H.Q.) is 55 miles southwest of Toul. La Ville-aux-Bois and Choignes are villages close by. Langres, with Humes close by, is 25 miles southeast of Chaumont. It was the center of the "school area" for the A.E.F. 30 THE FIRST GAS REGIMENT has been done better than we should dare to do it, in the letters that follow:^ First Army No. G.S. 1036/2 O.C, Special Companies, R.E. Reference your G 366, d/-3-4-i8. The Army commander has read your report on the operations carried out by Special Companies on 1st and 2nd April, and is glad to see the operations have been efficiently carried out. He wishes to express his satisfaction at the assistance which you report has been rendered by American platoons attached to the Special Companies engaged, and desires to convey his congratulations to the American officers and other ranks who have been employed. (Signed) W. H. Anderson Major General General Staff, First Army Directorate of Gas Service, B.E.F. 26th of April, 1918 Dear Major Robbe: I have much pleasure in enclosing a copy of a letter just received from Colonel Kent. From what I have seen and heard of your companies ^ Typical of the praise received by different individual pla- toons is the following letter to Lieutenant Morey: April II, 1918 Lieut. D. Morey, Jr. U.S. Army. Will you please let me thank you for the splendid way in which you and your men have helped us in the past month of stress? Their efforts have been magnificent, and are gratefully appreciated by myself and those above me. J. M. Bansall, Captain, R.E. O.C. Z Special Co., R.E. OVERSEAS TRAINING 31 I fully endorse all that he says of them; and perhaps you will permit me to say that all of us in the British Gas Service have the greatest possible admiration for your officers and men. They quickly made friends with us at Helfaut and this friendship has been cemented during the weeks in which we have worked together at the front. Moreover, I think that the first experiment that has been made in France of training American with British troops has met with unqualified success. I wish you every good fortune in your future deal- ings with the Germans: we shall watch your deeds with the greatest interest while we engage you in friendly rivalry. Yours very sincerely (Signed) General Foulkes H.Q. Special Brigade, R.E. The two American Companies which have been attached to the Special Companies of this Army area are leaving on Tuesday, 23d, instant. Their conduct both in and out of the line has been admirable. They have worked with our personnel during actual cylinder, mortar, and projector oper- ations. In several projector operations they have been assigned a definite part of the operation, emplacing and firing a definite number of batteries. In 4" Stokes gas bombardments, the American platoon attached was distributed among the crews of the mortars, load- ing and firing certain of the mortars allotted for the operation. Lately they have received valuable experience in transporting to, and emplacing cylinders in, the front line. In all the operations, cylinder, trench mortar, 32 THE FIRST GAS REGIMENT and projector, they have followed such operations from the very commencement. Officers and N.C.O.'s show a very keen and intelli- gent interest in the work, and I am quite certain that when they commence operations on their own, such operations will be carried through efficiently and suc- cessfully. (Signed) A. E. Kent, Lieut. Col. O.C. Special Companies R.E., First Army The Thirtieth will always be grateful to the First Battalion for having launched its reputa- tion on a high level, and maintained it under hard conditions. And that gratitude can never be separated from our gratitude to the British for having done everything to hasten the day when the American Army could begin to use its own Gas Regiment. Officially and unofficially our thanks are continual to Colonel Kent, to Major Campbell-Smith, and to all their subordinates for the instruction and cooperation which helped so vitally to set our standards and to initiate our career. ' While the First Battalion was at the front dur- ing March and April, Companies C and D had been spending their first two weeks at Humes (near Langres) in becoming adjusted to their new quarters and in continuing the usual drills and "hikes." By March 26 all the company officers but three had been ordered away for duty else- OVERSEAS TRAINING 33 where, chiefly for gas training at Helfaut. Within the next ten days the battalion had been strength- ened by the arrival of Captains Sibert, Kobbe, and Berlin, Lieutenants Owen, Firebaugh, Knox, and Hall, and Lieutenant J. P. Webster, of the Medical Detachment, all of whom had previously been in training with the First Battalion. Captain Sibert took command of the battalion,^ Captain Kobbe, of C Company, and Captain Berlin, of D. With this infusion of comparative veterans, train- ing became more active and specific. During this period all the men received their gas masks, and at the Gas School at Langres attended lectures and drills in gas defense. Occasional visits from Colonel Atkisson, as well as one from Colonel Fries, helped the officers in forming new plans and in putting new spirit into their execution. Training was also undertaken in the use of the bayonet and in grenade-throwing. Four lieuten- ants from the Army Schools at Langres, directed by Lieutenant Slater, gave the instruction in bombing. During the course of this practice — on April II — the first casualties in the Second Bat- talion occurred. Owing to the premature explo- sion of a bomb, just released above his head, Cap- tain Kobbe's right hand was blown off; First Sergeant McGuffie, of C Company, lost the use * Now known as the Provisional Battalion. 34 THE FIRST GAS REGIMENT of his right eye; and Private Berger, of C, and two bombing instructors suffered lesser injuries. Company C, of which Captain Sibert then took charge, had known Captain Kobbe long enough to regret sincerely the loss of a commander whom the company had already begun to admire ; and every officer began to miss keenly a delightful friend. During the time of this April training steps had been successfully taken by Regimental Head- quarters to secure for the use of The Thirtieth a large area east of Chaumont (hitherto almost un- used for military purposes), part of which had already been assigned for use as a Gas Service Experimental Field. A village in that area — La Ville-aux-Bois — was assigned to the First and Provisional Battalions; and on April 26 and 27 the latter, now under command of Captain Wat- son, moved by truck from Humes, and took up their new quarters. Their behavior at Humes had been so nearly exemplary as to call forth a letter of praise from the Mayor and to justify from visit- ing inspectors high commendation for military manners and for sanitation. The day after its arrival at La Ville-aux-Bois the Provisional Battalion, as we have seen, was joined by the First Battalion, fresh from the Brit- ish front; and for nearly four weeks they were quartered together. Life on a regimental scale OVERSEAS TRAINING 35 was then, for the first time, possible. Companies C and D had their first opportunity to rub shoul- ders with "veterans," and to absorb, in any quantity their creduHty allowed, stories of adven- tures and achievements on the British front. The faint air of superiority easily pardonable in young "veterans" seldom prevented cordial good feeling among the four companies; and sharing experi- ences as well as receiving instruction was a stimu- lus to the men of C and D. The chances were many for play in common. A series of six baseball games played for a cup offered by Colonel Atkisson re- sulted in a victory for Company D ; almost nightly entertainments, mainly provided with the inval- uable aid of the Y.M.C.A., filled the big tent with men; the band took a new lease of life; and B Company won instant renown by presenting a show on May 13, part of which was a vivid and realistic picture of the night life of gas work with the British. 1 The most striking celebration of our new unity as a regiment was given in a review of The Thirti- eth held by Colonel Fries on May 3 at the Gas Experimental Field — a day when hardly a man could help feeling, with something of a thrill, what the past seven months had seen achieved * During this period the regiment "adopted" and subscribed for the support of six French "war orphans." 36 THE FIRST GAS REGIMENT and what the next seven might hold in store. From then on a schedule of steady training was set in operation. For each battalion close-order drill continued ; but for A and B it was enlivened by bayonet work and rifle practice at a near-by range, and for C and D by instruction for N.C.O.'s, and later for all the men, in Stokes mortars and projectors. Meantime, in the Regimental and Battalion Headquarters, the task was being planned and pressed of getting The Thirtieth ready for front-line warfare — preparing and equipping the dump at Leonval, negotiating with division commanders, and rearranging our per- sonnel. The First Replacement Company^ — drawn from the Engineer Replacement Camp at Angers — had already begun its existence (under Captain Lowenberg) at the neighboring village of Choignes. Transfers from the company filled out the ranks of Companies A and B. Numerous transfers of officers, too, were effected, including the assignment of Captain Watson to the com- mand of the First Battalion and of Major Robbe to the command of the "Provisional." By May 21 preparations, both at the post and at the front, were so far completed that the First Bat- talion received orders to move; and the following day the battalion set out in trucks for the Toul ^ Authorized March 26 and organized April 25. OVERSEAS TRAINING 37 sector of the American front. The Thirtieth was now ready for independent offensive action. After the departure of the elder unit, the " Pro- visional" resumed its solitary career, and the work of instruction went on. That same night the first class in Stokes mortars finished its course by holding what one member termed "Commence- ment Exercises" in the form of a successful *^show," giving the men their first experience of the tense moments as "zero" hour approaches. A week later a similar graduation "show" of Stokes mortars took place, marked by one famous casualty more convincing to Dr. McKee than to the surgeons of the Base Hospital. Training in projectors, too, had already begun, first for classes of N.C.O.'s, and later for all the privates. After a small projector "show" by the former, a much larger one was staged on the night of June 6, when The Thirtieth gave its first public exhibi- tion of projectors and mortars in action before an audience which included several generals and many other distinguished guests from General Headquarters. During this same week the work of the battalion and the life of the village were enlivened by the arrival of Regimental Headquarters,^ by the ap- ^ Previously located at Chaumont and at the Gas Service Experimental Field. 38 THE FIRST GAS REGIMENT pearance of three British officers from the Special Brigade, R.E.^ to act as advisers and observers, and by the transfer from Choignes to La Ville- aux-Bois of the First Replacement Company, thenceforward known as Company Q. Compensation for continual learning, digging, and carrying came partly in the form of increasing interest in new problems, made real by the pros- pect of action close ahead, and partly in the form of many outside diversions. Some pursued the hunting of wild boar — which always resulted in more hunting than boar; others entrapped foxes or hedgehogs who assisted the regiment as mas- cots by leading dejected lives at the end of a chain. The more conventional were content with continual ball games and with the admirable con- certs and lectures offered by the Y.M.C.A., while the more enterprising (chiefly a group of talent in Company D) produced a minstrel show at which (as the home paper would say) "a good time was had by all." The good time of the offi- cers was perhaps due less to their figuring in the actors' jokes than to the presence at the show and at a later supper and dance of the "telephone girls" from G.H.Q. By the middle of June Companies C and D had * Captain D. M. Wilson, M Special Company, R.E. Captain J. T. McNamee, No. 2, Special Company, R.E. Captain N. L. Roberts, No. 2, Special Company, R.E. OVERSEAS TRAINING 39 been brought to full strength through drafts upon Company Q, and the final instruction in cylinder operations had begun. On June 26 a regimental order constituted Companies B and D as the First Battalion with Major Watson in command, and Companies A and C as the Provisional Battalion with Major Crawford in command. Captain Wood had already replaced Captain Sibert in command of Company C. To begin active work with Com- pany A, Company C left La Ville-aux-Bois on June 22 for the camp at Lagney; and on July 2 Company D set out to join Company B in the lively sector behind Ch§.teau-Thierry. The period of overseas training was at length concluded, and a second fighting battalion was ready to take the field. CHAPTER IV THE FIRST ACTIONS Preceding the arrival of the First Battalion by a week, Captain Watson, accompanied by his Engineer Officer, Lieutenant Hall, had reached Lagney on May 14, to begin arrangements for the location of the companies and their future opera- tions. An effort to billet the men permanently at Lagney having failed, far better quarters for them were secured in a group of Adrian barracks situ- ated at the edge of the Bois de Lagney, three quarters of a mile from the village. Upon their arrival on May 22, they were installed there, and proceeded to make that particular "neck of the woods" such a model camp that it was later awarded a prize offered by the Y.M.C.A. for the best camp in the divisional area. So desirable a location, secluded enough to be almost secret, was defended for the sole use of The Thirtieth only by the watchful energy of Battalion Headquarters and the kind assistance of the French Corps Commander. Both before and after the arrival of the bat- talion, Captain Watson and his staff were engaged in the difficult pioneering required to put The THE FIRST ACTIONS 41 Thirtieth on the map. To combine pubhcity and secrecy, dignity and vim, diplomacy and "brass," is no easy task ; but it is an achievement recorded to the credit of the versatile captain and his adroit assistants. To be the first and only gas regiment in the American Army may be an honor; but to be thrust suddenly into a front unaccustomed to gas warfare, and to cooperate with authorities unfamiliar with its operations, is an honor tem- pered with trials of its own. The work of initiat- ing, planning, and coordinating required watchful persistence, and at times even called for the art of respectfully educating one's superiors. The task, however, was less difficult than it might have been, owing to the cordial cooperation of Major- General Edwards, of the Twenty-sixth Division. Invaluable assistance, too, as well as timely pres- tige, accrued to the regiment as a result of the active interest in our work of General Passaga, of the Thirty-second French Corps. Two days after the arrival of the battalion. General Passaga sent his aide. Captain ChSne, to interview Cap- tain Watson and to investigate the status and prospects of The Thirtieth. Thenceforward his friendly help continued to further our progress, and to put at our disposal maps and meteoro- logical and "intelligence" data obtainable from no other source. 42 THE FIRST GAS REGIMENT Meanwhile, from May 22 until June 6, the men of the two companies were busy refitting and im- proving their new property and assisting Lieuten- ant Miller, in charge of the "Dump,**^ in the process of unloading and storing materials and ammunition. In addition to several successful ball games with the Military Police at Menil-la- Tour, the first week of our stay was made memo- rable by the appearance of Elsie Janis at an open- air performance in the village of Lagney, where most of the battalion seized the opportunity to enjoy her resourceful grace as an entertainer. She was subsequently the guest of honor at our head- quarters mess. At the close of the month, on Memorial Day, an impressive service was held to commemorate those members of the battalion who had been killed in action or died of wounds on the British front. That same afternoon a series of athletic contests took place with the loist Ammunition Train in which, despite the loss of other events, The Thirtieth won two races, a boxing bout, and (instantaneously) a tug-of-war. On June 6, official sanction having been secured and reconnaissance conducted, operation orders were issued. These called for two projector at- * Situated about two and one half miles from Lagney at IA>nval. LIVENS PROJECTORS LIEUTENANT FLEMING PROJECTOR DISCHARGE AT NIGHT THE FIRST ACTIONS 43 tacks, one to be made by Company A in the American sector occupied by the Twenty-sixth Division, and one by Company B in the French sector occupied by the Sixty-fifth Division. Since the latter was executed first, its preparation may first be considered. The general target for B Company was to be the German camps in the neighborhood of Ferme Ste. Marie in the Foret des Vencheres,^ more par- ticularly the targets M and N, which included a battalion headquarters, two companies of Land- wehr troops and one company of Minenwerfers. The emplacement area was a narrow strip running southwest from the ruined hamlet of Fey-en- Haye, about a kilometer from the nearest target. Here 1000 projectors were to be installed, partly just behind the support trenches, partly in the trenches themselves. Since the scene of B's activities was about fourteen miles from Lagney, it was necessary to secure forward billets. These were provided (by order of General Passaga) in the neighborhood of the French Battalion Headquarters known as "Belgrade" — a series of huts and dugouts along one side of a wooded ravine about a mile from the emplacement area. Along the opposite side of this little valley ran a light railway which terminated * Some eight or ten miles west of Pont-4-Mousson. 44 THE FIRST GAS REGIMENT some 770 yards from the nearest point for exca- vation. On June 6, one officer and 63 men were transported to Belgrade accompanied by 125 pro- jectors and much other material. Two days later 141 more men had been billeted, and munitions continued to arrive as needed. For the next week the work of carrying and digging proceeded stead- ily. The "carry" was unusually difficult, measur- ing 1 1 00 yards in cars to the railhead and 770 yards from there on. The labors of our men, how- ever, were lightened in very welcome fashion by the nightly assistance of 100 French Senegalese troops, detailed to act as carriers. These stalwart negroes from West Africa were no fonder of work than the rest of mankind ; but their numbers guar- anteed their usefulness, and their cheerful ability to carry projectors on top of their heads never failed to excite American admiration. Some carry- ing, and even digging, was done by daylight, but most of it was carried out between 9 p.m. and 2 A.M., for the short June nights prevented early arrival or late departure. During these hours the French provided covering parties in the trenches ahead of us. Our sector being located on the most peaceful of all "peace-time" fronts, we were subjected to no casualties and almost no excitement. The only continuous form of interest was the Victrola. THE FIRST ACTIONS 45 Intermittent machine-gunning at night, of a mild type, occasional shelling over our heads toward battery targets behind us, and still more rarely, the bursting of "Archies" above us, in quest of elusive aeroplanes — these were the only signs of war. The men's work was never hampered by attack, nor did shells ever burst nearer than 500 yards to the billets. By the morning of June 16 all the projectors had been installed and loaded with bombs, and attention began at once to be riveted upon the weather. The next day interest in the coming ac- tion was heightened by the appearance of orders for the use of two Stokes mortars to assist a French raid by simulating a gas attack with light smoke bombs. This miniature bombardment was put in charge of Lieutenants Paine and Hanlon, and plans and reconnaissances were promptly made. During the progress of B's work, similar prepa- rations were being carried out by A Company. Their plans called for a "show" of 900 projectors, 500 to be located in the northeast corner of the Bois de Jury (Position i) and 400 in the open on the reverse slope of a low hill about two thirds of a kilometer southeast of the wood (Position 2). The guns in these emplacements covered two main targets in or near the Bois de Mt. Mare. The secluded situation of the former permitted 46 THE FIRST GAS REGIMENT digging by day; but upon the latter only night work was feasible. Forward billets were not used; and daily or nightly transportation by trucks was the rule. For work in the wood position the men would arrive early in the morning at Bern6court, the nearest village, and march from there in couples, at long intervals, to the woods, returning in the afternoon to Lagney. For the smaller em- placement, however, nightly arrival and depar- ture before dawn constituted the schedule. Both covering and carrying parties were furnished by troops of the Twenty-sixth Division — a plan which did not prevent our men from having much carrying to do especially over the long haul from the forward dump to Position i. Largely owing to the presence of American troops in this sector, the general situation was somewhat tenser and more active than upon the other sector. Only once, however, was enemy activity sufficient to disturb our work or cause us casualties. On the night of June lo-ii shelling directed on the road leading to Position 2 resulted in the wounding of Sergeant First Class Chaffin and in the temporary disabling of one truck. By June 13, all guns and bombs were in, and the next five days were occupied chiefly in testing, inspecting, and waiting for some wind that should not escape the limits of "southwest through south OPERATIONS B (SOthENGRS.) 1st GAS June 19, and, Aug. 3, 200 400 60< 200 400 600 LEGEND Emplacement Target Fake Projector Flash Smoke Cloud THE FIRST ACTIONS 47 to southeast." Finally, on the afternoon of June 18, the wind allowed the dispatch to the waiting companies of the orders announcing "J" day as June 18 and "H" hour as 22.30 o'clock for Com- pany B, and "D" day as June 19 and "H" hour as 2.30 for Company A. The necessary private buzzerphone circuits and through telephone con- nections were installed at both positions by the French and American authorities, and the First Battalion stood ready for action. B Company was unable to begin the work of final preparation until almost 9.30 p.m., for until then darkness had hardly begun to gather. The last wiring and setting of exploders had, therefore, to be carried out in great haste; and the critical moment found a small proportion still incom- plete. It was a clear moonlight night with a south wind blowing at about six miles an hour — con- ditions ideal in every way. At the instant of ' ' zero " our batteries were exploded and at the same time the French artillery in our rear opened up. An elaborate programme of cooperation had been arranged; and during the next half hour some 1300 shells (H.E. and shrapnel) were thrown on our targets by ten batteries of 75, 90, 95, and 120 mm. guns. At "zero" began the work of the two Stokes mortars to the left of our position, where one section of the first platoon discharged 20 48 THE FIRST GAS REGIMENT rounds of light smoke bombs from a position in advance of the front-line trenches, and then executed a successful withdrawal. Under cover of this screen the French raiding party of 30 men advanced. Their careful plans, however, suffered an early check from the discovery that the Ger- man front-line trenches were ten feet deep and choked with barbed wire — an obstacle impass- able in the time assigned. At twelve minutes past "zero" the enemy be- gan a somewhat fumbling retaliation hardly no- ticeable in the midst of the far greater activity on our side. Some high explosive shells fell 100 yards short of our area. It was fully half an hour later when he threw gas shells around and behind our position. By that time, however, nearly all of our men had retired without accident to the billets; and those who remained for camouflage work continued, with respirators on, until every- thing was secure. By the time the slight retaliation against B Company's position had died down, the hour for A Company's action was approaching. Colonel Atkisson and Major Watson^ and his staff had hurried over to be present at the second act of the evening, with headquarters near Bernecourt, where the Major, in his role of "Butterfly," con- * Commissioned July 17. THE FIRST ACTIONS 49 tinued, up to the last moment, to receive confi- dential messages and wind readings from ' ' Craw- fish." Promptly at 2.30 the projectors in Position 2 were exploded, and were followed immediately by those in Position i . On the minute, too, began the artillery cooperation long since planned — an attack lasting for an hour and conducted by some ten batteries of light artillery, supplemented by twelve pieces of heavy. At 3.14 there ensued a fierce retaliation by the hostile artillery, and at the same moment a party of about 60 Boches attempted to raid the Bois de Remieres.^ Almost immediately a barrage, called for by the American infantry, was laid by our light artillery in front of both Remleres and Jury Woods, while the heavy artillery continued its programme. The raiding party, which Included pi- oneers and flammenwerfer bearers, was promptly driven out by the counter attack of an American platoon, with losses of at least three killed. Mean- time, despite conditions of growing difficulty, our men had been withdrawn without casualties, and safely made the trip home to Lagney through back areas now highly unquiet. The German retaliation, which continued until 10 o'clock, included some 2200 shells fired upon the Bois de Jury, adjacent sectors, and the back * The wood next to Bois de Jury. 50 ^ THE FIRST GAS REGIMENT areas as far as Boucq. The dozen heavy shells which exploded in the latter village caused Divi- . sion Headquarters to move, and gave point to the conviction expressed by General Edwards that the severity of the retaliation was a genuine indication of the damage which we had done the enemy. These seven hours of Boche activity, how- ever (two of them intense), resulted not only in no casualties in The Thirtieth, but in losses, throughout the whole area involved, which num- bered no more than four men killed and twenty- eight wounded. Our main achievement had been twofold, — first, to have executed what a report of Division Headquarters describes as "a suc- cessful and severe projector attack," and second, to have demolished in advance an enemy raid. This raid, as planned, required the approach of pioneers at 2.30 for wire cutting, etc., and the subsequent advance of two "storm battalions." At the critical hour, however, their home was in- vaded by our phosgene. It was only their delayed advance party which later was repulsed, for one among the number of this feeble remnant stated, after capture, that the German attack was from the outset met with a withering fire from all sides. Luck had also furnished B Company with an equally unexpected target, of which we learned with gratitude the next day, when there came THE FIRST ACTIONS 51 official announcement from the French that the attack from Fey-en- Haye had caught the Boche while he was engaged in the process of a divisional rehef . ^ June 19 was a cheerful day for The Thirtieth. The events of the night — two actions upon ad- mirable targets without the loss of a man — had justified the conviction of Major Watson and many of his subordinates that more could be done to cripple the enemy and to advance the reputa- tion of The Thirtieth by attempting to execute two attacks, each slightly hampered by lack of full supplies, than by one "show" more amply provided for. It had proved impossible to install more than 751 projectors in B's position. And on the night of the attack only 738 out of 900 were fired by A Company and about 600 by B. These failures were caused by the lack of time in the case of B Company and by the defects of the American exploders in the case of both companies. But the net results, despite inevitable defects, were both more deadly to the enemy and more im- pressive to our friends than a more model single "show" could possibly have been. * The following information was obtained July 20: "The examination of prisoners captured near Fey-en-Haye about July 18-19, gave the information that the gas attack of June 18 caused at least 40 casualties in the 150th Landwehr Regiment. Of these 10 were deaths." 52 THE FIRST GAS REGIMENT Here again, as earlier with the British, The Thirtieth was relieved of the unwelcome task of praising itself. General Passaga wrote to Major Watson as follows: G.Hq. June 20th, 1918 VIII° Armee 32° Corps dArmee Etat-Major 3° Bureau General Order No. 132 The General commanding the 32nd Army Corps congratulates the detachment of the 30th American Engineers, for having just carried out two large bom- bardments by projectors (2,000 bombs) in the most successful manner. Under the expert and tenacious direction of its leader. Major Watson, despite the difficult conditions of the positions and the activity of the enemy observa- tion, these operations have been carried out by this detachment in the minimum of time, with the greatest prudence and the maximum chances of success. Signed: Passaga And from General Edwards came the following : Headquarters, Twenty-sixth Division American Expeditionary Forces France, June 19, 1918 From: Chief of Staff . To: Commanding Officer, 1st Battalion, 30th Engineers. Subject: Projector attack, night of the^iSth, 19th, June, 1918. THE FIRST ACTIONS 53 1. The Commanding General has directed me to offer his congratulation to you on the success of the projector attack which you made on the sector of this division on the night of June i8th, 19th, 1918. 2. The attack was carried out with precision which is due to the untiring efforts of yourself and the officers and men under your command. 3. That this attack has been a success is evidenced by the fact of the strong retaliatory artillery fire which the enemy has kept up from shortly after the attack until late in the day. Signed: Duncan K. Major, Jr. Chief of Staff On June 19, General Passaga recommended Major Watson both for the Cross of the Legion of Honor and the Croix de Guerre with palm leaf. Recommendations, furthermore, were requested for other officers and enlisted men, as a result of which 26 Croix de Guerre were bestowed upon members of the battalion staff and of Company Thus generously did the French reward the ^ As follows: Major G. L. Watson, Battalion Commander, and First Lieutenant J. P. Webster, M.C., and Second Lieutenant H. E. Hall, both of Battalion Staff, and Captain J. B. Carlock, First Lieutenants Ben Perris, T. Beddall, A. W. Paine, Second Lieutenant J. T. Hanlon, First Sergeant F. E. Blair, Sergeants F. L. Allen, C. J. Connors, F. W. Smith, Corporals F. L. Faktor, J. L. McGuire, W. L. Stevens, P. C. Smith, Wagoner J. Justice, Privates First Class W. W. Young, L. Regan, P. W. Soderquist, W. F. Evans, J. W. Estabrook, S. Kunst, W. F. Quinn, E. E.^ Welton, and T. D. Webster, all of Company B. 54 THE FIRST GAS REGIMENT success of our first attack. ^ The decorations (given frankly for a job well done and not for marked valor) had been well earned ; and if they were all confined to one company, that company will be the first to insist that only the accident of envi- ronment withheld like honors from the officers and men of Company A, whose admirable work had been carried out under conditions quite as trying. 1 Concerning the attack, the Paris edition of the New York Herald announced in headlines: AMERICANS DELUGE GERMANS , .WITH GAS AND HEAVY SHELLS ) Projectors Belch Poison Clouds ^ Far Into Enemy's Rear in the Toul Sector Later, in its account of the awards, the same paper printed a column headed: 26 AMERICANS WIN HONOR FOR ' MEETING GAS WITH GAS Stood for two Hours Amid Fumes Thrown by Germans CHAPTER V THE FIRST BATTALION IN THE CHATEAU-THIERRY OFFENSIVE By July 3, the First Battalion had reached the famous sector behind Chateau-Thierry. Battal- ion Headquarters, after ten days at Saacy, was moved to La Fertd-sous-Jouarre ; Company B was billeted at Montmenard, and Company D, some 1500 yards distant at Rougeville. The near- est front line, held at first by the Second and later by the Twenty-sixth Division, was about nine miles away. We had no sooner been lodged in this busy neighborhood than Battalion Headquarters opened its campaign to secure us a field for action. Reconnaissances by the staff and by the company commanders and project reports based on their results were followed by numerous interviews with the corps and division authorities. The usual activities of information, persuasion, education, exhortation, and "watchful waiting" were heart- ily pursued at every opportunity and in every combination. Partly, however, because of the un- stable and informal condition of the front, partly because the probability of both a German offen- sive and an Allied counter-offensive was in the 56 THE FIRST GAS REGIMENT air, and partly because plans for gas warfare seemed to many to be novel and even trivial, no practical opening was given us; and two weeks slipped by with our powers regretfully unused. There was little to be done to fill the time. The men, who naturally chafed at the lack of op- portunities for which they had so long and so carefully been trained, had to occupy them- selves with cleaning up the villages, undergoing gas-mask drills, playing games, taking "hikes," bathing in the Marne, and occasionally digging projectors into the back orchard and solemnly ex- huming them again. To such inoffensive duties there were added weekly chances to visit La Ferte, or the even less interesting Saacy; and for the officers the livelier opportunities of a trip now and then to Paris. That others were at war close by, was brought home to us by much varied aerial activity, by shelling once in a while very near to B Company's village, and by an air raid on La Fert6, where the railroad station was totally ruined by bombs. On July 15 events took a new turn, and the plot thickened. Early that morning, after several hours of intense bombardment clearly audible in our villages, the Germans began a drive which they planned to make their greatest and perhaps their last. Assaulting heavily at many points be- La.Fere^ MJ'" CHATEAU THIERRY AND VESLE SECTORS Statute Miles Kilometres Laon "<••.* Sofssons Ail kR^ J> € ?N#*ci "V =;».•■ ■•* '^N»^ X 'Courlandon*% Bazoch? St.Thibadt ^^^^^ Ourcq Chery, ^(~#"»vj AT-'le ^onsart*! , ^;;. _^ 'j%MaCeuil-en,-Doie ~*Fere-cn-Tarden6is * ' '' ' forest of \ Freshes • Epaux« /»Bezu St.GermainoV/ ^k ^Belleay.^-;—^-^ f '•ipieds .i'iV^":''^-'*:^' • Tbfcy '-.Lucy ^^^ Bourescl^es .. J^ai Coupru -Ferte-sous-Jouarre [Chateau Thierry ^ CHATEAU-THIERRY OFFENSIVE 57 tween Chateau-Thierry and Rheims, they suc- ceeded in crossing the Marne in several places; and the menace to Paris grew temporarily greater than ever. The following day Battalion Head- quarters was elated by orders, long awaited, which gave clearance to both companies to under- take two projector attacks, from an emplacement behind Vaux and from two positions near the edge of Belleau Wood, close to Belleau Village. These chances had long been sought, and the lat- ter ofTered especially sure prospects of success. Final preparations immediately began, and we seemed on the verge of action. In little more than twenty-four hours, however, our "show" was "washed out," for the great Franco- American counter-ofTensive had begun, and the hope of finding any stationary Boches had vanished. Our First Corps was straining every nerve to make the push a rapid success; and, when every ounce of assistance had become welcome and even neces- sary, all that we had was at the disposal of the staff. Our trucks were turned over to haul am- munition,^ and on the evening of July 18 our men were ordered toward the rapidly receding front. At I A.M., after a night march of about six miles, the two companies reached La Sablon- * Concerning which Colonel Bunnell, of the loist Engineers, later wrote in cordial appreciation to the Corps Engineer. 