Show to pick entries for the regimental Horse Show which was
announced. In this show Battery D carried off a good share of the
ribbons. John E. Jones, of Hazleton, Penna., was awarded the blue
ribbon and a cash donation of francs, as first prize winner for
individual mounts. Concetti Imbesi, of Scranton, Penna., captured the
second place in this event and was awarded the red ribbon. Imbesi was
a prize winner in the hurdling, taking the yellow ribbon.
For the entry of 75 mm. gun and caisson with personnel, Battery D
took second and third places. The 2nd section of D took the red ribbon
and the 1st section received the yellow decoration. Each battery had
six mounted sections in this event. Battery F took first in this
event.
The battalion, as well as the regimental show, was held on a specially
constructed course between Benoite Vaux and Issoncourt.
In the regimental show, which took place on Monday, February 24th,
John E. Jones was adorned with the blue ribbon for guidon mounts.
Jones also finished third in the regimental hurdles, in which event
Imbesi also cantered from the track with the blue ribbon on his
bridle.
The officers of Battery D added their share to the trophies of the
day. First Lieutenant C. D. Bailey, in the officers' single mounts and
hurdles, captured second place in both events. The 2nd section of 75
mm. gun and caisson, the Battery D winner in the battalion show, was
ruled out of the regimental decision. Battery A took first in this
event, while the 1st section of Battery D got the yellow ribbon.
The Divisional Show was held at Pierrefitte on Thursday, February
27th. The best Battery D could do in the divisional competition was a
good record of two third places with the yellow ribbons. The show was
conducted in inclement weather, a combination of rain, hail and snow
worrying many of the high-spirited chevaux as they walked, trotted and
cantered over the course. Jones was judged third for guidon mount and
Capt. A. L. Smith got third for officer's saddle horse.
The official standing of the organizations in the regimental show was
as follows:
Headquarters Company 27
Battery D 18
Battery B 18
Battery F 13
Supply Company 10
Battery E 7
Battery A 5
Battery C 5
Medical Detachment 0
The points scored at the Divisional Show were:
311th Field Artillery 38
310th Field Artillery 29
315th Infantry 25
313th Infantry 15
304th Signal Battalion 10
304th Sanitary Train 8
154th F. A. Brigade Hqrs. 6
Headquarters Troop 6
314th Infantry 6
79th Military Police Company 5
311th Machine-Gun Battalion 5
316th Infantry 3
312th Machine-Gun Battalion 3
158th Infantry Brigade Headquarters 3
304th Ammunition Train S. O. L.
The Ninth Army Corps held a Horse Show at Lerouville, March 21, 1919,
with the 79th, the 88th and the 9th Army Corps Detachment, competing.
Honors were awarded as follows:
79th Division 137 points
88th Division 87 points
9th Corps Det. 26 points
At this show Jones, of Battery D, won third prize in the quarter mile
race.
The horse shows entailed a large amount of work. The soldiers were
kept busy shining harness, grooming horses and painting matériel. The
road between Benoite Vaux and Issoncourt, where the battalion and
regimental shows were held, was a stretch of mud. It was a serious
proposition to get the horses to the show-course without having them
look as if they had taken a mud bath.
In the regimental show Arthur H. Jones, familiarly known to the
battery members as "Boundbrook," the name of the New Jersey town he
claims as home, had entered the battery water cart in the show. The
water cart was one of the most valuable of battery vehicles. While at
Benoite Vaux all the water for drinking and cooking purposes had to be
hauled to the battery kitchen from a well about a kilometer distant.
"Boundbrook" Jones had charge of the cart, driving to the well for
water several times each day. "Boundbrook" also prided himself as
having the best horse of any of the water carts in the regiment. When
it came time for the regimental horse show Jones was certain that
his charge would carry off first prize in the water cart entry.
To the great chagrin of "Boundbrook" Battery D's cart was disqualified
by the judges because it did not have the proper spigots attached to
the water tank. Jones drove back to Benoite Vaux in a dejected mood.
Meeting Lieut. Bailey he exclaimed: "Say, Lieutenant, I thought this
was a horse show and not a plumbing show."
During the stay in Benoite Vaux the Battery members took advantage of
every opportunity afforded to visit battle sectors. St. Mihiel was
visited by many, while Verdun, with its underground city, and the
country in that vicinity was also explored to great extent. The
soldiers were granted mounted passes at times, which entitled them to
saddle battery horses to go on a day's sight-seeing trip.
During the latter part of February Capt. Smith was ordered to Paris on
temporary duty in the Inspector General's Department. Lieut. Yeager
and Lieut. Julian were also detached from the battery at Benoite Vaux.