58 THE FIRST GAS REGIMENT ni^re, near the Paris-Metz road. There they were billeted and remained for twenty-four hours, awaiting orders. Before dawn the next day B Company left for another six-mile march to La Croisette Farm where the men were quartered in shallow dugouts in the woods. Company D later marched to the village of Champillon. During the day that these movements were executed the Twenty-sixth American Division attacked along their front, advancing to such a depth that the artillery had soon to move far beyond the old front line. Our first role in this great forward movement consisted in the repairing of roads and the burial of the dead — necessary tasks for which no other troops were then available. July 21 both com- panies spent in the area between Ch§,teau-Thierry and Torcy, filling shell-holes in the road. The humdrum character of the work was partly atoned for by the immense interest of the terri- tory; for much of the ground had been No Man's Land the day before, and everywhere lay relics, grim and otherwise, of two months' fierce fighting. In every direction was scattered material enough to satisfy even the instinctive American thirst for souvenirs. This labor of burial and of repair continued for a full week, during which both com- panies covered the neighborhood marked by such CHATEAU-THIERRY OFFENSIVE 59 points as Vaux, Etrepilly, Lucy, Torcy, and Bouresches. Some grumbling was inevitable when the men stopped to consider that highly trained specialists were being used for work that further to the rear was normally assigned to Boche prisoners or Chinese laborers. Rain and mud and the slight shelter afforded by B Com- pany's holes in the ground helped to make the task less inspiring than ever; and no relief seemed in sight. Yet, despite discouragement for the moment, the work was done, and well done — a record to be read in favorable reports by the Corps Engineer to Corps Headquarters, and in praise given by Brigadier-General Craig, Chief of Staff of the First Corps. The General stated that the excellent results we had achieved were highly appreciated by all. General Liggett, too, the Corps Commander, pointed out that our work had been of the first importance, since it served to maintain practically the entire line of communi- cation upon which the advancing divisions were dependent. On July 26 the General relieved the battalion from duty with the Corps Engineer, though two days more were later spent in com- pleting the repair of valuable roads as far forward as Epieds. To keep pace with these engineer duties, as well as to prepare for our true work when the 6o THE FIRST GAS REGIMENT need should arise, both companies and Battalion Headquarters moved on July 27 to Epaux-Bezu. The original billets at Montmenard and Rouge- ville were evacuated and the dump gradually moved forward to Epaux-Bezu. This town, in a little valley formed by a tributary of the Ourcq, had been in German hands not many days be- fore, and stood empty of all inhabitants, though choked with the aftermath of war and the ensu- ing swarms of flies. On the whole, however, the men's memory of the place is one of luxury, for the exercise of a little energy resulted in real beds for all and for many even mirrors and bureaus. During the first ten days of the American offen- sive the official opinion prevailed that the front was too fluid, the general movement too rapid, to permit gas warfare. Every effort was made by Major Watson and his staff to make our services available, and to explain that our repertoire in- cluded more than heavy projector attacks. The experience and advice of General Edwards, too, went to fortify our pleas. We were not fitly used, however, until Colonel Atkisson had made clear to the Corps Staff how ready our companies were to use that neglected method of helping the in- fantry which could be furnished by Stokes mortar smoke bombs and thermite. Our insistent volun- teering happened to coincide with the realization CHATEAU-THIERRY OFFENSIVE 61 of growing losses due to machine-gun opposition. At length the promise came that our battalion would be used as soon as possible; and a liaison officer, with dispatch riders, was promptly ap- pointed for duty with Corps Headquarters, to aid us in taking advantage of the first opportunity. This time we had not long to wait, for on July 29 notification came to prepare for a "show"; and Captains Berlin and McNamee went forward to reconnoiter a position in the Bois de Colas, where heavy shelling was in progress, and to select a dump site which they located in the northern part of the Foret de F^re. Early on the morning of the 30th, detachments from B and D Companies transported by trucks to this dump the Stokes mortars and ammunition needed for the attack already planned. The mor- tar platoons in each company were brought to full strength and each divided into two sections, one resting alternately with the other, and both ready to move on an hour's notice. The operation was to be in charge of Lieutenant Hanlon, with Captain McNamee attached. Early in the after- noon the gun-crews (32 men from B and 8 from D with Lieutenant Favre) with additional men to prepare the ammunition, left for the forward dump where they worked till about 9 p.m. At that hour the combat wagons, accompanied by the 62 THE FIRST GAS REGIMENT gun-crews, moved out, carrying the material (8 mortars with 240 bombs and charges) from the forest dump forward to Villers-sur-Fere. The carrying party, composed of 20 men from B and 60 from D under Lieutenant Swarts, had left Epaux-Bezu at dusk, but did not reach Villers until after 10 p.m. Further delay ensued while assurance was sought and found that Division Headquarters had definitely decided upon a Stokes mortar attack early the following morn- ing. By this time it was nearly 12 o'clock. Villers- sur-Fere was subject to continual shell-fire, and some mustard gas infested the vicinity. The night was dark and the route unfamiliar. Men and ma- terial would both have been scattered and lost if they had advanced in small groups at wide inter- vals ; so the risk was necessarily taken of forming one long line. And at midnight the carrying began. Two letters from men have so vividly described that carry, that their words here follow: "Our own guns," writes Sergeant Williams of Com- pany D, "were firing over our heads. We heard the sputter of machine-guns distinctly, and there came an occasional distant whine of an enemy shell. Our loads were heavy, but all went well un- til a terrible thunderous crash almost in our line. There was a rain of rocks, shell fragments, and clay ringing on steel helmets. We had had our CHATEAU-THIERRY OFFENSIVE 63 first experience in shell-fire. There was a nervous laugh, a muttered curse, a hoarse command, and we stumbled on. No one was hurt, although I think each one of us pinched ourselves to make sure that we still lived. A few yards and another shell burst near us, then a third and fourth. Now we turned, and the shells were singing harmlessly o^.er our heads, and we breathed more freely, when there came a crash just above our heads, then another. Four men went down, not to rise again. Two were instantly killed, the others died before they could be taken to the dressing station. One of these was Lieutenant Hanlon of B Com- pany. The others were all B Company men. We had had our first experience of fallen comrades. After a terrible length of time we reached the gun position, then started back to our dump, which we reached in safety. We had had our baptism of fire." We can read the same story with a little fuller detail, in the words of Private First Class Willis B. Wagener of Company B: "The route led through town and down into a marshy patch of thin woods. The line had just gotten well down into the low ground when German shells began falling in the wood, and one hit within 15 or 20 feet of the column, sending a blast of clods and earth over the men near by. A sergeant runs along 64 THE FIRST GAS REGIMENT to know whether any one is hurt. Some are slightly dazed, but fate has been kind, and the column moves on again. Shells begin to fall thickly now, and the men listen for them, to be prepared to duck in case they should fall close by. Several shells break near and pieces whiz through the column, miraculously missing the men, and bury themselves in trees beyond. The way grows muddier and slippery, and the loads are becoming heavier all the time. We turn and cross a small bridge. One or two of the men slip in the mud and fall with their loads. On we go and make another turn, this time coming up alongside of a low bank into which a company of infantrymen are dug in small burrows. 'Are you going to relieve us?' one of them asks, and we reply in the negative. We pass along down the bank and the shells fall close again. One sends another shower of clods over the men near, and one man is shell-shocked and crawls off to the side. On we go, and turn another corner into a marshy meadow. We slop along in this up to our ankles in mud and water, and then lie down along a low bank for a few seconds' rest. 'Here's a man hurt,' some one calls, and the stretcher men run up. One of the men (we find out later that he is Merkel) has an ugly shrapnel wound in the head. A volunteer is asked for the stretcher and several respond. Webb of D Com- CHATEAU-THIERRY OFFENSIVE 65 pany is selected, and Merkel is carried away while the rest of us prepare to move on. The shells are falling to our rear now, and we pass along another bank where more infantry are dug in. We clear the bank and follow along a line of willow trees. A small patch of woods appears ahead, and the car- rying party lies down just inside of it while a de- cision is made as to where the ammunition is to be placed. While we lie there machine-gun bullets whistle from the hill to one side of us and hit among the trees behind and beyond us. Then the order comes to pick up our loads, and we pass into the wood and are relieved of them. A short rest in the woods, which we discover covers a sand bank about 40 feet high. Evidently this is to be the posi- tion. Then the carrying party is counted, and we learn that Privates Guilefuss and Panuska have been killed on the road up, and Lieutenant Han- Ion mortally wounded. They were on the extreme end of the column as we came up, and a shell made almost a direct hit on them. **As the carrying party went out they passed Panuska and Guilefuss, lying partly facing each other and almost half turned over on their backs. We could not stop, however, for time was pre- cious, and though the shelling had stopped, there was no telling when it might begin again. The return to the trucks was made safely, and as 66 THE FIRST GAS REGIMENT we loaded on, we learned that Merkel and Lieu- tenant Hanlon were dead. It was a shaken and sorrowing crowd that left for the home billets shortly afterwards just as dawn was breaking. But the determination to see the enemy van- quished was stronger than ever. And we knew what war was." These accounts at first hand make the story almost complete; but they naturally fail to em- phasize enough the magnificent conduct of the men under the severest conditions. To their be- havior Captain McNamee,^ our British friend attached to the party, has been eager to bear testimony. He has stated that the work of the de- tachment was quite the most wonderful exhibi- tion of carrying under difficulties that he had ever seen. The shelling to which they were subjected (mainly from heavy artillery) was as extreme as he had ever encountered on the British front; the carry was two miles long in the pitch darkness over a muddy and unfamiliar path ; a majority of the men had never been really under fire before; and many of them carried as much as a hundred pounds of weight. Yet, from beginning to end, every man kept in line, no one complained or shirked ; and when, at the close, men and material ^ For his gallantry In action Captain McNamee was later awarded the Distinguished Service Cross. See Appendix E. LIEUTENANT JOSEPH T. HAXLON CHATEAU-THIERRY OFFENSIVE 67 were counted, not a man was missing save the killed, nor a single load abandoned save those that had been borne by the fallen. Of that record the regiment is proud. For what we had achieved the price was not easy to pay. Privates Guilefuss, Panuska, and Merkel were mourned as the first men we had lost since The Thirtieth had begun its independent career. And the death of Joe Hanlon was a loss that hurt keenly.^ At first in Company A and then in B, he had won in two companies a greater de- votion and affection than were accorded to any other officer — an afTection which spread beyond his own unit to the whole regiment. Men, on every hand, were prompt to say and to write of how deeply they felt so sudden a loss. He won our friendship and admiration not only by his gayety and charm, but also by a life and a record that were transparently clean and straight. It has been good for us all to have known him, and in this regiment his name will always be held in honor. ^ ' Hanlon was so severely wounded that he died on the way to the dressing-station. He was buried with full military honors in the cemetery at Chaumont, on August 2. Guilefuss and Panuska were buried two days later where they fell. * American Expeditionary Forces Headquarters, Services of Supply Office Chief of Chemical Warfare Service Augtist 30, 1918 I. Hereafter the Experimental Field, Chemical Warfare Serv- ice, will be known as " Hanlon Field" Chemical Warfare Service, 68 THE FIRST GAS REGIMENT As a result of the indomitable carrying which brought us these casualties, our men had suc- ceeded in bringing up all the guns and ammuni- tion to a Battalion P.C.^ as near as was advis- able to the emplacement. After the reassembled party had been counted and allowed a short rest till almost 3 A.M., they made the journey safely back to Epaux-Bezu. Meanwhile, the attack which had been planned for the early morning was called off by orders given to the battalion with which we were working. The gun-crews, however, remained at their posts, awaiting later orders to operate. Throughout that day the whole neighborhood was continually shelled, but the crews, with Captain McNamee in honor of Lieutenant J. T. Hanlon, Company B, First Gas Regiment, who was killed in action July 30, 1918, near Villers- sur-Fere while engaged in conducting a carrying party to the site of a proposed Stokes mortar operation in support of an infantry attack when the Germans were being driven back from the Marne to the Vesle. 2. Lieutenant Hanlon is the first officer of the Chemical War- fare Service to be killed in action. He was an officer of unusual promise, great ability, high ideals, every inch a soldier and one who was loved by all who knew him. In his death the Service suffered a serious loss, and as the Experimental Field typifies in its various activities the very soul of the Chemical Warfare Serv- ice, it is most fitting that it should bear the name of one who in his youthful life typified all that is good in the Service. By direction of Chief of Chemical Warfare Service. J. D. Law, Second Lieutenant Engineers, Acting Adjutant. 1 Poste de Commandement or Headquarters. CHATEAU-THIERRY OFFENSIVE 69 and Lieutenants Favre and Swarts in charge, stuck to their guns. Their water supply a spring out in the meadow, the approach to which could be swept by German machine-guns, without blan- kets and with only iron rations until the last day, the men lived there for three days, dug into the sand and constantly exposed to shell fire. In that time they executed four attacks. During this period of expectancy the company commanders kept in touch with the 83d Brigade on our left and the 84th on our right, while the battalion commander maintained liaison with the headquarters of both the Corps and the Forty- second Division. Orders came before noon for two operations, and final preparations were carried out. In the course of these, while carrying the material forward to the gun emplacements. Cor- poral Devereaux and Private First Class Evans of Company B were wounded, and later in the day Private First Class Purvis of D. Both operations were in connection with the tactical plan of the 165th Infantry, part of whose sector we occupied. The first, which took place at 2 p.m., was directed against two enemy targets. At one of them, some three quarters of a kilometer distant, we shot about 60 thermite bombs to disperse assembling troops. At the other (the Bois Bruli and Ferme Meurcy) we fired 60 smoke and 20 thermite bombs 70 THE FIRST GAS REGIMENT by way of feigning an attack. The second opera- tion, carried out at 5.15 p.m., included 60 smoke and 40 thermite bombs, the former to furnish a screen for infantry patrols, the latter to disperse machine-gun nests. While no infantry advance accompanied our performance, both operations were reported successful by the commanding offi- cer of the First Battalion of the 165th. The Boches were intensely alarmed, rushed madly about in all directions, and incidentally evacuated their strong position at the Farm.^ Since our ammunition was now all expended, and further calls for action were expected at any moment, carrying of material was resumed that evening and continued the next. Otherwise Au- gust I passed without incident for us. On that day, however, the Fourth Division began gradually to relieve the Forty-second. Early on the following morning (August 2) there were executed two more attacks from the same position — both for the purpose of protecting the advancing infantry. The earlier at 4 A.M. included 80 smoke and 40 thermite bombs, the later at 8.45 A.M. 60 thermite and 40 smoke. These attacks were so far successful that the infantry were not subjected to machine-gun jEire while advancing behind our screen. Later in the day, with an en- ^ As reported by both infantry and aviators. CHATEAU-THIERRY OFFENSIVE 71 viable record of hardships endured and of four attacks well executed, the men were all sent back to billets in Epaux-Bezu.^ On August 3, the enemy, abandoning the line of the Ourcq, began his second long retreat, halt- ing this time at the Vesle. The American troops were therefore able to progress rapidly; and both our companies and Battalion Headquarters fol- lowed the advance. After a long evening's march, ending in darkness and rain, our men arrived at Villers-sur-Fere, and were billeted there. On that day, too. Captain McNamee, accompanied by Lieutenants Favre and Jabine and two sergeants, reconnoitered at least ten miles in advance of our first position ; but in spite of moving ahead of our infantry, they could find no Boches. The next day, to keep up with the procession, advance par- ties of Companies B and D moved forward again to Moreuil-en-Dole, there to prepare billets. The work of reconnaissance and of liaison with Di- vision and Regimental Headquarters continued, and fully organized Stokes mortar platoons stood ready for further action. It was only, however, after costly attempts to advance without smoke screens that the infantry consented to receive as- sistance. While this game of watchful waiting was * General Craig was subsequently very complimentary on what we had done. 72 THE FIRST GAS REGIMENT in progress, an order from Corps was sent to Divi- sion Headquarters relieving our companies from connection with any battalion in the line. This wel- come measure prevented the further need for our men to sit at the front and wait, sometimes for longer periods than the infantry units, and allowed us to carry out the policy of billeting our men in the rear and rushing them forward when they were needed. On the morning of August 5 reconnaissance was made by Captain McNamee and Lieutenants Stoepker, Hall, and Rideout as far as St. Thibaut, where a suitable emplacement was found. To bring the men nearer to this scene of action, Lieutenants H. C. Williams, Smiley, and Miller with 60 men from each company, moved forward in the after- noon to Chery Chartreuve and established billets there. The men encountered not only rain and mud and a volume of noise from our own neigh- boring artillery, but also heavy shelling from the enemy. In the course of this. Corporal Martin of D Company was killed while standing in the door- way of his billet. - In the evening Lieutenant Stoepker, with 20 men and three wagons provided by the infantry, attempted to haul ammunition from the dump in the northeast edge of the Foret-en-Dole to the position at St. Thibaut. Bombardment of the town CHATEAU-THIERRY OFFENSIVE 73 and its environs, meanwhile, continued heavily. Stimulated by this, and fortified by a conviction that the Germans had not yet finally evacuated St. Thibaut, a battalion of the Infantry had just retreated from the place. The warnings of one of its officers, added to the approach of daylight, spread dismay to the wagoners, whom neither threats nor persuasion could force nearer than 800 yards to the village. At that point, therefore, the material had to be unloaded. Quite the oppo- site effect, however, was produced upon Lieuten- ant Rideout and his ten men who had been or- dered to proceed to St. Thibaut to unload the wagons. To St. Thibaut they proceeded, and unas- sisted, occupied and held the town until the fol- lowing noon. Our regiment, having already sup- plied burial details, road gangs, covering parties, and projector and mortar experts, was more than ready to furnish an advance patrol, and to supple- ment with a little valor the greater discretion of the Infantry. The imperturbed gallantry of that garrison of eleven is another incident that we recall with pride. During the course of the same day the majority of D Company moved to billets in Moreuil-en- Dole, where they were joined on the next day by Company B. Battalion Headquarters, meanwhile, had moved to a point near Seringes — a town 74 THE FIRST GAS REGIMENT where our main dump was in process of formation. The billets in Villers had been in unsanitary sur- roundings, and water had been both distant and scarce. The new quarters offered improved condi- tions, but none really wholesome were available in that distressed area. At 9.30 on the morning of August 6 the two Stokes mortar platoons set out from Ch4ry Char- treuve to the temporary advance dump which we had been forced to make 800 yards from St. Thi- baut. They had already succeeded in carrying some of this material to a cellar in the town, when they were welcomed by a heavy bombardment from our own artillery; for as a reward for holding the town we were probably mistaken for Boches. The men were immediately directed to take shel- ter; and to assist them and their load to safety, Sergeant Craig of B Company stood in the center of the road, during the shelling, to guide them to the right dugout. With some of the men and part of the ammunition. Captain Berlin and Lieutenants Stoepker and Riedout were in a wine-cellar, part of which was soon blown in by the explosion of a large caliber shell, which imprisoned the party for some time. A pause in the firing occurring, the men suc- ceeded in prying their way out ; but immediately afterward Lieutenant Stoepker had to be carried to the dressing station, suffering from shell shock. CHATEAU-THIERRY SUNKEN ROAD NEAR ST. THIBAUT CHATEAU-THIERRY OFFENSIVE 75 This unexpected greeting from the rear resulted in a speedy decision to abandon the original ad- vance position and to set the guns in a sunken road to the southwest end of the village — an un- usually safe spot. Meantime a telephone mes- sage to Division Headquarters had called off the American contribution to our discomfort. We got them to increase their range. The men were there- fore withdrawn at once from the village, and car- rying to the new emplacement proceeded. The area still remained dangerous, for between 2 and 2.15 P.M., Private Whitely of D Company was killed and Private First Class Wagener and Pri- vate Prescott of B Company were both slightly wounded. We had almost concluded by this time that the troops with whom we were seeking to co- operate could hardly be expecting us to attack; but a trip by Captain McNamee to Division Head- quarters served to assure us that a "show" was called for at 4.30 p.m. Preparations were therefore continued and completed. At 4.30 five Stokes mortars, with B and D Com- pany crews under Lieutenants Smiley and Miller ^ opened up, throwing heavy smoke bombs to screen the advancing infantry and to enable the engi- neers to throw bridges across the Vesle. During ^ Other officers directing and observing from an elevated posi- tion near by were Captains McNamee and Berlin, Lieutenant H. C. Williams and Lieutenant Rideout. 76 THE FIRST GAS REGIMENT the next hour and a quarter we threw over 332 rounds, maintaining the screen, while our artillery was also busy in active cooperation. Under the resulting erratic and ineffective enemy fire, the troops on our right crossed the Vesle, and estab- lished themselves on the north bank. With the same opportunities afforded by our fire, the bat- talion on our left failed to appear — their failure also preventing the engineers from achieving their mission. We had played our part, however, with entire success, not only by furnishing the desired smoke screen, but also by starting numerous fires in the enemy village of Bazoches. That evening the men were withdrawn to Ch€ry, and the following morning both Stokes mortar platoons returned to join the main body at Moreuil-en-Dole. Activity of Company D con- tinued, however; for during August 7 and 8 com- plete preparations were twice made for prospective attacks from the recent position. Ammunition was prepared, the guns ready, and carrying in prog- ress, when each time orders were canceled by Division Headquarters, and the men had to return to Moreuil. By August 9 the offensive movement was nearly over ; the lines had begun to stabilize ; and recon- naissance for projector positions began near St. Thibaut. In fact D Company had already begun CHATEAU-THIERRY OFFENSIVE 77 preparing thermite bombs for the projector at- tack executed at a later date by B. Company D had for three or four days been operating more or less independently with the Fourth Division. Ac- tivity by B was postponed pending orders to at- tach them either to a division or to the Third Corps which was then in process of moving in. By August 1 1 all special equipment had been carried out of the line and assembled at Moreuil ; and the following day both companies, whose future was still in doubt, moved back to La Grange-aux-Bois Farm, south of F^re-en-Tardenois. The men were all weary, many were suffering from dysentery, and every one welcomed a rest much needed and richly deserved. The part of The Thirtieth in the great counter- offensive was over; but how valuable had been our share we did not realize fully until we were treated to the rare and rewarding spectacle of the staffs of two army corps fighting to see which could secure our services! General Craig of the First Corps (then about to move) insisted on taking the whole battalion with him, and refused to part with either company. He stated that he would under no circumstances give up a unit that had so fully shown its ability to help the infantry, and that had also at its command the only effective method of dispersing machine-gun nests. The 78 THE FIRST GAS REGIMENT Third Corps, however, got orders from General Headquarters, securing the services of Company B. So D alone remained with the First, and made preparations to join in their coming movement. By a constant readiness to serve in any capacity and to make good when needed, we had won during those three memorable weeks valuable ex- perience and gratifying recognition. The achieve- ments of the battalion, under hazardous and novel conditions, made the whole regiment proud of the past and more confident than ever of the future. CHAPTER VI THE STABILIZED FRONTS IN JULY AND AUGUST The first gas attack during July was carried out by Company C of the Provisional Battalion. Be- fore leaving the camp at Lagney on June 30, Com- pany B, assisted by part of Company C, reset most of the projectors west of Fey-en-Haye — the position used for their attack of June 18. All the officers and non-commissioned officers of C Com- pany and about half the remaining men were bil- leted in the same quarters at Belgrade that had been used by B Company. The general setting, in terms of location, carry, and target, was a repeti- tion of the earlier "show." Similar, too was the period of necessary waiting for favorable weather conditions. This interval, however, though longer, was less monotonous than it had been for the pre- ceding company. One night was enlivened by a suc- cessful French raid. Later, during the evening of July I, an enemy shell, probably intended for the batteries beyond us, fell short in the road near the men's billets. The explosion wounded six men — Sergeant Goldsmith, and Privates A. Ferguson, P. J. Johnson, S. J. Dunton, L. Livingston, and H. H. Livasy — all of whom were painfully, though 8o THE FIRST GAS REGIMENT not dangerously, injured. Early the following morn- ing the camp was again roused, this time by a gas alarm — an interesting experience which proved not to be justified by the presence of any gas. But it was not only these exceptional incidents which redeemed the week from being one of mere waiting. Beginning on July 3, Company C began to furnish its own covering parties. Flanked by a similar French party, 36 of our men protected the approach to our position along some 400 yards of front-line trench. In this work, continued for ten nights, nearly all of the company shared; and despite the lack of any previous training, the be- havior of the men, under hazardous conditions, was altogether gratifying. Nearly ten days of waiting ended with the an- nouncement on July 8 that "zero" hour would be at 1 1 P.M. that night. The requisite wind was blow- ing at about six miles per hour, and the night was clear. Five hundred and sixty- two projectors had been installed. At 11.06 p.m. 404 of these were fired. Within ten minutes all the men had been withdrawn, without casualties, to Belgrade. About one o'clock our covering party went out to join the French, and at dawn a detail was sent to the position for camouflage. The enemy retaliation during all this time was even more negligible than after the action in June. Three minutes after the THE FRONTS IN JULY-AUGUST 81 attack the Germans sent up a white light, and some twenty-five minutes later a few shells were fired over our heads to the areas beyond. No further reaction could be observed. Our own tardi- ness in firing arose from the fact that the enemy observation balloons kept the party from the posi- tion until 9.20 P.M. and thus delayed the necessary preparations. After the first "shoot" rewiring of the unfired projectors was attempted, but too late to permit the men to fire by 11. 10, the necessary minimum of time if they were to obey orders to be off the position by 11. 15. It was therefore impos- sible to atone for the fundamental difficulty — defective wiring. Within four days all the material had been re- trieved; Belgrade was again evacuated; and C Company was ready for another round. A Company, meanwhile (with Captain Pond now in command), had been going through the un- inspiring process of salvaging unexploded bombs from both of its old positions, digging out the pro- jectors in number 2, and resetting those in the Bois de Jury. This company, too, furnished its own covering parties. While such work was in prog- ress, regimental and battalion plans had made possible the transfer of A to a distant and in- dependent field of action. By July 5, after com- pleting a lively series of inter-platoon ball games 82 THE FIRST GAS REGIMENT and enjoying a lavish Fourth of July dinner pro- vided by the Y.M.C.A., the company was ready for departure. Part of the second platoon set out that day; and three days later, the rest of the com- pany began a railway journey in French box-cars through Nancy and Epinal and into the fir-clad Vosges mountains — a trip in which scenery hardly compensated for much delay and fatigue, and which ended, after a short truck ride, in the village of Clefcy, less than two miles from the borders of Alsace. Here, in unusually beautiful mountain country, the men again addressed themselves to the task (familiar by now to all the regiment) of cleaning up and settling down. Opportunity in the new field opened up at once, for within forty-eight hours of its arrival part of the second platoon, under Lieutenants Morey and Greenstone, moved to forward billets, where three days later, it was joined by the remainder. This move, to a position called Nicolas-Superi- eur,^ was in anticipation of an operation order is- sued on July 17. The order announced the com- ing " show" as one of 258 guns, to cover a target known as the Monchberg ^ where numerous enemy dugouts were concealed in the woods. Our forward dump, to which the trucks could carry men and ^ Where the men were quartered in wooden barracks four miles from the front line. 2 One kilometer south of Stosswihr. See map. .- p o o !■ ■ o - ■•> — Mwlhat ■'■■'1 "^ B^ I THE FRONTS IN JULY-AUGUST 83 material, was at Spitzenfels. There 80 mules took up the task of bringing the ammunition uphill to within 100 yards of the emplacement. The usual long carry for the men was thereby practically eliminated; but, by way of compensation, it was necessary for them to march from their barracks for an hour and a half down to the position, and at the close of work, to toil uphill again for nearly two hours. Though the digging, too, was very difficult, it was all completed in two nights, and another night saw the loading and wiring finished. Only 220 projectors had been dug in, for the au- thorities of the Twenty-first French Division, in whose sector we were operating, cut short our preparation by calling for action on July 18. Dur- ing these few nights of work the platoon was en- tirely unmolested, since neither the billets nor the emplacement area received any attention from the enemy. The day before the action "zero" was an- nounced as "18 hours," and on July 18 at 6 p.m. Company A's second platoon executed the first daylight "shoot" — a rarity in the annals of gas warfare. The position was in plain view of the Boches, but the exploders had been placed be- hind a "camouflaged" road. With a west-north- west wind blowing at about 14 miles an hour, 179 bombs were shot ofT (eighty-one per-cent) — 84 THE FIRST GAS REGIMENT a discrepancy due chiefly to poor exploders, and one which might have been promptly atoned for if there had been darkness to permit further work. The retaliation was trifling — a few distant and scattering shots about 6.15 and a little subse- quent shelling on French battery positions. By 6.30 most of the men were sent back to their battery positions, while Lieutenant Morey, Ser- geant Cobun, and Corporal Meyers went out to inspect the batteries. Corporal Graves soon after went to the guns to put in the bomb-pins. These "plus-zero" activities were in full daylight view of the enemy, yet (save for some sniping close to Graves) they passed undisturbed. The next night the whole quantity of material was salvaged, and by June 22 most of the platoon had rejoined the company at Clefcy. Company A did not have to wait long for its next opportunity. It was learned from the Head- quarters of the Twenty-first French Division that "intelligence" revealed German efforts to prepare for the capture of the Tete du Violu, a large hill in the Anould sector. Advanced trenches were being constructed and that portion of the German line was more populous and busy than usual. The time was ripe for a blow that should harass these new positions and put a stop to the further organi- zation of an advance. We therefore received not THE FRONTS IN JULY-AUGUST 85 merely "clearance" but encouragement to com- plete the job quickly. On July 27, four days before the issue of formal operation orders, the fourth platoon and part of the first were sent to forward billets, and on July 31 the third (Stokes mortar) platoon followed. These forward billets at the Post "La Cude," many of which were occupied by French infantry, consisted of shacks and dug- outs clustered above and below a broad road which wound through the woods along a steep hillside. The men's sleeping quarters were unpro- tected huts; but ample dugouts were adjacent; and the shelter they afforded, together with the sharp slope of the hill, made safety as easily avail- able as it was frequently desirable. The men, too, were not wholly without small comforts, thanks to Mr. Hopkins, our devoted Y.M.C.A. worker. The operation orders for the coming "show" required two projector emplacements, totaling 500 guns. These were designated as S and S^; 150 guns from S were to hit one target (A) and 250 another target (B), which was also the target for the 100 guns in position S^ Seven Stokes mor- tars, in addition, were to fire 300 bombs upon a third target (C) from a position S^ close to S^ The main position S was almost on a level with the camp and not more than 500 yards from its center. Ox teams were used to transport the muni- 86 THE FIRST GAS REGIMENT tions from the village of Quebrux (three and one half miles away) where the trucks had to stop. For the workers at S, therefore, the carry was short and easy. The emplacement was in rough pasture ground at the edge of the woods, open to observation by day, but easily concealed by camouflage. The other two positions, however, called for an uphill march through wood paths of nearly a mile and a subsequent short but very trying carry of 200 yards straight up a sharp in- cline through deep trenches. The projector posi- tion here was just forward of the front line trenches in wrecked and battered ground that had once been a forest. Though the enemy was not more than 180 yards away, French outposts intervened between us and him. At these points and under these conditions work progressed as rapidly as the difficulties of transportation would permit. Under the direction of Lieutenant Noble, assisted by Lieutenants Greenstone and B. Williams, 340 projectors had been dug in by July 30 and the full number by August i. The Stokes mortars, of which Lieutenant Cooper was in charge, were then set up; loading and wiring was completed; and by August 3 everything was ready. The French commanders at the two posts of La Cude and Nacquard were most cordial fellow- workers. Every visit to them and their officers, THE FRONTS IN JULY-AUGUST 87 for reports and instructions, was the occasion for a miniature entertainment, in which Noble's cour- ageous monosyllabic patois was always a welcome addition to the otherwise French conversation. Our officers, too, had the refreshing opportunity to enjoy both the cuisine and the companionship of the French officers' mess. Throughout this period of preparation both our ally and our enemy conspired to make our home in the woods a spot full of liveliness and risk. The first offensive move of the French was the harmless one of shooting over to the Boches in rifle grenades thousands of propaganda leaflets urging the weary Germans to a social revolution as the only solution of the war. Pending their acceptance of this advice, the French trench mortar batteries bombarded the enemy trenches for a time each day from July 31 to August 4. The prompt result was invari- ably a retaliation which from our point of view seemed always to exceed the original attack. On four different days the woods around us were sub- jected to intermittent shelling, at times very heavy. During one of these periods, a "dud" shell pierced the little French Y.M.C.A. shack and tore off a Frenchman's leg below the knee. Prompt assistance was rendered by five of our men who bound up his leg and carried him, during the con- tinuation of the bombardment, three hundred 88 THE FIRST GAS REGIMENT yards up to the dressing-station.^ This artillery activity culminated in a violent "bombardment of destruction" on August 3, from 645 to 8.45 P.M., during which the French batteries of all cal- ibers threw over 3000 shells and 2000 trench mor- tar bombs. Their aim was to demolish the suspi- cious pioneer and construction work upon which the Germans had been recently engaged, and then to offer them two days of quiet, at the end of which their activity at busy repairing might make them good targets for gas. The ultimate results amply justified the undertaking. The immediate result, though, was a return bombardment — forty min- utes longer than the French — which kept our men housed for a long time but brought no casu- alties. In the subsequent raid, however, executed by the French, nine French wounded were cared for during that night by Dr. McKee. To take its proper place in these series of attacks, our day and hour of action was announced as August 5 at II P.M. During that morning the Boches shelled our woods at intervals ; but in our last work before shooting we were quite unmo- lested. That evening Major Crawford and Cap- tain Wilson took their station at Regimental and Captain Pond at Battalion Headquarters; and 1 Private First Class C. W. Proctor and Privates W. Baker, C. J. Ross, C S. Dean, and H. M. Carson. THE FRONTS IN JULY-AUGUST 89 the platoons proceeded to the emplacements to put on the finishing touches. Those working with the projectors had their exploders in safe positions close to dugouts ; but the Stokes mortar men (who had one gun in a dugout, one in a shell hole, and the rest in a trench) were in a highly exposed posi- tion on the crest of a hill.^ The wind had for some time been steadily favor- able, and at "zero" hour was blowing from the west at seven miles per hour. The sky was misty and overcast. At a few seconds before zero the batteries in position S were exploded, the Stokes mortars followed at once, and then the projectors in S^ Immediately after the discharge the pro- jector men went to inspect the guns. Every bomb in position S had gone over. In position S^ a whole battery was found unexploded. This was at once reported by Private McCray,^ and he and Ser- geant Neal ^ and Horseshoer Arthur, ^ after going out with another exploder, in the face of enemy bombardment, and tracing all the wires, discov- ered that the original exploder had never been used, and at once set off the discharge, making one hundred per-cent total for S^ In the course of their work both McCray and Sergeant Neal were gassed by a Stokes mortar "short." Meantime, 1 Tgte du Violu. ' Recommended for the D.S.C. See Appendix E. 90 THE FIRST GAS REGIMENT the Stokes mortar crews, under Lieutenant Cooper and Sergeants McConnell and Kelly, had been doing admirably cool and effective work under most difficult conditions. Early in the game the bombs jammed in three guns and the rest of the ammunition had to be shot by the remaining four. One of these shot 86 bombs. The necessary delay brought the duration of the action well within the time of enemy retaliation, and during the last six minutes of work trench mortar bombs and ma- chine-gun fire made the position almost untenable. In spite of these risks, however, all the crews had joined the first platoon by 11.20 in a deep and capacious dugout, with a ninety-eight per-cent rec- ord to their credit and no losses. The enemy re- taliation was heavy from 11.07 onward for over half an hour. Shells fell on all the positions and within the area of the billets. Camouflage work was therefore not attempted until after midnight. It was then carried out in comparative safety, and before two o'clock the last man was securely housed in the home dugouts at La Cude. An unrestful three hours then ensued, until at 5 a.m. began the artillery accompaniment of three French raids, calling down upon us a heavier retaliation than ever. Further spasms of shelling occurred off and on till nearly 10 — after which there was a reign of peace until after our final departure. THE FRONTS IN JULY-AUGUST 91 The night of August 6 was occupied with sal- vaging the material at SS and the following night with resetting the projectors in position S — a well-placed group which was left behind for fu- ture reference. When this work was over, soon after midnight, the men marched down to the vil- lage of Quebrux, and at nine o'clock on the 8th were brought back in trucks to Clefcy. Our ten days' work had achieved the best "show" yet recorded to the credit of The Thirtieth. Major Crawford and his staff were warm in their praise of the company's achievements, and the French Division Comman- der sent the following letter to Captain Pond : [Translation] With the Armies — August 6, 191 8 General Dauvin, Commanding the 21st Division of Infantry To Captain Pond, Commanding Company A of the 30th Spedal Battalion, U.S. Co. A of the 30th Special Battalion U.S. has just completed with entire success two projector operations on the front of the Anould sector. This result is due to the brilliant qualities of your officers and men who, under your energetic leadership, have known how to triumph over all the extreme diffi- culties encountered in the execution of their task, with never a thought for the efforts made or the danger incurred. I express to you and beg you to transmit to Captain Wilson of the British Army and to all the officers and men of your unit my sincere compliments and thanks. 92 THE FIRST GAS REGIMENT Our highest reward, however, came in the form of an unconscious tribute from the enemy. Tele- phone conversations among the Boches, over- heard by the French, revealed the fact that within a few hours of our attack they had lost between 80 and 100 killed.^ That less than 150 men should be able to cause at least that many casualties among the enemy and have but two men slightly wounded, is a striking instance of the power of offensive gas warfare when skillfully conducted. ^ Upon the return of the men to Clefcy, village life was given a new dash of color and interest by the unexpected arrival of ten horses and thirty- five mules. The latter began at once to prove more dangerous than the enemy. It was a nervous mo- ment, too, for those expert mechanics and elec- tricians whom, without thought of being taken ^ The following is a translation of the conversation overheard: " It is beginning again — Grenades on No. 53. Do you hear on 53? Here Schattenburg — so be careful. If it starts again, answer. Anyway, we have to come back on the 137. Yes, yes. We have to reoccupy the post immediately. The non-commissioned officer must stay. He is the faulty one — yes, let's go on the 137. For- ward on 137. Here Bauer. What happened? More than 80 to 100 killed. What 80? Yes, come up at once. Yes, carry away half of them. What is new? If the non-commissioned officer does not suc- ceed, Bauer will go up with a detachment and will take care of this affair. Here Bauer. I remain at observation. Are there any of the enemies? Yes, the 5th announces that the enemy have occu- pied the emplacement. God damn it. The observers of the 5th have seen the enemy." 2 Captain Wilson, R.E. of the British Army, attached to the battalion, stated that A Company's attack was the nearest ap- proach to an ideal "show" that he had ever seen. THE FRONTS IN JULY-AUGUST 93 literally, we had promoted to the grade of "horse- shoer"; but increasing deftness and caution es- tablished right relations after only one casualty. Before moving out to prepare for the next oper- ation, Company A had regretfully to part with Lieutenant Morey who left us to join the Bureau of Construction and Forestry as waterworks ex- pert.^ Morey had been with the company since the days of organization at American University, and had played a full and active part in all its work. For steadiness and efficiency his record could not have been better; and as a genial and faithful friend all of us valued him highly and missed him heartily. The next attack by Company A was on the ways the moment the previous one had been launched, for on August 7, the night the pla- toons left Violu, Captain Pond was ordered by the Commanding Officer of the Thirty-third French Corps to report to the Commanding Officer of the Twenty-second French Division, prepared to rec- onnoiter for a new projector position. Reconnais- sance by Captains Pond and Wilson resulted in orders five days later to carry out an operation; and on August 13, the second and fourth platoons started on trucks for a trip of over thirty miles ^ He was later promoted and assigned as Major to the 26th Engineers. 94 THE FIRST GAS REGIMENT south to Weiler. The journey over winding moun- tain roads (where at one point fifteen successive "hair-pin curves" occurred) brought them across to German soil. The whole "show" in fact, in- cluding even the men's billets, was well within enemy territory. From Weiler the detachment marched to Camp Turenne — a steep climb of nearly three miles ; and there they were quartered with the French in wooden shacks. In preparing for this attack most of the difficul- ties centered in transportation. To carry out our plans, 35 tons of munitions had to be hauled 65 kilometers over mountain roads to a point (near Weiler) at which was located the foot of an electrical aerial tramway. Thence the material mounted 800 meters to a forward dump, from which 80 French pack mules carried it to the posi- tion. That our line of communication was kept open, in spite of much trouble with trucks, is due to the able efforts of the company motor detail under the admirable direction of Sergeant Ahrens. The emplacement area, where the men began work on August 15, was reached by a descent of five kilometers from the billets, which upon each return trip turned into a lengthening ascent. These night marches partly made up for the lack of any "carry"; and the digging in rocky soil filled with the roots of a shell-torn forest brought added THE FRONTS IN JULY-AUGUST 95 labor. In spite of this, only four nights were spent on the position, and during two of these, the full quota of 315 guns was dug in. The position was in the open with only French patrols ahead of us. Since the target — on the famous Hartmanns Willerkopf — consisted chiefly of large groups of minenwerfer batteries, the workers ran constant risks. Each night either the road or the vicinity of the guns was subjected to shelling; and on the second night of work a "flying pig" exploded close to our party, half burying Lieutenant Wil- liams and four men — fortunately without injury to any one. By the morning of August 20 work was com- pleted, and the operation ordered to take place the following day. The wind, however, was not favorable until the evening of August 23. That night at 10.30 the entire 315 projectors were shot off — another record of one hundred per-cent. The French artillery fired from 10.35 to 10.40. The men remained in dugouts close to the exploders until about midnight, when the absence of any response from the enemy made possible the im- mediate resetting of 212 of the guns. These would have been used again two nights later, had not belated retaliation intervened. On the following afternoon, from two till five, some 800 minenwerfer shells were thrown upon the position — a bom- 96 THE FIRST GAS REGIMENT bardment so severe that it resulted in knocking out of the ground nearly all of the guns, though few were destroyed. Meanwhile, word had ar- rived from Advanced Regimental Headquarters ordering Company A to assemble preparatory to moving. So the projectors were salvaged at once; by the next morning the men had returned to Weiler; and by August 28 all men and material were back again at Clefcy. After detailing a guard to protect the dump, the company left Clefcy on August 30 and two days later were billeted at Laneuville, two miles from Lagney. Company A's work in the Vosges was over. It had been achieved with growing skill, and completed with distinc- tion.^ We had left Company C at Lagney on July 12 ready for another "show." For this the operation order was issued July 17, and work began at once. This order called for the firing of projectors from Company A's old position in the Bois de Jury (D) and in addition for a "fake" projector discharge (E) , a smaller projector discharge (F) , and a Stokes ^ Captain Pond's operation report contains these words: " I wish particularly to recommend Lieutenant George Noble to the Commanding Officer of the First Gas Regiment for the in- telligent and forceful way in which he has carried out the last two operations. . . . [Their success] is due entirely to the excellent work of the men in the line under Lieutenant Noble's able and efficient direction, and to the efforts of the motor detail from the company in keeping material moving forward." THE FRONTS IN JULY-AUGUST 97 mortar bombardment (G). The execution of this, our first complex operation, was aided by A Com- pany's work, before its departure, in resetting its former projectors. But bombardment had dis- turbed their emplacement, and the repair re- quired, together with the preparation of the three additional attacks, was a heavy task. In carrying it out the whole company took part, furnishing all of the carrying parties and all of the covering par- ties. The men traveled each day by truck from Lagney through Mandres, a town under direct observation and frequently shelled. Later there ensued a carry of fully half a mile to the position. On one day, the 19th, the men worked for twenty- nine hours at a stretch with little food and no re- lief. During most of this time of labor, there was the added responsibility of posting covering par- ties. A divisional relief had resulted in a change of the front line which left our position in advance of that line instead of behind it. The need for nightly guards was therefore imperative. The distance from the enemy was great, however, and shelling or sniping seldom disturbed our work. Within eight days the preparations were completed, in- cluding all the wiring — an important part of the work directed by Lieutenant Owen and con- ducted with unusual care and excellence. For nine days thereafter the company had to wait for a 98 THE FIRST GAS REGIMENT favorable wind. This trying period was marked by two bombardments of the Jury woods — one very intense (July 31, 4 to 6 a.m.), when 4000 shells resulted in only slight damage to a few batteries.^ Five men of the covering party, led by Sergeant Kaiser, barely escaped with their lives from the barrage when they left their dugout in order to meet in the open the raid that was expected. During the previous bombardment, too, the ser- geant, with Thurman and Polanski, had rescued several infantrymen wounded at their lookout posts. The night of August 3 was at first unpromising, for rain persisted until i a.m. ; but soon after that hour came clear weather and a southeast wind blowing at three miles per hour — the right con- ditions at last. "Zero" was promptly announced as 3 A.M., and at that hour a triple attack was launched ; 465 (out of 466) drums were shot from the main projector emplacement, the "fake" flashes (used for the first time) went off from Posi- tion E ; and against enemy machine-gun positions 83 per-cent ^ of the Stokes mortar bombs were fired. Twenty minutes later 91 per-cent of the 60 * On August 2, Captain Lowenberg resumed command of Company C. Captain Wood had left three days previously to organize new battalions for the regiment in the United States. 2 Caps and "biscuits" dampened by the night's rain were the cause of this discrepancy. THE FRONTS IN JULY-AUGUST 99 drums in the second projector position were dis- charged upon the same target used by the other projectors. Except for the usual rockets, flares, and gas alarms, the enemy's reaction was limited to throwing some fifty shells into our position at the edge of the woods. The casualties, however, were all on his side. From both direct and aerial observation, reports were later made that not only were numerous ambulances and stretcher-bearers seen to be busy, but as many as ten car-loads of casualties were hauled away later on that day — a total quite sufficient to record to our credit an- other notable success. Though such an achievement might be thought a full night's work for one company. Company C, on that very night, at 2 a.m., was executing an- other operation some seventy miles distant. The period of delay that preceded August 3 had per- mitted the dispatch of about sixty men, under Lieutenants Day and Colledge, to the battered little village of V6ho near Lun^ville. There, in ruined cellars a mile from the enemy, the men were housed with troops of the Sixth French Corps who were holding the fine. Three active nights (July 29 to 31) were spent in getting ready. Horse- drawn machine-gun limbers, always noisy, carried the material along a screened road to within half a mile of the position, where it was transferred 100 THE FIRST GAS REGIMENT to sixty little burros who could be led directly to the emplacement. Some of the carrying, though, was done by the men, for the work had to be hur- ried, and the burros were never very strenuous, even when the advice of one soldier was taken to "promise them a trip to Nancy and then make them work like hell." Three hundred projectors were dug in at a point back of a small knoll behind low bushes. The target was Le Remabois, near Leintry. After three days of waiting "zero" was set at 2 A.M. ; 294 out of the 300 projector drums were then discharged. At the same time an impromptu "fake flash show" was executed by Lieutenant Owen with no more equipment than powder in a score of old charge boxes fired with French ex- ploders. Since no retaliation ensued, there was ample opportunity to fire two more of the pro- jectors and to camouflage the position. That the attack, though small, was not without its effect, seems clear from the later report of a deserter, who stated that in his company alone there were twenty casualties, of which four were deaths. Retrieving the material was on this occasion more difficult than arranging it, for wooden base- plates had been used; the projectors had sunk deep into the soft ground ; and 25 men of Company Q, as well as a detachment from C, were occupied THE FRONTS IN JULY-AUGUST loi for nearly a week in salvaging the guns. By the middle of August, however, C Company was again united. Preparations had already begun by August lo for the biggest of all our projector "shows." At the L^onval Dump Company C loaded their ninety tons of munitions on railroad cars by which they were transported to a point near the village of Merviller not far from Baccarat. There trucks took up the burden and brought the material to a point where eighty burros carried it to the posi- tion. The target was the enemy trenches in the woods southwest of Montreux. One hundred and seventy-three men of C Company, now attached to the Thirty-seventh Division, U.S.A.,^ were bil- leted in wooden barracks and barns in the village of Merviller. With a growing skill in systematizing their work, the men were able, with the assistance of burros and of infantry carrying parties, to com- plete the job assigned in five days. In that short time 800 projectors were set. The emplacement was in No Man's Land, and our own covering party, armed with Chauchot rifles, protected the workers. Machine-gun sniping and throwing of hand-grenades were a nightly occurrence, but there was no shelling of our immediate area. Curiously enough, however, the neighborhood of * Then operating with the Sixth French Corps. 102 THE FIRST GAS REGIMENT the billets was regularly shelled, making rest more risky than work. In this operation no untoward conditions de- layed our action. Thirty minutes after the last bit of work was finished — at midnight (August 17-18) — the guns were fired. Eight hundred drums were sent over without a single ' * dud." Not one shell was fired in answer and not one casualty marred our satisfaction in a " show " that for speed of preparation and skill of execution won for Com- pany C a record that none has excelled. After its return to the Bois de Lagney the com- pany settled down to routine tasks, working at the construction of shelter trenches in the woods and assisting at the dump in the preparation of ammu- nition for the operations already being planned for September. After the active period of the Chateau-Thierry offensive, when Companies B and D moved rear- wards to La Grange-aux-Bois Farm, their fate was as yet undecided ; and rumors were wild and varied. Some expected that they were destined for the Toul sector, others had heard that Italy was the goal ; but all were sure that some notable step was soon to be taken. The net result of these high hopes was the dispatch of D Company on a slow journey toward St. Mihiel, and immediate orders for B to move back to the point it had just left. THE FRONTS IN JULY-AUGUST 103 Accordingly, after spending the 12th in marching 16 kilometers south, the men spent the 14th in marching 26 kilometers north — a seven hours* "hike" which ended in the village of Arcis le Ponsart. There they achieved the feat, rare in our records, of remaining for nearly a month. The vil- lage had been only recently evacuated by the Germans; it was subject to balloon observation and to frequent shelling ; and nobody else wanted to live there for long. With this encouragement, our men moved in, and proceeded to make them- selves comfortable in all the best billets. Most of these were necessarily underground, but none the less desirable; and some of the officers were able to enjoy one of those French houses which only Americans call "chateaux." Company B had been assigned to our Third Corps, and in succeeding operations the company worked with the Twenty-eighth and Seventy- seventh Divisions. The best of "liaison" and the best of good feeling prevailed in our relations with the corps and divisions. The officers in com- mand had earlier known and noted our work, and having asked for our unit, they were fully pre- pared to use us to the best advantage. During two weeks, as a result (August 20 to September 3), B Company was able to execute five operations. The front along the Vesle had by that time become 104 THE FIRST GAS REGIMENT pretty well stabilized. No direct or extended of- fensive was planned, for the enemy was soon to be outflanked from the northwest. Little more was undertaken, therefore, than attempts to har- ass, to secure bridgeheads, and to test the enemy's strength and purposes. In all of these designs our men were equipped to assist. Arcis le Ponsart was about eight kilometers from the front. Eight kilometers northwest of the town was the village of St. Thibaut, facing the enemy village of Bazoches, and eight kilometers northeast was the village of Magneux, facing the enemy village of Courlandon. At the lower angle of the rough triangle thus described, B Company lived ; and at its two upper angles the company made its attacks. Of the five actions, three were from emplacements at St. Thibaut, facing targets in or near Bazoches, and two were from emplace- ments close to Magneux, facing targets in or near Courlandon. The former were in the Seventy- seventh Division sector, the latter in that of the Twenty-eighth. Both groups of positions were difficult to reach or to leave in safety. St. Thibaut could be approached by only two roads, both of which were frequently shelled and both of which led through a valley usually soaked with gas, while work near Magneux required a very long carry over exposed terrain. ^ THE FRONTS IN JULY-AUGUST 105 The plans of the first "show" were for an em- placement of 50 projectors situated in the north end of St. Thibaut. The object was to use thermite not only to set fire to the village of Bazoches, but also to simulate a gas attack, in order that the enemy might withdraw from cover and leave him- self exposed to further fire from our Stokes mor- tars and artillery. A simultaneous Stokes mortar attack was therefore scheduled. The fourth pla- toon and part of the third, with Lieutenant Bash in charge, dug in the projectors on the night of August 18, with little assistance from a large infantry carrying party who were very nervous under fire and left much of the work to our own men. Two of the infantrymen were killed and several wounded, but our men escaped unhurt. The next night installing of the Stokes mortars and the carrying of ammunition, directed by Lieutenant Miller, were completed before mid- night, and "zero" was set for i a.m. At that hour (August 20) the projectors were successfully dis- charged, and immediately the mortars opened fire. Within three minutes two groups of six and five guns respectively had fired 120 rounds of thermite, and at i .05 a.m. the artillery began its bombardment. In this " all- thermite show," the most success- ful of its kind then achieved by the American io6 THE FIRST GAS REGIMENT Army, we succeeded in causing many fires in Ba- zoches, which were not extinguished for an hour and a half. Of retahation there was little or none. We had conducted the whole enterprise with the loss of only two men wounded, and before dawn the platoons had been crowded into trucks and safely carried back to Arcis. A smaller operation of a similar character was carried out a week later (August 27, 4.15 A.m.) when 35 thermite bombs were fired by the fourth platoon from projectors installed in St. Thibaut at the target of La Haute Maison back of Ba- zoches, and two Stokes mortars fired 29 rounds of smoke bombs at the railroad junction west of town in an effort to assist the infantry. While this *'show" was being executed, the third platoon, under Lieutenant Catlett, was already digging in projectors for another performance at Magneux — eight kilometers eastward. It had been planned to use 100 guns, but unforeseen difficulties pre- vented. One night the gun limbers furnished by the infantry failed to arrive on time, and on an- other night an unexpected raid interfered. The mile-long carry, over exposed ground frequently shelled, resulted in losses of munitions; and only 75 guns and gas bombs succeeded in reaching the emplacement. With two nights of work, however, these had been transported and made ready; and THE FRONTS IN JULY-AUGUST 107 two Stokes mortars, in charge of Lieutenant Jabine, had been installed by the first platoon near Villette. On August 28 at 12.30 a.m., with a light wind prevailing, the combined attack was made, the projectors successfully fired, and 30 rounds of thermite sent over by the mortars, to clean out machine-gun nests in Le Roland Usine. Though German minenwerfers and 77's were roused to some retaliation, we experienced no casualties and were able to withdraw in safety. Our operation was the first attempt to use gas in that sector, and the consequent surprise to the enemy in Courlandon resulted in his evacuation of the vil- lage and the adjacent territory. Five days afterward Villette again furnished the emplacement for our Stokes mortars. On the night of August 31 the first platoon, with the as- sistance of an infantry carrying party of 70 men, set up twelve Stokes mortars (most of them in vil- lage courtyards) and prepared all their ammuni- tion. The purpose of the coming operation was to establish a semi-circular screen of smoke to simu- late the start of an infantry advance, in order to draw the enemy's fire and to disclose his inten- tions. To make this plan all the more plausible, the allied 75 's opened up a barrage a few minutes be- fore "zero," and at 2 a.m. our guns began firing. One hundred and eighty-four rounds of heavy io8 THE FIRST GAS REGIMENT smoke were discharged. As a means of drawing the enemy's fire this attack was a marked success, for the entire area on our side of the smoke screen was immediately subjected to an hour of heavy bom- bardment from machine-guns, trench mortars, and artillery. Not only were the intentions of the enemy revealed, but the lesson was taught us, without losses, that direct smoke screens only invite retaliation upon a conspicuous target, and that flanking screens and "fake" screens were clearly to be more profitable tactics for the fu- ture. On September 3 at 3 a.m. a third and final pro- jector operation was executed at St. Thibaut, for which there were used many of the original guns at the first emplacement. Once more the target was the village of Bazoches and the enemy works in La Haute Maison. This time, however, gas only was used, of which 67 drums were fired. Once again we were fortunate enough to encoun- ter neither retaliation nor casualties. At this point the fighting of Company B on the Vesle front came to an end. The company had long been below strength; many men were still suffering from dysentery; and every one began to feel increasingly the strain of living for six weeks not merely apart from all diversion and recreation, but continuously under fire. Yet the company was THE FRONTS IN JULY-AUGUST 109 not ready to quit. It was the Germans who quit first. Their retreat from the Vesle began on September 4, and Company B's subsequent weeks of movement without active operations were due to the wider plans of the gathering American First Army. By September 8, B had received orders to as- semble at the railhead at M6zy, and a week later left from there by train for Lemmes, near Ver- dun. On September 18 the company moved to Ville-sur-Cousances, which remained its head- quarters during the next two months of heavy fighting. While the varied operations of Companies B and C were in process of achievement, Company D had been gradually working its way toward the St. Mihiel sector. After a rest at La Grange-aux- Bois Farm, south of Fdre-en-Tardenois, the com- pany marched twenty miles to another farm near La Fert6 where they remained four days. On Au- gust 19 at 5 P.M. they entrained at Trilport, near Meaux, and detrained early the next morning at Roupe, where they bivouacked during the day. A final march of sixteen miles ended at Blaise — an attractive village between Joinville and Chau- mont — where for six days the men were given a complete rest. On August 27 the company set out in trucks for Rambluzin, south of Verdun, arriv- no THE FIRST GAS REGIMENT ing the next day in plenty of time to begin prep- arations for the coming drive. While the four senior companies had been plan- ning and executing the attacks that we have been describing, the regimental home at La Ville-aux- Bois was for some time emptied of all but Q Com- pany, which continued its self-sacrificing existence as a replacement company, and which entered also upon a course of gas training so that all its men might be ready for active service. This training consisted not merely in digging and wiring. It ex- tended to the conduct of operations that lacked nothing but the presence of the enemy to make them real. The operation reports, in fact, read exactly like those of the companies at the front, especially the account of the "action" of July 25 when 24 Stokes mortars were installed and fired in conjunction with imaginary raids. On July 18 the welcome arrival of Companies E and F once more filled the village, and brought our total strength of officers and men up to 1932. Company E had begun its organization at Fort Myer as early as January 18, but had not reached full strength until April 5, while Company F, in- augurated March 9, was complete April 25. Like the earlier companies, E was composed almost wholly of volunteers; but F drew half its strength from the draft. Their three or four months' train- THE FRONTS IN JULY-AUGUST in ing, besides the usual infantry drill, included a week at the near-by Edsall rifle range and five gas "shows" on a diminutive scale, for the com- panies* equipment included twenty-five projec- tors and one Stokes mortar. The two companies at Fort Myer attracted attention not only by these exhibitions of their specialty, but also by their soldierly qualities and training in drill. Twice they were selected, out of some 2000 other men at the post, to furnish a detail to act as the President's guard upon the occasion of ceremonies at Arling- ton Cemetery. Orders for their overseas transportation had been difficult to secure, and it was not until June 22 that the battalion (of which Captain Dayton had been in command since May 23) finally em- barked on the President Grant. The breakdown of the transport's refrigerating plant resulted in a re- turn to port, followed by a week's delay at Camp Merritt before the final sailing on June 30. In the convoy were thirteen transports, protected by an armored cruiser and by destroyers. The fleet reached Brest safely on July 12, and early the next day the two companies disembarked, and marched to the Pontanezen barracks where they were quar- tered for two days before entraining. Their jour- ney ended at La Ville-aux-Bois on July 18 when Captain Carlock (from whom Company B had 112 THE FIRST GAS REGIMENT just parted with the keenest regret) assumed com- mand of the battaHon. Under his guidance plans were promptly made to conduct such a schedule of intensive training as would fit the new battalion for independent action within the shortest possible time — a period shorter than that allotted to C and D. After a week of energetic work in testing new American gas masks, the two companies were actively en- gaged in living up to the schedule of lectures and field work and to the composition and execution of complete operation orders for weekly "shows." Three weeks after its arrival the first platoon of Company F was already equipped to present a demonstration of Stokes mortars and projectors in action for the staff of the First and Fourth Corps at Neuf chateau (Augusts). At this time Lieuten- ants Paine and Steidle took command, respec- tively, of Companies E and F, while Captains Dayton and Carson were undergoing training at the front. ^ Though ready to fight before the mid- dle of August, E and F were not ordered to move until the end of the month. Just before their de- parture they were reviewed on August 27 by Gen- ^ Lieutenant Steidle, as the representative of The Thirtieth, had been working, during the previous month, at the Gas Service Experimental Field, engaged in the instruction of engineer officers in the principles of gaa warfare and gas defense — a valuable con- tribution carried out with admirable spirit and success. THE FRONTS IN JULY-AUGUST 113 eral Fries, and two days later proceeded by train to the vicinity of Lagney where E Company joined C in the old camp in the woods and F Company was billeted with A at the village of Laneuville. By the end of August Companies A, C, E, and F had all gathered in the neighborhood of Toul, and had been reconstituted as the First Battalion under the command of Major Watson. Company D had moved to the western side of the St. Mihiel salient, and had been transferred to Major Car- lock's Second Battalion — to which the absent B Company, a platoon from E and a platoon from F were also assigned.^ On August 18 Advanced Regimental Headquarters had been installed at Lagney, with Lieutenant-Colonel Crawford in charge, until the arrival of Colonel Atkisson ^ on August 29. Earlier in the month (August 9) a General Order from General Headquarters (G.O. 133, Par. i) announced that "The Thirtieth Engineers (Gas and Flame) is transferred to the Chemical Warfare Service, effective July 13, and will here- after be designated as the First Gas Regiment." This formal transfer to a new service, with a new name, gave us a standing clearer and more dis- tinctive than of old, but it changed in no degree * The Provisional Battalion temporarily disappeared. ' Commissioned August 8. 114 THE FIRST GAS REGIMENT our work, our purpose, or our spirit. These were shortly to be tested more severely than ever be- fore. Operating for the first time in the field as a regimental unit, we were to be part of the First American Army in its first battle. The clans had been gathering for the great event, and in the crowded days of active preparation there was a thrill of anticipation. CHAPTER VII THE ST. MIHIEL OPERATION For the St. Mihiel operation the regiment (minus Company B) had been assigned to our new First Army, and the task before us was therefore heavier and more complex than we had hitherto known. Though a gas regiment had never before operated as part of an army in an offensive, we had already won, upon a smaller scale, sufficient experience to make our duty clear. Our record in the Chateau- Thierry campaign had proved both to us and to the High Command that even during an advance in open warfare, valuable use could be made of Stokes mortars firing smoke, thermite, and gas; and that while the front was still stationary, pro- jectors could be used with both gas, thermite, and high explosive. To apply these facts in detail upon a wide stretch of front and in close connection with the plans of the infantry, was now to be our work. In order that we might cover the ground as com- pletely as possible, the regiment was distributed by platoons along the entire army front. In the First Corps sector Company C was divided be- tween the Eighty-second and Ninetieth Divisions ii6 THE FIRST GAS REGIMENT and Company E (less one platoon) between the Fifth and Second. The Fourth Corps took Com- pany A and Company F (less one platoon), attach- ing the former to the Eighty-ninth and the latter to the First and Forty-second Divisions. These two corps operated on the southern side of the salient between St. Mihiel and Pont-^-Mousson. The shorter western side of the salient included the Fifth Corps sector where Company D, with one platoon of E and one of F, worked with French colonial troops and with our Twenty-sixth Di- vision. The aim of this offensive was to close the sharp St. Mihiel salient. The southern side was to swing forward, pivoting upon Pont-^-Mousson ; the western side was to swing forward pivoting upon a point south of Verdun. By the junction of the two forces the triangle was to be reduced to a single line. The aim of our auxiliary efforts was to assist the initial assault by neutralizing the enemy's defense through the use of smoke, ther- mite, high explosive, and gas, and later to further the progress of the battle by using Stokes mor- tars to furnish smoke screens and to attack ma- chine-gun positions. With this general scheme in view, our prepara- tions began early in September. Since there was need for the first time that every platoon of every .■i»»ijXp <3 ■■. ..•:■ /^ %+if ,2^.°; •. J'...^ir^#pbraH ^■^'^P' JK k.^ '»Sw;«JHf*' '"^^r ^ 'j^ f r!I m MW» P jtUt 'i i^Kt/p dk. 1^ ^B^ ) A^B -9^ J^^Si ^BCt^^ ^jp^ TjjK^f j^H^^',jT*i4"-ji BImIi T (j m iMji^i^ ^S^m l^-i ^alir^ i^iff^r'^^^ ^ Wfm nS^p^^'^7?^ S^^WRb ^^ ^^^ ^feJ^^'v^^ :-i\»' « -'f;- • . • r - , ■ - '-i -,--i>-* "■ ^ '' •' r:>;^ ^ rr- .-4- Courtesy of Hughes & Estabrook, X.V. ARGONNE-MEUSE OPERATION 157 One of the first officers whom the Colonel asked to join the regiment was Lieutenant Owen, for his reputation as an electrician had been won at the Panama Canal. Handicapped by illness during the actions at the British front, he had been later assigned to Company C. There he achieved an admirable record of efficiency. As a friend in- creasingly appreciated, and as a soldier increas- ingly valuable, we found it hard to lose him. Lieu- tenant Everett had seen earlier service in the army, and his past experience both as a veteran soldier and as an expert mechanic made him dou- bly valuable. After some months of service as a master engineer in charge of transportation, he had been commissioned, and served during the summer with Company C. No officer in the regi- ment had shown more ability in the tasks assigned him or greater gallantry in the field. He could have commanded a company with distinction, and within a few months the opportunity would have been his. A born leader of men and the highest type of soldier, he was likewise, in character, true and simple and straight. He was sorely missed. THE SECOND PHASE (October 4 to October 31) On October 4, without noticing any change, the regiment passed into the Second Phase of the 158 THE FIRST GAS REGIMENT battle, and continued therein until November i. During this period the work of the army consisted of steady hammering along a line that was half- stabilized, with local advances here and there, sel- dom involving more than a division. We were therefore not obliged to carry out the extensive "follow-up" work incident to the progress of a general battle. But we were called upon frequently to produce almost every feature of our repertoire, for some unit was always advancing somewhere, and machine-gun resistance was as vigorous as ever. To begin, as before, with our companies in the Argonne, the second platoon of Company E on October 4 installed two guns in the Bois d'Apre- mont to silence some machine-guns for the 305th Infantry. We shot 51 rounds of thermite, but after the fifth round all enemy fire ceased. On the fol- lowing morning from a new position, two guns again went into action to help the same regiment in a flank assault upon some strong point. After the first ten minutes of a bombardment of 96 rounds, the German machine-guns were silenced, and their artillery tried in vain to locate our posi- tion. The infantry advance, however, was thrown back. Two days later a successful gas "shoot" added a touch of variety to the daily work. At I A.M. on October 7 we fired 50 rounds of phosgene ARGONNE-MEUSE OPERATION 159 on enemy troops — an attack which soon over- came the first machine-gun retaliation. Before this last operation, another platoon of E Com- pany had been working for a week in the neigh- borhood of Le Chene Tondu, a thickly wooded summit west of Apremont. Two "shows" in the previous phase had been carried out, and three guns had been set up in a rather exposed position. "Zero" hour was first fixed and then changed several times during the succeeding three days, while the men were dodging the bullets of snipers and machine-gunners. At length on October 5, still under fire, the gun-crews shot 90 rounds of smoke and 77 of thermite, while the infantry went forward for a small gain. This section had spent four days and nights on Le Chene Tondu, sleeping in the open and living on iron rations. During that time six men had been wounded, and all were ready to welcome the later rapid infantry advance which made further work unnecessary. After October 7, Company E had no further per- formance till November i. But for a time there were only brief chances for rest, since reconnais- sance and constant movement continued. One section reconnoitered and partly prepared for an attack in a dangerous sector near Grandpre. An- other moved to Fleville, then one of the liveliest spots on the front. Here reconnaissance was con- i6o THE FIRST GAS REGIMENT ducted in anticipation of an infantry advance upon Im6court. Upon one of these expeditions Lieutenant Fleming was severely wounded. He was taken to a hospital, and died the following day. On October 17 he was buried with full mili- tary honors at the cemetery at Froidos. As second in command of Company E, Fleming had been an exceptionally able and popular leader, the life of the company, and a genial and lovable friend to many intimates. We mourned him sincerely and felt his loss continually. The day after his burial (October 18) Company E gathered at La Grange- aux-Bois near Ste. Menehould. Casualties had been few; but all the men were weary and many sick, and they heartily welcomed the next nine days devoted to rest and refitting. During this month Company C's adventures were few. After suffering from the heavy gas casu- alties already noted, the company was withdrawn to Les Islettes — one platoon remaining forward for action. On October 7 this unit conducted an operation for the First Infantry Brigade. Twenty rounds of thermite were used against three tar- gets near Hill 240, and the advancing infantry reported no machine-gun fire from these points. Operating later with the Forty-second Division, which had relieved the First, two mortars were prepared for an attack on October 14, but at the ARGONNE-MEUSE OPERATION 161 last moment the "show" was canceled. Thence- forward Company C was not called upon for ac- tion until the Last Phase. The men were moved on October 18 to La Grange-aux-Bois, where, with E Company, they were given time to recu- perate and reorganize. During the first five days of the Second Phase Company B was given opportunities for five "shows." On October 5 the second platoon car- ried out two operations, both in connection with an advance of the 127th Infantry (Thirty-second Division). The first, at 5.55 A.M., consisted of five rounds of thermite, together with a smoke screen masking the advance of the infantry into the Bois de la Morine, At six o'clock that same evening, from a position further forward, 15 rounds of smoke and 5 of thermite were shot to mask the enemy's position at Gesnes and to bombard the area within. The officer in command of the infan- try battalion reported that the screen had ren- dered him valuable assistance, and that he had been able to accomplish successfully the improve- ment of his defenses. Extensive infantry reliefs then being conducted prevented work for the next three days. On October 9, the third platoon, which had replaced the second, installed seven projectors, and at 8 a.m. fired high explosive drums against hostile dugouts on Hill 255. Simul- i62 THE FIRST GAS REGIMENT taneously a screen of smoke was laid along the edge of the woods near by; but for reasons un- known to us the infantry failed to move. Another operation to which the infantry failed to respond had been executed the previous day by the first platoon, who had set up their guns south of Gesnes. From there eight rounds of thermite were discharged against the enemy's position and an excellent smoke screen established. But, because of insufficient artillery preparation, the 126th In- fantry did not attack — a failure much regretted by the brigadier in command, who praised our performance. On October 10 the whole of B Com- pany reassembled at Ville-sur-Cousances next to Battalion Headquarters, there to enjoy ten days of much needed rest and refitting. Company D's contributions to the Second Phase were the two operations of October 4 and 9, both under direction of the Third Division. Three platoons, billeted in huts south of Cierges, were constantly shelled, and reconnaissance and prepa- ration were carried out under conditions unusu- ally hazardous. On October 4 two platoons moved forward to the northern edge of Cierges, and in- stalled four mortars. At 4 p.m. they fired 40 rounds of smoke, establishing a screen north of the town. Five days afterward, the third platoon pre- pared to assist the 30th Infantry by throwing a ARGONNE-MEUSE OPERATION 163 flank screen along the Bois de Cunel. At 9.02 a.m. 40 rounds of thermite were discharged, and by its aid the infantry advanced with success. Just before the guns had been installed the ex- plosion of an enemy shell wounded six men and instantly killed Lieutenant Rideout.