Lieut. Yeager gained admission to an English University, while Lieut.
Julian was admitted to a French institution under the A. E. F.
educational plans.
Capt. Perry E. Hall, of Springfield, N. J., was assigned to the
command of D Battery when Capt. Smith was ordered to Paris. First
Lieut. Frank J. Hamilton, who had been associated with the battery at
Camp Meade, was reassigned to the organization from Headquarters
Company of the regiment, during the early part of March, 1919.
Private Stuart E. Prutzman, of Palmerton, Penna., left the outfit at
Benoite Vaux to attend a French university. Private William E.
Bachman, of Hazleton, Penna., was a successful applicant to the
A. E. F. University that was established at Beaune.
The daily sick call of the battery was exceptionally large at Benoite
Vaux. Colds and cooties played havoc with the boys for several weeks.
Another passing incident connected with the life at Benoite Vaux was
the Divisional Maneuvres that were planned with great enthusiasm but
which materialized rather humorously. The battery in general did not
enjoy this drama. The maneuvres were conducted with guidon-bearers
representing the batteries for the benefit of the Field Officers, who
consumed much paper and speech in issuing a multitude of orders to
guide the movements of the guidon-bearers as the latter represented
the entire regiment, assuming various strategic formations on a well
planned field of bloodless battle.
Lieut. Yeager, before being detached from the battery, and Cpl.
Thomas J. Brennan, of Pottsville, Penna., were candidates for the
divisional foot ball team that played at Souilly with a number of
other divisional elevens. Philip J. Cusick, of Parsons, Penna., the
battery's favorite pianist, was selected to make a tour with the
regimental minstrel show that was put on to tour the circuit of
A. E. F. playhouses. Cusick was recalled to the battery the latter
part of February when he received notice of his early discharge from
the army on account of the death of his father.
The sickness that laid its hand heavily on the men of the battery at
Benoite Vaux also affected the horses. The rain that fell almost
daily, kept the mud knee-deep and the roads slushy. The well members
of the battery toiled hard to complete the stables and save the horses
from cruel exposure to the weather. The stables were completed in
February and were in use long enough for an order to be issued to
clean them out by way of demonstration, then the battery was ordered
to proceed to another billeting district. It was announced about this
time that the 311th regiment was to sail for home in June.
The siege of sickness claimed in death two of Battery D's men, who had
been admitted to the base hospital at Commercy.
Private Patrick J. Dooling, of Metuchen, N. J., died on March 6, 1919,
with Broncho-pneumonia. He was buried in the Post Cemetery at
Commercy.
Corporal Guy W. Mortimer, of Pottsville, Penna., died on March 8th and
was buried in the same cemetery as Private Dooling.
In March regimental post schools were opened near Souilly. A number of
Battery D men were admitted to the various courses. The boys had been
at school for only one week when they were ordered back to the outfit,
which was then moving towards Commercy.
[Illustration: SERVING MESS TO BATTERY D ALONG THE ROAD
Serving Mess Along the Road While on a Move from Benoite Vaux to
Lerouville, France. Reproduced from Official Photo of the Signal
Corps. U. S. A.]
[Illustration: BATTERY D ON THE ROAD IN FRANCE
Showing Battery D Near Courouve, France. Reproduced from
Official Photo of the Signal Corps. U. S. A.]
CHAPTER XXII.
HOMEWARD BOUND.
When the battery left Benoite Vaux the soldiers knew they had started
on the first lap of their "homeward bound" trip. Weeks of hard work
were yet before the battery, but the thought of getting home in June,
or possibly earlier, as rumor had it that the A. E. F. sailing
schedules were operating several weeks ahead of time, kept up the
spirit of the artillerymen.
The trip from Blancheville was made by road. A short journey on March
19th found Battery D in Boncourt, a small town near Commercy. The
other batteries of the regiment moved to nearby towns. On March 31st,
Lerouville, Pont sur Meuse and Boncourt held the regiment between
them.
On April 1st Battery D was ordered to make another trip overland. The
trip required three days. The first night's stop was made at Ligny en
Barcis, a large town where the entire regiment found accommodation and
the boys enjoyed themselves for the night. The second night the
regiment had to scatter for billeting at Bure, Echenay, Saudron, and
Guillaume. Battery D was quartered in Bure.
The journey was southward in the direction of Andelot. It was one trip
the soldiers enjoyed. It didn't rain during the three days enroute.