^ This sudden loss was keenly felt by Company D and through- out the regiment. Rideout had been unexcelled as a daring and effective officer. From the day at St. Thibaut, when he had held the town with a dozen followers, down to the day of his death, he had won the devotion and confidence not only of his commanding officers but of all the men. His con- spicuous gallantry on many occasions is an honor to the regiment, and has been fitly commemorated by his Distinguished Service Cross. ^ On October 11, Company D joined Company B at Ville-sur-Cousances, and took advantage ot the same brief period for change and refreshment. Thenceforward no further operations were carried out by the First and Second Battalions until the beginning of the Third Phase on November i. The Provisional Battalion, however, which had seen much less service since the first few days, was ready to resume activity and to represent us at the front during the next two weeks. Within that 1 The next day he was buried with full military honors at the cemetery at Froidos. * Awarded after his death. See Appendix E. i64 THE FIRST GAS REGIMENT time F Company executed nine "shoots" and A Company four. The first two of F Company's "shows" were with the Fourth Division. On October 9 this divi- sion undertook an advance between the Bois de Fays and the Bois de Brieulles. To help them cross the open space between, four Stokes mortars were installed in the northwest corner of the latter wood. When the move began at 10 a.m. a heavy fog rendered an artificial screen unnecessary. But, as the mist cleared, our gun teams began firing, and during the next half-hour sent over 20 rounds of smoke. Between 3.20 and 4.25 in the afternoon 80 more rounds were fired to create a further screen during the passage of reinforcements across the exposed area. On the nth, 60 projectors were installed in preparation for a gas attack, but at the last moment the infantry moved forward, and the operation was canceled. The next day Com- pany F was assigned to the Seventeenth French Corps, and moved at once to Verdun. Meanwhile, Company A had been busy with the Eightieth Division. During October 6, 7, and 8, one platoon north of Nantillois spent seventy- two hours standing by with their guns prepared to use thermite to repel an expected counter-attack. Our presence there appears to have comforted the infantry ; but the incident offers a poor example of \ ^ i«i ^% biil.jliiii m^m r f3 ■•^>i^-p^ - '*''** lt^c<¥'''^W^^^^^^^^^^^K!i A i^g^^^^^^H m&9tl^: -~ .--JBff»E' ff^*^ ' CHURCH AT GERCOURT FERME DE LA MADELEINE ARGONNE-MEUSE OPERATION 165 the correct use of gas troops on the defensive. During the night of the 5th, Lieutenant Catlett and his section conducted a reconnaissance, and in- stalled their guns under exceptionally risky condi- tions. All night the men were without shelter amid a continued alternation of gas and high explosive barrages, and before the morning. Lieutenant Catlett had been severely wounded. By October 9, the infantry were ready to advance north of Nan- tillois, and seven of our Stokes mortars were pre- pared for action at 5 a.m. The infantry, however, were delayed by the corps on the left, and the movement did not begin until 3.30 p.m. The left flank of the infantry was then protected by a smoke barrage, and 66 rounds of thermite were fired upon machine-gun nests. The German bar- racks were set on fire, and the infantry officers ex- pressed great satisfaction with our work. Our as- sistance was again called for on the nth, when two mortars were set up to fire upon machine-gun emplacements in the Bois de Fays. Before "zero" hour a heavy barrage was laid by the enemy in front of our guns ; but our men stood by gallantly and carried out the attack at the appointed time. The infantry commanders were not only pleased with our "show," but spoke in high terms of the conduct of the gun-crews. The following day, the Fifth Division moved in ; and on October 14 a pla- i66 THE FIRST GAS REGIMENT toon assisted the 6oth Infantry with a smoke and thermite attack, under heavy shell-fire, upon tar- gets back of the village of Cunel. Two days after- ward the Company was assigned to the Third Di- vision. With them, as with their predecessors, we continued to plead for chances to use gas ; but not until October 20 did the opportunity come. Sev- enty-six bombs of phosgene were discharged from mortars upon a group of machine-guns on the right flank of the infantry advance. The enemy was immediately put out of action, and the net result of the operation was the easy capture of 1 1 machine-guns and 43 prisoners. After spending the four succeeding days in awaiting further op- portunities, the company was moved back on October 25 to Verdun. The men had been living in rain and mud and gas for many days ; the casu- alties numbered over 40, and the sick as many more. In fact, at the end of the month not more than 75 fit men were present for duty. The en- suing two weeks of rest at Verdun were sorely needed. Company F, as we have seen, had been at- tached on the 1 2th to the Seventeenth French Corps. Working at first with the Tenth French Colonial Division and later with the American Twenty-sixth, this company conducted the only operations of our regiment during the last half of ARGONNE-MEUSE OPERATION 167 October. 1 The striking feature of these seven "shows" was that gas played a part in four of them. The first was a genuine old-fashioned pro- jector attack upon a scale larger than we had been allowed to attempt since August. The front, too, was of the old-fashioned stable kind. The "show" was a hard one to prepare. The positions were only 300 meters from the Germans, who often helped us to see our work by their frequent use of "Very lights." The carry was 900 yards over slip- pery paths through a section often shelled with mustard gas. During two black and rainy nights the labor of preparation went on. The French as- sisted us with a covering party, and provided also 100 men, as well as horses and tram-cars, to aid in the carrying. After a brief experience, the poilus expressed the conviction that Americans were ac- customed to work much too hard ! Two hundred and thirty-seven projectors were installed in three different emplacements in the Bois de Caurrieres,^ to fire upon three targets averaging 1600 yards in distance. At 3.30 a.m. on October 16, in the midst of a dense fog and rain, 197 drums were dis- charged to the accompaniment of an artillery bombardment of the enemy's trenches. The re- maining 40 projectors were fired at 11 p.m. the ^ Except for the A Company operation just recorded. ' A position two miles east of Louvemont. i68 THE FIRST GAS REGIMENT same day. No noticeable retaliation followed either attack, and "intelligence" later received confirmed the fact that the enemy had suffered severe casualties. The subsequent operations constituted a rapid series of Stokes mortar "shows" carried out along the Twenty-sixth Division front. After risky re- connaissances, accompanied by some narrow es- capes, emplacements were selected in the southern edge of the Bois d'Ormont and targets in the east- ern part of the same wood. On October 21, at 7 A.M. and 3 P.M. two attacks were made, the first with smoke and phosgene, the second with phos- gene and thermite. The aim was so to vary our time and our dose as to subject the enemy to the strain of constant guessing. If similar methods could have been adopted all along the front, the results would surely have been fruitful. In keeping with these tactics, a third bombardment was exe- cuted on October 22 (8 a.m.) with thermite and smoke and two others the next day (8 a.m. and 2 P.M.). By this time the enemy had located our position, and we proposed to attack from a new point. But since the infantry commander objected to further activity, no other chances occurred. Within a few days F Company was transferred to a new sector, south of Romagne, there to prepare for the attacks of the Third Phase. ARGONNE-MEUSE OPERATION 169 During the four weeks of the Second Phase the army advanced a distance little greater than the distance it had achieved during the eight days of the First Phase. The progress of the American divisions had been bitterly contested, and their casualties had been heavy. WHiile the struggle was going on, our regiment had been able to keep from one to five companies at the front and ready to cooperate. These units carried out 25 operations, averaging nearly one a day. To make possible our continued fitness to fight, it had proved necessary after the first ten days, first to remove to the rear the sick and exhausted, and later to let the task of working at the front rotate among the platoons. This scheme prevented useless wear and tear, and enabled us to give rest to the majority of the men and still to keep ready for action the only units actually needed. As the lines became partly sta- bilized, and our methods grew to be recognized, there was less confusion than before, less waste labor, and greater ease in cooperation. Opportuni- ties arose for the use of every variety of attack, and even gas was given its chance. But, though its value was increasingly appreciated, it was never permitted with any approach to the frequency for which the situation called. In spite of slow progress — indeed, often be- cause of it — the front was one long battle-field. lyo THE FIRST GAS REGIMENT As the preceding story will have made clear, our men near the Hne continued to be subject to con- stant shell-fire both in action and in billets. A Company in Gercourt, where Corporal Buxton was killed, B's platoons in the valley east of V6ry, and D's in the woods at Cierges — these are only a few of the instances when we lived in spots too hot for safety. That soldiers should thus be in danger would hardly be worthy of comment, were it not for the fact that, as a regiment, we had no relief. The infantry, of course, suffered far heav- ier punishment; but it could come and go, while we often felt that we were going on forever. Our strength was further worn down by sickness, due to frequent exposure and much intolerable weather. It is not surprising, then, that our four weeks' losses should not have been light. We had in this phase, nearly 200 cases of sickness. Among the enlisted men 78 were wounded — three se- verely. Half of the total were gas cases. Among the officers, seven were wounded, one severely. In addition to these, three officers and two men died of wounds, and one officer and one man were killed in action. While we had not escaped easily, our good fortune had often been remarkable, and that so very few had been killed, was ground for gratitude. ^ While the Army as a whole was undergoing but COM] n Iliu.'h.- .V I-Nt,ibrook. N.Y. ARGONNE-MEUSE OPERATION 171 one phase, our own history in these days really has two — life at the front and life in the rear. During most of October from one to five com- panies were in rest billets far from the front — C and E in La Grange-aux-Bois, B and D at Ville- sur-Cousances and A and F at Verdun. Though shells occasionally reached Verdun and air raids were not unknown in the other towns, there was genuine relief from the continued strain of the days of action. Exhausted though they were, the men were always ready for a chance to shoot. But when fighting was not feasible the change was gratefully relished. The mere relaxation was often sufhcient to make recuperation rapid — a process always hastened by the luxury of clean clothes and hot baths. At Verdun and La Grange even entertainments were now and again available, and there was spare time enough for the beginnings of soccer football. Even these days, however, were not holidays. Training schedules were established and drills resumed. After frequent inspections, re- fitting was thoroughly carried out. And, finally, replacements from Company Q brought up to normal strength companies that had been fifty per-cent depleted. At the same time changes in officer personnel continued the process. We had not only lost some of our best officers, but a second group had been sent back to America, to share in 172 THE FIRST GAS REGIMENT the training and command of prospective new regiments.^ The list included Lieutenant-Colonel Crawford, whose three months experience in com- manding gas troops had insured his high value during the first weeks of the battle. He was re- placed at the end of October by Lieutenant- Colonel Rockwell, who remained with the regi- ment for a month before leaving us to become Chief Gas Officer of the Third Army. Thirteen other officers — first and second lieutenants — joined the organization during this phase, some for temporary duty, others as permanent addi- tions. Before the end of the last week of October, all the companies except A were back at the front again, to prepare for our share in the second big advance which was to open the Third Phase. Company D went up as early as October 20 and billeted in Fleville, where shells were constantly bursting both in the houses and in the streets. Work was begun at once upon the installation of 160 projectors in the woods one and a half kilo- meters south of St. Georges. The purpose was to assist the coming assault of the Forty-second Di- vision. When the Second Division moved in a week later, their plans were found to include a ^ Additional gaps were caused by the departure of a dozen N.C.O.'s to the Officers' Training School at Choignes. ARGONNE-MEUSE OPERATION 173 direct attack on Landres-et-St. Georges. To meet the new conditions, 40 more projectors were dug in on the forward slope of the hill one and a half kilometers southwest of this town, and a Stokes mortar emplacement was prepared In the woods near by. On October 21, Company B went for- ward to a sector to the right of Company D, but was not allowed to undertake any operation until just before the assault on November i. Company E moved to the front on October 28, and went into billets at Cornay, where the men were shelled every night. Digging began at once for the pro- jector attack about to take place. C Company sent up one platoon to the 305th Infantry of the Seventy-seventh Division ; and F Company swung over to the sector east of B. Advanced Regimental Headquarters was established at Montfaucon. Five companies were now prepared to take part in the last great drive. The Third Phase and, as we hoped, the last, began in the midst of a world of Inspiring news. During October the German peace offer, followed by several notes, went side by side with the great British successes in Flanders and the French in Champagne. Before November i Turkey had col- lapsed and Austria was on the verge of surrender. Our new offensive opened with the high confidence that victory was at hand. 174 THE FIRST GAS REGIMENT THE THIRD PHASE (November i to November ii) As part of a concerted offensive along the whole western front from the Dutch border to Pont-^- Mousson, the American First Army advanced once more on the morning of November i. After a terrific artillery preparation — one hurricane of fire along our entire sector — the attack was launched at 5.30 a.m. In aiding this initial assault our regiment executed 14 operations west of the Meuse. Previous to "H" hour, at 3.30 a.m., Com- pany E (assigned to the Eightieth Division) dis- charged 20 high explosive projector bombs and 20 gas bombs from an emplacement between St. Juvin and Landres-et-St. Georges. At the same hour Stokes mortars fired 41 gas bombs and 24 thermite. On this morning conditions on the front line were more hazardous and perturbed than be- fore any of our previous "zero's." The heaviest risks were run, and our casualties were severe. Company E's platoon was caught in a barrage. One man was killed and many slightly gassed ; but all of our own wounded and many of the infantry were carried back by our men to Sommerance under shell-fire. Likewise, at two hours before "zero," Com- pany D discharged 80 projector drums of phos- Courtesy of llugln-^ & Kstabrouk, X.V ARGONNE-MEUSE OPERATION 175 gene upon strong points directly south of St. Georges. Since the wind was due south and carried the gas through the village and down the ravine northward, enemy casualties were heavy. Prison- ers later reported some 300 gas cases, and more than 20 bodies of men killed by gas were found on the position. Later, at one minute before "zero," another group of 40 projectors discharged high explosive bombs upon the same targets, and still another launched the same number upon machine- gun nests southeast of Landres-et-St. Georges. The bombardment was completed by the work of eight Stokes mortars established at two different positions more than a hundred yards ahead of the front line. The first set fired 22 rounds of thermite and the second 28 — successfully covering four different targets. At the beginning of this action, Captain Steidle was wounded by a shell fragment in his right eye. The regiment was later grieved to hear that he had lost the sight of this eye. But in December we were grateful to be able to wel- come him back with a new eye named "Lulu," and with a new assignment as Battalion Com- mander. Company F, too, is responsible for a "pre-zero- show" in the Ninetieth Division sector. At 2.30 A.M. four Stokes mortars in the northern edge of the Bois de Bantheville fired 18 rounds of ther- 176 THE FIRST GAS REGIMENT mite. A projector "shoot" was prevented only by adverse wind conditions. Of the remaining six operations, carried out exactly at 5.30, five were smoke screens directly assisting the infantry advance.^ Company C fired thermite and smoke bombs on machine-guns be- yond the Ravin aux Pierres, and silenced their fire. Company B had been given the task of screening the northern edge of the Bois de Ban- theville and of laying another smoke barrage in front of La d'Huy Ferme. To effect the former, six guns had been set up on a hill in the northern section of the wood. At "zero " 23 of the 60 rounds planned were fired. Further work was impossible, for the guns had settled deeply into the soft ground of the emplacement. But even with such assistance as we could give, the advancing troops passed across the open valley under cover of the smoke, aided by a slight fog, and entered the woods without opposition. During the action Private Partridge had been killed and three men wounded. Still earlier in the morning Privates Slamon and Bleight were also killed. 1 The American edition of the London Daily Mail for Novem- ber 3 contained the following passage: "Yesterday's fighting, however, holds the chief point of interest. The spectacular barrage, as I saw it, with its bursts of blood-red thermite, was an awe-inspiring spectacle. . . . Then the tanks lum- bered forward and, following them, the Americans disappeared in the mist through the woods and up and over the ridges." ARGONNE-MEUSE OPERATION 177 The screen in front of the farm rendered valu- able aid to the satisfaction of the infantry com- mander, for though several machine-guns were cap- tured there, they had not impeded the advance. From part of the same wood gun-crews of Com- pany F had been firing 20 rounds of smoke. Just as the men had finished firing and were preparing to move forward, a shell exploded close in front of the position, killed five men ^ and wounded eight others. Though our losses were severer than usual, and though the infantry met some sharp resistance during the first morning, the advance thereafter was amazingly rapid. Progress was everywhere easier than we had dared to hope ; and within four days the army had achieved an advance double that of the past six weeks. Indeed, those who watched maps at Regimental Headquarters were constantly embarrassed by the fact that no sooner was a section map installed for observation, than the infantry would walk right off it. If it was hard to keep pace with them on a map, it may be imagined how difficult it was to keep pace with them on foot. Except for Company C, however, (which had been pledged for later use In crossing the Meuse) all the five companies' gun teams at- ^ Privates First Class Mely, Anderson, and Hansen, and Geagon (Medical Detachment) and Private Western. 178 THE FIRST GAS REGIMENT tempted to continue their auxiliary work. But from then on until the end of the war, despite our readiness, we were actually called upon for only three more operations. For five days Company E followed the infan- try with gun teams and ammunition. The men moved from Sivry to Buzancy to Sommauthe and on to La Besac, keeping with the attacking bat- talion, and bivouacking as they went; but no opportunities to act were afforded, and on No- vember 7 the company was ordered back to AUie- pont. With equal energy Company D took part in the advance of the Second Division. Keeping one platoon ahead with the foremost brigade, the company reached Bayonville by November 3. The 5th they moved to Nouart and the 8th to Beaumont. Company B, after trailing the success- ful progress of the Eighty-ninth Division, was assembled on November 4 at Nouart, and by November 8 had still no chances to serve. On November 8 Company C had been attached to the Fifth Division, and moved eastward to Brieulles. On the 9th, one platoon advanced to Murvaux and the next day to Brandeville. Thor- ough reconnaissance was meanwhile conducted. Besides keeping in touch with the Ninetieth Divi- sion, which required no help, Company F had furnished two gun teams on November 2 to the , ^ L JLJl i a |fm ^vlj mi k ^1 i/l v4 lllpll ^al i^PV im! vQfj Wa ■ ..7Ti ^ JM El H''«^4 1^ IS M 1 H^ 9 H P- iwi ■ 1 1 1 i i 1 1 i 1 p sP^ I ■ ■ i*» fl^ «^ ^ SB ': :-'.- ^?**^ .-, '- co^ Ill- .V l;:,taljIook, N.V ARGONNE-MEUSE OPERATION 179 Fifth Division, near Brieulles. Twice these units had their guns installed to fire upon the Bois de Chatillon, and twice the collapse of enemy resist- ance resulted in canceling the operations. In the course of these attempts Lieutenant Grasle found an infantry company lost in the woods, reformed them and piloted them to their proper station, while Lieutenant Murray and three men utilized some spare time by taking fifteen prisoners. Com- pany A reported on November 9 to the Twenty- sixth Division on the extreme right; two pla- toons were moved forward and reconnaissance began. In the course of these first nine days of Novem- ber, we were able to enjoy the stimulus not only of our own progressive victory but also of dra- matic world news from every quarter. On the 5th Austria signed the terms of a severe armistice; the next day our own troops were within a few miles of Sedan. And then, in rapid succession, came tid- ings of German delegates at Foch's headquarters, the German naval revolt, and the abdication of the Kaiser. Yet not for a moment did our efforts relax. On the loth of November five of our com- panies were represented on the battle front, and during the last twenty-four hours of the war we prepared fully for six operations and executed three. The First Gas Regiment finished strong. i8o THE FIRST GAS REGIMENT Most of Company B had moved eastward on November lo to some wooded heights above the Meuse opposite Pouilly. The move in itself was exceptionally risky; for all the roads near the river were subject to point-blank enfilade fire from the opposing artillery, and several trucks near our own were demolished at sight. The 177th Brigade was planning to cross the river at Pouilly and Inor. Avoiding a direct screen at Pouilly (which would only have drawn fire upon our troops), we planned one flanking screen to cut off hostile observation and another to blanket the village of Inor. These projects, though approved, were never carried out. The brigade commander decided against such preliminary preparations, and at 6 p.m. on November 10, in silence and under cover of darkness, the crossing was made at Pouilly without casualties. Two hours later the second and third platoons of Company D gave skillful assistance in effecting a crossing by the 4th Brigade. Two targets were picked out at points where the infantry were not to cross, one in Mouzon, the other at La Scierie Ferme — a post strongly fortified with machine-guns. The plan was twofold: to neutralize the hostile fire from these two points, and at the same time to persuade the enemy that our smoke screens con- cealed the real crossings. At 9.30 p.m. on the loth, ARGONNE-MEUSE OPERATION 181 4 rounds of smoke and 17 of thermite were shot against the first position, and 10 of smoke and 8 of thermite against the second. The scheme worked admirably. Fire from the targets was silenced im- mediately, and the rest of the enemy's fire was concentrated chiefly upon the two smoke screens. The infantry promptly crossed the river at four other points and attained their objectives. A Com- pany, too, shared in the activity of this same day. On the Twenty-sixth Division front 20 gas bombs were shot at machine-gun positions with results highly satisfactory. The guns were put out of ac- tion and their crews retreated. For another gas attack the next day, the mortars had been already installed, when hostilities ceased. Finally, the ar- mistice found Company C in a similar situation. On the night of the loth an enemy battalion en- trenched itself In shell holes opposite the front of the nth Infantry, and heavy machine-gun and artillery fire was opened against our troops. Three mortars and sixty rounds of thermite were brought up under shell-fire by trucks and mules, and an attack was planned for 10.30 a.m. on the nth. At 10.15 on that day about a hundred Boches stood up from their shell holes unarmed, with their hands in their pockets. One of their officers advanced toward our lines and was met by our nearest infantry commander. He an- i82 THE FIRST GAS REGIMENT nounced that the armistice had been signed and requested that the attack be canceled. Since or- ders to that effect were soon received from the commanding officer of the nth, our men withheld their fire. But they stood by at advanced posi- tions, and did not withdraw until eleven o'clock. That hour marked the end of our operations, the end of the battle, and the end of the great war.^ Of our final day of effort Colonel Atkisson wrote in the Official Bulletin: The Regimental Commander wishes to note particu- larly that this Bulletin includes reports of five opera- tions carried out within 24 hours of the time the ar- mistice became effective. This giving full measure of service, of being in the foremost wave of our victori- ous Army, leaving nothing undone to the very last, is in keeping with the spirit and determination which has made possible the development of a new offensive service in our Army with a real field of usefulness. The Regimental Commander knows of the high ideal of "Service" which has prompted the officers and men from the very beginning. An added word of congratulation that had reached us earlier may be read in this letter from Colonel Schulz: ^ During the Third Phase we suffered the following losses: I officer severely wounded, i slightly wounded, 33 men wounded — 6 severely, i man died of wounds, and 10 men killed. It was the costliest ten days we had known. ARGONNE-MEUSE OPERATION 183 Headquarters First Army, American E.F. Office of Chief Gas Officer November 8, 19 18 From: Chief Gas Officer. To: Commanding Officer, ist Gas Regiment. Subject: Operations beginning November ist. I. In transmitting herewith advance copies of Gen- eral Orders 31 and 32, Headquarters First Army, con- cerning the victory won by the First American Army since November ist, I take great pleasure in adding that reports received from various sources in the Army testify to the assistance given by the ist Gas Regiment in bringing about this happy result. The knowledge of the excellent work done by the Regiment in this and past operations will be a source of gratification not only to its own personnel, but to all officers and men belonging to the Chemical Warfare Service. John W. N. Schulz Colonel, C.W.S. The General Orders here mentioned will long be remembered by those who helped to "smash the way " : Headquarters First Army American Expeditionary Forces, France ^th November, 19 18 General Orders No. 31 : On November first, after constant fighting for over one month, the First American Army launched an attack against the German Army which had estab- lished itself for determined resistance. In five days it has penetrated 25 kilometers and has driven the enemy in retreat before it. Its brilliant success, in con- i84 THE FIRST GAS REGIMENT nection with the advance of the 4th French Army on its left, forced the Germans to retreat on a broad front to the west. It has fought and marched and endured the rigors of campaign with the most superb indifference to every- thing except the determination to go forward and im- print upon the enemy the marks of its courage and res- olution. All arms and services, those in advance who smashed the way, those in the air who rendered aggressive and efficient service, and those in rear who by their untir- ing industry made possible the continued advance, are worthy of the highest praise and the gratitude of their admiring country. The army Commander is proud of such an army, thanks it for the splendid results already achieved, and looks with confidence to the still greater successes that lie before it. By command of Lieutenant General Liggett: H. A. Drum Chief of Staff In Regimental General Order No. 5 was pub- lished a final tribute which we welcomed with grateful pride: American Expeditionary Forces Headquarters First Gas Regiment November, 28, 1918. General Order: No. 5. I. The following contents of a letter received from Brig. General Fries, Chief of the Chemical Warfare Service, is published to the Regiment. "The war is over and apparently the work of the ARGONNE-MEUSE OPERATION 185 First Gas Regiment. If a few could be kept as Gas troops and trained as such with the Army, I would be willing to have you remain for a while in France ; other- wise, I am making every effort to have the Gas troops sent promptly to the United States. "At this time, Idesirepersonally, and on behalf of the Chemical Warfare Service as a whole, to express to you and the officers and men of the First Gas Regiment under you, our pride and profound admiration of the work you have done. To take a new regiment and in a few short months teach it an entirely new method of warfare, known to few but the enemy, and so handle that work that the Chemical Warfare Service, as well as the regiment, became favorably known throughout an army of nearly 2,000,000 men, is an achievement of which any body of men may well be proud. " Not only is the First Gas Regiment well known, but its work has been so excellent that demands for more Gas troops were constantly increasing in numbers and insistence. Everywhere the work has been spoken of as that of brave and able men, who feared no enemy and no hardships, and who stopped only when com- plete exhaustion overpowered them. " Whether the Chemical Warfare Service will be con- tinued in peace remains to be seen. That your work will always be remembered and that it will be the guid- ing star for such work in any future war, should, un- fortunately, our country ever again have to enter upon one, is absolutely certain." 2. The Regimental Commander wishes to express his deep appreciation of the loyalty and unselfish de- votion to duty of both officers and men, which made possible the results which prompted this letter. E. J. Atkisson, Colonel, 1st Gas Regiment CHAPTER IX LAST DAYS The coming of peace caused little reaction. Those who had expected some sharp revulsion of feeling or conduct were surprised to find that the bearing and attitude of the men were much the same on November 12 as they had been on November 10. Accustomed as we were to taking great things quietly, even the end of the war produced no ex- citement. For long it was hard not to feel that we were simply passing through a lull between fights; and except for having no attacks to prepare, daily life brought "business as usual." The armistice made necessary two immediate tasks — the withdrawal of all the companies to rest billets in the rear and the preparation of Com- panies A and B for service with the Army of Occu- pation. One battalion of the regiment had been assigned to this new Third Army, and the regi- mental commander had selected, for what was regarded as an honor, the two units that were senior in service. On November 12 and 13, Com- pany B marched from Nouart to Ville-sur-Cou- sances, where on the 14th it was joined by D. Company E was still at La Grange-aux-Bois and LAST DAYS 187 Company A at Verdun. Companies C and F had not yet returned from the front. This account, however, does not include all the companies then in our regiment. Under stress of battle, we had hardly noticed the fact; but on November 7 four of the nine British Special Com- panies R.E.^ that had been sent to join our First and Second Armies, were assigned to the First Gas Regiment ; and to accommodate them, a re- organization of battalions had resulted. For one week we had four battalions — the First including E and the British J, the Second as of old, a First Provisional Battalion (the old Provisional), in- cluding C and F, and a Second Provisional Bat- talion, commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Bun- ker, R.E., which was composed of our A and the British P, D, and Z. This fourth battalion was quartered in Verdun, and was about to begin active preparations for work on our right flank. Lieutenant- Colonel Bunker was Battalion Com- mander when Company A executed its last attack ; but the end of the war cut short the opportunity for any operations by his own troops. We had gladly welcomed the arrival of skillful helpers and of several old friends. Colonel Bunker entered into our plans with ready energy, and the promise ^ These were gas companies, some of them those with which our First Battalion had worked early in the year. i88 THE FIRST GAS REGIMENT was bright for useful service in common. If the cause had been anything less than the close of the war, the end of our short alliance would have been greatly to our regret. We were at least given the opportunity to express once more our gratitude to the British Gas Service, and to show them, we hope, that their instruction had borne good fruit. With the British companies relieved, our own were once more reassigned. In preparation for their mission. Companies A and B were assigned on November 13 to the First Battalion, with Major Carlock in command. The remaining com- panies, under Major Lowenberg, became the Second Battalion. It was planned at the same time that all the regiment should gather as soon as possible at Verdun, to end for once our chronic state of dispersion. During November 14, 15, and 16, the two Battalion Headquarters and Com- panies B, C, D, and F moved to a suburb of the historic city where they were quartered in stone barracks in the Faubourg Pave. On the 1 6th the First Battalion set out for the front, prepared for a long tour of duty in Ger- many. Their doings there, however, will not re- quire a chapter, for within two days they were recalled by orders from G.H.Q., and on the 19th we welcomed them home again. They had ad- vanced only eleven miles to Chaumont-devant- LAST DAYS 189 Damvillers, and had never set foot on German soil. But counter-marching and cancellation of or- ders were such old stories to most of the men, that the change was taken cheerfully, and new hopes arose at once to take the place of the old. Indeed, the whole regiment now began to feed on hopes. Rumors are always current among soldiers, but thenceforward until we sailed they were thick in the atmosphere. A day without a new infusion of rumors was a day wasted. Though we had heard for some time that troops would be sent home in approximately the order of their arrival, the majority were quietly reconciled to spending the winter in France. But the return of A and B broke the spell ; and other evidence began forthwith to accumulate. Throughout these days all technical equipment was being returned to the regimental dump. We saw the last of our mortars and pro- jectors, our animals and our wagons. And then, too, all barracks bags and other baggage were hurriedly transported from La Ville-aux-Bois. Such facts, of course, offered soil enough to nour- ish reports of every kind. As the weeks went on, nothing could stunt the luxuriance of their growth. Wildest among those who knew nothing, they attained among the knowing a greater plausibility but no greater certainty. The cook had said that all the barracks bags were on their way to Brest; igo THE FIRST GAS REGIMENT the supply sergeant had been heard arranging for all trucks to be "salvaged"; Lieutenant Smith had seen an officer from G.H.Q. who had seen the very order; Lieutenant Brown's friend at Army Headquarters had said, "You fellows will be home by Christmas" — so the stories ran, each one adding relish till the next arrived. Appetizing rumors, however, were a back- ground, not a substitute for work. Discipline and routine were upheld without relaxation. Besides the daily drills and "hikes," provision was made for bathing and refitting. A new educational schedule offered novelty, with morning and after- noon lectures on chemistry, hygiene, civics, and other topics. Added to the usual "fatigue duties" and to the improvement and care of quarters, this general plan of work was in operation during the rest of our time overseas. Continuous also was the granting of leaves to both officers and men — a privilege long withheld by necessity, but now granted to the limit allowed. Yet even times of peace and steady routine could not save the regiment from the fate which kept us constantly on the move. After E Com- pany's arrival at Verdun on November 20, all the companies were at last together. Company C was then assigned to the First Battalion; and for the first time the units were symmetrically arranged, LAST DAYS 191 with A, B, and C in the First, and D, E, and F in the Second. C then moved to join A and B in bil- lets in the town, and D, E, and F evacuated the suburban barracks and moved into others in the great Citadel. On November 25 the Commanding Officer re- viewed the regiment, and presented two Dis- tinguished Service Crosses that had been awarded. The occasion served partly to celebrate our new outward unity, but still more to symbolize the deeper unity that had always been ours. The regiment passed in review across a wide field out- side the walls of the unconquered city, and within sight of the hills scarred by so many battles. And the men who marched by were worthy of that setting of noble memories, for they were true veterans, and they had fought a good fight. The next day the regiment was again reviewed, this time by Colonel Schulz, the Chief Gas Officer of the First Army. Later in the afternoon followed a careful inspection of all quarters. On the 27th the First Battalion moved by trucks to the old home village of La Ville-aux-Bois, near Chau- mont. This latest instance of further movement prevented the regiment from uniting in celebra- tion of Thanksgiving Day; but on that day (the 28 th), each battalion was able to feast mem- orably. Turkeys in ample numbers had been 192 THE FIRST GAS REGIMENT brought from Paris, and big dinners issued from every company kitchen. F Company cooked theirs in the great kitchens of the Citadel of Ver- dun. Each battaHon, too, assembled for services of thanksgiving, the Second Battalion gathering in the huge half-ruined "salon" of the Bishop's Palace at Verdun. These services were memorable not only for their setting, but because they ex- pressed a wealth of true gratitude on the greatest Thanksgiving Day the world has ever known. The two days following were occupied with further movement. Second Battalion Headquar- ters and Companies E and F moved by trucks to Choignes, and Regimental Headquarters and Company D to Chamarandes. In these villages and in La Ville-aux-Bois — all of them close to Chaumont — we were able to enjoy an experience without precedent in our history: six companies living in one area for a month. The time of the men was fully occupied in carrying out schedules of drill, athletics, and education, with added work made necessary by speeding our preparation for departure. Recreation was afforded by Y.M.C.A. huts or tents in the villages, with evening shows and movies, and with concerts by our own band and orchestra. A final regimental review took place on Decem- ber 4, accompanied by the presentation of addi- LAST DAYS 193 tional D.S.C.'s and Croix de Guerre. On the same day Company Q breathed its last, after the trans- fer of its few remaining men to fill the ranks of the other companies. Some further shifts in personnel brought our organization into its final shape. A month earlier eighteen of our best enlisted men had been commissioned as second lieutenants. Their assignments, often to their original com- panies, gave an opportunity for congratulations upon a reward that had been fully deserved by long and distinguished service. Another change that gave high satisfaction was the assignment of Captain Steidle to the command of the First Bat- talion and the appointment of Major Carlock as acting Lieutenant-Colonel. Soon afterward we said good-bye to our two remaining British friends — Captains McNamee and Roberts, who returned to duty with the Special Brigade, Royal Engineers. Their difficult task as advisers and assistants upon our regimental and battalion staffs had been carried out with so much tact and professional skill and in a spirit of such genuine and helpful comradeship that we had learned not only to value them as gallant soldiers, but to feel that they were true members and lasting friends. With them and with their colleague Captain Wil- son (who had left us earlier) we sent our hearty wishes for good luck always. Within a short time 194 THE FIRST GAS REGIMENT we said good-bye to another group. At the urgent request of the Chief of the Chemical War Service in the A.E.F., six officers, several non-commis- sioned officers, and some twenty-four men, under the command of Lieutenant Stoepker, volun- teered to remain in France for several months in order to act as an itinerant "exhibition team" which should travel about to the various divisions and give sample "shows" by way of instruction in offensive gas warfare. On December 9 preparations for departure be- gan to take a more acute form. Most of our re- maining transportation was "turned in," all rec- ords were brought up to date, and other finishing touches were ordered. On the 13th, the regiment was reported "ready to leave," and every day thereafter we expected our departure within three, or at the most, four days. Life thenceforward was a tantalizing series of postponements ; and twelve days later we found ourselves celebrating Christ- mas in the same old billets. Though not a typical merry Yuletide, the occasion was by no means cheerless. Christmas services were held in the morning, and the day was later marked by big dinners for the men, by band concerts in two of our villages, and by the opportunity to open Christmas packages sent from home. The officers were the guests of the Colonel at a dance at the LAST DAYS 195 Ch§,teau de Chamarandes, made memorable by the presence of other and fairer guests, and by the chaperonage of the local marquise. Within three days of this celebration came at last the orders to leave. On December 31 the en- tire regiment entrained at Chaumont, and began at 3.20 P.M. the first lap of its long journey home- ward. Reaching Brest in the early morning on January 3, we cheerfully detrained, and marched out to Camp Pontanezen expecting, after three or four days in barracks, to set out upon the high seas. But the worst was yet to come. This book is the story of how a fighting regi- ment fought; and it would be in keeping neither with its purpose nor with the spirit of the regi- ment to waste undue time in complaints. But Camp Pontanezen made a lasting impression upon our men, and the account of our three weeks there cannot be complete in a sentence. In the course of ten months at the front, in every variety of position and circumstance from Ypres to the Swiss border, our men had never had to submit to living conditions worse than those which surrounded them during their first week at Brest — and this, too, in a camp which had been under construction for over a year and which had been in constant use by most of our debark- ing troops. Conditions there were chronic which 196 THE FIRST GAS REGIMENT would not have been permitted by one of our commanders for more than a single day, even under shell-fire. But the story of needless and ar- rogant mismanagement — later remedied through influences outside the Army — is too familiar both to us and to the public to require repetition in detail. Our first week (spent in tents in the deep mud) was occupied in preparation for inspection, in ''de-lousing" and the "checking" of equipment. During most of the day and often part of the night, the men were at work for the camp authori^ ties, laboring at roadmending, loading of ships, and many other tasks. On January 9 we passed inspection with high credit, and began at once to hope for early departure. But we had several fare- wells to say before we left for home. We had al- ready parted with Lieutenant Manon of the Med- ical Detachment (who had been assigned to serv- ice at Brest) — our cheery companion and skilled helper for thirteen months. It was the Colonel who was next to go. On the day of the inspection came the news that Colonel Atkisson had received orders relieving him of command and assigning him to other important duty in France. It was hard not only for him but for us that one who had been our leader from the first day of our existence to our departure for home, should not be able to LAST DAYS 197 be with us to the end. There is needed no tribute here to the achievements of Colonel Atkisson, no reminder of what he has meant to the regiment. That record is spread upon every page of our his- tory.^ For a man who identified his purposes, his hopes, and his ideals so completely with those of his unit, the achievements of that unit afford the truest tribute and the most lasting memorial. On January 10 the Colonel reviewed the regi- ment for the last time and presented eight decora- tions newly awarded — four Distinguished Serv- ice Crosses and four Croix de Guerre ; and at the close he made a brief address to the men. The next day, after a banquet at Brest in his honor, the officers bade him farewell. Our last two weeks at Pontanezen were spent in barracks — quarters far superior to those we had first encountered. Belated efforts to improve the camp were also perceptible. The continuous rain of the first week later gave way to occasional clear weather. But the three chief factors of life — deep mud, hard labor, and wild rumors — filled every day. Before the close of our stay we lost three of our men, who died of influenza. Sergeant-Major Snelsire of the First Battalion and Privates Whip- ple and Hansen of Company A. Their deaths, so * See Appendix E for the award to Colonel Atkisson of the Distinguished Service Medal. 198 THE FIRST GAS REGIMENT long after the fighting was over and on the eve of our return to the rewards of home, brought es- pecially deep regret. At length came the close of the weeks of hard- ship and hope deferred. On January 23 we were given a final inspection ; the regiment was compli- mented for its efficient work and cheerful spirit; and the same afternoon orders arrived that we should embark the next morning on H.M.S. Cel- tic. We sailed on January 24 at 5 p.m. On this newly fitted ship quarters were comfortable and the food excellent. After a calm and prosperous passage of only eight days we reached New York on February 2. We anchored toward dusk, in the outer harbor, grateful to breathe again the clear air of God's country, and to see the dark shores around us starred with the lights of home. The next day we landed, and were transported to Camp Mills, Long Island. On February 5, still haunted by the fate that always kept us moving, we journeyed to Lakehurst, New Jersey, where the regiment was quartered at Camp Kendrick, the Chemical Warfare Service Training Camp. Two days after our arrival the regiment was re- viewed by Major-General Sibert, Director of the Chemical Warfare Service, and by Brigadier- General Fries, former Chief of the Chemical War- fare Service in the A.E.F. We owed much, and, r--*-//! LAST DAYS 199 had the war lasted, should have owed still more, to the energy and imagination of General Sibert's vigorous administration. He knew us and our needs; and knowing our record too, he spoke to the officers and men of the fighting arm of his service in words of gratitude that were deeply ap- preciated, and in words of praise that had surely been earned. The presence of Mrs. Atkisson was a gratification to us all, and a compensation in part for the felt absence of the Colonel. Under the skilled guidance of the Camp Com- mander, Captain Bernheim, formerly one of our officers, the process of demobilization began at once. Thanks to his efforts and to those of Major Carlock and our other officers; thanks in equal measure to the natural value and ability of our men themselves, none was released without the prospects of future work. Slowly the units dwin- dled, until before the first of March the organiza- tion was wholly mustered out, and the First Gas Regiment passed into history. CHAPTER X THE THIRD AND FOURTH BATTALIONS Thanks to the work of the First and Second Bat- talions and to the leadership of our Commanding Officer, general indifference to the value of gas troops had yielded, by July, to an increasing real- ization of their importance. In response to what had become an urgent call, steps were taken at once to organize additional gas offense units. Officers from the active units in France were sent to the United States to form and train the four battalions required to raise the regiment to its authorized strength of 5000 men; and more offi- cers were later dispatched to begin the organiza- tion of a second regiment of 5000. Of these units planned only the Third and Fourth Battalions of the First Gas Regiment attained a growth suffi- cient to form part of our history. An account of their brief but energetic career has been written by Lieutenant R. M. Willis, who played a valu- able part in their organization. His words here follow. Major Charles P. Wood, Regimental Adjutant, and later commanding Company C in commendable oper- ations, came back to the United States in August to THIRD & FOURTH BATTALIONS 201 direct the formation of the Third and Fourth Bat- talions. From four of the officers training camps he personally selected a personnel of young officers ; a de- bate in the General Staff as to where these battalions should be organized — Fort Myer, Virginia, and a small camp at Syracuse, New York, being considered — ended in a decision designating Camp Sherman, Chillicothe, Ohio, this camp being at the time in a favorable condition to meet the needs for men and equipment. Accordingly Major Wood and staff re- ported at Camp Sherman and established headquar- ters on October 6; one by one, as they were released from the training camps, the officers to comprise the commissioned personnel reported, and an intensive course of lectures and drills was given to fit them for leading gas troops. But the activity of the War Department seemed to end with the furnishing of officers; an anxious week produced no authority for men. A series of rapid-fire telegrams and letters, and assistance on the part of the Director of Chemical Warfare Services at Washington produced an authorization under date of October 11 from the Adjutant-General for the required quota of enlisted men, 1584, to be supplied from the Depot Brigade at Camp Sherman. The first delay merely preceded a worse one; the epidemic of Spanish influenza, prevalent over the country, held Camp Sherman in strict quarantine; no transfers were permitted, and so through two weeks longer sixty officers were inactive awaiting the lifting of the restriction. On October 24 the first contingent of men arrived at the provisional regimental headquarters and were formed into six skeleton companies; for a week the men came in small groups. There then followed the sorting and eliminating process, and these men, with a 202 THE FIRST GAS REGIMENT bare amount of training and scant equipment, fell immediately into the spirit of necessary willingness. Close order drill, a brief target course on the range, nightly lectures on the nature of the work in store for them, the required medical examinations and inocula- tions, and much confusion and difficulty in adapting overseas combat equipment to these men, found them in two weeks prepared to leave Sherman for seaboard and France. Every consideration was extended by the camp authorities at Camp Sherman ; all assistance was given in supplying equipment, and in the routine formalities of paper-work the Camp Personnel staff was very helpful. On November 5 the organization reported "ready," and requested orders to start for overseas. It is ex- tremely significant that in the brief period of eleven days which had elapsed since the receipt of the first men, these six companies had accomplished the ap- parently impossible feat of organizing, officering, and equipping themselves for service. It is highly improba- ble that this record has been even approached. The im- mensity of the task is to be appreciated only when it is known that from five to eight months were required by divisions to prepare for service. The abnormal condi- tion following the epidemic and the recent departure from Camp Sherman of a division, had left a limited choice of available men ; and no table of allowances for equipment had been granted the organization by the War Department. These facts created innumerable obstacles in the way of securing supplies, which were overcome only through the efforts of the supply officers of the regiment and the generous cooperation of the camp supply officers. The day of the cessation of hostilities found the two battalions prepared for the journey to the port of era- H < X H »5 O Q < Q 2 S H fc O t/3 Oi w u o THIRD & FOURTH BATTALIONS 203 barkation; thoroughly equipped, all arrangements completed to leave on a few hours' notice and the regi- mental impedimenta boxed and marked for shipment. For a week following, the organization was in a state of suspense as to whether it would be assigned to duty with the A.E.F., or in accordance with the rumored plan of immediate demobilization, would be mustered from the service. During the period before the War Department rendered a decision for demobilization, there was no relaxation of the arduous schedule of drills and maneuvers ; twice a week there was a formal review. Even as late as the last week of its existence the organization, loth to lose its identity, maintained a daily schedule of drills and discipline. It is to the credit of the officers and men comprising this unit that in a Camp review through the town of Chillicothe early in December, they were commended as the best drilled and best appearing organization in the parade; and general recognition of this same high efficiency was accorded it at all times. With characteristic dispatch and promptness in action, upon receipt of orders for demobilization, the six companies were discharged in three days, commenc- ing December 15. In conformity with camp regula- tions, the men were sent in order upon special trains, and clearances were granted the officers. In the haste of demobilization, the mass of personal equipment, the accumulation of special equipment, a stable of mounts, mules, and escort wagons, motor transportation and barrack space were ignored for future deliberate dis- posal; for the intricate accomplishment of necessary paper-work involved in transferring the accountability for this equipment required two months. However small the effectiveness of this little unit in the final story of the ending of the war, the record achieved in so small a space of time in fitting itself for 204 THE FIRST GAS REGIMENT a real part is powerfully suggestive of its possible use- fulness had it been permitted to join in action that now distinguished veteran, its older brother on "the other side." Major Wood, who was constantly missed by the regiment in France, had surpassed even our high expectations by the persistency and speed with which he had shaped and equipped the two new battalions. In his task he had been aided effectively and enthusiastically by six of our old officers and by a specially picked group of new officers. These officers and all the men under them attained a degree of unity and of regimental spirit that would have made them valued com- rades. Only the armistice prevented our receiving this heavy reinforcement; and not even the ar- mistice prevents our regarding these two bat- talions as a genuine part of the regiment, their battle laurels unwon, but their brief record not- able and full of promise. CHAPTER XI CONCLUSION The story of the First Gas Regiment, from begin- ning to end, covers a period of only eighteen months. Before August, 1917, we had no history, and to-day the unit no longer exists. But "one crowded hour of glorious life is worth an age without a name." In that "crowded hour" the regiment was created, trained, and transported to France ; as the only offensive gas unit in the Amer- ican Army it operated on nearly every section of the Western Front from Ypres to the Swiss bor- der; from July to November it fought in the van of the three great American offensives ; and before March, 191 9, it was reassembled, transported home, and mustered out. The First Gas Regiment was unique for its per- sonnel, interesting for its problems, and memo- able for its performance. Our personnel was typically American — repre- sentative in make-up, infinitely varied in scientific and mechanical skill, characteristic in spirit. Of the men nearly ninety per cent were volunteers. They came from every state in the Union, and from every walk of life. There was hardly a grade 2o6 THE FIRST GAS REGIMENT of mental ability, from professors to illiterates, hardly a trade of practical or scientific value, that was not represented. There were so few without schooling and so many with a college training that it is doubtful if any other regiment can claim for its members a higher standard of education or a greater variety of mechanical ability. But not only in this diversity of origin and of skill was the regiment thoroughly American. In spirit, too, the group was ideally true to type. In initiative, in en- ergy, in humor, in united zeal for service, officers and men stood for the best that America breeds. The problems confronting the regiment from the day of its organization were many and serious. We were pioneers in a new field, called upon not simply to fight according to orders, but to blaze our own path, to win a place for ourselves — to prove our usefulness to our own side by proving dangerous to the enemy. Gas warfare upon sta- tionary fronts was a science well developed by the British Army, much neglected by the French, wholly unknown to the American. And gas tech- nique in open warfare was entirely untried. We had, therefore, first to learn and to practice, and then to teach and to popularize a new form of warfare. At the same time we had to struggle with a short- age of material and continually to adapt our tactics to the changing needs of a progressive campaign. CONCLUSION 207 That our personnel was equal to our problems is clear from the record of our performance. That record is written in full throughout our story. Be- ginning as a unit wholly unknown, we won our way steadily to recognition, until we had ceased to be viewed as an interesting but dangerous lux- ury, and had come to be acknowledged an indis- pensable auxiliary. A purely self-made fighting organization, thrown upon our own resources, we won our small battles against ignorance and in- difference, and we helped measurably to win the great battle against the enemy. Working during June with only two companies, during July and August with only four, and for the rest of the war with only six, we carried out nine operations on the stabilized fronts, ten in the Chateau-Thierry offensive, thirty in the St. Mihiel, and eighty-four in the Argonne-Meuse — a total of one hundred and thirty-three actions. The imagination and the steadfast vigor of our leaders, the resourceful energy of both our officers and our non-commissioned officers, and the initi- ative and unflagging spirit of our men have writ- ten upon the record of the American Army a page of high achievement. THE END APPENDICES APPENDIX Ai OFFICERS KILLED IN ACTION: NAME AND RANK COMPANY DATE PLACE CAUSE 2nd Lt. Hanlon, Joseph T. B 7-30-18 Villers-sur-Fere shell 2nd Lt. Rideout, Percy E. D 10- 9-18 Verdun sector shell OFFICERS DIED OF WOUNDS: NAME AND RANK 1st Lt. Cordes, Paul H. 1st Lt. Williams, Hubert C. 1st Lt. Fleming, John V. 1st Lt. Goss, Paul L. 1st Lt. Owen, Nathaniel J. 2nd Lt. Everett, Eugene W. COMPANY DATE PLACE CAUSE C 9-12-18 Bois le Prgtre shell D 9-13-18 St. Mihiel sector shell E 10-15-18 Verdun sector shell Med. 10- 6-18 Near Charpentry gas C 10- 9-18 Near Charpentry gas C 10- 9-18 Near Charpentry gas MEN KILLED IN ACTION: NAME AND RANK COMPANY DATE PLACE CAUSE Pvt. Neal, William K. B 3-21-18 Cite St. Pierre shell Pvt. icl. Gray, George C. B 3-27-18 Cite St. Pierre shell Corp. Dodd, Joseph C. A 4- 9-18 Sailly LaBourse shell Pvt. icl. Hass, Walter H. A 4- 9-18 Sailly LaBourse shell Pvt. Guilefuss, Harry H. B 7-30-18 Villers-sur-Fere shell Pvt. Merkel, John B 7-30-18 Villers-sur-Fere shell Pvt. Panuska, George T. B 7-30-18 Villers-sur-Fere shell Pvt. Martin, Herbert B. D 8- 5-18 St. Thibaut shell Pvt. Mitchell, Roy J. D 9-26-18 Verdun sector M.G. Pvt. Gans, Joseph O. D 9-26-18 Avocourt M.G. Pvt. icl. Shields, Bert W. D 9-26-18 Avocourt M.G. ^ The author assumes no responsibility for the complete accuracy of any lists in these appendices. None was compiled by him. They were furnished by Regimental, Battalion, and Company Headquarters, and he can only apologize in their name for errors or omissions. 212 APPENDIX NAME AND RANK COMPANY DATE PLACE ( CAUSE Pvt. icl. McAlpine, E. J. D 9-^6-18 Avocourt shell Corp. Buxton, Vernon C. A 10-15-18 Verdun sector shell Pvt. icl. Anderson, E. H. F 10-31-18 Bantheville shell Pvt. Geagon, John J. Med. 10-31-18 Bantheville shell Pvt. icl. Hansen, Hans F 10-31-18 Bantheville shell Pvt. Mely, Arthur C. F 10-31-18 Bantheville shell Pvt. Western, George H. F 10-31-18 Bantheville shell Pvt. icl. Bleight, John C. B II- 1-18 Bantheville shell Pvt. Mayne, Robert N. E II- 1-18 Bantheville shell Pvt. icl. Partridge, George B II- 1-18 Bantheville shell Pvt. Slamon, James T. B II- 1-18 Bantheville shell Sgt. Knouff , Arthur R. A 11-10-18 Verdun sector sheU MEN DIED OF WOUNDS: NAME AND RANK COMPANY DATE PLACE CAUSE Sgt. Patton, Gerald S. A 8-14-18 Sailly LaBourse shell Pvt. Whiteley, Roland D 8- 6-18 St. Thibaut shell Pvt. Prescott, Stuart H. B 9-25-18 Fismes shell Wag. Powell, Ellsworth D. B 10- 4-18 Verdun sector shell Pvt. icl. Digney, Joseph A 10- 8-18 Verdun sector shell Pvt. Mills, E. R. A 10- 8-18 Verdun sector shell Mast . Engr. Allen, F. L. C 10-10-18 Near Charpentry gas Pvt. Lane, R. J. G. D II- 1-18 Verdun sector sheU APPENDIX B TABLE OF DATES 1917 August 15 August 30 Authorization of Regiment by G.O. 108. Captain Atkisson assigned to the regi- ment. First Battalion organized. December 4-5 Companies C and D organized. 1918 First Battalion lands at Brest. Company E organized. Platoons of A and B begin movement to British front. Companies C and D land at Brest. Company F organized. First independent action. Toul Sector. Second Battalion Headquarters and Companies E and F land at Brest. Beginning of Chateau-Thierry offensive. July ^-September 3. Operations on the stabilized fronts. September 12 Beginning of St. Mihiel operation. September 26-November 1 1 The Argonne-Meuse oper- ation. Signing of the Armistice. October 16 January 18 March i March 10 April 5 June 18 July 12 July 18 November 11 1919 February 2 March i Arrival of Regiment at New York. Regiment mustered out. APPENDIX C SAMPLE "OPERATION ORDER" HEADQUARTERS 2ND BATTALION, ist GAS REGIMENT SECRET. AMERICAN E.F. COPY NO. i. September ist, 1918. Operation Order No. 41. Map reference, VIGNEULIES "A," 1-20,000. 1. The following targets will be engaged by pro- jectors at a time to be specified later ("D" Day — "H"Hour). PROJECTORS. EMPLACEMENT NUMBER OF TARGET. SITE. PROJECTORS. AMMUNITION. 42.90-52-50 43.29-52-72 42.11-53-52 340 C. G. 43-34-52.64 to .340 and 43.01-52.41 42.22-53.53 N. C. 2. Our lines at emplacement sites held by 26th Divi- sion, 5th U.S. Army Corps. 3. Projectors will be installed by Company D, 1st Gas Regiment, assisted by Platoons from Companies E and F. 4. Watches will be synchronized with 5th U.S. Army Corps time. 5. Discharge of projectors will be at " H " minus four hours, Batteries will be inspected and unfired guns will be discharged twenty minutes after original discharge. APPENDIX 215 6. Projector attack will not take place unless the wind is from 27 through WEST and NORTH to 03, and from two to fifteen miles per hour. 7. A decision in regard to this discharge will be made by the Commanding Officer, 2nd Battalion, ist Gas Regiment, at "H" minus eight hours and com- municated to Division and Corps Headquarters by wire and written confirmation. Code. OPERATION WILL TAKE PLACE — MAINE OPERATION CANCELLED —CALIFORNIA 8. If weather conditions are unfavorable at "H" minus six hours the operation will be cancelled by Commanding Officer, 2nd Battalion, 1st Gas Regi- ment. Messages being sent in Code of paragraph #7 to Division and Corps Headquarters. The officer in charge of emplacements can cancel at Zero if local conditions are outside of limits specified in paragraph #6. 9. The Commanding Officer, Company D, ist Gas Regiment, will be at P.C. HARENCO, 41.04-54.16, from *'H" minus six hours until **H" minus four hours. He will maintain communication with his em- placement officers by runners. 10. Messages from the position officers to the Com- pany Commander will be sent as follows : (o) Wind Messages — each half-hour from "H" minus six hours to "H" minus four and one- half hours. (6) All ready — when all preparations are com- pleted, (c) Number of drums discharged after final dis- charge. 2i6 APPENDIX 11. The area enclosed by 43.10-53.09; 42.00- 53.54; 41.90-53.46 and 42.27-52.92 should be cleared of all troops as far as the tactical situation will permit from "H" minus four hours and ten minutes until **H" minus three hours and thirty-five minutes. Any troops left in the above area and in areas enclosed by 43 . 46-33-45 ; 42 .00-53 ■ 54 and 43 . 10-53 . 09 and 42.27-52.92; 41.90-53.46 and 42.04-52.92 must wear box respirators from ''H" minus four hours and five minutes until the "All Clear" signal is given by their Gas Officer. 12. It will not be necessary to camouflage this posi- tion after the discharge. All personnel, with the excep- tion of those needed for the later attacks, will retire tg the advanced billets. 13. Please acknowledge. J. B. Carlock, Major, 1st Gas Regiment. Copies: 1. CO. 5th U.S. Corps 2. CO. 26th U.S. Division 3. CO. 1st Gas Regiment 4. CO. Company D 5. War Diary SAMPLE ''OPERATION REPORT " OPERATION REPORT TO CO. First Gas Regiment ^^"^^ ^^■ August 5, 1918 Reference Maps. VIOLU (Nord) 1/5000. I. Headquarters — Company A, 1st Gas Regiment, A.E.F. APPENDIX 217 2. Engineer Companies Operating, Company A, ist Gas Regiment. 3. Corps or division to which attached, 21 D.I. 33 C. A. (French). 4. Purpose of operation, harassing enemy in new posi- tions. Prevention of further work in organizing new trenches as jumping-off place for seizing TETE du VIOLU. 5. Wind limits — N. thru W. to S. 6. Map reference of emplacements — (S) 54 -5-59 -8, (S-i) 54-7-58-7, (S-2) 54-7-58.6. 7. Map reference of targets — 56.3-60.0, 56.2-59.0, 56.06-58.65. 8. Enemy Regiments affected — 80 LANDWEHR, others not identified. 9. Zero Hour — 23.00 Aug. 5-6, 1918. 10. Wind direction and velocity and weather conditions — West, 7 m.p.h. Misty overcast sky. Started to rain at i.oo a.m. Aug. 6. 11. Number installed Cylinders. Projectors. Stokes (and type of Mortars, gas used) C.G. 495 300 12. Number fired — 495 294 Percentage fired — 100 98 13. Reason for discrepancies (if any) 3 bombs stuck in guns and could not be removed, early in the shoot, putting them out of action. Enemy action made it inadvisable to hold a gun in position while biscuit, container and ammunition were being changed. 14. Enemy action before, during and after attack — No rockets. Green and red flares at o plus 3 min. Heavy artillery retaliation at o plus 7 min. on posi- 2i8 APPENDIX tions (S-i) — (S-2), on trench system, lines of communication, billets and artillery. Enemy apparently very much annoyed. 15. Casualties. {Name of officers; regimental numbers oj other ranks.) {Since reconnaissance.) #915384 slightly gassed in clearing a trench of a short T.M.E. 16. Time taken and men employed on operation — 7 days and nights — 90 men for eight days. 46 more for four days. 17. Infantry assistance obtained for operations — 4 ox teams for 5 nights. Trench mortar and artillery fire o plus 5 min. to o plus 10 min. 18. Remarks — Information from photographs and deserter showed Germans creeping in to capture TETE du VIOLU. Intense fire for destruction two days previous by artillery and trench mortars. 3000 shells, 2000 T.M.E. Quiet for two days to encourage enemy to return to work. Guns will be left in on position S for future use if need develops. W. F. Pond, Captain, Company A, 1st Gas Regiment. Copies to: CO. 1st Gas Regiment L.O. Prov. Btn. ist Gas Regiment 2 1st D.I. (French) 33rd C.A. (French) Secret File APPENDIX D DESCRIPTION OF WEAPONS A brief description of the methods and weapons used by Special Gas Troops is given below: 1. Projectors. These are steel tubes of approxi- mately eight inches in diameter and closed at one end. Three lengths were in use, the 2^6", 2' 9", and ^' o'\ weighing respectively about 65, 105, and 150 lbs. The guns were usually installed in batteries of twenty, by digging a trench 32 feet long, perpendicular to the di- rection of fire, with the side of the trench towards the line of fire sloped at an angle of 45°. Steel base-plates weighing 28 lbs. were usually used under each gun. After placing in the trench and covering with earth, the muzzle of the projector extends only slightly above the ground, making camouflage fairly easy. The projectiles used are cylindrical drums weighing about 65 lbs. and holding about 30 lbs. of gas or high explosive. After insertion of the propellent charge and drum, the twenty guns are wired in series and are dis- charged at "Zero" electrically by an exploder. Any number of similar batteries may be set up for use in an attack. After firing, the guns cannot be used again without resetting. The extreme range is about 1850 yards. The guns are usually installed at night, sufficiently behind the front line to avoid direct observation. 2. Stokes Mortars. The Stokes Trench Mortar, as used by Gas Troops, is 4" in diameter and 4' long, 220 APPENDIX and rests on a steel base-plate and is supported by a stand consisting of two adjustable legs. The barrel weighs 90 lbs.; the stand 30 lbs,; the steel base-plate 60 lbs. ; and if a wooden base-plate is attached to the steel base-plate, this will increase the weight of the base-plate to at least 70 lbs. The direction of fire is determined by the eye or by a compass. The range is adjusted by altering the propellent charge and the angle of elevation of the gun, which may vary be- tween 45° and 75°. The projectile is a cylindrical drum weighing about 25 lbs. and holding about 7 lbs. of gas or its equivalent in high explosive, phosphorus (for producing smoke), or thermite (a mixture which produces a shower of molten iron on the explosion of the shell). The propel- lent charge is attached to the bomb. The gun is fired by dropping the bomb into the gun. On descending, the cap on the bomb strikes an anvil at the bottom of the gun. It is quite possible to fire 10 rounds per minute at night or 20 rounds per minute during the day. The extreme range is 11 60 yards. On account of the very short range it is necessary to install the mortars very far forward. The weapons described can produce a far more con- centrated cloud of gas than it is possible to produce with artillery. Hence the Special Gas Troops have a field which it is impossible for the artillery to fill. The artillery, of course, have a tremendous advantage in range. APPENDIX E AWARDS, CITATIONS, AND RECOMMENDATIONS 1. One officer was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal, viz.: Colonel Earl J. Atkisson. For Exceptional, Meritorious, and Distinguished Service. He organized and trained the First Gas Regiment in a type of warfare new to the American Army, and di- rected the operations of that Regiment with marked distinction during the St. Mihiel and Argonne-Meuse offenses of the First American Army. 2. Two officers and 13 enlisted men were awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, viz. : Captain J. T. McNamee, M.C, R.F.A. Attached to First Gas Regiment. For extraordinary heroism throughout the ad- vance across the Rivers Ourcq and Vesle, northeast of Chiteau-Thierry, France, 30 July to 6 August, 1918. "Volunteering, he led a detachment of Engineers up to the front line on July 30 for the purpose of assisting the advance of the infantry with thermite and smoke bombs. That night he led his men through a heavy enemy barrage, exhibiting courage and leadership. For three days and nights he remained with his men 222 APPENDIX in the extreme front line in the Bois Colas, greatly aid- ing in repulsing enemy counter-attacks by laying down barrages of thermite and phosphorous, cleaning out machine-gun nests in the same manner, and ena- bling our infantry to attack behind smokescreens. On August 5 he took another detachment into St. Thi- baut and brought ammunition into the village before it was occupied by our infantry and while the enemy patrols were still there. The advance of the infantry across the two rivers, the Ourcq and the Vesle, was greatly facilitated, and the lives of many of them were saved by the smoke screens which Captain McNamee so successfully prepared. Throughout this entire advance across these two rivers he conducted himself with extraordinary heroism, setting an ex- ample to the men of the regiment to which he was at- tached, constantly exposing himself to danger in mak- ing reconnaissances and at the same time shielding his men." First Lieutenant Percy A. Rideout {deceased). First Gas Regiment. For extraordinary heroism in action at Cierges, France, 5 October, 191 8. Lieutenant Rideout made an extended reconnais- sance in advance of the outposts, fearlessly exposing himself to enemy machine-gun fire and being several times knocked down by exploding shells. The informa- tion he secured was valuable to the infantry, giving them knowledge of exact location of machine-gun nests. During the action this officer directed the laying of the smoke barrage from an exposed position, remain- ing at his station throughout the operation in spite of severe shell and machine-gun fire, and continuing to APPENDIX 223 display the highest courage until he was killed by shell-fire. Corporal Arthur W. Jones. Company A, First Gas Regiment. For extraordinary heroism in action near Cambrin, France, 8 April, 1918. While returning from the front lines on the morning of 8 April, 19 1 8, his platoon was subjected to a heavy shell-fire, several of the men being killed or wounded, the balance taking shelter near by. Corporal Jones per- sisted in leaving this shelter and searching for wounded, several of whom he brought back in the midst of the barrage. He carried on the work in an heroic manner, for the benefit of his comrades and with disregard for his own personal safety. Sergeant R. C. Brantley. Company D, First Gas Regiment. For extraordinary heroism in action near Malan- court Woods, France, 26 September, 1918. After his detachment had been ordered to the rear, Sergeant Brantley remained to administer first aid to a wounded comrade, bringing him to safety, through withering machine-gun fire. Sergeant ist Class George W. Neal. Company A, First Gas Regiment. For extraordinary heroism in action near Bethin- court, France, 26 September, 1918. Voluntarily leaving shelter, Sergeant Neal and an- other soldier made their way, through a terrific enemy barrage of artillery and machine-gun fire, to the aid of wounded comrades, carrying them to first-aid stations and administering treatment. 