The end of the third day found the battery in Cirey les Mareilles, the
town near Blancheville in which district the outfit was previously
billeted. Cirey les Mareilles housed E Battery when D was at
Blancheville. When the regiment returned to the old stamping ground
Batteries D and E were billeted at Cirey. The Supply Company of the
regiment was billeted in Blancheville during this stay. Regimental
Headquarters Company and Battery A established themselves at
Briancourt, Battery F at Mareilles, Battery B at Rochfort, and Battery
C at Chantraines.
While at Boncourt the matériel of the regiment was inspected by an
ordnance officer and passed inspection. Before the matériel was to be
finally turned in, however, a big review before General John J.
Pershing, Commander in Chief of the A. E. F., was to take place.
Battery D left Cirey les Mareilles at noon, Friday, April 11th,
proceeding to and arriving on the reviewing field at Orquenaux at 4:30
p. m. It was 8:30 o'clock before the horses were cared for and a
battery of dog tents erected on the field, where the soldiers spent
the night. It did not rain during the night, but the following
day, when the review was being staged, it rained in torrents.
The review started at 10:30 a. m., Saturday, April 12, 1919. First the
outfit stood inspection mounted but not moving. Then the divisional
march in front of the reviewing stand started. It was a grand military
sight to see an entire army division together on one field, at one
time, with all equipment. It was late in the afternoon when the review
ended by which time all the soldiers were thoroughly soaked by the
rain.
It was 4 o'clock when Battery D left the reviewing ground, and
hastened on its way to Andelot. The entire distance was covered at
what was almost a steady trot. Andelot was reached at 7 p. m. It was a
wet and tired battery, but the rain and fatigue were soon forgotten
when orders were issued for all matériel to be turned in at Andelot,
to be delivered to the railhead at Rimaucourt. Despite the fact that
everybody was drenched to the skin, also cold and miserable, happy
smiles lit the faces of all when farewell was bid the guns and
caissons. The soldiers, in a happy mood, walked from Andelot to Cirey
les Mareilles, singing and whistling.
During the following week the horses and practically all the equipment
was turned in and preparations made for the trip to the embarkation
port. Everything in the line of equipment that was not needed, was
salvaged.
On Monday, April 7th, another attempt was made by the regimental
officers to establish a post school near Neuf Chateau. A number of
Battery D men were sent to attend the school. The school, however, was
broken up the first day of its existence, an official order returning
the scholars to their respective commands. Orders to detrain for an
embarkation center were momentarily expected.
On Saturday, April 19th, the regiment entrained at Rimaucourt, bound
for the port of St. Nazaire, which was to be the exit to the land of
home. The trip was made by box car, the route being through Bologne,
Chaumont, Langres, south of Nevers, through Angers and Nantes. Battery
D continued its journey until Camp Montoir, eight kilometers from the
port, was reached at 4:45 p. m., April 21st.
Sergeant Koenig and Corporal Shafer were the busiest men of the
battery during the stay at Camp Montoir. Yards and yards of paper work
had to be completed before the outfit was finally cleared and ready to
walk up the gang plank. The battery office force worked day and
night and established a new record in getting a battery sailing list
o. k'd.
The stay at Montoir was pleasant despite the fact that physical
inspections were endured in great number and all soldiers and clothing
had to go through a thorough process of cootiizing. The camp was well
equipped with recreational centers where the soldiers enjoyed their
idle hours.
Various detail work was assigned the battery while at Montoir. Details
assisted in the erection of a new theatre on the camp grounds. Drill
and physical exercise periods were in order when examinations and
inspections lulled. After passing in a brigade review before Brigadier
General Andrew Hero, on Friday, May 9th, the outfit was declared ready
to board the next ship that docked at the port of St. Nazaire. On
Monday, May 12th, the boys changed what francs they had left, into
United States currency. Then they were ready to say good-bye to
France.
Reveille sounded at 4 a. m., on Wednesday, May 14th. Nobody slept in
that morning. Rolls were made in short order and the battery area
policed-up. At 6 a. m. the regiment left Camp Montoir on an eight
kilometer hike to St. Nazaire, which port was reached at 8:30 a. m.
The U. S. S. Edward Luckenbach was lying at anchor in the basin at St.
Nazaire. The vessel had been coaled and supplied for the return to
American shores. In the morning of May 14th the Edward Luckenbach
waited for its troop passengers before setting sail.
After the soldiers waited on the pier for some time the huge
gang-planks were extended and the regiment started its march to the
decks of the ship. The gang-planks were lifted at 11 a. m. The ship
was loosened from its moorings and slowly piloted through the
congested basin. Slowly the transport passed the draw bridge, through
the locks and out into the wide expanse of bay. It was 2:10 p. m. when
open water course was reached.
The U. S. S. Edward Luckenbach carried 29 officers and 2,247 enlisted
men, including 14 officers and 1,338 men of the 311th Field Artillery:
8 officers and 547 men of the 314th Machine Gun Battalion, and three
casual companies.
Capt. Perry Hall was the only Battery D officer able to find
accommodation on the battery's transport. All the other officers had
to wait for other transportation. Capt. A. L. Smith rejoined the
the regiment at St. Nazaire and was assigned as regimental adjutant.
He accompanied the troops on the Edward Luckenbach.
Late in the afternoon on the day of set-sailing the vessel was stopped
to allow the pilot to be taken off into a sail boat. Mine sweepers
were also let down on both sides the vessel. Without convoy and with
freedom of light at night the transport pushed its way through the
waves that formerly were in the danger zone. The mine sweepers
continued to comb the waves for any stray mine missiles that by chance
might have still floated from war operations.
No difficulty was encountered, however, and the danger zone once
passed, the trip continued at an average rate of 9 knots an hour. The
Edward Luckenbach was a 6100 ton cargo vessel converted into a
transport for the Naval Overseas Transportation Service. It was manned
by an American naval crew. The vessel was an oil burner and trouble
was experienced with the engines, whereby the speed of the vessel was
retarded. It was feared at times that the engines would give out
before port was reached. Slow, but sure the troops were brought to
friendly shores.
It might be noted in passing that on the next trip made by the Edward
Luckenbach as a transport, the vessel became crippled through the
breaking of her port shaft and her main journal and had to be towed
for 600 miles into the harbor at South Boston, Mass.
Outside of the monotony, the trip was an uneventful one. The first two
days were attended with fine weather and calm sea, but the third day a
rain and wind storm developed. Bunks, down in the hatch, collapsed and
things in general were topsy turvy all night. Sea sickness was
rampant. It was a case of six meals a day for the next three or four
turns of the clock--three down and three up.
The high sea gales blew for several days in succession. Mess line was
the only formation of the day while K. P.'s and Hatch cleanup were the
only details furnished.
After thirteen days on the water, land was sighted late in the
afternoon of Tuesday, May 27th. It was a welcome sight to the soldiers
to see New York's famous sky-line in the distance. A mist hung over
the harbor and it was 5 p. m. when the outline of the Statue of
Liberty became plainly discernible. As the Edward Luckenbach was
piloted through the roadway of commerce that thronged the harbor, the
U. S. S. Leviathan steamed majestically seaward, carrying a cargo of
soldiers to France to relieve members of the Army of Occupation.
Following the triumphal entry into New York harbor, the vessel
cast another anchor and remained undocked for the night. Thus the boys
spent one night within the beam of Miss Liberty, whose drawing power
had been distinct in memory for many a weary month in France.
A big welcome had been planned for the soldiers on the Edward
Luckenbach. One of the police patrol tugs, bearing the sign: "The
Mayor's Reception Committee," came out to meet the transport. The
river tug had as passengers a band, besides many friends and relatives
of soldiers aboard the transport. A noisy welcome home was sounded as
the patrol boat encircled the steamer several times.
Cheers, and tears also, greeted the 311th boys when the Herman
Caswell, a water front yacht, that had been chartered by three hundred
excursionists from the Hazleton, Wilkes-Barre, and Scranton districts
of Pennsylvania, encircled the Edward Luckenbach, with St. Ann's Band
of Freeland, Penna., on board, playing "Home, Sweet Home."
The three hundred excursionists, who had journeyed from the Anthracite
fields of Pennsylvania to welcome the 311th boys, had a difficult time
to locate the Edward Luckenbach. At 6 o'clock that night they sailed
out to find the vessel, reported as advancing past Ambrose Channel.
They traversed the entire waterfront, both on the North and East River
sides, before the hospital ship Comfort located the transport by
radio, up the Hudson. The excursion delegates stayed near the
transport until dark.
It was with rejuvenated spirits that the soldiers spent their last
night on board the transport, lying in New York harbor. On Wednesday
morning, May 28th, the troops debarked at Pier 6, Bush Terminal,
Brooklyn. Only a few of the friends and relatives got to see the
soldier boys at the terminal. While the soldiers lingered at the
terminal, partaking of refreshments furnished by the Red Cross and the
welfare associations, the crowds beat the ferry boat that carried the
soldiers to Jersey City and formed two lines through which the boys
passed to entrain for Camp Dix, N. J.
Plans were under way to hold a Seventy-Ninth Division parade in
Philadelphia, Penna., but the boys voiced protests against being held
in camp, with the result that the work of putting the outfit through
the process of sterilization and cootiization was expedited.