224 APPENDIX Corporal Orin E. Nay. Company A, First Gas Regiment. For extraordinary heroism in action near Bethin- court, France, 26 September, 1918. Voluntarily leaving shelter, Corporal Nay and an- other soldier made their way, through a terrific enemy barrage of artillery and machine-gun fire, to the aid of wounded comrades, carrying them to first-aid stations and administering treatment. Corporal Hursey A. Dakin. Company F, First Gas Regiment. For extraordinary heroism in action in the Bois de Jure, near Gercourt, France, 26 September, 1918. Corporal Dakin volunteered with another soldier to attack a machine-gun nest which was holding up the advance. They advanced against very heavy machine- gun fire and captured the position, killing two Ger- mans and routing the remainder of the gun-crew. Private Guy A. Nelson. Company F, First Gas Regiment. For extraordinary heroism in action in the Bois de Jure, near Gercourt, France, 26 September, 191 8. Private Nelson volunteered with another soldier to attack a machine-gun nest which was holding up the advance. They advanced against very heavy machine- gun fire and captured the position, killing two Ger- mans and routing the remainder of the gun-crew. Private Herman O. Higgs. Medical Detachment, First Gas Regiment. For extraordinary heroism in action near Montfau- con, France, 26 September, 1918. Private Higgs worked continuously and heroically under withering fire from machine-guns, upon several APPENDIX 225 occasions voluntarily going out ahead of the first wave to administer first aid to wounded soldiers. His untir- ing efforts and personal bravery saved the lives of many wounded soldiers and were a source of inspira- tion to the combat troops. Sergeant ist Class Henry C. Molter. Company D, First Gas Regiment. For extraordinary heroism in action near Mont- faucon, France, 28 September, 1918. Sergeant Molter volunteered and led a detachment to recover ammunition from a dump, which was under fire, and liable to explosion at any minute. Working under a heavy gas attack, he succeeded in removing the dump to a place of safety. Sergeant Harry Melvin Woods. Company D, First Gas Regiment. For extraordinary heroism in action near Mont- faucon, France, 29 September, 1918. While his position was under heavy and continuous bombardment of both gas and high explosive shells, Sergeant Woods voluntarily left his dugout and put gas masks on nine wounded soldiers, giving his own mask to one of them, and thus saving their lives. After being severely gassed by the explosion of a shell, one piece of which struck him, he continued to administer aid to the other wounded, and quit only when his eyes were swollen shut and he was completely exhausted. Corporal John P. Jordan. Company A, First Gas Regiment. For extraordinary heroism in action near Nantillois, France, 5 October, 1918. After other means of communication had failed, Cor- poral Jordan voluntarily carried messages from the 226 APPENDIX regimental post of command to advanced positions through several enemy barrages of gas and high explo- sive shells. He continued on duty even after being wounded, until he was exhausted. Corporal John C. Graves. Company A, First Gas Regiment. For extraordinary heroism in action near Nantillois, France, 5 October, 1918. After other means of communication had failed, Corporal Graves voluntarily carried messages from the regimental post of command to advanced positions through several enemy barrages of gas and high ex- plosive shells. He continued on duty even after being wounded, until he was exhausted. Private C. P. M. Nelson. Company F, First Gas Regiment. For extraordinary heroism in action near the Bois de BrieuUes, France, 9 October, 1918. Displaying remarkable perseverance and daring, Private Nelson, a runner, made his way, three hundred yards through a heavy barrage with a message for the commander of a Stokes mortar platoon. Later he vol- unteered to lead four wounded men back through the barrage to an aid station. On the way he met three other wounded soldiers, one of whom had been severely gassed and was unable to walk. Private Nelson carried this man to the dressing-station, knowing that his clothes were saturated with mustard gas. Private Andrew A. Benson. Medical Detachment, First Gas Regiment. For extraordinary heroism in action near Banthe- ville, France, i November, 1918. Severely wounded by shell-fire, Private Benson con- APPENDIX 227 tinued to give aid to the wounded until struck the second time. After receiving the second wound he re- mained on duty giving directions for the care of other wounded. 3. Thirteen officers and 32 enlisted men were awarded the Croix de Guerre, viz. : Major George L. Watson. First Battalion, 30th Engineers. A brave and energetic officer, commanding with the greatest skill, who knows how to win the confidence of his subordinates. He particularly distinguished him- self in a special operation. Owing to the measures taken by him, the operation was executed with success. Captain John B. Carlock. Company B, 30th Engineers. An energetic and devoted officer, who gave proof of true military qualities in the execution of a special operation with which he was charged, and to the suc- cess of which he contributed by his personal example. First Lieutenant Ben Ferris. Company B, 30th Engineers. An officer of great valor, who gave proof of true qualities of leadership and of bravery throughout a special operation executed by his company. First Lieutenant Albert W. Paine. Company B, 30th Engineers. An excellent officer, whose valuable cooperation con- tributed to the success of a special operation skillfully conducted. First Lieutenant Thomas H. Beddall. Company B, 30th Engineers, An officer of great valor who gave proof of true 228 APPENDIX qualities of leadership and of bravery throughout a special operation executed by his company. First Lieutenant Jerome P. Webster. Medical Corps, 30th Engineers. A devoted and courageous doctor. In the midst of a violent bombardment he did not hesitate to come to the rescue of French soldiers who had been gassed. Second Lieutenant Horace E. Hall. First Battalion, 30th Engineers. He took part in the active preparation and execu- tion of a special operation, the success of which is due to his initiative and his intelligent collaboration. Second Lieutenant Joseph T. Hanlon. Company B, 30th Engineers. An excellent officer, whose valuable cooperation con- tributed to the success of a special operation skillfully conducted. Lieutenant-Colonel Robert W. Crawford. 30th Engineers. An officer of superior and very brave character. He particularly distinguished himself in the art of special operations, and conveyed to all subordinates an ex- ample of bravery in the face of adverse artillery action. Captain Charles P. Wood. Company C, 30th Engineers. Has shown qualities of perception and courage in the preparation and execution of special operations, the success of which can, in a large measure, be attributed to him. Lieutenant Paul H. Cordes. Company C, 30th Engineers. A very cool and courageous officer. He proved to be wonderfully skillful in special operations. Due to his APPENDIX 229 presence of mind, a change of attack was effected which dealt the enemy a far more serious blow than would otherwise have been the case. Lieutenant Raymond Weakland. Company C, 30th Engineers. Has shown himself to possess exceptional qualifi- cation in undertaking special operations. He was able by his courage and his ardor to successfully lead his men, who were under shell-fire for the first time, thereby assuring a complete success to the op- eration. Lieutenant Duncan McA. Johnston. In command of a group of projectors he conducted several attacks under violent artillery and machine- gun fire, in connection with the commander of the assaulting troops, during the actions of September 12, 1918. He contributed in great measure to the success of the operation. Sergeant Flay E. Blair. Company B, 30th Engineers. An excellent non-commissioned officer who gave proof of courage and devotion throughout a special operation executed by his company. Sergeant Fred L. Allen. Company B, 30th Engineers. An excellent non-commissioned officer who gave proof of courage and fidelity in assisting his company in a special operation. Sergeant Charles J. Connors. Company B, 30th Engineers. An excellent non-commissioned officer who gave proof of courage and fidelity in assisting his company in a special operation. 230 APPENDIX Sergeant F. W. Smith. Company B, 30th Engineers. He gave proof of courage and devotion in completing, in the midst of a gas cloud, the work preparatory to a special operation executed by his company. Corporal Frank L. Faktor. Company B, 30th Engineers. An excellent corporal, gallant and courageous. He set a fine example of contempt for danger throughout a special operation executed by his company. Corporal Walter L. Stevens. Company B, 30th Engineers. An excellent corporal, gallant and courageous. He set a fine example of contempt for danger throughout a special operation executed by his company. Corporal John L. MacGuire. Company B, 30th Engineers. An excellent corporal, gallant and courageous. He set a fine example of contempt for danger throughout a special operation executed by his company. Corporal P. C. Smith. Company B, 30th Engineers. He gave proof of courage and devotion in completing, in the midst of a gas cloud, the work preparatory to a special operation executed by his company. Corporal Simon Kunst. Company B, 30th Engineers. He gave proof of courage and devotion in complet- ing, in the midst of a gas cloud, the work preparatory to a special operation executed by his company. Wagoner Johnson Justice. Company B, 30th Engineers. Charged with the transportation of material neces- APPENDIX 231 sary for the execution of a special operation, he bravely- carried out his mission under violent bombardment. Private ist Class Paul W. Soderquist. Company B, 30th Engineers. A gallant and courageous motorcycle rider. He carried out his duties under the most violent bombardments. Private ist Class Leonard Regan. Company B, 30th Engineers. A brave soldier, intelligent and devoted. He always gave proof of spirit and of good humor in the most difficult circumstances. Private ist Class William F. Evans. Company B, 30th Engineers. An example of courage and of devotion, he always carried out perfectly the missions entrusted to him, often under violent bombardment. Private ist Class Ward W. Young. Company B, 30th Engineers. An excellent soldier. He always carried out his duty cheerfully even in the most trying circumstances. Private ist Class Eldon E. Welton. Company B, 30th Engineers. He gave proof of courage and of devotion in com- pleting, in the midst of a gas cloud, the work prepara- tory to a special operation executed by his company. Private ist Class W. F. Quinn. Company B, 30th Engineers. He gave proof of courage and of devotion in com- pleting, in the midst of a gas cloud, the work prepara- tory to a special operation executed by his company. Private ist Class T. D. Mbssler. Company B, 30th Engineers. He gave proof of courage and of devotion in com- 232 APPENDIX pleting, in the midst of a gas cloud, the work pre- paratory to a special operation executed by his com- pany. Private ist Class John W. Estabrooks. Company B, 30th Engineers. He gave proof of courage and devotion in complet- ing, in the midst of a gas cloud, the work preparatory to a special operation executed by his company. Sergeant John T. Redmon. Company C, 30th Engineers. Has proved by his great intelligence, exceptional initiative, and interpretation of orders to be able to co- operate effectively toward the success of a difficult operation. Sergeant Byron T. Bartlett. Company C, 30th Engineers. Has proved by his great intelligence, exceptional initiative, and interpretation of orders to be able to co- operate effectively toward the success of a difficult operation. Sergeant Walter L. Jones. Company C, 30th Engineers. Has proved by his great intelligence, exceptional initiative, and interpretation of orders to be able to co- operate effectively toward the success of a difficult operation. Sergeant Richard C. Phillips. Company C, 30th Engineers, By his courage, his initiative, and his coolness, he showed that he was able to undertake a very delicate mission which was entrusted to him. He succeeded in spite of a violent barrage in bringing back all of his men to our line. APPENDIX 233 Corporal George F. Keddie. Company C, 30th Engineers. He proved himself, in the course of special opera- tions, to have been very courageous and cool. He stayed with his gun, without thinking of the danger to which he was exposed; thereby rendering the maxi- mum of service. Corporal Clive E. Bassett. Company C, 30th Engineers. He proved himself very courageous and cool under fire. By his presence of mind he saved his comrades from certain death. Private Arthur F. Oilman. Company C, 30th Engineers. A dispatch rider, in charge of transmission of orders over a route rendered very dangerous because of hav- ing been under very great shell-fire, he acquitted him- self of his mission with a great deal of bravery. Private M. L. T. Wardlow. Company C, 30th Engineers. He proved himself, in the course of special opera- tions, to have been very courageous and cool. He stayed with his gun, without thinking of the danger to which he was exposed; thereby rendering the maxi- mum of service. Master Engineer Clyde W. Ahrens. Second Battalion H.Q. First Gas Regiment. (Citation unobtainable. But see Chapter VHI, page 62.) Acting First Sergeant Victor C. Lomuller. Company D, First Gas Regiment. On September 12, 191 8, taking part with a detail charged with the use of a group of projectors, he car- 234 APPENDIX ried out his mission with great bravery, in spite of a violent bombardment. Sergeant Charles M. Spiers. Company F, First Gas Regiment. On September 12, 1918, taking part with a detail charged with the use of a group of projectors, he carried out his mission with great bravery, in spite of a violent bombardment. Corporal Charles S. Hyatt. Company D, First Gas Regiment. On September 12, 191 8, taking part with a detail charged with the use of a group of projectors, he car- ried out his mission with great bravery, in spite of a violent bombardment. Corporal Ray S. Ferguson. Company D, First Gas Regiment. (Citation unobtainable. But see Chapter VIII, page 60.) Private ist Class Edwin S. Stauffer. Company D, First Gas Regiment. (Citation unobtainable. But see Chapter VIII, page 60.) In addition to the above awards actually made, the following officers and men were recommended for deco- rations, with these citations: I. For the Distinguished Service Cross: Sergeant ist Class George W. Neal. Company A, First Gas Regiment. For extraordinary heroism in action near T6te du Violu, Vosges, France, 5 August, 191 8. On the night of August 5-6, Sergeant ist Class Neal accompanied Private Fred J. McCray and Horseshoer APPENDIX 235 Charles E. Arthur of his own free will, while under heavy shell-fire, and assisted in the discharge of a bat- tery of gas projector bombs which had failed to be dis- charged at the first attempt. HORSESHOER ChARLES E. ArTHUR. Company A, First Gas Regiment. For extraordinary heroism in action near Tete du Violu, Vosges, France, 5 August, 1918. Horseshoer Arthur voluntarily accompanied Pri- vate Fred J. McCray and Sergeant ist Class George W. Neal of his own free will while under extremely heavy shell-fire, and assisted in the successful dis- charge of a battery of 20 gas projector bombs which had failed to be discharged at the first attempt. Private Fred J. McCray. Company A, First Gas Regiment. For extraordinary heroism in action near T6te du Violu, Vosges, France, 5 August, 1918. Private McCray, inspecting his battery after a gas projector operation, found that his battery had fired, but that one near by had not. On returning to report this to Second Lieutenant S. A. Greenstone, a shot from a Stokes mortar exploded near him and he was severely gassed. Nevertheless he voluntarily returned to the position and, with the help of Sergeant ist Class George W. Neal and Horseshoer Charles E. Arthur, successfully discharged the battery. The German re- taliation was very heavy, and shells were bursting all around the position. Sergeant Glen O. McEwen. l6ist Infantry, Machine Gun Company. For extraordinary heroism in action near Moulin de Gu^noville, France, 26 September, 1918. , 236 APPENDIX While attached to Company F, First Gas Regi- ment, Sergeant McEwen, at Moulin de Guenoville (18.8-79.3 Verdun-A) on September 26, 1918, after observing two men of the 320th Infantry shot down on an exposed hillside by hostile machine-guns from the Bois d'en Del&, obtained permission from the platoon commander, and, in company with three men of Com- pany F, advanced over nearly two hundred yards of hillside exposed to heavy machine-gun fire and carried the wounded men safely to the protection of near-by trenches. Corporal Bryan Lempman. Company F, First Gas Regiment. For extraordinary heroism in action near Moulin de Guenoville, France, 26 September, 19 18. Corporal Lempman, in company with three com- rades, at Moulin de Guenoville (18.8-79.3 Verdun- A) on September 26, 191 8, risked his life to rescue two men of the 320th Infantry, shot down on an exposed hillside by hostile machine-guns from the Bois d'en Del&. Obtaining permission from the platoon com- mander, they advanced over nearly two hundred yards of hillside exposed to machine-gun fire and carried the wounded men to the protection of near-by trenches. Private ist Class Ernest E. Anderson. Company F, First Gas Regiment. For extraordinary heroism in action near Moulin de Guenoville, France, 26 September, 1918. Private Anderson, in company with three com- rades, at Moulin de Guenoville, (18.8-79.3 Verdun- A) on September 26, 1918, risked his life to rescue two men of the 320th Infantry, shot down on an exposed hillside by hostile machine-guns from the Bois d'en APPENDIX 237 Delt. Obtaining permission from the platoon com- mander, they advanced over nearly two hundred yards of hillside exposed to machine-gun fire and carried the wounded men to the protection of near-by trenches. Since killed in action, November i, 1918. Private George Drechsel. Company F, First Gas Regiment. For extraordinary heroism in action near Moulin de Gu6noville, France, 26 September, 1918. Private Drechsel, in company with three comrades, at Moulin de Gu^noville (18.8-79.3 Verdun-A) on September 26, 19 18, risked his life to rescue two men of the 320th Infantry, shot down on an exposed hill- side by hostile machine-guns from the Bois d'en Delt. Obtaining permission from the platoon commander, they advanced over nearly two hundred yards of hill- side exposed to machine-gun fire and carried the wounded men to the protection of near-by trenches. 2. For the Distinguished Service Medal: Major Charles P. Wood. First Gas Regiment. Major Charles P. Wood has devoted himself un- ceasingly to the welfare of this regiment. During the organization of the first unit in the United States he made every effort to master the technical details and assist in obtaining the necessary equipment with which to function. He manufactured and fired the first projector in the United States. A man of the rarest tact and judgment and the high- est ideals of service, he rendered invaluable assistance in developing an organization, trained in an entirely new 238 APPENDIX phase of warfare, and which has proven itself in action. He took a company into its first action, and by his own fearless example and efficient handling, carried out a large projector operation. When it became necessary to return an officer to the United States to organize additional gas troops, he was selected as the man best qualified, not only because he thoroughly understood the needs of this special service, but because he knew and believed in the spirit and ideals of the regiment. Major John B. Carlock. First Gas Regiment. Major Carlock has proven himself a man of real abilit>^ and judgment, a leader of men, and has devoted himself intelligently and untiringly to the work of the regiment. His early grasp of the tactical possibilities of Special Gas Troops has been of the greatest assistance in their training and in directing their operations. He carried out the first independent projector opera- tion successfully, overcoming the greatest difficulties. The work of his battalion in both the St. Mihiel and Argonne-Meuse operations deserves the highest com- mendation. Always an example to his men and able to obtain their best efforts, nothing has been too difficult to accomplish. Captain James E. Mills, Engineer Officer. First Gas Regiment. Captain Mills, as Engineer Officer, has rendered in- valuable service. With a precise practical knowledge of chemistry, he so applied himself as to become mas- ter of the tactical use of chemical materials in war. He has left nothing undone which physical and men- tal endurance would allow. APPENDIX 239 He has thoroughly acquainted himself with front line conditions, frequently exposing himself to enemy action with an utter disregard for his own personal safety. His absolute unselfish devotion to duty has been an inspiration and guide to the entire regiment. Captain Harris E. Dexter, Supply Officer. First Gas Regiment. Captain Dexter has rendered invaluable service. In a new service which required operations over an ex- tended front, including the development and opera- tion of many dumps, and in which the greatest difficul- ties were experienced in obtaining supplies, frequently necessitating the manufacture of certain elements, he has provided supplies, which has allowed operations to be carried on continuously. He has maintained a large fleet of transportation under the most difficult conditions. He has kept himself thoroughly informed of the operating conditions of the companies, frequently ex- posing himself to enemy action with an utter disre- gard for his own personal safety. With nothing too difficult, time no consideration, and prompted by the highest ideal of service, his work has been a series of achievements. Captain Edward Steidle. First Gas Regiment. Captain Steidle has worked untiringly and unceas- ingly for the best interests of the regiment and the service. While attached to the British forces his marked ability and eagerness to perform more than his allotted share of the work earned for him the highest praise from English officers. In the various companies of the regiment to which he has been assigned, his work as a 240 APPENDIX platoon leader stood out preeminently. At the begin- ning of the Argonne-Meuse Battle, he assumed com- mand of a company whose personnel was entirely strange to him, and carried out operations which were of the greatest assistance to the infantry, inspiring his men to renewed efforts, after weeks of arduous toil, by his own courageous and cheerful example. Although handicapped by casualties among his experienced offi- cers and non-commissioned officers, which forced him to attend to many minor details personally, he was continually seeking new opportunities to be of assist- ance to the infantry. With no thought for himself, when severely wounded, he persisted in writing a note of instruction to his Second-in-Command before being evacuated to the hospital. Captain Roscoe C. Berlin. First Gas Regiment. Captain Berlin has proven himself an exceptionally efficient and proficient officer. His work, while with the British forces, received most favorable commenda- tion from the British Officers. Upon assuming com- mand of Company D, his every effort was bent on de- veloping it into the best company of the regiment, to which end he worked unceasingly and untiringly. His first thought was for the welfare and condition of his men. During the St. Mihiel Battle, under conditions that were entirely new, and in spite of obstacles which appeared unsurmountable, by his own cheerful and courageous example he inspired his men to carry on the work, though physically exhausted by days and nights of continuous toil of the most arduous nature, thereby rendering invaluable assistance to the assault- ing infantry. APPENDIX 241 Captain J. T. McNamee, M.C, R.F.A. First Gas Regiment. Captain McNamee has accepted every duty and re- sponsibility which has fallen to his lot. It has not mat- tered what the duty was or what the conditions were. He has given himself and of his experience as gener- ously as it was possible to give. In the training and instruction of our officers and men he has been a man of infinite patience, always striving for thorough and tactically correct execution. In active operations, whether it has been in rendering advice or assistance to me, or actually directing the de- tails of front line work, it has all been prompted by a devotion to duty which has been inspired. In developing a more aggressive form of attack for the Special Gas Troops, his assistance, especially in the field, has been of the greatest value. His conduct has been exemplary, and, in the face of the enemy, courageous at all times. For his work with the First Battalion in the drive to the Vesle, he was awarded our Distinguished Service Cross. In the St. Mihiel drive, he walked fourteen (14) miles on the last night over roads and through traffic that a less resolute man would have considered im- passable, obtained some necessary supplies which made possible the carrying on of an operation which he himself supervised. In the Argonne-Meuse drive he spent forty-eight (48) hours in the foremost area at the time when our advance was the most bitterly contested, personally supervised the liaison and conduct of our first opera- tion in which gas was used in connection with an ad- 242 APPENDIX vance of the Infantry. There is no question but that he was largely responsible for the very successful result obtained. His entire service with the regiment has been in keeping with these citations, and has been such that I have known that where our men were carrying on operations with Captain McNamee's assistance and supervision, that they would be well and correctly done. Second Lieutenant Eugene Wilfred Everett. First Gas Regiment. Lieutenant Everett has enjoyed the respect and loyalty of every man in his platoon, because of his willingness to share every hardship, discomfort, and danger with them. He was ever ready and anxious to respond to any call of duty and any order given to him, no matter how disagreeable or dangerous it might be. His work in installing projectors and Stokes mortars was marked with such good workmanship that very few, if any, rounds ever failed to fire. His work on the field showed that he was without fear. He was wounded on three separate occasions. One of these was by a machine-gun bullet during the Argonne-Meuse drive. After having it dressed, he re- fused to go to the hospital, because the company was short of officers, due to casualties. On September 14, while assisting Lieutenant Owen in putting on a smoke screen on the East of the Mo- selle River, at Pont-^-Mousson, to aid the infantry in making a raid on the Bel-Air Farm, he showed particu- lar courage and coolness. In order to see how effective this screen was, he decided to go over the top with the APPENDIX 243 infantry. A shell struck in his immediate vicinity, wounding an officer and five men, the arm of one be- ing torn off at the shoulder. He immediately took off his belt and bound up the shreds of flesh remaining at the shoulder, and effectively stopped the flow of blood. He gave similar first aid treatment to the five other men, and carried the six to a place of safety. When these men were evacuated to the Hospital on the fol- lowing day, these original bandages were still intact, and the surgeon in attendance stated that the first aid rendered by Lieutenant Everett had saved the life of the man whose arm had been blown off. Lieutenant William B. Miller. First Gas Regiment. Lieutenant Miller has rendered services of the great- est value to the regiment. As officer in charge of bat- talion ammunition dumps, he was very efficient, work- ing tirelessly to prepare ammunition for the operating companies. Upon being assigned to Company B as a platoon commander, he immediately proved himself an efficient and able leader. During the drive at Chateau- Thierry his work was of the highest grade. On nu- merous occasions he volunteered for especially ardu- ous tasks, and carried them out most successfully. Throughout the Argonne-Meuse Battle his work was exceptionally brilliant. Although handicapped by the loss of many of his experienced men and being himself sick and suffering from bruises sustained by a shell ex- plosion, he continued to carry on, not only fighting his platoon in a masterly way, but in addition carrying on the liaison with the various infantry units to which he was attached, in a most diplomatic way. With no thought of self, he continued to lead his men until the 244 APPENDIX last day of the battle, continuously inspiring them to renewed efforts through his own courageous example. First Lieutenant Wesley R. Grasle. First Gas Regiment. Lieutenant Grasle has unselfishly and devotedly performed all of his duties as an officer, in the com- pany and on the line, since arriving in France on the loth of March, 191 8; without the least regard of per- sonal sacrifice. His record on the line shows one of entire devotion to the Service and duty; his work and guidance in the line work has been of the highest standard. He led his platoon and detachments safely through all engage- ments without regard for personal danger. He participated in the Chilteau-Thierry Drive, in the St. Mihiel offensive and all through the Argonne- Meuse offensive. On October 15 and 16 he installed and fired 237 C.G. gas projectors, on the Tenth French Colonial Di- vision's front, to project gas on the enemy-occupied areas in the vicinity of Ornes, without a casualty, al- though the vicinity of the position was heavily shelled. On November 6, 1918, while operating with the Fifth Division, and while leading his detachment of two platoons through Bois de Chatillon he found a com- pany of infantry separated from its officers. He re- organized this company, pushed through the woods, and connected up with the attacking companies on the left. In consideration of his thoughtful deeds and ability, together with willingness to accept responsibility as shown at all times, I therefore recommend that he be awarded the Distinguished Service Medal. APPENDIX 245 Second Lieutenant D. L. Hough. First Gas Regiment. He enlisted as a private, and his work from first joining the company was of such a nature as to indi- cate that he was a man of marked ability. No matter how trivial or disagreeable the task was, he performed it with equal willingness and efficiency. His rise in the ranks of a non-commissioned officer was rapid, and on every occasion he demonstrated his ability as a leader of men. His loyalty to his duty, his untiring efforts, and his invariably volunteering for service on every occasion that presented itself were marked. During the first week in September, the infantry in the Toul Sector suspected an enemy gas projector at- tack along their front. Neither patrol nor air recon- naissance could verify this. Volunteers were asked for to enter the enemy support lines and farther, if neces- sary, to examine this work. Lieutenant Hough volun- teered, and was one of the two men who entered the enemy lines with a half dozen infantry-men and, after examining the situation, returned safely to their lines. In both the St. Mihiel and Argonne-Meuse opera- tions, he was present with his platoon on every occa- sion. On October 3 a direct hit on a dugout occupied by the officers of the company made casualties of all of them and necessitated their evacuation to a hospi- tal. Lieutenant Hough, being the ranking non-com- missioned officer present at the time, immediately and effectively took command of the company without further orders, interviewed the officers of the division with which he was working, and, in accordance with their orders, made a reconnaissance, and completely 246 APPENDIX arranged for firing on the target which had been given him. He was in every operation undertaken by his com- pany up to the time he was sent for to attend the Offi- cers Training School at Hanlon Field. Master Engineer C. W. Ahrens. Regimental Hdqrs., First Gas Regiment. He has worked unselfishly and unsparingly for the interest of the service. He has continually volunteered to do work outside of his prescribed line of duty. Dur- ing the St. Mihiel Battle he worked day and night transporting ammunition and supplies to the men in the line, and it was largely due to his resourcefulness and pertinacity that Company D was able to make its brilliant showing. Throughout the Argonne-Meuse Battle, until completely worn out by sickness and fatigue, his work was even more valuable. On one oc- casion he walked over twenty miles at night through the mud to obtain a truck for rations, this after having worked continuously for the previous thirty-six hours. When enemy aircraft were flying low and machine- gunning the infantry, he assembled a platoon of Com- pany D and brought down one plane by rifle fire. His cheerful, willing disposition under most adverse condi- tions was an inspiration to the men. APPENDIX F LIST OF OFFICERS AND MEN I. Commissioned Personnel of Regimental Head- quarters and of First and Second Battalions at stated periods. Dec. 26, 1917 REGIMENTAL HEADQUARTERS Major E. J. Atkisson Commanding Officer Major George S. Weinberg Captain Charles P. Wood Adjutant Captain James E. Mills Engineer Officer 1st Lieut. Harris E. Dexter Supply Officer FIRST BATTALION HEADQUARTERS Major Louis E. Robbe Commanding Officer Captain John B. Stuart Adjutant Captain John B. Carlock Engineer Officer 1st Lieut. Nathaniel J. Owen Supply Officer COMPANY A Captain W. G. Gribbel Commanding Captain Roscoe C. Berlin 1st Lieut. A. J. A. Peterson 1st Lieut. Proal Judson, Jr. 1st Lieut. David Morey, Jr. 2nd Lieut. Alfred A. Bernheim 2nd Lieut. George Noble and Lieut. Joseph T. Hanlon 248 APPENDIX COMPANY B Captain George L. Watson Commanding Captain F. Walter Pond 1st Lieut. G. A. M. Schaefer 1st Lieut. Albert W. Paine 1st Lieut. Thomas H. Beddall 2nd Lieut. Henry Stoepker 2nd Lieut. Raymond Weakland 2nd Lieut. William H. Knox 2nd Lieut. Horace E. Hall \ COMPANY C Captain L. Lowenberg Commanding ist Lieut. C. S. Stevenson 1st Lieut. Paul H. Cordes 1st Lieut. James C. Webster 1st Lieut. Alfred C. Day 2nd Lieut. Scott Trammell COMPANY D Captain Arthur W. Geiger Commanding Captain Roscoe B. Dayton 1st Lieut. Harry W. Favre 1st Lieut. J. C. Feeley, Jr. 2nd Lieut. Duncan McA. Johnston 2nd Lieut. John A. Caldwell 2nd Lieut. Samuel A. Greenstone MEDICAL DETACHMENT Captain Phil J. Keizer Regimental Surgeon 1st Lieut. Paul L. Goss 1st Lieut. Jerome P. Webster 1st Lieut. Herve C. Manon Dental Surgeon 1st Lieut. John S. McKee APPENDIX 249 May 25, 1918 REGIMENTAL HEADQUARTERS Lieut.-Col. E. J. Atkisson Commanding Captain C. P. Wood Adjutant Captain J. E. Mills Engineer Officer Captain A. W. Geiger (Attached) 1st Lieut. H. E. Dexter Supply Officer 1st Lieut. J. T. Addison Chaplain 1st Lieut. A. A. Bernheim Personnel Officer FIRST BATTALION HEADQUARTERS Captain G. L. Watson Commanding 1st Lieut. Richard Catlett Adjutant 1st Lieut. A. J. A. Peterson Supply Officer 1st Lieut. Charles I. Dague Meteorological Officer 2nd Lieut. H. E. Hall Engineer Officer COMPANY A Captain W. G. Gribbel Commanding 1st Lieut. Proal Judson, Jr. 1st Lieut. David Morey, Jr. 1st Lieut. Edward Steidle 1st Lieut. Edward V. Wetmore 1st Lieut. George Noble 2nd Lieut. Edward M. Robinson 2nd Lieut. S. A. Greenstone COMPANY B Captain J. B. Carlock Commanding 1st Lieut. Ben Perris 1st Lieut. A. W. Paine 1st Lieut. T. H. Beddall 1st Lieut. Henry Stoepker 2nd Lieut. W. R. Grasle 2^0 APPENDIX 2nd Lieut. J. T. Hanlon 2nd Lieut. H. J. Bash PROVISIONAL BATTALION HEADQUARTERS Major L. E. Robbe Commanding Captain J. B. Stuart Acting Engineer Officer 1st Lieut. F. L. Ahern Acting Adjutant and Supply Officer COMPANY C Captain Harold W. Sibert Commanding 1st Lieut. P. H. Cordes 1st Lieut. J. C. Webster; 1st Lieut. A. C. Day 1st Lieut. Raymond Weakland 2nd Lieut. D. M. Johnston 2nd Lieut. Edward W. CoUedge (Attached) COMPANY D Captain R. C. Berlin Commanding 1st Lieut. H. W. Favre 1st Lieut. J. C. Feeley, Jr. 1st Lieut. N. J. Owen 1st Lieut. N. T. Sellman t 2nd Lieut. W. H. Knox 2nd Lieut. Edwin Smiley MEDICAL DETACHMENT Captain P. J. Keizer Regimental Surgeon 1st Lieut. P. L. Goss 1st Lieut. J. P. Webster 1st Lieut. H. C. Manon Dental Surgeon 1st Lieut. J. S. McKee Second Battalion Headquarters, Company E and Company F, in United States. APPENDIX 251 Sept. 12, 1918 REGIMENTAL HEADQUARTERS Colonel E. J. Atkisson Lieut. -Col. R. W. Crawford Captain J. E. Mills Captain H. E. Dexte. Captain N. L. Roberts, M.C., R.F.A. 1st Lieut. J. C. Feeley, Jr. 1st Lieut. J. T. Addison 1st Lieut. A. A. Bernheim 2nd Lieut. F. C. Hamilton Commanding Engineer Officer Supply Officer (Attached) Adjutant Chaplain Personnel Officer Assistant Adjutant FIRST BATTALION HEADQUARTERS Major G. L. Watson Captain J. T. McNamee, M.C., R.F.A. 1st Lieut. T. H. Beddall 1st Lieut. A. J. A. Peterson 2nd Lieut. H. E. Hall COMPANY A Captain Walter F. Pond 1st Lieut. Proal Judson, Jr. 1st Lieut. George Noble 1st Lieut. N. T. Sellman 2nd Lieut. William C. Cooper 2nd Lieut. Fred C. Campbell 2nd Lieut. F. L. Firebaugh 2nd Lieut. Blake A. Williams Commanding (Attached) Adjutant Supply Officer Engineer Officer Commanding COMPANY C Captain L. Lowenberg 1st Lieut. J. C. Webster 1st Lieut. A. C. Day 1st Lieut. Raymond Weakland 1st Lieut. N. J. Owen Commanding 2_J2 APPENDIX 1st Lieut. E. V. Wetmore 2nd Lieut. E. W. Colledge 2nd Lieut. Eugene W. Everett COMPANY E Captain R. B. Dayton Commanding 1st Lieut. A. W. Paine 1st Lieut. R. B. Richardson 1st Lieut. J. V. Fleming 2nd Lieut. R. H. Hitchins 2nd Lieut. G. C. Burr 2nd Lieut. E. M. Robinson COMPANY F Captain Hiram J. Carson Commanding 1st Lieut. Edward Steidle 1st Lieut. Edward B. Blanchard 1st Lieut. H. C. Shockley 1st Lieut. Scott Trammell 2nd Lieut. D. M. Johnston 2nd Lieut. W. R. Grasle 2nd Lieut. W. A. Dozier SECOND BATTALION HEADQUARTERS Major J. B. Carlock Commanding Captain J. C. Akers Engineer Officer Captain D. M. Wilson, M.C., R.E. (Attached) 1st Lieut. H. H. Corson Adjutant 2nd Lieut. S. A. Greenstone Supply Officer COMPANY B 1st Lieut. Ben Ferris Commanding 1st Lieut. R. S. Tucker 1st Lieut. E. E. Luder 1st Lieut. R. H. Catlett 1st Lieut. C. L Dague APPENDIX 253 2nd Lieut. H. J. Bash 2nd Lieut. W. B. Miller 2nd Lieut. M. H. Zwicker 2nd Lieut. Thomas Jabine COMPANY D Captain R. C. Berlin Commanding 1st Lieut. H. W. Favre 2nd Lieut. W. H. Knox 2nd Lieut. P. A. Rideout 2nd Lieut. R. C. Swarts 2nd Lieut. C. E. Williams 2nd Lieut. Edwin Smiley MEDICAL DETACHMENT Captain P. J. Keizer ,; Regimental Surgeon 1st Lieut. P. L, Goss 1 1st Lieut. J. P. Webster 1st Lieut. H. C. Manon Dental Surgeon 1st Lieut. J. S. McKee Sept. 26, 1918 REGIMENTAL HEADQUARTERS Colonel E. J. Atkisson Commanding Lieut.-Col. R. W. Crawford Captain J. E. Mills Engineer Officer Captain H, E. Dexter Supply Officer Captain N. L. Roberts, M.C., R.F.A. (Attached) 1st Lieut. J. C. Feeley, Jr. Adjutant 1st Lieut. H. H. Corson Personnel Officer 1st Lieut. J. T, Addison Chaplain 2nd Lieut. F. C. Hamilton Assistant Adjutant FIRST BATTALION HEADQUARTERS Captain J. C. Akers Commanding Captain J. T. McNamee, M.C., R.F.A. (Attached) ^ 254 APPENDIX 1st Lieut. T. H. Beddall Adjutant 1st Lieut. A. J. A. Peterson Supply Officer COMPANY C Captain L. Lowenberg Commanding Captain W. M. Page (Attached) 1st Lieut. N. J. Owen 1st Lieut. R. Weakland 1st Lieut. E. V. Wetmore 1st Lieut. A. C. Day 2nd Lieut. J. B. Brumhall 2nd Lieut. E. W. Colledge 2nd Lieut. E. W. Everett 2nd Lieut. Thomas Jabine COMPANY E Captain R. B. Dayton Commanding 1st Lieut. A. W. Paine 1st Lieut. J. V. Fleming 2nd Lieut. E. M. Robinson 2nd Lieut. R. H. Hitchins i 2nd Lieut. G. C. Burr 2nd Lieut. L. Thompson 2nd Lieut. L. L. LeVeque SECOND BATTALION HEADQUARTERS Major J. B. Carlock Commanding Captain D. M. Wilson, M.C., R.E. (Attached) 1st Lieut. J. D. Morgan Adjutant 2nd Lieut. S. A. Greenstone Supply Officer COMPANY B 1st Lieut. Ben Perris Commanding 1st Lieut. R. S. Tucker 1st Lieut. E. E. Luder 1st Lieut. C. L Dague , APPENDIX 255 2nd Lieut. H. J. Bash 2nd Lieut. W. B. Miller 2nd Lieut. M. H. Zwicker ' COMPANY D 1st Lieut. Edward Steidle Commanding 2nd Lieut. W. H. Knox 2nd Lieut. Edwin Smiley 2nd Lieut. P. A. Rideout 2nd Lieut. C. F. Williams 2nd Lieut. R. C. Swarts PROVISIONAL BATTALION HEADQUARTERS Captain R. C. Berlin Commanding 2nd Lieut. E. R. Acker Adjutant 2nd Lieut. S. L. Menefee Supply Officer COMPANY A Captain W. F. Pond Commanding 1st Lieut. Proal Judson, Jr. 1st Lieut. George Noble 1st Lieut. N. T. Sellman 1st Lieut. R. H. Catlett 2nd Lieut. F. L. Firebaugh 2nd Lieut. W. C. Cooper 2nd Lieut. B. A. Williams 2nd Lieut. F. C. Campbell COMPANY F Captain H. J. Carson Commanding 1st Lieut. Scott Trammel! 