After going through the "delouser" at Camp Dix, Battery D was moved to
another section of barracks, near the discharge center. Clerical
details were sent to the discharge center, known as the "madhouse,"
each day, to assist in getting out the paper work for official
discharge of the outfits scheduled for muster out before Battery D.
Battery D was officially discharged from the United States Army
Service on May 30th, 1919, when all its members were assigned to
various discharge units. On May 30th the soldiers whose homes were in
Western States, were detached from the battery to be sent to Western
camps for discharge.
Those who were scheduled to remain at Dix to receive their discharge
papers, their pay and the $60 bonus, idled about the camp until
Wednesday, June 4th, when they were called to the discharge center to
be paid off. It required a long wait before the members of the casual
detachments that once formed Battery D were admitted to the Central
Records office.
The soldiers "beat it" from camp as soon as they had the coveted
discharge certificates. The outfit separated in driblets during the
day. The first ones called got clear of military service in the
morning, while others were not called until late that afternoon.
By nightfall of June 4th, 1919, however, Battery D members, for the
main part, were headed for HOME, to take up the thread of civilian
life where they had severed it months before when they answered the
call of selective service.
THE LORRAINE CROSS
[Illustration]
THE 79th DIVISION INSIGNIA
CHAPTER XXIII.
THE CROSS OF LORRAINE
Its Origin and Its Significance.
(Extracts from a Document)
Written from data furnished
by
E. F. HENRI VIARD
B. A. Paris University
Late London Correspondent of "Le Journal"
Sometime Technical Translator to the Ordnance
Department A. E. F.
The Lorraine Cross, official insignia of the Seventy-Ninth Division,
United States Army, was adopted shortly after the armistice was
signed.
Despite the fact that the Seventy-Ninth Division Artillery did not
share in the fighting with the rest of the division, the artillerymen
were accorded the privilege of wearing the emblem.
In all its war operations, the Seventy-Ninth Division faced the enemy
in Lorraine, the province which the United States was pledged to win
back for France.
Victory, in the face of stubborn opposition, crowned the efforts of
the Seventy-Ninth Division. It was only appropriate, therefore, that
the division should select as its emblem the ancient symbol of
victory, The Lorraine Cross.
The divisional insignia was worn on the left sleeve of the uniform
blouse at the shoulder.
THE CROSS OF LORRAINE.
A national emblem of the independent Duchy of Lorraine for centuries,
and even now a distinctive cognizance of the Border Province of
France, the double traverse cross, known as the Cross of Lorraine,
forms part of the armorial bearings of no less than 163 noble
families. And several military units engaged in the world war adopted
the cross as an emblem. These units include, besides the Lorraine
Detachment of the French Army, the Seventy-Ninth Division.
Before its adoption as an emblem by the reigning house of Lorraine,
the double traverse cross had a long and interesting history.
Important in the history of the development of the shape of the Cross
with its two beams, the design being Byzantine and emblematic of the
triumph of Christ over Death, are ancient double traverse crosses,
each containing fragments of the Real Cross of the Crucifixion. They
are preserved in different sections of France.
The double traverse of the Cross of Lorraine comes from the
substitution, for the Titulus, or inscription originally used to mark
the Cross upon which Christ was crucified, of a plain horizontal arm.
The origin of the double traverse cross is Eastern, and, students of
the subject point out, it undoubtedly represents the Jerusalem
Cross--the True Cross--with its main horizontal beam and the Titulus,
represented by a plain beam in the Cross of Lorraine.
Reliquaries containing parts of the Red Cross upon which the Savior
was crucified, including the reliquaries in Poitiers and Limoges, are
double traverse in form. On an enamelled plate in the Treasury of Graz
Cathedral, Hungary, the figure of Saint Helena, credited with the
recovery of the True Cross, is represented draped in a dress which is
emblazoned with a double traverse cross.
The double traverse cross came to have its association with Lorraine
in 1477 after Rene II, reigning head of the Duchy of Lorraine, had
defeated Charles the Bold, Duke of Burgundy, at the Battle of Nancy.
Rene was of the house of Anjou and the emblem had been known as the
Cross of Anjou to earlier members of the house.
Succession to the Duchy of Lorraine came to Rene II through the female
line. His mother was Yolande of Anjou, daughter of Rene I. Through his
father, Ferri of Vaudemont, Rene claimed descent from the Ancient
dynasty of the Dukes of Lorraine, who traced their history to Gerard
of Alsace, and who had ruled the Duchy uninterruptedly for almost four
centuries.
At the time of the accession of Rene II, the neighboring Duchy of
Burgundy was ruled by Charles the Bold, who made a reputation as a
general and warrior. In the forwarding of his ambition for greater
territory and more widespread authority, he had roused the enmity of
Lorrainers. In 1476, following the accession of Rene II, the Duke of
Burgundy laid siege to Nancy and took the city.
Rene went abroad to hire troops, and, returning in the early days of
1477 with considerable forces, especially Italian and Swiss
mercenaries, gave battle to Charles within sight of Nancy, whose
soldier citizens sallied forth to his help. Despite their assistance,
Rene might have lost the fight had it not been for Campo Basso, an
Italian condettieri in the service of Charles the Bold, who, having
some grudge against the latter and being bribed by the other side,
went over to the Lorrainers at the critical moment.
The Burgundians were cut to pieces. Charles the Bold, in trying to
break away, was slain by a Lorraine officer who did not recognize him
and who committed suicide when, the body of the famous Duke having
been identified a couple of days later from an old scar behind the
ear, he realized that it was he who had killed "so great a Prince."
The Battle of Nancy was not only the greatest event in the History of
Lorraine, but one of the most momentous in the History of France, and
even of Europe. If Burgundy alone was defeated, three parties
benefitted by the victory, namely; Switzerland, for whom it meant
final acquisition of independence; the King of France, and the Duke of
Lorraine. The disappearance of Charles the Bold ensured at one stroke
the unity of France, which it rid of the last ever powerful vassal,
and the independence of Lorraine. No doubt Louis XI would rather have
been the only profiteer by the death of his rival. No doubt, also, he
meant to get hold of Lorraine and, as the event proved, laid hands
shortly afterward on the Duchy of Bar and tried to prevent Rene II
from coming into this comparatively small portion of Rene of Anjou's
inheritance. But his wily plans were foiled by the very fact that,
whatever his motives, he had made a show of fostering and supporting
the Lorrainer against the Burgundian. Had Lorraine become a part of
Charles the Bold's dominions, even the Mighty House of Austria would
have been unable to keep it independent from France; Henry II's
efforts would have been exerted against Lorraine, and Lorraine it is
that France would have occupied at the same time as the three
bishoprics, Toul, Metz, and Verdun and before Alsace. France's
influence made itself felt in the Duchy as early as 1552, but
annexation was put off until 1766.
Not only did Rene II's reign ensure the independence of Lorraine,
but it secured the adjunction of Barrois, for there can be no doubt
that the Duchy of Bar would have been annexed to France right away had
not Charles VIII found it politic to give back the territory
confiscated by his father, Louis XI, as an inducement to Duke Rene II
not to press his claims regarding such parts of Rene of Anjou's
inheritance as Anjou and Provence which France wanted and secured out
of the deal.
Considering the importance of the Battle of Nancy in the eyes of
Lorrainers, the historical value of the badge worn by their victorious
ancestors at that famous fight is easily understood. That badge was a
double traverse cross. We have Duke Rene II's own word for it. In the
account of operation and conduct of the Battle of Nancy, dictated by
the Duke himself to his secretary, Joannes Lud, we read: "And I had on
my harness a robe of gold cloth, and the armour of my horse was also
covered with gold cloth trappings and on the said robe and trappings
were three white double traverse crosses."
The Burgundian badge was the St. Andrew Cross. To differentiate his
men from their opponents, Rene II naturally thought of the
conspicuously distinct double-traverse cross his grandfather Rene I
had brought over from Anjou and made so much of.
In another account of the battle, to be found in the Chronicle of
Lorraine, written at very nearly the same time, the following passage
occurs relating to the period of the fight when Campo Basso and his
mercenaries went over from the Burgundian to the Lorraine side; "They
all tore off their St. Andrew crosses and put on the Jerusalem one,
which Duke Rene was wearing."
The Jerusalem Cross obviously is a misnomer, as proven by the context,
the very next sentence of which reads: "And many of the Nancians,
sallying from their city to take part in the pillage of the Bold One's
Camp, were in great danger of being slaughtered by the Swiss and by
their own countrymen because they had not the double traverse cross on
them." Again in several other passages the cross is specifically
described as a double traverse cross.
January 5, 1477, was the birthday of the Cross of Lorraine. From that
day, ceasing to be merely reminiscent of Anjou, the double traverse
cross became the Lorraine National Emblem.
Since the war in 1870-71, which resulted in the annexation of part of
Lorraine to Germany, a significant use has been made of the old
cross. Shortly after the signature of the Treaty of Frankfurt, a
meeting of the inhabitants of Metz was held on Sion Hill. As a result
of the meeting a marble monument was erected, having carved on it a
broken Lorraine Cross. An inscription in local dialect was added,
reading "_C'name po tojo_" ("'Twill not be forever"). The world war
ended in the realization of this prophecy.