1st Lieut. H. G. Shockley 2nd Lieut. W. A. Dozier 2nd Lieut. W. R. Grasle 2nd Lieut. D. M. Johnston 2nd Lieut. E. B. Blanchard 256 APPENDIX MEDICAL DETACHMENT Captain P. J. Keizer Regimental Surgeon 1st Lieut. P. L. Goss 1st Lieut. J. P. Webster 1st Lieut. H. C. Manon Dental Surgeon 1st Lieut. J. S. McKee Nov. II, 1918 REGIMENTAL HEADQUARTERS Colonel E. J. Atkisson Lieut.-Col. C. K. Rockwell Captain J. E. Mills Captain H. E. Dexter Captain J. T. McNamee, M.C., R.F.A. Captain N. L. Roberts, M.C., R.F.A. Captain R. W. Balfe Captain G. J. Sielaff Captain H. H. Corson Captain J. T. Taylor 1st Lieut. J. T. Addison 1st Lieut. E. L. Sands Commanding Engineer Officer Supply Officer (Attached) (Attached) Adjutant Asst. Engr. Officer Personnel Adjutant Asst. Supply Officer Chaplain Chaplain FIRST BATTALION HEADQUARTERS Major L. Lowenberg Commanding COMPANY E Captain R. B. Dayton 1st Lieut. E. M. Robinson 2nd Lieut. L. L. LeVeque 2nd Lieut. L. Thompson 2nd Lieut. C. Cobern 2nd Lieut. P. M. Nutty 2nd Lieut. G. C. Burr Commanding J Special Company, R.E., B.E.F. (Attached) APPENDIX 257 SECOND BATTALION HEADQUARTERS Major J. B. Carlock Commanding 1st Lieut. S. A. Greenstone Acting Adjutant and Supply Officer COMPANY B Captain Ben Perris 1st Lieut. R. S. Tucker 1st Lieut. H. J. Bash 1st Lieut. H. E. Stump 1st Lieut. C. L Dague ' 2nd Lieut. W. B. Miller 2nd Lieut. W. B. Adams Commanding COMPANY D 1st Lieut. Bernard O'Brien 1st Lieut. W. H. Knox 1st Lieut. C. F. Williams 1st Lieut. Eugene Sibert 1st Lieut. S. Cutler 1st Lieut. M. L. Lambert Commanding FIRST PROVISIONAL BATTALION HEADQUARTERS Major W. M. Page Commanding 1st Lieut. F. L. Ahem Adjutant 1st Lieut. S. L. Menefee Supply Officer 1st Lieut. E. E. Luder Engineer Officer COMPANY C Major W. F. Lockwood 1st Lieut. T. H. Beddall 1st Lieut. R. A. Brodesser 1st Lieut. C. L. Higbee 1st Lieut. R. W. Millar 1st Lieut. U. A. Lavery Commanding 258 APPENDIX COMPANY F Captain J. C. Feeley, Jr. Commanding 1st Lieut. E. R. Acker 1st Lieut. D. M. Johnston 1st Lieut. W. R. Grasle 1st Lieut. J. C. Murray 1st Lieut. C. D. Wadsworth 1st Lieut. E. L. O'Meara 2nd Lieut. W. A. Dozier SECOND PROVISIONAL BATTALION HEADQUARTERS Lieut.-Col. S. Bunker, R. E. Commanding Captain M. Thomas, R. E. Adjutant COMPANY A Captain J. D. Morgan Commanding 1st Lieut. H. C. Shockley 1st Lieut. Edwin Smiley 1st Lieut. J. B. Donoho 2nd Lieut. F. C. Campbell 2nd Lieut. B. A. Williams F, D, and Z Special Companies, R.E., B.E.F. (Attached) MEDICAL DETACHMENT Captain P. J. Keizer Regimental Surgeon Captain J. S. McKee 1st Lieut. J. P. Webster 1st Lieut. H. C. Manon Dental Surgeon Dec. 6, 1918 REGIMENTAL HEADQUARTERS Colonel E. J. Atkisson Commanding Major J. B, Carlock APPENDIX 259 Engineer Officer Supply Officer Adjutant Asst. Engr. Officer Personnel Adjutant Asst. Supply Officer Chaplain Chaplain Captain J. E. Mills Captain H. E. Dexter Captain T. W. Balfe Captain G. J. Sielaff Captain H. H. Corson Captain J. T. Taylor 1st Lieut. J. T. Addison 1st Lieut. E. L. Sands 1st Lieut. R. S. Tucker 1st Lieut. H. J. Bash 2nd Lieut. F. C. Campbell 2nd Lieut. J. W. Polkinghorn FIRST BATTALION HEADQUARTERS Captain Edward Steidle Commanding 1st Lieut. T. H. Beddall Adjutant ^ 1st Lieut. S. A. Greenstone Supply Officer ^ 2nd Lieut. S. W. Griffith Engineer Officer COMPANY A Captain J. D. Morgan 1st Lieut. H. G. Shockley 1st Lieut. Edwin Smiley 1st Lieut. W. C. Cooper 2nd Lieut. B. A. Williams 2nd Lieut. R. C. Comley 2nd Lieut. Arthur W. Jones 2nd Lieut. G. W. Neal 2nd Lieut. W. C. Howe Commanding COMPANY B Captain Ben Perris 1st Lieut. Henry Stoepker 1st Lieut. J. Donoho 1st Lieut. E. M. Robinson 1st Lieut. H. E. Stump Commanding 26o APPENDIX 1st Lieut. C. I. Dague 2nd Lieut. W. B. Miller 2nd Lieut. W. D. Adams 2nd Lieut. F. E. Blair 2nd Lieut. A. A. Aardal COMPANY C 1st Lieut. E. R. Acker Commanding 1st Lieut. S. L. Menefee 1st Lieut. C. L. Higbee 1st Lieut. R. W. Millar 1st Lieut. U. A. La very 2nd Lieut. W. A. Dozier 2nd Lieut. H. K. Seeley 2nd Lieut. R. L Griffin SECOND BATTALION HEADQUARTERS Major L. Lowenberg Commanding 1st Lieut. J. C. Webster Adjutant 1st Lieut. R. A. Brodesser Supply Officer 2nd Lieut. Rhys Carter Engineer Officer COMPANY D 1st Lieut. Bernard O'Brien Commanding 1st Lieut. W. H. Knox 1st Lieut. C. F. Williams 1st Lieut. Eugene Sibert 1st Lieut. M, L. Lambert 1st Lieut. D. M. Johnston 2nd Lieut. H. K. Reed 2nd Lieut. H. M. Rayner 2nd Lieut. Robert Brantley COMPANY E Captain R. B. Dayton Commanding Captain E. E. Luder APPENDIX 261 2nd Lieut. L. L. LeVeque 2nd Lieut. Lauren Thompson 2nd Lieut. Camden Cobern 2nd Lieut. P. M. Nutty 2nd Lieut. G. C. Burr 2nd Lieut. P. F. Mousby COMPANY F Captain J. C. Feeley, Jr. Commanding 1st Lieut. W. R. Grasle ^ 1st Lieut. J. C. Murray 1st Lieut. C. D. Wadsworth 1st Lieut. E. L. O'Meara 2nd Lieut. M. H. Zwicker 2nd Lieut. H. D. Krebs 2nd Lieut. E. H. Syms MEDICAL DETACHMENT Captain P. J. Keizer Regimental Surgeon Captain J. S. McKee 1st Lieut. J. P. Webster 1st Lieut. H. C. Manon Dental Surgeon 2. List of Officers of First and Second Battalions with their rank when last serving with those units. Aardal, Albert A. Second Lieut. C.W.S. Acker, Ernest R. First Lieut. C.W.S. Adams, W. B. Second Lieut. C.W.S. Addison, James T. First Lieut. (Chaplain) i Ahern, F. L. First Lieut. C.W.S. Akers, James C. Captain, C.W.S. Alley, John Major, Infantry Atkisson, Earl J. Colonel, Engineers Balfe, Thomas W. Captain, C.W.S. Bash, Harold J. First Lieut. C.W.S. 262 APPENDIX Beddall, Thomas H. Berlin, Roscoe C. Bernheim, Alfred A. Blair, Flay E. Blanchard, Edward B. Borden, Howard C. Brantley, Robert Brodesser, R. A. Brumhall, John H. Burr, George C. Caldwell, John A. Campbell, Fred C. Carlock, John B. Carson, Hiram J. Carter, Rhys E. Catlett, Richard H. Cobern, Camden Colledge, Edward W. Comley, Roy C. Conard, F. U. Cooper, William C. Cordes, Paul H. Corson, Harold H. Crawford, Robert W. Cutler, Sewall Dague, Charles I. Day, Alfred C. Dayton, Roscoe B. Devlin, F. C. Dexter, Harris E. Donoho, James B, Douglas, Stephen A. Dozier, William A. Everett, Eugene W.^ Favre Harry W- First Lieut. C.W.S. Captain, C.W.S. First Lieut. C.W.S. Second Lieut. C.W.S. First Lieut. C.W.S. Captain, Engineers Second Lieut. C.W.S. First Lieut. C.W.S. Second Lieut. Engineers Second Lieut. Engineers Second Lieut. Engineers Second Lieut. C.W.S. Major, C.W.S. Captain, C.W.S. Second Lieut. C.W.S. First Lieut. C.W.S. Second Lieut. Infantry Second Lieut. C.W.S. Second Lieut. C.W.S. First Lieut. E.R.C. First Lieut. C.W.S. First Lieut. Engineers Captain, C.W.S. Lieut.-Colonel, C.W.S. First Lieut. C.W.S. First Lieut. C.W.S. First Lieut. C.W.S. Captain, C.W.S. Second Lieut. C.W.S. Captain, C.W.S. First Lieut. C.W.S. Captain, E.R.C. Second Lieut. C.W.S. Second Lieut. C.W.S. Captain, C.W.S. Deceased. APPENDIX 263 Feeley, John C, Jr. Firebaugh, Frederick L. Fleming, John V.^ Geiger, Arthur W. Goodrich, William Goss, Paul L.^ Grasle, W. R. Greenstone, Samuel A. Gribbel, W. G. Griffin, R. I. Griffith, Shelby N. Hall, Horace E. Hamilton, Frank C. Hanlon, Joseph T.^ Hardesty, G. R. Higbee, C. W. Hitchens, Robert H. Hough, David L. Howe, W. C. . Jabine, Thomas Johnston, Duncan McA. Jones, Arthur W. Judson, Proal, Jr. Keizer, Phil J. Kelly, Patrick '. Knapp, Ralph Knox, W. H. Kobbe, William H. Krebs, Harry D. Lambert, M. L. Lavery, U. A. LeVeque, L. L. Lockwood, W. G. Lowenberg, Laurent Luder, Earl E. Captain, C.W.S. ^ First Lieut. C.W.S. First Lieut. C.W.S. Captain, E.R.C. First Lieut. E.R.C. First Lieut. M.R.C. First Lieut. C.W.S. First Lieut. C.W.S. Captain, E.R.C. Second Lieut. C.W.S. Second Lieut. C.W.S. Second Lieut. C.W.S. Second Lieut. C.W.S. Second Lieut. E.R.C. Captain, E.R.C. First Lieut. C.W.S. Second Lieut. C.W.S. Second Lieut. C.W.S. Second Lieut. C.W.S. Second Lieut. Engineers First Lieut. C.W.S. Second Lieut. C.W.S. First Lieut. C.W.S. Captain, M.R.C. Second Lieut. C.W.S. Second Lieut. E.R.C. First Lieut. C.W.S. Captain E.R.C. Second Lieut. C.W.S. First Lieut. C.W.S. First Lieut. C.W.S. Second Lieut. C.W.S. Major, C.W.S. Major, C.W.S. ' Captain, C.W.S. ^ Deceased. 264 APPENDIX McKee, John S. McNamee, J. T. Malinka, Henry Manon, Herve C. Menefee, S. L. Millar, Russel W. Miller, William B. Mills, James E. Morgan, John D. Morey, David, Jr. Mousby, Paul F. Murray, C. J. Neal, G. W. Neeley, C. H. Noble, George Nutty, P. M. O'Brien, Bernard. O'Meara, E. L. Owen, Nathaniel J.^ Page, William M. Paine, Albert W. Perris, Ben Peterson, Alfred J. A. Polkinghorn, John W. Pond, Walter F. Pope, Frederick W. Rayner, Harry M. Reed, Harry K. Rhode, Leo M. Richardson, C. E. Richardson, Ralph B. Rideout, P. A.^ Robbe, Louis E. Roberg, P. E. Roberts, N. L. Captain, M.R.C. Captain, M.C., R.F.A., B.E.F, First Lieut. E.R.C. First Lieut. M.R.C. First Lieut. C.W.S. First Lieut. C.W.S. First Lieut. C.W.S. Major, C.W.S. Captain, C.W.S. First Lieut. Engineers Second Lieut. C.W.S. First Lieut. C.W.S. Second Lieut. C.W.S.*^ Second Lieut. C.W.S. First Lieut. C.W.S. Second Lieut. C.W.S. • First Lieut. C.W.S. First Lieut. C.W.S. First Lieut. C.W.S. Major, C.W.S. Captain, C.W.S. Captain, C.W.S. First Lieut. C.W.S. Second Lieut. C.W.S. Captain, C.W.S. Captain, E.R.C. Second Lieut. C.W.S. Second Lieut. C.W.S. Captain, C.W.S. First Lieut. E.R.C. First Lieut. Engineers Second Lieut. C.W.S. Major, E.R.C. Captain, M.R.C. Captain, M.C., R.F.A., B.E.F. Deceased. APPENDIX 265 Robinson, Edward M. Rockwell, C. K. Rust, John D. Sands, E. L. Schaefer, G. A. M. Schurr, H. B. Scott, W. E. Seeley, H. K. Shockley, Harry G. Sellman, N. T. Sibert, Eugene Sibert, Harold W. Sielaflf, G. J. Simpson, C. C. Smiley, Edwin Stanwick, Charles A. Steidle, Edward Stevenson, C. S. St. John, Adrian Stoepker, Henry Stuart, John Bruce Stump, Horace E. Swarts, R. C. Syms, E. H. Taylor, J. T. Thompson, L. Trammell, Scott Tucker, Rufus S. Twohey, J. C. Voge, A. L. Wadsworth, C. D. Watson, George L. Weakland, Raymond Webster, J. C. Webster, Jerome P. Weinberg, George S. First Lieut. C.W.S. Lieut. -Colonel C.W.S. Captain, E.R.C. First Lieut. (Chaplain) '•• First Lieut. Engineers Second Lieut. C.W.S. Second Lieut. Engineers Second Lieut. C.W.S. First Lieut. C.W.S. First Lieut. C.W.S. First Lieut. C.W.S. Captain, Engineers Captain, C.W.S. Captain, E.R.C. First Lieut. C.W.S. Second Lieut. E.R.C. Captain, C.W.S. Captain, E.R.C. Captain, Cavalry First Lieut. C.W.S. Captain, C.W.S. First Lieut. C.W.S. Second Lieut. C.W.S. Second Lieut. C.W.S. Captain, Cavalry Second Lieut. C.W.S. First Lieut. C.W.S. First Lieut. C.W.S. First Lieut. C.W.S. Captain, E.R.C. First Lieut. C.W.S. Major, C.W.S. First Lieut. C.W.S. First Lieut. C.W.S. First Lieut. M.C. Major, E.R.C. 266 APPENDIX Wetmore, Edward V. Williams, Blake A. Williams, C. F. Williams, H. C.i Wilson, D. N. Wood, Charles P. Zwicker, M. H. First Lieut. C.W.S. Second Lieut. C.W.S. First Lieut. C.W.S. First Lieut. C.W.S. Captain, M.C., R.E., B.E.F. Captain, E.R.C. Second Lieut. Engineers 3. List of men in First and Second Battalions ^ with their ranks when last serving with those units.' REGIMENTAL HEADQUARTERS DETACHMENT Regimental Sergeants-Major Foley, James M. Killam, Walter H. Welcher, Eugene P. MO'Ster Engineers Senior Grade Hincken, Robert E. Pond, Henry V. Rupert, Karl C. Master Engineer Junior Grade Stansbury, Irvin E. Regimental Supply Sergeants Collins, Gilbert L. Smith, Mercer M. Sergeants Brant, Walter B. Carn, Fred L. Crowe, Edgar J. Daugherty, Albert C. Garrett, Hugh C. Hatton, Valentine. Kuhlthau, Miles H. McPherson, Daniel L. Wagoners Delaney, Frank L. Hamel, Wilfred J. , Turck, Pierre Cooks Dockins, Orme ^ Sullivan, William H. Privates First Class Clark, Newell A. Heimlich, Charles Hofifman, Burton N. Lappin, Frank L. Meinhardt, Walter J. ^ Deceased. 2 Men's names will usually be found in the unit to which they were last assigned. If you do not find them there, try elsewhere. 3 Some promotions made after reaching Camp Kendrick are not noted. APPENDIX 267 Privates Corrigan, John F. Dunn, Arthur F. Gill, George V. Glossa, Frank J. Hoflfbauer, Walter F. Holton, Albert L. Hood, Raymond M. Joyce, John R. Kearney, Francis X. Litts, L. S. Martin, Charles May, Edward C. Mead, Winfield D. Potts, William K. Tibbetts, Wesley H. Wells, Glenn H. FIRST BATTALION HEADQUARTERS DETACHMENT Master Engineer Senior Grade Ahrens, Clyde William Allen, F. L.^ Master Engineer Junior Grade Craig, Harvey Clarence Battalion Sergeants-Major Snelsire, Joseph A.^ West, Walter W. Battalion Supply Sergeant Cooley, Charles R. Sergeants Carson, Alexander R. Weidman, Oliver H. Wilkerson, R. H. Corporals Bailey, Harry E. Perkins, Melville F. Wagoner Bousquet, Pierre H. Cooks Evans, Robert F. Morgan, William E. Mechanics Fewer, Walter S. Kelling, George H. Pelletier, Alfred G. Sabins, Lyle A. Privates First Class Crippen, Harley B. LePage, Wade G. Rothrock, Jess S. Wilkes, Frederick H. Zuercher, Jerome C. Privates Abbitt, Ray E. Adams, Clinton E. ' Boyle, Harry Edwards, Myron J. Grover, Edward Roy Johnson, Glenn E. Kirkwood, James Kossmehl, Oscar H. Robinson, Aaron C. Spitzer, Exiward A. Stanley, Russell C. Stebbins, Ralph L. Deceased. 268 APPENDIX Straub, John G. Thelen, Gustave A. Thomas, Harry White, Carl Williams, Ray G. Wilson, Eldon H. COMPANY A First Sergeant Reed, Harry Elden Sergeants First Class Chaffin, Pierce V. Cobun, Walter H. Farren, John M. McConnell, Lewis D. McDonald, John F. Schaaf, Edward A. Mess Sergeants Patton, G. S.i Stauf, Fred L. Supply Sergeant Hense, Otto Paul Sergeants Blair, Millard F. Breitung, Charles A. Chatty, Arthur Dougherty, Wallace R. Eastman, Clifford I. Fleming, Frank L. Graves, John C. Hanauer, William E. Knouff, A. R.i McDonald, H. C. McGinnis, Thomas P. O'Connor, Edwin Pfann, Elmer Charles Westmoreland, John W Williams, Paul E. Wright, M. F. Corporals Arthur, Charles E. Bailey, Frederick Bamper, John W. Bonner, Barney E. Brockway, George H. Carlson, George W. Church, Calvin J. Clark, Thomas G. Davis, John Dilks, Joseph N. Dodd, Joseph C* Dudley, Ira Bean. Dumas, William A. Eastland, Van O. Fischer, Henry Hughes, Joseph F. Irwin, Frank R. Jepsen, Edwin Jewett, Henry C. Jordon, John P. Lewis, Howard A. Marks, Robert E. Maurer, George McDermott, Leo A. McKee, Edward R. Meyers, Joseph L. Morris, Louis M. Mulcahy, Daniel J. Murphy, Howard F. Nay, Orin E. Deceased. APPENDIX 269 Postle, William Richardson, William Rodgers, Karl F. Schmidt, Charles J. Sween, Olaf J. Whalen, James Williams, Ira Wilson, Overton S. Zick, William J. Horseshoer Phillips, William H. Saddler Carey, John C. Wagoners Carey, Edward Thomas Davis, Leonard J. Martin, Howard C. Molesworth, Roger W. Schrader, Norman Ray Seaton, Leslie F. Cooks Cain, John Christian, Albert H. Hicks, George William Parrish, Henry Smith, Audrey H. Spiers, Richard Williams, John Bugler Scharch, Ellis J. Privates First Class Armstrong, Harry H. Bandlow, George L. Basenger, Samson Beard, Ralph F. Bell, George N. Bjork, Henry Bond, Clifton B. Brown^ George C. Brown, Lennia Burns, James Buxton, Bernard C* Carhart, C. C. Carter, Edward C. Casey, Frank W. Chagnon, A. H. Chappell, Francis R. Clark, William L. Connor, William Cooner, John D. Cullin, Edward J. Curriden, Harry Dean, George S. Desjardines, Irenne Dinsmoor, Daniel S. Dixon, John N. Eitel, Charles A. Farmer, Ula R. Fearon, James Ferguson, Arthur France, Harry D. Froelick, Edward F. Giguere, Wilfred Gorrow, Mitchell G. Graham, William J. Hass, Walter H.^ Heck, John R. Hitchcock, James E. Johnson, James F. kidd, Mitchell T. Deceased. 270 APPENDIX Kinder, Ralph F. Kirkwood, Joy Latoski, Joseph P. Lawton, Frederick Lee, William Edward Libby, Philip N. Mahoney, David F. McKee, J. T. McKnight, Richard McNeil, Archie Moe, Claude P. Mohn, Newton C. Moore, Jewell E. Neal, Henry W. Nott, Charles L. Olive, Fred James Pawlak, John Poore, Leon Proctor, William Pryor, William J. Quig, Joseph B. Reade, Allen C. Revelle, Frank Rice, Leon S. Richards, B. J. Rutkowski, Joseph Shea, Thomas A. Sheerin, Michael Smith, A. M. Smith, Alfred M. , Stone, Everett Sutton, Harry R. ^ Tench, Robert C. Tunny, James P. Turner, Walter M. West, John J. Privates Abildgaard, Raymond R. Adams, Frank Chester Allen, Norman D. Amner, Charles N. Ansalone, John A. Babcock, James A. Baker, William P. Balensiefer, Julius Banner, Lionel A. Barry, John Beckner, Orville O. Beer, William O. Bell, Clifton Benton, Borin R. Bernard, August L. Billups, Paul H. Bishop, Noble H. Blackwell, Wilson M. Boisvert, Ernest Bond, Walter E. Bonney, Guy E. Bowe, Charles H. Brandt, Oscar A. Brean, Nicholas Broderick, William E. Brown, Harry J. Bruno, Louis Buckley, Michael Burns, James L Byer, Charles W. ,' Cade, John E. Campfield, Floyd ; Carey, Michael Carson, Henry Morton Clark, James W. APPENDIX 271 Clark, Roscoe E. ' Clinton, Harry C. Conlon, Emmett P. Coon, Perry T. Cotter, Louis J. Curtis, Jasper G. , Digney, Joseph ^ DiMayo, Robert Dodson, Manon W. Domler, ClifTord H. Eagan, Anthony Eddy, Hercy R. Ellis, Robert Ely, Austin L. Ewers, William A. ^ Fairhill, Lester E. Fenlason, Harris Ferguson, Frank M. BJ Flynn, Edmund D. Foster, Thomas E. French, Russell A. French, Walter A. Garr, Russell E. Geston, Mathew Gill, Charles F. Glass, Charles Godbold, John F. Gordon, Charles W. Grace, Harry Grayshon, Alfred B. v^ Greene, Perez W. Guilliambordo, Guisto Gulich, Leeds Hansen, Alfred A. H. Hansen, O. A.^ Harbert, Otto A. Harrigan, Charles R. Harrington, Carl L. Harrison, Ivan Roy Hester, Clarence Honack, William J. Honegger, Arthur H. Horrigan, Arthur Howe, Bertin Hubbard, McKinley Hughes, Arthur R. Hunter, Lawrence Johnson, Carl V. E. Jordon, Rodney V. Julleis, Joseph L. Kakascik, Ambrose F. Kearns, Joseph E. I King, E. A. Klauber, Lester Knollin, Loyal C. ' . Kranik, Frank Larson, Edwin Lawrence, Edwin J. Layden, Edward L. Leacock, William J. Lee, Asia A. Lenzini, Michael Leopold, Walter Livingston, Lawrence Lohse, E. D. Lowey, Martin J. Lynch, Frank, Jr. Lynn, Otto Magee, Patrick H. Mallory, H. Deceased. 272 APPENDIX Matthew, Robert M. McConville, Michael J. McCoy, E. P. McCray, Fred J. . McCullough, Perl J. Mcintosh, George J. McLean, Bayden P. McMahan, William E. McPherson, Colon Francis Metsker, Charles B. Middlemiss, John K. Miller, Roy R. Miller, Wyatt A. Mills, E. R.i Mills, Harry C. Minoprio, Arthur J. Mitchell, Orville M. Moriarity, Joseph J. Morrell, William M. Mosher, Hugh H. Moulds, A. R. Multer, Hugh J. Murray, James L. Nastad, John P. Newcomb, Theron Niles, Leland W. Nohilly, Joseph E. Nygaard, Oscar C. Oisten, Jesse L. Oliver, Charles C. Parker, John W. Pazdowski, William Peratta, Peter L. Peterson, A. G. Peterson, Victor Pollard, Claude B. • Povaelatas, Anthony Powers, Owen J. Pritchett, Charles C. Reilly, William P. Robinson, William S. Ross, Charles J. Ross, William E. Rudy, Henry r Russell, Joseph ^ Russo, George B. Sanders, Robert Schardin, Emory N. Scott, Robert A. Scully, Edward J. Seebeck, Charles O. Seeley, Archie L. Senkivitch, Konstant , Shanks, James Shine, Roland O. Shrott, Reuben Silvers, William L. Smith, Arthur L. Smith, Henry A. Smith, Robert W. Snelsire, Paul A. Snider, George L. Spasiano, Augustine Sutch, Andrew Thompson, John Thompson, John T. H. Tonner, Hugh A. Torok, August M. Towey, Martin, J. Trabue, Wilfred C. » Deceased. APPENDIX 273 Trosello, Minote P. Trowbridge, Wilbur P. True, John T. Turner, Henry VanBeuren, William A. Vaughin, Noal R. Vivian, Edgar W. Walker, Ira Walker, Russel T. Watson, Charles C. Weaver, Frederick G. Weese, Lloyd A. Wener, Sam Whipple, Leroy M.^ White, M. W. Wien, Gilbert Wood, Lawrence D. Wood, Neal E. Yant, Paul A. Young, Charles A. Zasple, Frank A. COMPANY B Master Engineers Junior Grade Frink, Ellis P. Morgan, Henry A. Wolcott, Arthur B. First Sergeant Hime, Gilbert L. Sergeants First Class Bailey, Earl H. Dogherty, James M. Hensley, Seth A. Huggins, Charles N. Martin, John J. Officer, Robert H. Mess Sergeant Gannon, George Supply Sergeant Hawthorne, Albert W. Sergeants Blakeslee, P. C. Connors, Charles J. Costello, Joseph J. Higginbottom, Harold J. MacDougall, John McCoy, Howard L. Mercer, Benjamin F. Nelson, Thomas Steiwer, William H. Taylor, James C. Tozier, Daniel P. Corporals Baker, Noris O. Beck, Weaver O. Conroy, Edward J. Evans, William F. Hansen, Henry M. Haskins, Charles E. Honack, Henry A. Keber, Henry Kunst, Simon Lewis, Bert Lewis, H. A. Logan, Aubrey E. MacNeil, Paul W. Deceased. 274 APPENDIX Manness, Bailey B. Mathieson, John T. Montgomery, Edward Morrison, William H. Nielsen, Henry E. Penland, J. H. Pfaff , John E. Plunkett, T. B. Quinn, Walter F. Regan, Leonard Ring, J. J. Roberts, George D. d'Romtra, Percy Schweitzer, Roland C. Shappel, Leonidas M. Slamon, J. B.^ Smith, H. N. Smith, Perry C. Staples, Ralph S. Swetland, Glenn L. Taylor, Virgil M. Terpstra, Dominicus Welton, Elden E. Wagoners Justice, Johnson Moody, Bernhard H. Moody, George C. Soderquist, Paul W. Steiger, William B. Woodward, William H. Cooks Breiling, Fred Murphy, Jerry J. Smith, Ralph C. Weil, Lester Buglers Foglietta, Emile D. P, Ross, L. E. Vaughn, Charles J. Privates First Class Ahl, Kinley P. Becht, Howell Beesley, Ellis, Jr. Bird, Thomas Bleight, John C.^ Bradley, Edward B. Buchanan, Samuel D. Cohen, Nathan Cohen, Samuel Conn, Clifford C. Cottrell, Theodore Culey, Joseph B. Cunniff, Leo C. Daymude, Ernest L. Dimond, Leonard Dowling, Fred H. Doyle, Edward F. Edwards, Henry C. Graham, John S. Gray, George C.^ Grimm, Emile G. Guinn, Raymond J. Hamilton, Robert Hauflaire, Henry J. Heim, William Hix, Robert H. Hyneman, Ray Jackson, Clifford S. Jones, Clyde L. Jones, David B. Deceased. APPENDIX 275 Keys, Paul M. Lally, Eugene Lawler, William J. LeFort, Henry B. Lussier, Walter J. Lyons, Arthur L. McCrea, Truman H. McDonough, James J. McGrail, Leo A. McMahon, John J. Mahoney, David F. Marlowe, John J. Meinert, William J. Messier, Thomas B. Murphy, John E. Murray, William A. Musser, Albert M. Neal, William K.i O'Brien, Joseph F. Orcutt, Milard H. Osmun, Frank M. Panuska, George J.* Reisinger, Roy R. Tarr, Arthur P. Thornburg, Herbert W. Twohig, John J. Wagner, Ernest B. Wagener, Willis W. Willet, Joseph Young, Ward W. Privates Ackerson, F. J. Adams, Wilbur C. Adamson, Reuben C. Alford, G. A. Allen, Frank M. Appenheimer, Fred M. Archer, Arthur W. Aspery, Harry Audrian, Calvert P. Baer, Francis Bakke, Einer A. Barnes, Chauncey B. Barrett, Theodore J. Berkman, Charles Billings, William F. Bissell, Milburn A. ' Bittner, E. L Bogardus, Edgar H. Bowin, Edwin H. Brady, Patrick Brown, James Brown, Peter L. Bryant, Sterling J. Bull, Eugene Burke, James W. Burmood, Arthur R. Capehart, Archie Chapman, Louis C. Clancy, Raymond Clark, Phil's. Clithero, Russell Clouse, Frank Connolly, Eugene T. Corl, Cady S. Cotese, Felice Cox, Alvin A. Cox, James J. Cram, Pierce E. Crummitt, Clarence E. Deceased. 276 APPENDIX Cummlngs, Ward W. Cunningham, William W. Currid, John Davis, Robert O. Daybert, George W. DeBaum, William H. Denver, Charles T. Desmond, Frank H. Devereaux, C. J. Diaz, Carl A. Diehl, Theodore V. Dyszelski, Joseph Eddy, Hercy R. Ellis, Asa G. Emmons, Albert M. Erickson, E. E. Erthman, John Estabrooks, John W. Fahy, John J. Faktor, Frank L. Farmer, Ula R. Fisler, Glenn P. Fite, W. A. Fitzgibbons, Michael J. Fleming, John M. Folsom, Harry W. Fontanella, Leo Foster, George D. Fuhrman, P. C. Fulcher, William H. Gaist, Gustav C. Gammell, L. W. Gates, R. P. Gillespie, Samuel Glenn, H. W. Goode, Roscoe C Gordon, George A. Grant, Richard J. Grassi, Salvatore Grimes, Charles A. Griswold, William G. Guilefuss, H. R.^ Hamilton, George D. Hamreus, Henry Harris, James L. Harrison, E. Harrison, Frank J. Harrity, Mike J. Haust, Charles W. Heller, P. R. Hickey, William J. Hoffman, Frank H. Humecky, Harry A. Imrie, Walter G. Johnson, James Johnson, Verne L. Johnson, William Johnston, Robert A. Jolley, John L. Jones, James P. Jusie, Walter Kelley, Edward Kerr, Wesley ^ King, Ernest A. Lauer, R. E. Lawrence, Wilber L. Lentz, Harry E. Lower, Lester R. Ludeking, Carl C. McAlpine, E. J.^ 1 Deceased. APPENDIX 277 McCormack, Hubert W. McDole, G. R. McDonald, George A. McGuire, John L. McLaughlin, John P. McWilliams, F. E. Maggard, F. H. Mangum, Joseph M. Marlin, William Masse, Charles E. Mendenhall, Glenn A. Mendoza, Talesfero P. Merkel, John^ Michalski, Adam J. Miller, William H. Millzner, Melville Montgomery, Pearl E. Munyan, Jesse Newton, Clarence E. Noe, Earl J. Ober, Foster B. Olesen, Elmer V. Olsen, Carl C. Partridge, George * Potts, Carlton W. Powell, E. D.i Prescott, S. H.» Price, William B. Ramonda, Frank Rehn, Philip L. Rick, F. I. Ripka, G. W. Roach, Thomas J. Rogers, Guy Rollins, Chester B. Romkey, Leonard J. Rosenberg, George Rudman, Benjamin Rueber, Herman P. Russell, William B. Sager, Otto Salyards, Francis F. Saterlie, Oswald M. Scales, H. C. Schaeffer, Clyde R. Schertz, Benjamin C. Schmidt, Joseph A. Schwartzwalder, Joseph J. Seegars, James B. Shaw, David W. Simpson, R. VV. Sinsel, F. C. Skinner, Clifford H. Slaton, Frederic E. Smith, Charles J. So wash, Henry L. Spengel, Orville J. Stemmerman, Charles J. Stevens, Walter Stewart, George W. Stone, Charles A. Stowers, William B. Suttle, Walter A. Swem, Harvey F. Sykes, Harry J. Thomas, John W. Thompson, Fred Triner, James Troutman, Dewey Twardowski, Michael Deceased. 278 APPENDIX Turner, Fred Uffelman, Frank A. Vanderven, Hebert Verge, Henry R. Vreeland, Frank L. Wach, Stanley Wademan, Floyd E. Wagers, F. A. Walsh, Patrick Warren, William H. Watson, Claude R. Weber, Frank C. Webster, Enoch Wellman, Bert Wheeler, John T. Whitenett, Harold First Sergeant McGuffie, James J. Sergeants First Class Alexander, Neri L. Cameron, Jenks Cutler, Seth C. Eastwood, Marion B Harmon, William J. Redmon, John T. Webster, Clinton C. Mess Sergeant Geitner, Raymond J. Supply Sergeants Jones, W. L. Miller, Chester B. Sergeants August, Jack Whitman, F. W. Widdecombe, James Will, Edward B. Williams, Charles H. Williams, Edward R. Williams, Sidney A. Willis, John Wilson, Harry B. Wistrack, Thomas K. Yaeckel, Robert C. Yancey, Robert O. Young, Alexander M. Young, J. E. Zidek, Frank J. Zimer, Theodore F. COMPANY C Bartlett, Bryon T. Bringman, Ralph A. Carroll, Patrick E. Carroll, William F.i Gillenwaters, T. F. Goldsmith, L. C. Kaiser, John Keddie, George F. Ligon, Murray L. McRedmond, William H. Stearns, Lewis T. Turman, Byron A. Webb, John A. Wilcox, Harold L. Corporals Aldrick, Orth E. Bassett, Clive E. 1 Deceased. APPENDIX 279 Bliss, Norman T. Bradfield, James P. Burns, Chester L. Butler, Mifflin M. Callan, Thomas H. Carter, Edward C. Cornett, Edward C. Davis, Robert E. Douglas, Dave W. Fox, Burton Herrington, Thomas J. Jackson, Charles H. Jones, Russell M. Jordon, Rodney B. Korfist, Jeremiah Kroth, George Larson, Minerd Lewis, Charles L. Littwin, Victor A. Livasy, Harold H. Long, John A. Lundy, William L. Mascher, Andrew A. McMann, John P. Mitchell, Burt L. Noonan, William F. Phillips, Richard S. Randall, Albert A. Randall, Walter K. Rhoades, Charles L. Schutt, Willard L. Scott, C. A. Smith, William L Street, C. E. Theberge, Wilfred J. Thompson, R. G. West, John B. ^ Wagoners Crowley, Daniel E. Ferguson, Dawn J. Field, James A. Goldthwaite, Fred E. Mueller, Henry E. Cooks Bowers, Joseph E. Collins, Joseph McGuire, James Millen, Edward R. ^ Munneke, Jack Ritter, Willard E. Schueler, Albert P. Buglers Bernock, Edward J. Lind, Carl E. Privates First Class Amond, Edward T. Auble, Frank J. Ausmus, Joe O. Berekel, Charles J. Berger, Carl E. V. Bolander, David D. Bunnell, Harry C. Carr, Alvin Conn, Ralph W. Conway, Edward F. Cunningham, Peter E. Dear, Richard D. Dearborn, A. G. Devenport, Fred S. Dunton, Samuel J. Erickson, Carl Florin, Andrew Fullerton, F. W. Garis, Walter L. 28o APPENDIX Gaspard, Emile A. Gilman, Arthur F. Hagedorn, Walter E. Hand, Thomas Hastings, John E. • Holte, Oscar R. Ingenthron, Jake P. Jensen, Hans P. Jones, Harry P. Jones, Howard L. King, Albert E. Lehman, Harry L. Lindholm, John E. Mannette, John M. May, Darwin R. Mcintosh, James D. McNinch, William C. Menzies, Harry J. O'Brien, J. P. Pierce, Leslie A. Rucker, Warren H. Silverthorn, Maurice J. Soliday, Bert H. White, Douglas Yablonowski, Walter Privates Alcorn, Ernest S. Anderson, Andrew, Jr. Anderson, Leo E. Anthonisen, Raymond P. Appleton, Louis Auld, John F. Babcock, Harold W. Barnell, Carl Bella, Andrew J. Bellamy, Howard Bethke, Chester C. A. Bird, Joseph H. Blanchard, William A. Blankenbeckler, Perry Booth, Harold W. Bourne, John W. Bradley, Yonel G. Brandstetter, William Branyan, Clarence G. Brown, Alfred J. Brown, Thomas Brown, Walter S. Brumbaugh, L. T. Brunzell, Harry J. Burke, Albert H. Burke, Harold C. Butler, Mathew C. Butler, Noah Carroll, Douglas Chernoflf, Aaron S. Chewning, Harry M. Cimmino, Philip Cloud, James C. Cole, Jake Z. Collins, William H. Cotton, Richard W. Cowan, John Cox, Frank P. Crane, Walter E. Creakbaum, Willis Cribbs, George Crowe, Raymond J. Davis, Cecil J. DeFanti, Lino DeGraaf , Tice DiCrosta, Silvio APPENDIX 281 Dodge, Edmund W. Donaldson, Leroy L. Douglas, Herman A. Drummond, Donald Dumke, Hobart R. Durkin, Martin Ebling, Clyde S. Ehlang, Leonard Ellis, George E. Emery, Perley Emerson, Harry R. Endress, Clarence Engholm, Julius E. Eshbaugh, James M. Ezell, Luther E. Farrell, George Farrell, Leo P.* Ferguson, Arthur Finnell, Herney N. Fittro, Claude R. Forge, Louis Friedman, Robert H. Gardner, Elmer H. Garcia, Rafael Gargan, John P. Garrison, Arthur E. Garvey, John Gellock, Robert P. Goff, Horace P. Golden, Edward Gordon, Paul Gregg, Norman W. Grochowalski, Stanley Hagensen, Oxcel F. Hayward, Wardner J. Heeger, Joseph C. Heitzman, Warren S. Herbel, Frank A. Herbert, Albert L. Hibbard, Fred L. Hicks, Albert B. Hilbert, Roy J. Hill, Lawrence L. Hocking, William Hoff, Harry J. Hollinger, Albert L. Horton, William W. Howard, Charles O. Hoyt, Frank B. Hunter, Lawrence L. Johnson, Harold W. Johnson, P. J. Jones, Chesley Jones, Thomas W. Julian, Leo E. Keating, George J. Kirkman, M. R. Kottlowsky, Frederick E. Landen, Floyd W. Lange, Chester A. Larson, Harry Lesman, Antoni Letkeviez, John Linville, Elijah H. Livingston, L. H. Lowenthall, Charles R. Lowther, John M. Lumley, John W. Lumpkin, Stranghan N. Maio, Antonio Deceased. 282 APPENDIX Majar, James " Mckinney, James E. Manvell, Bill Markovich, Peter Martin, John E. Mauger, Winfield S. McGinnis, Charles A. Mcintosh, Fred McLennan, Claud D. Mills, Lloyd U. Mitchell, John A. Moody, George C. Moore, David C. . Morin, Roy F. Murphy, Patrick Naile, Ralph B. Nelson, Samuel L. Nelson, William P. ' Newberry, James E. O'Donnell, Manus Olejniczak, Leonard Oliver, William H. Orth, Herbert P. Palmer, Harry A. Parry, William V. Paul, William D. Perkins, Thomas L. Polansky, Joseph F. Polansky, Nicholas J. Porter, Thomas H. Pownall, George F. Prendergast, James H. Prescott, Carl Raser, James O. Reitz, Arthur E. Remick, Henry L. Rudkin, Charles N. Ruth, Harry F. Rybicki, Joseph Sanborn, Frank B. Sarrecchia, Salvatore Schulze, Alfred Scott, N. D. Sedler, Clem C. Sever, George P. Sheehan, Timothy H. Shepard, Vivian C. Shoemaker, Byrl R. Singer, Albert A. Smith, Carl E. Smith, Carl G. Smith, Edward M. Snell, David B. Stoffel, E. H. Tiffany, Albert M. Tolson, Robert Trodick, Harry G. Tripp, Percy E. Van Loghem, Stanley Verner, Morris S., Jr. Vigil, Estanislav Vossenberg, Girardus Wardlaw, Emile T. Welch, Joseph J. Weis, Roy J. Wickham, Maurice G. White, Ellis E. Williams, John F. Wilowski, Bronislaw Wilson, Carl H. Wilson, William C. Winston, John A. APPENDIX 283 Wood, Junius E. Woodberry, Neil O. Wortman, Martin S. Young, Orel E. Zaladonis, Anthony J. Zoeller, Elmer H.^ SECOND BATTALION HEADQUARTERS DETACHMENT Master Engineer Senior Grade Killelea, Harry S. Master Engineers Junior Grade Blum, Harold P. Lomuller, Victor C. Raymond, Clinton D. Wheeler, H. T. Battalion Sergeant- Major Matteson, Herbert S. Battalion Supply Sergeant Maxwell, John B. Sergeants First Class Johnson, Charles G. Van Gorden, Alvin M. Sergeants Herbst, George E. Wilson, Harold E. Corporals Hunsacker, Jesse A Pray, Glenn C. Wagoners Bonner, James T. Draper, Leon T. ^ Cooks Compton, Floyd E. Monahan, Joseph Mechanics Sullivan, John L. Whaley, Jesse M. Wroan, John L. Privates First Class Dow, Donald B. Entenmann, John Kaffke, Caspar Mansur, Norman C. Metcalf, Charles B. Phelipow, William Quayle, George F. Quinn, Herman M. Privates Baker, James Bjornstadt, Benedict M. Caulton, Rolin Civelett, Joseph A. Cohen, Maurice Crowell, E. L. DeFreece, Paul R. Dunn, Henry S. Frear, Clyde L. Fristoe, John L. Hodder, William Wellington, John C. Westerberg, Carl C. » Deceased. 284 APPENDIX COMPANY D First Sergeant Molter, Henry C. Sergeants First Class Blagg, Henry W. Dean, John S. Jacobson, Simon Machinska, John Tucker, Lee E. Woods, Harry M. Mess Sergeant Burlingham, Vernon E. Supply Sergeant Nawn, James W. Sergeants Aldridge, Howard H. Henry, Lloyd E. Humphrey, Edward Lentz, Clarence J. Miller, Edward H. Rubino, A. Sharp, Maurice L. Sheldahl, Louis R. Shirley, Charles J. Sutton, Fred A. Tallant, William J. Corporals Anderson, Arthur W. Ashburne, Ray L. Baker, Walter L. Bowman, Elmer Daniel, Jay V. Finch, William M. Galloudec, Yves Hale, Donald Hall, William H. Hansen, Waldemar C. Harris, Amos N. Haviland, Stephen A. Hoehn, Alfred N. Hurni, Louis E. Ice, Francis W. Jacobs, Joseph Kraach, Fritz W. Labov, Benjamin Lane, R. J. G.^ Martin, Herbert B.* McGarvey, Owen Muir, John D. Noel, Arthur Nott, Ciba Pauly, Herman A. Preisach, Charles A. Rand, Miram E. Shevlin, James H. Smith, Lawrence B. Stafford, Harry R. Stauffer, Edwin S. Steevens, Charles A. Tlustos, James L. Van Schoick, Elmer Westlund, Ferdinand Williams, A. N. Williams, John A. Wood, Donald T. Horseshoer -, Yancey, William P. Wagoners Agnew, E. L. Deceased. APPENDIX 285 Friest, Edward A. Kramer, Clarence E. Long, Gregory D. Mendoza, T. P. Wheeler, L. H. Whitney, Wilber E. Wildenstein, Hurley D. Cooks Foley, Joseph Forbes, Earl S. Goff, Chauncey Guilfoyle, Fintan J. Holton, Albert L. McKechnie, Donald Upham, Harry L. Buglers Adams, C. E. Tilley, William B. Wehrle, Elmer W. Privates First Class Archer, C. W. Ashby, Joseph Bell, Clifton Bell, George N. Betts, Thomas R. Bibb, Carlisle H. Biers, C. W. Boell, Oscar E. Brodeur, L. P. Bronson, C. L. Bronson, Harry E. Burkhart, W. F. Coughlin, Fred L. Grossman, James D. Drout, William English, Joe W. Fitzgerald, John P. Gearing, William A. Gibbs, Joseph H. Gilman, L. Gonzales, Richard P. Haines, Henry C. Hernandez, M. Hill, Herbert G. Hilliard, Christian J. Hinger, C. S. Hughes, Charles H. Jacobson, George James, Ross M. Johnson, George J.^ Kern, J. A. Ketchum, Donald E. Key, Wadie E. Kirk, Frederick Kirsch, William R. Knapp, Robert C. Lentz, William J. Lingroth, Peter L. Marshall, Charles E. Marshall, Fred A. Martin, Marion G. McGuire, Peter J. Mitchell, Paul J. Morgan, Herbert A. Murchison, John W. Murphy, Sidney V. B. Neal, George R. Ninneman, Arthur H. Pils, Charles Prendergast, J. B. Prindle, Ray Pucilowski, Alex 286 APPENDIX Purvis, George M. ji* Quereno, Egnasio ; Racette, Eugene G. Reed, Roland C. Robbins, Donald E. Roberts, Edward Rockwell, Merwin Rognlie, Fred Schubert, Charles E. Scoville, Harold D. Shirley, Clifford Smith, E. E. Spieglemire, William L. Stadelman, Henry Swan, S. D, Swartz, Tony Thielhard, Albert Thornburg, Frank B. Wamsley, Albert L. Weaver, Erwin B. Webb, Finley G. Weiss, Sam G. Wilfon, Frank C. Yeaton, Geoffrey D. Privates Allen, John A. Axelroud, M. A. Baird, Frank Barber, Richard A. Barker, Glenn C. Barraby, Harold V. Barrett, L. R. Berridge, Howard Bishop, E. S. Blair, Lester R. Blocher, Elmer Bloxon, Leon R. Bocook, Isaac Boddy, Stanley Brand, Charles H. Brennan, James Brindle, Edward J. Brown, H. J. Bull, H. S. Burgess, Eugene Butler, Jay V. Chester, George H. Clifton, John Cole, Frank Coleman, Lonnie B. Corcoran, Michael F. Coyne, Patrick J. Crampsey, Joseph Dagiani, C. Mille Dalgaard, Grover DeAngelis, Louis Delisle, Louis .' Dignord, George \ Doud, Bernard J. ' Doyle, Eugene F. Dudley, Grover C. Dunn, Joseph R. .j Duran, Gavino Dwyer, Lawrence A. Ellis, James R. Ellison, Carl A. Fettig, George Forayt, Jaroslav Frost, Sam G. Gagnon, G. Gannon, R. H. Gans, Joseph O.* Deceased. APPENDIX 287 Gorgenschlitz, John J. Gould, B. F. Graham, Joseph B. Greenberg, Harry A. Griffin, T. R.i Hager, Martin C. Hahn, Jay N. Halton, R. J. G. Harris, Virgil A. Harrison, Frank, Jr. Hartman ^ Harvey, John Hayes, Lester C. Herna, Anton A. Hogenberg, Robert F. Hoyt, Charles Hughes, Julian M. Hyatt, Charles S. Irens, Fred W. Johnson, F. E. Jones, Tonie L. Keen, Charles Y. Kemmeter, Leon F, Kent, Lloyd S. Koethe, Fred Kruttschnitt, Edmund Landy, John J. Laroche, William Lawler, F. E. Lenihan, M. E. Levine, Abraham Ludwig, Mathias A. Lundquist, Albert E. Mack, Albert N. Mahoney, Dennis A. Markley, Samuel V. Maslosky, John Mathias, Rolandus S. Mattson, G. A. Maturin, Martin E. Mayhew, E. A. McBride, Arthur J. McCain, Henry J. McCann, John J. McCorkle, Sidney L. Mclntire, Thomas F. McKee, Dougall F. McLaughlin, E. F. Medaris, William R. Mendel, Michael Miner, Rafael Mitchell, R. J.^ Moore, Thomas T. Murphy, Thomas G. Murray, Michael Neeb, Stewart W. Nelson, J. P. Newberry, James E. Nilles, Anthony J. Pennuala, A, J. Perkins, Russell P. Perry, Frank Phillips, H. B. Piccardo, Francis S. Praino, Henry E. R. Ragishowski, William Reeves, Paul F. Riley, Walter A., Jr. Ross, Vern R. Rousseau, Joseph R. Deceased. 288 APPENDIX Rumley, Charles C. Sadler, Frank Schroedel, John Shea, Joseph Shields, Bert W.i Simonowich, John Skinner, Horace R. Smith, M. E. Snuffin, James E. Soucie, Willford F. Splittstosher, Robert Stanton, Walter A. Stauck, A. G. Strange, Edwin B. Swanstrom, Clarence E. Tank, R. L. Temple, John J. Theiler, Louis Thomas, Guy I. Thompson, George M. Thorpe, William R. Tilley, Basil G. Todd, Phillip Touw, Bernard Townsend, Cecil P. Trossman, Joseph H. Truman, Charles Van Arnam, Elmer Van Camp, Lloyd R. Van Gissen, Leo Van Noy, William R. Vogel, Clifton D. Wandless, Robert Wate, Wessley J. . Wazecha, John Wedow, George J. ■ Weisman, Alva J. Wendt, William F. West, Dick Westbrook, N. S. , Whisler, Percy E. ' White, Arvid ■. Whiteley, R. G.i Whiting, Earl G. Widner, Percey E. Wilkins, Virgil E. Williams, Hannibal Williams, John F. Williams, Morgan J. Womack, Kenneth Young, Jay A. COMPANY E Master Engineers Senior Grade Allan, Arthur C. Henry, Duncan C. Hughes, Jennings P. Kent, Victor H. Palackey, Frank P. Test, Clarence R. Tieman, Arnold W. - Tuttle, Mearl J. Master Engineers Junior Grade Collier, Edward C. Herza, Frederick W. Langer, William L. Lusk, Thomas S. Deceased. APPENDIX 289 McDade, Edward B. Rick, Forest S. Torrey, Prescott H. VVeldy, Daniel W. First Sergeant Heagney, William T. Sergeant First Class Taylor, Thomas D. Sergeants Casey, John F. Grain, Hersey N. Curtis, Ray E. Davis, Clarence G. Flores, Frank A. Gamier, James J. Gilmore, Clayton Gray, Charles P. Haller, Edward J. Hansen, Finer A. Lively, Carlos A. Mclntyre, Robert A. McMillan, Harvey C. Miller, Louis P. O'Neil, James Peck, John H. Ryg, Clarence N. Shuckero, Frederick J. Sivard, Dean V. Spriggs, Herbert S. Taylor, George W. Tuttle, George W. Wenzel, Rudolph A. Corporals Anthony, Richard L. Bandurraga, Thomas M. Barker, James F. Brittain, Herbert Coe, Foster W. Day, Robin D. Dowd, Patrick Erskine, Ralph M. Fisher, Jack C. Giffin, Warley Hamilton, Amos Hanneman, Joseph J. Harmon, Forest B. Johnston, R. A. Lindsay, John O. Logan, Roy J. McMahon, Earl E. MacMullin, Robert B. Markle, Robert E. McLaughlin, James F. McManus, George F. McManus, James F. Meyerowitz, Leo Morrison, Frederick Murray, John J. Neighbours, Ray E. Peteffi, Oliver L. Peterson, Clarence R. Pratt, Charles H. Quamon, Lenord J. Reichard, Albert H. Schell, Jacob D. Shanks, Robert G. Spayde, James L, Sprick, Henry C. Williams, William C. Wilson, Fred J. Zangger, Karl 290 APPENDIX Wagoners Baumgartner, Herman F. Stone, Harry G. Thorp, Joseph V. Winger, Harold M. Cooks Collins, Joseph Flannery, Stephen A. Keating, John T. Long, Elmer Messmer, Charles Taggart, Frank Youngberg, Gustave A. Bugler Watkins, John Privates First Class Arndt, Ralph M. Billings, Hezekiah Bingham, Carleton R. Blair, Lester D. Brassaemle, Robert M. Brown, Jesse Brown, Lloyd L. Cheek, Ben R. Clifford, Carl R. Conn, Asahel E. Corbett, William L. Cottingham, William H. Crotshin, Frank Domler, Clifford H. Donley, Homer A. Dyker, Gordon S. Edmonds, Edward M. Erskine, George R. Fitzgerald, Leo G. Fletcher, Forrest E. Fletcher, Harold R. Gilbertson, Charles E. Gooch, William G. Gourdin, Theodor T. Gray, Leslie Gries, Frank F. Halk, Nathan B. Hancock, James Haught, Albert B. Home, Thomas L. Hughes, Patrick R. Hurley, John W. Hyatt, Roland Kenney, Raymond Kerns, Edward J. Kommer, Harry Z. Lindsay, Frederick Llewellyn, Richard, Jr. Lorigan, John F. MacNamara, Leo W. Marks, Albert Martin, Ira A. Matheny, William G. Merlone, Eugene Miller, John G. Miller, Earl Miller, Paul W. Morse, Floyd L Mowery, Lawrence A. Noel, Prosper L. O'Brien, Howard C. O'Neil, John F. Orrison, Arthur N. Patterson, James T. Penick, Ercil V. Phipps, Frank H. APPENDIX 291 Powers, Elmer J. Reyman, Charles W. Reynolds, Thomas J. Rothbeger, George J. Rowlands, Emrys Rude, Velde R. Rudy, Aaron H. Sander, Jacob D. • Sieling, Edward H. Soucey, Wayne E. Sterner, Floyd W. Stevens, Carl J. Stewart, John E. Stockman, Edward J. Stockton, Bernard C. Straub, Albert J. Taylor, Russell I. Tetman, Walter L. Timberlake, Robert L. Tisdale, George W. Wachter, John J. Wagner, William J. Walter, John C. Ward, Louis A. Wilson, William E. Privates Adams, Clyde Adams, Howard H. Ahl, Leslie O. Alterici, Louis Archer, Arthur W. Atkins, Clarence G. Baines, A. S. Baker, Nolan W. Barbarian, Miklran Barchanowicz, Charles Bever, Charles F. Blackwell, LeRoy Boccuzzi, Joseph J. Brackens, Clarence H. Brant, Lloyd Brickey, Merle O. Brightman, James H. Burton, Samuel Campbell, Carrington Caroselli, Don Castor, S. B. Chichilos, T. Coen, Van Henry Corteal, Frank Crawford, Newton W. Dalirymple, Clifford B. Diemer, Otto A. Dimick, E. A. Dloughy, John C. Dobish, John J. Doughty, George F. Dunn, Arthur F. Durea, Edward R. Eden, Paul Ellis, Stanley H. Elsey, Robert E. Farr, Eddie D. Finelli, Dominico Fischer, John W. Fite, William A. Freyberger, Herman M. Frost, Elmer J. Fuhrman, Paul C. Gill, Allen G. Gregg, Orlando R. Griggsby, Jarret , 292 APPENDIX Hall, Albert L. Hall, Frank C. Hancock, Joseph R. Harberson, William H. Heller, Richard D. Henry, Murray G. Hoover, Charles Howard, Benjamin E. Hurdle, H. Jacobs, Claude E. Jenkinson, Roy A. Kaufman, Marshall F. Keith, Herbert A. Kepler, Edward L. Ketzler, Cecil L. Kirschner, Erhart Kozlowski, Stanley Kroog, Aaron Lalone, Ralph Lanehart, Walter M. LeClair, Leo Legge, Henry W. Levison, Aaron Logan, Frank F. Luke, Cecil L. Lynch, Edward J. Lytton, Amos H. Maeding, Jack ^ Maksimowicz, John Malecki, Frank J. Manchester, William G. Manette, John M. Marx, Nicholas, Jr. Mayne, R. N.