So the soldiers of the Seventy-Ninth Division can look at the insignia
they have been privileged to wear and think of the memories associated
with it.
CHAPTER XXIV.
BATTERY D HONOR ROLL.
CORPORAL FRANK McCABE--Plains, Pa., died January 24, 1918, at the Base
Hospital, Camp Meade, Md., at 7:40 p. m., with an attack of acute
rheumatism. Body was sent to Plains with a military escort. Buried in
Plains.
PRIVATE WILLIAM REYNOLDS--Pottsville, Pa., was killed by the explosion
of a French field gun on the range at La Courtine, France, at 3 p. m.
October 11, 1918. Buried in the American Military Cemetery at Camp La
Courtine, October 12th. Grave No. 37.
FIRST-SERGEANT JAMES J. FARRELL--Plains, Pa., died November 2, 1918,
at the Base Hospital, Camp La Courtine, France, at 4:30 p. m., with an
attack of pneumonia. Buried in the American Military Cemetery at Camp
La Courtine, November 4th, at 11 a. m. Grave No. 80.
PRIVATE HORACE J. FARDON--Paterson, N. J., died November 4, 1918, at
the Base Hospital, Camp La Courtine, France, at 11:45 p. m. from
Influenza. Buried in the American Military Cemetery at Camp La
Courtine, November 5th, at 11 a. m. Grave No. 82.
PRIVATE FIRST-CLASS JOSEPH ALPHONSUS LOUGHRAN--Hazleton, Pa., died
November 5, 1918, at the Base Hospital, Camp La Courtine, France, at
6:55 p. m. with an attack of pneumonia. Buried in the American
Military Cemetery at Camp La Courtine, November 6th, at 2 p. m. Grave
No. 84.
PRIVATE PATRICK J. DOOLING--Metuchen, N. J., died March 6, 1919, at
Base Hospital No. 91 at Commercy, France, at 11:40 p. m., with
broncho-pneumonia. Buried in the Post Cemetery at Commercy. Grave No.
172.
CORPORAL GUY W. MORTIMER--Pottsville, Pa., died March 8, 1919,
at Base Hospital No. 91, Commercy, France, at 4:55 a. m. with
broncho-pneumonia. Buried in the Post Cemetery at Commercy. Grave No.
167.
[Illustration: PVT. 1 CL. JOSEPH A. LOUGHRAN
Died In France.]
[Illustration: CEMETERY AT CAMP LA COURTINE
Pvt 1 Cl. Conrad Baffiel Standing at
the Grave of Joseph A. Loughran.]
CHAPTER XXV.
"ONE OF US."
The following is a reproduction of extracts from an article written by
the author of this volume, on the afternoon of November 6, 1918,
following the burial of Private Joseph A. Loughran, and published in
the Standard-Sentinel, a daily newspaper of Hazleton, Pa., on December
11, 1918.
In general the article expresses the bond of feeling each battery
casualty called forth.
"I have lost a friend; the United States has lost a good soldier;
and Hazleton, Pennsylvania, has lost another flower of its noble
manhood--was the total of my thoughts this afternoon as I stood,
one of a military escort, and saw the remains of Joseph A.
Loughran consigned to a resting place in the sacred soil of
France.
"He was truly 'One of Us.' To the military records he was known
as a Private First Class, but to us he was 'Al,' one in common
and ever affectionate.
"Twenty of us, comrades-in-arms, all from the same city in dear
old Pennsylvania, who formed the escort, listened in profound
sympathy, as we, with the battery in line at our side, paid the
last military honors to our deceased comrade.
"The sun was shining serenely overhead; all was calm and quiet as
a moment of silent homage followed the last note of Taps sounded
over the grave.
"The casket, enshrouded in Old Glory, for which he endured and
died, was lowered, but his soul, no one could doubt, had already
winged itself to the portals of eternity; there to repose in
well-earned rest, to ever serve his God as he served God and
country his mortal while.
"He died in the height of his development as a trained soldier.
Although removed from the scene of actual warfare and listed as
'Died of Disease' in the casualty records, not one of the
thousands of the A. E. F. fallen on the field of battle suffered
a more heroic or noble death.
"He was prepared, ready and willing. Months of strenuous effort
spent in mastering the soldier game were cut short on the eve of
material advantage to the cause, but the spirit of his endeavors
lives in the heart of the outfit he served. It is the spirit,
sometimes called morale, that is the decisive factor.