^ McAndeliss, Frank A. McCartney, L. E. McKay, John McLaughlin, Edward F. McNamara, John D. Mohn, Newton C. Moschgat, Emil C. Moynier, Louis Murphy, James A. Myrtle, George H. Nardiello, Manuel V. O'Neil, Roland Owen, Arthur G. Paine, Clyde O. Palen, Howard J. Parry, William V. Pennington, Yates Pruette, Otto P. Rainey, Maurice • Reed, Wilmer L. Reime, Frederick R. Romyer, John M. Ruikka, Julius A. Rusiski, William Rust, Marvin C. Salerno, Giusippe Schultz, Albert C. Shiflet, G. A. Smith, Dan Smith, Merwin H. Spasiano, Augustino Stith, Albert R. Stonehouse, George G. Sweet, Edward R. Tennant, Walter J. Thompson, Albert Deceased. APPENDIX 293 Tieman, Harold Tucker, Floyd S. Wagnackouski, Anthony A. Waldo, Ralph E. Walters, Frank J. Wegis, Anthony Wehausen, Henry Welch, Lee H. Wells, Archie White, Peter E. Williams, John Williams, Vernon B. Wimer, John H. Wood, Allen COMPANY F Master Engineers Senior Grade Andrews, Jewett F. Gerland, William Lisby, Clarence Merrell, Dwight L. Richmond, Loren Master Engineers Junior Grade Hobson, Lester F. Moore, Hale E. First Sergeant Schmidt, Walter A. Sergeant First Class Kivlighan, John J. Sergeants Breneman, Ellis W. Brown, Howard C. Chapman, Charles L. Dalton, Jack E. Draper, James D. Grimes, Frank Harding, William Hepp, Walter F. Hiller, Arthur G. Johnson, Joseph M. Pruitt, John P. Siegrist, Alfonse F. Spiers, Charles M. Thorson, John N. Volkerding, Herman A. Walters, William T. Corporals Belonger, Oliver L Bertrand, David G. Bonnett, Robert C. Byrne, James A. Carroll, Lewis W. Cole, Newell L. Cortilet, Bart A. Coyle, Albert Dakin, Hursey A. Goettsh, Carl E. Hamilton, James Hanson, Carl M. Holmberg, Alfred C. Hook, Irving O. Jackson, William R. Jarvis, Walter T. Kelnberger, Fred J. Kreminski, Walter E. Lampmann, Bryon Levins, Edward A. McNamara, James R. 294 APPENDIX Mills, Hobart A. ' Mitchell, Joseph F. Morton, Paul H. Nelson, Guy A. Nessner, Frank J. Peterson, Ben L. Simonson, Sigurd Smith, Samuel J. Teegarden, Arthur G. Willett, George L. Wagoners Bauer, Frank C. Bray, Henry J. Klapproth, William Mansicka, Carl J. Rohm, Wesley W. Cooks Hood, Howard Howell, Frank L. LePage, Clarence Nicholson, Adolf * O'Brien, Mack G. Schnider, Edward J. Buglers Melton, Elmo Myers, Walter Tseu, Joseph Y. Privates First Class Anderson, E. H.^ Apodaca, Primitivo R. Baker, Eugene C. Bastar, Richard G. Bell, George Bennett, John R. Breitfuss, John H. 1 Deceased. Burford, Oscar O. Campion, Hubert W. Compton, Bradford S. Dwyer, Peter J. Edwards, Roy M. Ford, Charles W. Foye, Edward R. ? Gibson, Herman I. Giddings, Glenn M. Hackmeier, Julius F. Hallier, Berne G. Hansen H.^ Hover, George A. Hover, John H. Kaempher, Leonard C. Kerr, Charles W. Lawrence, Parnell B. Lightfoot, George W. Logeman, Robert J. Mace, James C. Madsen, John McCabe, Alfred B. Murphy, Walter Newton, Robert N., Jr» Phillips, Harry L. Scott, Edward G. Smith, Bert H. Smith, Elta B. Squire, Louis E. Tansor, Elmer C. Taylor, George Unger, Paul E. Vincent, Roe J. Walker, Harold P. Walrath, Leslie H. APPENDIX 295 Ward, Harold H. Watson, Richard F. Wilson, Ivan C. Wood, Arthur P. Woodward, Clifton L. Privates Abrams, William Amendola, Joseph S. Anderson, Carl B. Anderson, Clarence M. Arena, Antonio Baker, Charles M. Baker, Ralph W. Barklam, William J. Baum, Jacob Beavers, George Bentley, Roy Berg, David G. Berglund, Oscar S. Berndt, Frank H. Bighouse, Adam E. Birdwell, Earnest Bjelland, Oscar Bloomquist, George Bollman, Bolish Bollman, Carl G. Bourke, Harold C. Boyce, Ford L. Boyd, George C. Boysel, Alva C. Branson, Marlin W. Brazda, Adolph E. Brown, Benjamin Brcwnfield, Berry M. Bull, Herbert S. Burloff, Peno Butler, Ray E. Butler, William F. Cameron, Jenks Carlson, Martin G, Cobb, Oscar Cossick, Frank Covert, Edward E. Criswell, Thomas G. Cunningham, Raymond Davis, John L. Deetz, Martin W. Drechsel, George Droszkowski, Frank J. Duncan, Jessie Dybala, Thomas J. Engelking, Conrad H. Engstrom, Iver Eves, Lester Fauerby, Henrick Ferrand, Carroll E. Fitzgerald, John L. Flato, Frederick W. Fudge, Bennie A. Gaich, Paul A. Gamble, Robert H. Giffins, Walter Gray, William Guldberg, Reuben V. Hagen, Otto Hammel, Robert W. Hicks, Monroe W. Hodges, Otis V. Holder, Glenn U. Hooper, Ruel O. Hukill, James A. Hussey, Albert E. 296 APPENDIX Ignatus, Frank Irr, Harold J. Jacoby, Benjamin F. Jacquith, Clarence E. Jensen, Jens C. Jessie, John C. Kane, George S. Karr, John Kelley, Edward Kennedy, Dan Knighton, Wilbur J. Kohls, Emil Kravec, John Krebiehl, George Leger, Amos E. Lilquist, Alfred C. Logue, John R. Lutz, William W. Malice, Abraham Malm, Martin Marks, Louis P. Mauck, Henry Mayer, John G. McArthur, Harvey W. McCoy, Goebel Mely, A. C.^ Miley, George W. Miller, Frank Mills, Jessie D. Moberg, Carl G. Moorehead, Robert J. Moran, Martin Morgan, Walter Mueller, Joseph G. Nelson, Albert T. Nelson, C. F. M. Olson, Lewis Overby, Emil A. Paiz, Pedro Parks, James E. Peacock, William F. Pesek, Anton Peterson, Fred J. Phillippi, Henry J. Ragan, Harry Sandusky, Barney Sherar, Charles H. Sherman, John A. Skelton, Marion C. Smith, Elrod M. Smith, James Specht, Riley V. Swanson, Edward J. Swanstrom, Arthur R. Swesey, Edward L. Swinenski, Balesta Taylor, Willie E. Thompson, Charlie D. Thompson, Henry G. Thompson, Rex A. Trenton, French Tribble, John H. Tyson, Harry Vedova, Anthony D. Walgren, Paul L. Wandrei, Edward Watson, Clifford H. Wentworth, William Wernsing, Benjamin Western, G. H.i * Deceased. APPENDIX 297 Wilbur, William 0. Wilson, James F. Wilson, Mizra J. MEDICAL Sergeant First Class Stadelman, Oscar L. Sergeants Coles, John H. Dollaway, Floyd A. Rowlands, Hugh C. Van Horn, Burt E. Corporals Hutchinson, William C. Slusser, Benjamin H. Wagoner Jones, Evan Privates First Class Ballard, Carl B. Barker, Claude A. Bradley, James L. Brown, Lee C. Buckingham, Walter R. Caldwell, Fred W. Clark, Elmer L. Fischer, William F. Green, Elmer R. HIggs, Herman C. Jennings, Joe L. Wold, Jens - Wood, William B. DETACHMENT Jones, Bryan E. Kappel, John Lajeunesse, Ernest N. McCloud, William Mero, Joseph K. Stephenson, Jesse F. Storey, Raymond F. Timmerman, Henry C. Verner, Clarence S. Privates Baker, John D. Benson, Andrew A. Craig, William DeSantis, Tony Driscoll, William J. Geagon, John J.^ Greene, Howard B. Hogan, John L. Jordon, Thomas Orr, Howard W. Palen, Howard J. Prime, Charles L. C. Reese, Emmett G. THE BAND (These names occur also in the units to which the men were regularly assigned.) Sgt. Brant, W. B., Bandmaster Sgt. McPherson, D. L., Drum Major > Deceased. 298 APPENDIX Sgt. Herbst, G. E., Asst. Bandmaster Pvt. I cl. Metcalfe, C. B., Clarinet Soloist Pvt. Kirkwood J., Piccolo Pvt. Straub, J. G., Clarinet Pvt. Adams, C. E., Clarinet Corp. Nay, 0. E., Clarinet Pvt. Bjornstadt, B. M., Soprano Saxophone Pvt. Spitzer, E. A., Alto Saxophone Pvt. Frear, C. L., Alto Saxophone Pvt. Westerberg, C. G., Tenor Saxophone Pvt. Civelett, J. A., Cornet Pvt. Robinson, A. C, Cornet Pvt. White, C, Cornet Pvt. Thomas, H,, Cornet Sgt. MacDonald, H., Cornet Pvt. Cohen, M., Alto Pvt. Stebbins, R. L., Alto Pvt. I cl. Dow, D. B., Alto Pvt. I cl. Quayle, G. P., Alto Pvt. Dunn, H. S., Trombone Pvt. Wilson, E. H., Trombone Corp. Shanks, R. G., Trombone Pvt. Johnson, Glenn E., Trombone Pvt. Thelen, G. A., Baritone Pvt. DeFreece, P. R., Bass Pvt. Williams, R. G., Bass Pvt. I cl. Lajeunesse, E. N., Snare Drum Pvt. Wellington, J. C, Snare Drum Pvt. Hodder, William, Cymbal Pvt. Caulton, R., Bass Drum 4. Commissioned Personnel of Third and Fourth Bat- talions ^ on October 24, 1918. ^ See Chapter X. APPENDIX 299 THIRD BATTALION Major C. P. Wood Commanding Officer Captain W. V. Warren Adjutant 2nd Lieut. R. M. Willis Supply Officer 1st Lieut. R. B. Wilkins Medical Officer 1st Lieut. D. M. Fellows Dental Surgeon COMPANY G Captain A. C. Day Commanding 1st Lieut. F. J. Swanson 2nd Lieut. J. L. Godley 2nd Lieut. M. S. Cain 2nd Lieut. J. V. Duncan 2nd Lieut. C. A. Stader 2nd Lieut. W. C. Marshall 2nd Lieut. E. S. Truesdell, Jr. 2nd Lieut. W. Vandergrift Attached COMPANY H Captain George Noble 2nd Lieut. R. R. Rohrbach 2nd Lieut. R. E. Myer 2nd Lieut. T. A. Silvera 2nd Lieut. W. Bishop 2nd Lieut. R. A. Price 2nd Lieut. A. C. Mallett 2nd Lieut. S. G. Denny 2nd Lieut. E. Hunter Commanding 2nd Lieut. C. Smith 2nd Lieut. H. W. Hallman Attached Attached COMPANY Captain L. C. Donovan 1st Lieut. F. Adair 2nd Lieut. F. L. Shelley I Commanding 300 APPENDIX 2nd Lieut. H. E. Tardy ^ 2nd Lieut. H. N. McCooI 2nd Lieut. G. R. Acree 2nd Lieut. J. A. Barton 2nd Lieut. J. H. Knight 2nd Lieut. W. C. Lane FOURTH BATTALION Captain H. Malinka Commanding Officer Captain F. W. Dasher, Adjutant 1st Lieut. D. M. Clark Supply Officer 1st Lieut. J. Notley Medical Officer 1st Lieut. W. C. Wickstrom Dental Surgeon COMPANY K Captain B. M. Grant Commanding 1st Lieut. H. S. O'Brien 2nd Lieut. C. L. Patterson 2nd Lieut. F. K. Carter 2nd Lieut. J. F. Black 2nd Lieut. G. A. Stanton 2nd Lieut. B. H. Questel 2nd Lieut. H, Burns 2nd Lieut. J. H. Meek COMPANY L Captain H. W. Favre Commanding 1st Lieut. Gannon 2nd Lieut. F. Carrico 2nd Lieut. H. Stribler 2nd Lieut. W. E. Toles 2nd Lieut. R. G. Strehlow, 2nd Lieut. F. E. McWilliams 2nd Lieut. P. A. Bloise Fj k.^,.^|P ■ j/'K^I K^i^i^ "i 1^^ 1^ i^^9 \ f ((HfHH "TAjWWyv ^Bw>^ ^■■fCjiS wm^^S. V^^^d-. ^Bp^^*^vB |fe^6K\ .Jmj^m ^^^Ba^^^^^^F t «l SI r 'land Herr, Exiward Hosket, Gustave H. 304 APPENDIX Hussey, Edward Kennedy, Edgar C Melton, John W. Miller, Clark R. Otting, William Peterson, Claude R. Rickard, Don A. Roglin, George Ruck, Samuel Schenck, Charles G. Spiker, Jacob M. ^ Stanton, Martin J. COMPANY G First Sergeant Now, James C. Sergeants First Class Burchfield, Fred Dozer, Carl R. MarzlufF, Edgar Mess Sergeant Pritchard, Roy C. Supply Sergeant Canter, Louis H. Transportation Sergeant Scott, Homer J. Sergeants Britton, James H. Deneke, Roy Gould, Elmer Pullen, John H. Rosichan, William A. Short, William B. Spencer, Frank G. Corporals Andecover, Miland A. Barger, Curtis E. Bradley, Earl Burrows, Clifford A. Callahan, Arthur Decolibus, Arturo Ellis, John Evans, Robert E. Fetters, John W. Hoagland, Vernon C. Kazaroff, Mike Kowalko, Felix Lawrence, Don R. McLaughlin, Dan G. Martin, J. J. O'Brien, George E. Ostrowski, Tom Price, Gerdt C. Radulavich, Miroje Sands, Howard E. Schmogrow, Fred T. Shoults, Joseph F. Stechschulte, Cyril C. Stinson, Irl A. Wagner, John A. Wood, Don L. Zehnder, Frederick C. Cooks Mcllvain, Ralph C. Stankiewicz, Felix Bugler Powell, Clarence E. Privates First Class Bacher, Paul R. Berg, Alfred I APPENDIX 305 Biggs, Adam Canter, Otto Carlyon, Ed. L. Carter, Roy W. Casler, Ed. T. Clabaugh, William A. Cotterman, Lester C. Ervin, Dexter B. Evans, Paul J. Fowkes, Homer S. Haselbach, Harley H. Hinton, Clyde P. Hoobler, Lloyd C. Hush, Walter W. Marcum, Warden Morris, Kennard R. Powell, Listen E. Savage, William H. Sharp, Harold W. Slagel, Everett F. Summers, Madison H. Tarnow, Alfred O. Vawter, George Wilson, Jesse W. Zaebst, Elmer O. Privates Ackerman, Frank J. Angelo, Ralph P. Arnold, Robert Ashton, Stanley G. Baker, Charles W. Beadnell, Alvine Becher, Edward Beckley, Lee Benson, Howard T. Bigham, Edward G. Boley, William J. Bonnell, Ralph H. Booth, Paul N. Brewer, Floyd E. Bruderly, Earnest A. Carpenter, Doyle Carpenter, William Carr, Harrison B. Carter, James B. Chaney, Henry N. Chaney, William S. Chercony, Joseph A. Clevenger, George Combs, Clarence F. Combs, Kindrick Collins, Clarence M. Cooperrider, Albert L. Corl, Frank M. Cox, George Coy, Emery C. Craig, John L. Currella, Toney Dennis, John H. Dresback, Thomas Drummond, John A. Dwinnell, Theodore , Earl, Henry F. Ellis, John L. Ellis, Leslie Engard, Frank J. Fain, Jasper Fetter, Milton B. Fitzpatrick, Orley M. Foos, Edwin G. Frederick, Pierce D. Friedenauer, Emil A. 3o6 APPENDIX Garloch, Aries H. Garver, George W. Geese, Hugh W. Gildow, Joseph Gohl, Walter C. Gorman, Frank D. Guisinger, Denver C. Haas, Bryan W. Hanefield, Louis W. Hatt, William P. Hauger, William F. Hayman, Wilfred G. Hendershott, William J. Hendrickson, Clyde Hobensack, John E. Hoffman, Hugo F. Holz, Arthur W. Horger, Clarence Hughes, Reno C. Isenbletter, Russell E. Johnson, George W. Johnson, Walter L. Jones, Vermont G. Jones, Walter W. Jordan, Dorcy C. Keller, Clarence M. Kirby, Albert Koval, Taras Kwis, Joseph, Jr. Langenderfer, Leo R. Lavender, Marion F. Linda muth. Earnest R. Line, Everett, F. Link, Elmer F. Little, Charles H. Lutz, Garrett H. McBane, Norman E. McGhee, James McMannis, Roscoe E. Malofsky, Philip Manley, Earl Mannon, Lonnie Marion, Roy G. Marquart, Edward Marty, Atlee F. Mathers, Glenn W. Matin, Ralph Meacham, Lawrence L. Meyer, Albert J. Meyers, Ferdinand J. Miller, William M. Montgomery, Lawrence Montgomery, Thomas Moore, Harold E. Moore, Paul S. Morgan, Earl R. Newcomer, Harvey Osborne, Frederick Patterson, Ralph W. Paul, Jacob E. Payne, Elza O. Peirano, Albert J. Pierce, Clark A. Plachetka, Frank Potts, James F. Prince, Lawrence Princehorn, Raymond S. Propson, Joe R. Quest, Earl J. Rain, Lester H. Rausch, Albert L Richardson, George APPENDIX 307 Rickelmann, Anton Riddle, George D. Rogers, Herman J. Ross, James F. Roth, George F. Rowland, Arlie E. Rudnick, Benny Rust, William C. Sabo, John Salemi, Louis SarfiF, William J. Schnippel, Albert J. Schuld, Elmer B. Schumaker, Edwin E. Schweitzer, Willis R. Secrest, Melvin B. Shanahan, Ralph H. Sheppard, Earl V. Sherbaum, Emil Shoemaker, Joseph W. Shumaker, Clarence P. Siudzinski, John Smith, Otto J. Smith, Ralph D. Smoot, John W. Snouffer, Joseph F. Sprouse, John D. Sprowl, George L. Steinbrunner, Robert J. Stergios, Christ Stewart, Edgar R. Struble, Orland M. Sutter, Robert Swisher, Jesse J. Thompson, Ward Timmons, Worley C. Uhl, William E. Untied, Leonard E. Vessels, Hayes H. Wagner, Lewis B. Walcott, Harry N. Walters, Martin L. Weadock, Paul V. Wearstler, Herdman W'elch, Harry S. Wells, Leonard O. Wheeler, Robert B. White, Clyde O. White, Frank B. Wiandt, John E. Wiles, Samuel Wilkerson, Lysle D. Williams, Charles C. Williams, David Winkel, Frederick Wolaver, Lawrence R. Wortman, Clarence L. Wright, Caret H. Wymer, Cloyd Young, William L. Zachariah, Theodore First Sergeant Piers, William F. Sergeants First Class Davis, Newell COMPANY H Grinkmeyer, John Jacobs, Gary E. Massie, Harry E. Walter, Frank M. 3o8 Mess Sergeant Emig, George C. Supply Sergeant Pence, Alfred L. Sergeants Anderson, Ed. E. Lewis, William C. Moran, William A. Morgan, Leonard D. Murray, Charles J. Rowland, Harold W. Sadler, Edward C. Seevers, Raymond E. Valentiner, William R. Young, George E. Corporals Bergin, Daniel J. Camingcovich, Hector E. Clark, Robert W. Deal, Robert F. Drehobl, John F., Jr. Eisman, Anthony H. Farley, John P. Fox, Arthur F. Garner, Floyd E. Gillis, Charles F. Grueser, George Hamburg, Charles W. Harvey, Donald Hemingway, George E. Hidey, George E. Hoffman, Philip A. Howard, John E. Huentelman, Louis H. Hughes, Clarence Juvenile, Ralph APPENDIX Kuhlman, Sterkel C. Martin, George S. McFee, Alexander A. McGrady, Andrew W. Rohlfer, George H. Runion, Charles C. Scurry, Frank P. Snyder, Walter W. Weisberger, Frederick H. Wolfe, Edmond O. Wagoners Burkett, Ray D. Dillinger, Charles F. Mellott, Ray J. Reidy, Bryan J. Zimmerman, Joseph Cooks Jinks, Outhwaite W. Forristal, Leonard Rust, Emerson M. Tedrow, John Tolksdorf, Edwin G. Buglers Hinkle, Thomas Zamiska, John W. Privates First Class Adams, Louis Amrein, John Bird, John J. P. Bratton, Charles F. Briggs, John B. Brown, George F. Chaney, Forest L Currettie, James J. D'Agostino, Donate Dye, Charles F. - 1 ^ff =t- © c» A. 1 «? 'T L^ =^iJ^' J9' ^ m ^ ^ -"^.v ■-. •V^-''* APPENDIX 309 Emge, Raymond B. Fisher, Oliver F. Frazier, Ora W. Funkhouser, Alpha L. Gorman, Roy B. Grabowski, Othmar A. Gregory, Otho Hartman, Lee V. Hendershott, Roy A. Howdyshell, Levi Ingraham, Verne H. Jelinek, Vincent G. Jenkins, Clyde S. Karman, Andrew A. Karrick, Charles F. Kinkoph, Joseph A. Knowles, Sheridan C. Kontowicz, Albert J. Locke, Fred E. Manly, Frank D. Mathews, Lewie D. McKenzie, Charles J. Metro, Steven M. Mittnacht, John Moore, Claridon M. Myler, William G. Parks, Harry M. Parrish, Charles E. Payne, Troy Pyles, Raymond Reedy, Martin L. Schindler, Maurice Schroeder, Albert W. Schultz, Edward W. Schwope, Frank G. Seaders, Frank H. Sibcy, Wallace D. ' Simmons, Fred Smith, Charley Smith, Curtis C. Soldwish, Emil C. Stavermann, Joseph T. Strand, Joseph P. Trapp, Emil A. Ulry, Cecil Vornhagen, Otto A. Walsh, Raymond J. Wright, Thomas G. Yohman, Joseph A. Zeiger, Herman Zink, Fred J. Privates Adams, William T. Adolff, Ray V. Albright, William G. Ammon, Earl F. Anderson, Frank R. Andrix, Charles A. Anthony, Hugo J. Appis, Samuel F. Arnold, Jacob G. Babino, James L. Baker, Melvin E. Ballentine, Overton J. Beach, Charles C. M. Berning, Clarence A. Black, James A. Blanchard, Lester J. Bloomfield, John M. Bowsher, Kenneth O. Brown, Fred Burton, Joseph 310 APPENDIX Bush, Jacob Cappell, Jasper M. Carter, Cecil W. Chandler, Robert Clark, Amos A. Coe, Bryan Cole, William W. Colegrove, Clifford E. Conoway, William B. Cupps, Irvin C. Dailey, George T. Davis, William J. Deer, Louis N. DeLong, Nathaniel Denbow, Earl J. Diamond, Max Dieble, Clarence C. Dillon, William J. Dotson, William H. Dunn, Marion Ellis, Oran W. Everhart, Robert E. Parson, George H. Fetter man, Jesse F. Fisher, Lawrence W. Flickinger, William H. Foden, Edwin Frazier, William T. Friedlander, Joseph H. Frye, James S. Gard, Earl B. George, Charles Goff, Verner E. Gossett, Hubert M. Gould, Harry E. ; Graham, John J. Grant, Fred R. Grifhths. George D. Groff, Charles E. Gugelman, Forest A. Hardesty, James A. Harris, Thomas Hartshorn, Harold O. Hasman, James Hayes, Frank Heiks, Dayton F. Hill, James W. Houska, Charles Jackson, Allen C. Jaworski, Mike F. Jester, Claude M. Johnson, Oscar S. Judge, Albert R. Khune, Leonard E. Kimberlin, George T. Kissling, Earl W. Kmetz, Andrew Korsnas, John Kreakbaum, Otto C. Krobusek, John J. Kuntz, Henry J. Lewis, Harley E. Liggett, Thomas A. Liller, Herman F. Linscott, Arza A. Lute, Charles E. Markowitz, Harry Markum, Emmit McDonald, Roger D. McGinnes, Theodore F. Meinking, Edward F. Messer, Benjamin H. APPENDIX 311 Metchell, Paul Miles. Thomas H. Miller, Otis Mohler, Arthur E. North, Cecil E. Ohl, Clair T. Peter, Carl F. Roe, Ross S. Rose, Peter Ross, Everett A. Russell, Harold R. Scheller, Arthur N. Siegenthaler, John Shafer, James F., Jr. Shafranek, William Smith, Griffin Smith, William B. Snyder, Adam J. Stachniak, Ignatio Staten, Walter E. Stemen, Leroy S. Stevens, Herman M. Strayer, John W. Stripon, Ralph Tool is, John Torgler, Arthur Vetter, Vitus J. Walser, Stanley D. Walsh, Walter J. Warstler, Reese C. Weikert, Loran Lee Welsh, Michael C. Wiener, Sanford T. Willford, Richard J. Williams, Walter C. Wooddell. Byron H. Zelinski, Leonard A. First Sergeant Sodders, Roy E. Sergeants First Class Clendenin, Paul E. Frasch, Karl W. O'Neill, Robert C. Spielman, Carl W. Tieman, Edwin J. Mess Sergeant Gray, Harley R. Supply Sergeant Collins, Howard F. Sergeants Berry, Abraham Dixon, Virgil L. COMPANY I Drazdik, George P. Glaser, David Harris, Howard A. Hoffman, Harry T. Johnson, Howard MaxAvell, Jesse H. McClurkin, Everett J. Palmer, William H. S. Tomko, Michael Corporals Ball, William C. Brandel, Victor F. Coon, Glen Dalton, Clarence Davidson, Jerome Wm., Ji 312 APPENDIX A Donahoe, John S. parhart, Claude Ellinger, Solomon Farmer, Howard M. Felber, Walter J. Haupt, Karl W. Hobson, Robert A. Hodgson, James Jacobsen, Carl H. Kettlewood, Harry B. Leiner, Howard A. | LeMaster, Ernest H. McClintick, Fred Maurer, John B. Miller, James, Jr. Moeller, Arthur H. Neel, George S. Niemeier, Harry A. Pound, Guy S. Richards, James W. Ries, Edward Ripley, Obed S. Robbins, Erwin C. Russell, Foster C. Smith, Donald Wilson, William C. Privates > Arnold, Frank E. Artis, Dovel Barberio, Lulgi Barrett, Ernest B. Bartlett, Charles J. Bauer, Charles R. Baum, Forest H. Bauman, James M. Beall, Russell T. Belg, Elmer F. Billman, Leonard E. Binder, Julius Bircher, Emiel J. Black, Raymond ' Blanton, Alfred J. Bloom, Claude Bolin, James F. Bottwood, Leonard W. Brammer, Hubert A. Brannon, John M. Briggs, Robert R. Brooks, John H. Brooks, Thomas W. Brown, Harry Brown, Samuel J. Burger, Charles A. . Butz, Charles R., Jr. Cable, Edward Campbell, George, Jr. Carle, Wesley S. Carlisle, Thomas Carpet, Hay B. Chabondy, Frank R. Converse, Leo E. Coon, Harmon Cooper, Harry Covelle, Joe Coyer, Clyde Coyle, William D. Craig, William R. Cummins, Harry W. Davis, Howard O. Dielman, Anthony G. Disser, Samuel M., Jr. Drake, Azil E. CO IV r APPENDIX 3^3 Duemer, Carl E. Ely, Roy Emerick, Clyde H. Enstes, Clifford Ex)nda, Frank Etter, Herschel L. Fannin, John Feistel, Frank J. Fisher, George W. Ford, John P. Forney, John R. Fothergill, Robert R. Franey, Edward J. Glass, Lloyd W. Gfeller, John, Jr. Goebel, Joseph J. Goldberg, Abraham Gorotka, John Granstaff, Leroy A. Grosfato, Vincenzo Gruhlke, Leo J. Hagan, James C. Haldin, Fred J. Hall, Milton Hall, Ulysses G. Hammans, Clarence T. Hansen, Harold A. Harbaugh, Donald Harnish, John M. Harper, Austin Harvey, Lloyd Heddleson, Allen R. Heddleston, Brady Heinbuch, Howard C. Heindle, George W. Heisserer, Raymond C. Hensley, Buford Heritage, Arlie C. Hester, Amos L. Hochenberger, Harry Houser, Stanley J. Huyser, Matthew Jacobs, Russell Johnson, Charley W. Johnson, Emery Johnson, William H. Joyce, Thomas P. Kaczmarek, Louis J, Kalstein, John O. Kaylor, Chester A. Kelly, Thomas J. Kenney, James M. Kenyon, Lester L Kight, Elden J. Kish, Steve Kline, Clarence N. Knecht, Leroy J. Knowles, Ray A. Kocz, Wladyslaw Krolski, Theodore Kubiszewski, Teafil Kuntz, Leo Vincint Kuth, Clarence F. Lantz, Stephen Lee, Cyril M. Lisk, Jesse Love, Dean Love, Van B. Mack, Carl J. Magers, Don A. Marks, Smith Mason, Alfred J. 314 APPENDIX Mays, James E. McCord, Howard McDaniel, William H. McFadden, Charles E. McKee, John W, McKinney, Charles H. Messerschmidt, Edwin H. Millard, Ralph Miller, Alva J. Moniodis, Nicholas Moore, John S. Nardini, Anthony Neff, Gilbert E. Noblet, John R. Parsons, Doyle Perzel, Paul J. Petrello, Rocci J. Phillips, Frank Pletka, Joseph Polifrone, James Purdin, Albert L. Ray, Archie R. Reamer, Florian H. Reardon, John B. Reasor, Jacob A. * Reed, Addison Renicker, Lewis A. Renner, Raymond G. Repa, Nick Rice, Clarence W. Romano, Charley Romans, Glenard N. Rosenthal, Aaron R. Roqueplot, Marshall Salsberry, Delbert Sander, Carl H. Schalk, Michael J. Schmeiser, John J. Schmidt, George Seckinger, Hoy J. Selentino, James Sertell, Charles B. Shaw, David L. Shepherd, Melvin A. Shifferly, Firm Shoemaker, William D. Shook, Jerd V., Jr. Shugert, Ralph Simon, George Simons, Emmett Sipes, Ray C. Smith, Adam W. Snider, Lige Snyder, Joseph E. Sonnhalter, John D. Stall, George E. Starner, Ralph A. Stegeman, Frank J. Stewart, Martin F. Strobel, Frank A. Sullivan, Ben Swacus, John Tatarin, Mike Teets, William E. Thies, Albert H. Tilford, La Verne Trainor, Arthur J. Travis, Harry A. Tritschler, Joseph J. Twarogowski, Bernard Valentine, Herbert C. Varwig, Henry F. APPENDIX Vinunsky, Samuel Walsh, Vincent J. Waskavitz, William F. Watson, Leslie L. Whitfield, William H. Whittington, Marvin Wile, Laird J. Williams, Sam Willis, Roy E. Wolf, Charles J. Worrell, Frank 3^5 FOURTH BATTALION HEADQUARTERS DETACHMENT Battalion Sergeant-Major Orr, Thomas Battalion Supply Sergeant Macke, Joseph A. Sergeants Olson, Harry Rosenblum, Philip Corporals Madison, Abe P. Vaigl, Fred E. Wagoners Leone, Joseph A. Mulford, Elmer C. Cooks Brothers, Harry L. Metzger, Ivan C. Mechanics Baumeister, Harold E. Klugman, Carl H. McElligott, J. K. Ormes, W. V. Privates First Class Dugan, Hugh Eberle, Carl M. Frerick, Neil Gedeon, Henry F. McCormac, Edward O. Unger, Herbert E. Weigand, Edward Privates - Aebi, John Anderson, Louis C. Butkoski, George Dixon, Henry B. Donaldson, Edward S. Ewald, John F. Fitzgerald, Frank E. Fleming, Frank E. Garfinkle, Louis Garman, Francis H. Gutzwiller, Joseph Hesoun, Joseph J. Knaack, George Lockwood, Earl Purney, Nelson Simpson. Carl W. Smith, Reuben C. Straw, William C. Stultz, Frank M. Swigon, Walter F. Wartluft, Samuel, Jr. 3i6 APPENDIX COMPANY K First Sergeant Bryant, Leslie R. Supply Sergeant Breidenbaugh, Edwin E. Sergeants Asher, Homer C. Brown, Ralph Gordon, James S. Hall, John A. Hatfield, Jorse D. Hayward, John E. Kidd, John E. King, Thomas N. Kitchen, William B. Kuehner, Harry A. Musser, Wesley D. Northcraft, Elmer V. Rettig, Archie R. Rosenblatt, Louis Sine, Ole L. Staley, Lawrence E. Corporals Becker, William M. Bolton, Robert J. Bredestege, Carl J. Britton, Sylvian Davidson, Everett Denning, Lester E. Eley, Franklin V. Evers, Henry Friesner, James R. Garst, Shelby Helber, Kurt R. Hoover, Pearl C. Howell, Homer C. Jacolfeori, Arthur W. Kauf, Walter E. Kiger, Charles H. Koons, David F. Leiner,' Robert D. McBride, Arthur A. McDavitt, Elson B. Michael, Lucian F. Monroe, Clyde B. "^ Palmeter, Clarence E. Perrine, George D. Roley, Wayne H. SchiU, William J. , Schofield, Frank R. Smith, Charles W. ^ Soter, George Walker, Richard i Weaver, Basil V. ' Cooks Barker, Jared E. Corey, John W. Orr, Glendon E. Phipps, Clarence Privates Abels, William E. Agal, Thornton D. Allen, John A. Andrews, Everett 0. Atkinson, Carl B. Axe, John L. Baker, Edgar Baker, Robert G. Beach, Melvin A. Beller, Raymond H. Bender, Harley E. W9 "^ ^Mf , Ij COI\ I^^M^KiMf^t^ 4-i^^-f f ? T-r / 4 ti- l-^o^. t^( lY K APPENDIX 317 Blaro, Adamo Blessinger, John T. Bogucki, Walter H. Boyce, Charles Bredbeck, Ralph A. Brewster, Thomas E. Broadbridge, Edwin J. Brooker, Harry R. Brooks, Jay M. Brown, Emmit Budke, Ernst Byerly, Rudolph W. Cady, Frank J. Campbell, Elmer Cannon, Omar Careins, David V. Carlin, Clarence H. Chalfant, Garrett H. Clark, Edwin Click, William R. Coan, Paul L. Cook, Charles B. Cooper, Frank H. Cornforth, Charles H. Cox, Wilbur P. Craft, John W. Cranfield, Clarence H. Creamer, Warnia B. Creighton, Regis D. Crisp, Sidney David, Andy Davis, Edward M. Demko, George E. Dew, Harold E. Doty, Wilbur M. Doud, Farnum C. Drotter, Mike S. Elias, Joe Elliott, Victor E. Evans, Louis Fawcett, Edward B. Feige, Erwin F. Finley, Arthur R. Fisk, Hubert R. Flagg, Harry Fletcher, John F. Forbusch, Frank F. Fox, Frank France, Luster Frye, Glenn R. Funk, Harry L. Gable, Claude E. Galio, Giovan B. Gallentine, George H. Gantz, Paul W. Garverick, Lee R. Gardiner, Charles B. Geissman, Reuben C. Glaub, Frank Gordon, Frank B. Gosda, Henry Gosser, Anthony Grosvenor, Edward L. Hagerman, James A. Hamski, Walter C. Handley, Luther L. Harmon, Fred Harper, Hobert H. Harris, Ambrose R. Harter, Harold S. Haught, Wilbert J. Hawthorn, Albert 3i8 APPENDIX Hawk, John Haynes, Ed Heckert, Guy Helton, Charles W. Hesler, Harry H. Hiatt, Edward Hirsch, Frank A. Holiday, John Horton, Robert Hughes, Joseph H. Hulbert, Frederick L. Hunt, Lester D. Jackson, Corrall Jarrett, William Johnson, Charles A. Jones, John H. Kindred, George Koons, Otto E. Lashley, Oscar S. Leienberger, Wilber Link, Fremont Long, Walter R. Mack, Elmer Malicki, Boleslaw C. Manahan, William G, Maple, James H. Marietta, Lester B. Martin, Stanley Mascia, Giovanni Mason, Frank E. Mavis, Clarence E. McCann, Milton B. McClory, Mike E. McCormick, John McGaffney, William J. Mellinger, Carl L. Mickelson, John P. Miller, Edward H. Miller, Jesse H. Mitzewitz, Roman Monroe, Howard W. Moore, Hobart Moran, Earl T. Morgan, Ira Mottinger, Jesse C. Munziato, Spidare Needles, Max Nowakowski, Joseph Oakes, Oscar E. Page, Vernon O. Pedersen, Peder K. Petri, Raneto Phelps, Carl H. Piper, Arthur F. Reed, Joe E. Reisling, William N. Rentschler, Charles H. Richards, Cecil D. Rickard, Homer G. Ridenour, Ray W. Rigney, Owen Riley, Dolphy C. Robinson, Russel H. Romeo, Frank Rose, Lawrence C. Rosenbrook, George Rostanowski, John Roush, Oscar Ryan, Otto Rybeck, Charles Schultz, Ollie J. Shafer, Jesse APPENDIX 319 Shawchanko, Stive Shireman, Ira E. Shoemaker, John Mike Shreck, Charles W. Sleesman, John C. Smith, Joseph H. Snyder, James A. Spindler, Jacob M. Sproch, John Stack, Asik Stanley, Rush W. Stefan, John Stephens, Lee K. Stewart, James A. Strope, John F. Swigert, John H. Szkutnik, John Theis, Matthew W. Theret, Gusta Townsend, Walter E. Trott, Cyrus A. Valodin, Ernest M. Vitelli, Angelo Wagner, John L. Walpole, Thomas D. Wantland, Edgar L. Ward, William L. Waters, Vere R. Wernz, Lawrence D. Wiesse, Frederick W. Wikoff, William L Williams, John H. Willis, Edward H. Winkler, George A. Winkler, Herbert W. Wray, Charles Wright, George E. Wyatt, Willard O. Woolf, Earl W. York, Ernest H. Zaleski, John COMPANY L First Sergeant Knochel, John N. Sergeants First Class . Brunner, Foster A. Clancy, James R. Englehart, Royal C. Ogren, Brother S. Wanner, Louis C. Mess Sergeant Cope, Elmer A. Supply Sergeant Fox, Joseph R. Sergeants Blocksom, Harry Daugherty, Charles E. Olson, Oscar Rankin, Mansel L. Scholz, Arthur B. Schwarz, Edward R. Stout, Harry M. Totterdale, Robert Wharton, Walter 1. Corporals Barnes, Harold E. 320 APPENDIX Bashara, George R. Brickies, Marvin Burgess, Mark Bushmann, Edward H. Davidson, Harry Davis, Forest D. Denny, Miles L. Denton, Claud Fitzgerald, Alphonse Henz, Clarence W. Hoppe, Walter Jennings, Ardra H. Juvenal, Harry Kranz, Arthur E. Metcalf, Perley D. Mueller, John N. Newberry, Percy M. Overlin, Ellis A. Pohlkamp, Joseph H. Proctor, Milton D. Quigley, Omer J. Rockett, Edward T. Sines, William H. Travis, Howard Turkenkopf, Bernard Westerviller, William Woodruff, Orval J. Wray, Floyd R. Cooks Boice, Reed V. McFarland, William J. Noyes, Clyde Rammacciato, Mike Tuller, Earnest C. Privates First Class . Banks, John L. Colthar, Clarence L. Deuvall, Fred G. Dobson, Roy Flynn, James R. Fraza, Emil F. Freeman, Harvey J. Githens, Ernest C. Harmon, Boyd A. Hoagland, Walter R. Kirby, Cecil E. Lanam, William N. McKinney, William H. Shontlemire, William N. Smith, Squire O. Stanforth, Virgil P. Taylor, Joseph T. Wester, Richard Wortendyke, Glenn Yell, Leo F. Zmudzinski, Raymond Privates Abrams, Chalmers H. Adams, John T. Adams, Michael G. Anderson, Theodore Archer, Charley B. Archer, William F. Baldwin, Robert E. Balmer, Eli Bell, Lester Belmont, James H. Beery, Beecher Blazer, Horace H. Bledsoe, Albert Blosser, Earl Blubaugh, William H. COMP APPENDIX 321 Bond, Clarence M. Boone, Elmer Bowes, Earl P. Brannon, James K. Brookes, George E. Brown, William G. Brunk, Estel E. Burgin, Carl P. Burke, Charles H. Burkett, Tom N. Burnett, Merle Butts, Raymond A. Byers, Forest R. Carlin, Oscar L. Carroll, Harry G. Cassill, Dominick Clemens, Richard, Jr. Collum, George Corcoran, John J. Cosentino, Anthony Crosby, Howard Cubbison, Brodie M. CulHgan, Edward H. Culp, Ralph E. Daniel, Edward J. Daulton, Clifford Davis, Dan S. Davis, Eugene R. Denslow, Miles W. Dinnardo, Pasquale Domer, Melvin C. Draham, Richard G. Driesbach, Ansel G. Driggs, Eddie Ducatt, Jay B. Dye, Marshall Eichenlaub, Howard F. Emrick, Orion L. Ervin, Alex M. Ezersky, Mich T. Ferguson, George Figg, Henry H. Foley, John M. Foltz, Carl V. Fowler, Delbert Freed, Sol Gabriel, Lloyd E. Gannon, Eddie N. Garver, Clarence J. Gayhart, Lewis Geiger, George E. Ginther, Eddie Gittins, William, Jr. Gnagi, Lawrence C. Gotos, Luis F. Grandstaff, George Gubernath, Albert M. Handwerker, Harry Harris, Morris Harry, Clyde E. Hartsook, Hershell H. Headley, Perry G. Hendricks, Harley Hensley, Henry A. Hereford, James L. Hobler, Clyde W. Holtel, William A. Hott, George L. Howard, Emory L. Hultz, Raymond F. Ives, Samuel Jaske, John J. 322 APPENDIX Jenkins, Howard N. Jesberger, Joseph V. Kahl, Charles Karaglanian, Hagop Kern, Clarence S. Kinsey, Clarence A. Klinzing, William Koepke, Reinhold W. Kreutzer, Raymond J. Kunkle, Roy E. Kurr, Oliver O. Lemal, Lawrence W. Lemmer, Charles T. Litteral, James Longerbone, Truman L. Lumpkins, Sellards Malindzak, Jesse L. Malone, Joseph R. Mark, Saul H. Mauch, Louis M. Mayzik, Rudolph R. McDougle, Jesse C. McHaffie, Ray Mcllvain, Orville L. Metzger, Leo L. Mitchell, Edward M. Moffett, Lauren R. Morgenstern, Herbert Morrison, Charles Murphy, Jacob L. Myers, Benjamin Neftzer, Archie L. Nicolas, James M. Nieman, Frank R. O'Brien, Francis J. Oestricher, Herman J. O'Neil, James Redd, George W. Reddington, Michael Reed, Harry L. Ritchie, Edgar Rogers, John Royal, John O. Ryan, Thomas F. Scanlon, Michael P. Schaefer, David E. Scherer, Lawrence L. Schwepe, Oscar W. Scott, Hencil C. Semple, Lester H. Sense, William J. Shaner, Samuel D. Shanks, James W. Shepherd, Donald D. Siadak, Ernest Skipton, Guy M. Slagle, Denver Smith, Alia M. Snyder, Alva B. Spangler, Minor G. Stempinski, William Stirn, Frank Stone, Homer K. Storer, Clarence R. Stouffer, Joseph E. Theis, William Thompson, George Tillett, Charles T. Todd, Albert C. Turvey, Kenneth Vincent, Lawrence L. Vondersmith, Adrian APPENDIX 323 Wade, William J. Wagner, Otto D. Walker, Russel A. Walsh, Irving Walt, Howard Waltz, William F. Ward, Dale F. Wastier, Jacob L. Weidinger, Fred B. Weyers, Frank J. Whitfield, George Wineland, Harry S. Wohleben, Arthur W. Yencer, James A. Zick, Robert A. COMPANY M Sergeants Bishop, Euclid C. Concannon, John W. Gantner, Charles Hutcherson, George I. Maulfair, Ralph McCormick, Francis L. Purcell, Paul E. Sillies, Joseph, Jr. Stockstill, Oscar T. Turner, James H. Corporals Anderson, Arthur H. Brock, William J. B. Bates, Denver H. Bean, Joseph D. Blackstone, Franklin R. Campbell, Julius M. Daniels, Edward W. Dennis, Paul D. Estergreen, Paul Himmelein, Charles Kitzman, Walter W. Lambert, Lawrence H. Mead, Ralph W. Mclnnes, Leroy Owen, Myler Pregenzer, Paul Piklo, Francis E. Ridle, Alfred A. Schmitz, Henry J. Schmitz, Joseph W. Skinner, William J. B, Snyder, Charles B. Snyder, Howard E. Srodes, John J. Steigerwald, Lawrence H. Stratton, John Sweeney, Thomas J. Tingley, Earl D. Whitman, John F. Privates Admire, Fred Akins, George S. Allbery, Clyde C. Allman, Elmer Aue, Henry E. Baker, Sidney J. Barrett, Clark H. Barrows, Charles G. Bell, Alva J. Berndt, Edward F. 324 APPENDIX Bialecki, Nicholas Binegar, Charles L. Black, Henry T. Blacksher, June J. Board, Fred A. Bower, James A. Bowler, Clyde R. Boyd, Glen Boyle, James Brittain, Phillip W. Brondo, Leo F. Brown, Haider L. Brown, Peter O. Bush, Josh Campbell, George E. Carpenter, Douglas R. Carson, Edward S. Cataline, James A. Chlim, Nicholas Chumard, Charles H. Coressel, Leonard H. Corwin, Harry Coulson, Clarence L. Cox, Pearl Crowley, Ernest R. Davis, Clarence E. Davis, George Deeds, Harry G. Deiser, Joseph J. Dicks, Stephen E. Donselman, Harry W. Dorman, Gail G. Douglas, Clarence E. Dudley, Larwence Dunn, Richard H. Dutton, Frank Eddington, Nathaniel B. Estell, Floyd E. Fahrney, Christ J. Fisher, Clyde T. Fosha, Walter Friend, Earl E. Garrison, Cloyd Gaudette, Lee Gestrich, Robert W. Giampaolo, Lewie Gibson, Cosby O. Gieke, Fred W. Graham, Fred S. Gray, Eustice G. Grosskurth, Charles, Jr. Halley, Harry H. Hardacre, Charles D. Hardoerfer, John J. Harris, Willis Hartley, Roy Hartshorn, Chauncy C. Hayes, Lawrence Henley, James C. Herdimon, Apostolus Hill, Ora L. Hower, Ray S. Hugi, John R. Hulec, August Hunter, John W. Jackson, Bruce K. Jackson, Harry Jenkins, Thomas D. Jewell, R. K. Johnson, Lewis W. Kelley, Arthur A. Kennedy, Bernard W. co: 1 ±±±. 5 ft 9 • s •! V m '■'^,^( w PRflCs^'Ml APPENDIX 325 Kennedy, Walter W. Kider, Leon Kimble, Harry D. Kinkead, Gray Klause, Frank Kneubuehl, Charles Knight, Harry Koenig, George J. Korb, Harry C. Kuczynski, Boleslau Kuhn, Leo J. Kuonzli, Homer C. Laake, Louis F. Lachtrupp, Elve M. Lanning, Clarence * Leist, Emmit A. Leposky, Joseph Lette, Roy Lewis, Claude Locker, Lyman Louis, Sam Luckjohn, Edward A. Ludwig, William L Lundy, John W. Lykowski, Edward Maurer, Floyd R. McConnell, Okey Mcintosh, Asa McKee, Vincent F. McLaughlin, Dwight E. McNulty, John H. Mercker, Henry F. Miller, Albert C. Mezivitz, David Mitchell, Frank C. ' Mitchell, Simon C. Mooradlan, Peter Moore, Ludlow C. Morgan, Frank C. Morrison, Joe L. Moulin, Raymond E. Neeley, Clifford Newton, Wilgus F. Nichols, Jay Norrington, James H. Nulty, James Oason, Oscar H. O'Brien, Walter A. Olcott, Conant B. Olson, Albert Orr, John Parcell, Hamer L. Parks, Ralph R. Parry, Thomas C. Paskell, Arthur W. Paulus, Leo M. Peery, James W. Perkins, James A. Perl, Harry W. Perry, Clark Piper, Hugo E. Piper, Walter E. Potts, Richard C. Prelipp, Albert C. H. Prose, Omer L. Prosser, Charles Puckett, Ora N. Raberding, Arthur H. Reich, Meyer Reindl, Edward C. Reinier, William A. Reithmiller, Ross A. 326 APPENDIX Roadwiler, Edward Rose, Burl W. Royse, Sim Rozanski, Joseph J. Ruppel, Clemence G. Rutter, Asa E. Sarhal, Elik Savich, Michael Schlegel, Jacob J. Schmidt, Frank E. Schooley, Verney F. Schubert, Ivan Schurick, William Schwartz, Edward A. Seymore, Cliflford O. Shaffer, Warren T. Sharpe, John W. Shelton, James C. Shock, Orbin D. Shondel, John R. Sidle, Surrell F. Simons, Charles F. Simpson, Charles Slagle, Claud W. Snekeker, John ■ Snyder, Lewis R. Snyder, Roy Sobul, Benjamin Speakman, James Spiegel, Harold C. Steinhauser, Frank A. Stephani, Warner J. Stephani, William J. H. Stephenson, William, Jr. Stillion, Clarence Stout, Gerald M. Strempel, Fred G. Summers, Walter D. Sunagel, Edward J. Suriano, Luigi Thompson, William W. Till, Eugene H. Triplett, Charles C. Truax, John G. Turner, Francis G. Tussey, Samuel H. Uleman, Herman S. Valant, Vincent Visata, Joseph E. Walsh, Patrick J. Walter, Everett L. Walter, Judson Walton, Webster B. Wheatherall, James L. Willard, Raymond C. Wolfe, Harry J. Yarger, Ernest C. Young, Arthur W. Young, Elmer E. Zeese, Elmer A. H 46-79 CAMBRIDGE . MASSACHUSETTS U . S . A . . ' ' . G^ o ^oV ^^ %• 0^ .^^^- '^os^ °.A^^a; ^-^^Q^c J-J^" »' c^\^ 4 o^ j^O <>^ * o , ■>' ^ Deacidified using the Bookkeeper process, • »'*<>, "^^ ^"^ s« '^^"'ralizing agent: Magnesium Oxide ^ •■/^^.^.v ..-K ^. v*^ S-. \\ A \ -I "•^0^ ^^--^^ <^^ . n " « , " ■ ^•> .^ "^ 4v^ " o . 't^