"At the tomb of the dead the regimental chaplain vouched the
fact that the departed soldier communed every Sunday of his army
life.
"In civil life, before entering the call of selectiveness, his
worth and devoutness was well known to a large circle of friends.
His military associations were none the less extensive and
tender.
"It was while doing his duty, along lines of communication as a
member of the Battery Commander's Detail, on the range at La
Courtine, that he fell a victim to pneumonia, resulting in early
demise.
"There are many incidents connected with the life of our fallen
soldier and friend that could be extolled. But those who knew him
need no words. His life shines out as a true beacon.
"The boys of the battery in which he served bow in heartfelt
sympathy to his wife, parents, brothers, sisters, relatives and
friends. He died, but his death has not been in vain. His spirit
lives to cheer his comrades on to greater deeds of patriotism.
His loved ones at home can be proud of 'Al.' He died every inch a
man and patriotic to the core.
"His grave was not neglected. The boys tenderly sodded its mound
and placed a wreath of holly, plucked from the hills of Creuse,
where he last trained. The grave is marked with a wooden cross,
on which is inscribed his name, rank, and command, and to which
is attached the soldier's identification disc.
"It is Grave No. 84 in the American cemetery, situated on a
gentle slope of one of the picturesque hills of Creuse province,
overlooking Camp La Courtine."
CHAPTER XXVI.
IN MEMORIAM.
In the moment of laying aside the uniform there surged through the
heart of every member of Battery D emotions too deep for words.
The rainy days and mud of France were at last a thing of the past.
Yes, truly a thing of the past to those staunch comrades who survived
not the ordeal to return home.
Those who survived and returned home, have had an invaluable
experience. With memories of those experiences there will always
linger the thoughts and associations of departed comrades.
As battery members they all toiled together in France for a common
cause. All shared the common thought of seeing the war period through
bravely, then to return home, bigger, better and stronger as a
soldier-citizen.
The comrades of Battery D whose lives were cut short by the Grim
Reaper when they were at the height of their development as trained
soldiers, all cherished thoughts of getting back home. They gave
expression to such thoughts in their letters home.
Joseph A. Loughran, in a letter written to his parents just before he
was stricken with the illness to which he succumbed, wrote these
words: "Save a couple of chairs for my wife and myself at the Xmas
dinner table, for God willing we will surely be there."
In another portion of the same letter Private Loughran wrote: "Oh,
boy, won't it be great to get back home again after going through all
the trials that I had. If any one told me a few years ago that I could
go through what I have and still be as healthy as I am, I would not
believe them. I am as healthy as an ox and weigh 180 pounds."
Thus it is that thoughts of departed comrades stir emotions too deep
for words; emotions that flood the heart with memorials that will live
on as silent tributes to the worth of those who gave up their lives
while in the service of their country.
CHAPTER XXVII.
FIRST BATTERY D STAFF.
*Officers.*
Captain Albert L. Smith
1st Lieut. Arthur H. McGill
2nd Lieut. Hugh M. Clarke
2nd Lieut. Robert S. Campbell
2nd Lieut. Frank F. Yeager
2nd Lieut. Berkley Courtney
2nd Lieut. Frank J. Hamilton
*Non-Commissioned Officers.*
1st Sgt. William C. Thompson
Supply Sgt. Merrill C. Liebensberger
[A]Mess Sgt. Joseph A. Loughran
[A]Instrument Sgt. Lloyd E. Brown
Signal Sgt. John M. Harman
*Sergeants.*
Hugh A. Coll
William E. Ritter
James M. Duffy
James J. Farrell
Abraham Kahn
Earl B. Schleppy
*Corporals.*
Joseph Conlon
John C. Demcik
Gerald F. Farrell
Edward J. Kane
Harry T. Kenvin
David B. Koenig
John Koslap
Frank McCabe
Arthur D. Roderick
Joseph Yeselski
*Cooks.*
Edward Campbell
George A. Musial
Charles A. Trostel
August H. Genetti
[Footnote A: Deceased.]
[Illustration: PVT. HORACE J. FARDON
Died in France with Influenza. Buried in the American Military
Cemetery at Camp La Courtine.]
[Illustration: GRAVE OF PVT. WM. REYNOLDS
Section of the American Military Cemetery at Camp La Courtine. Pvt.
Reynolds Was Killed by Gun Explosion.]
[Illustration: BARRACK AT CAMP LA COURTINE FRANCE
Battery D was Quartered in This Building While Under Intensive
Training at Range Practice Among the Hills of Creuse Department.]
CHAPTER XXVIII.
BATTERY D OFFICERS.
The following officers were associated with Battery D during its
career, either as a unit of the New National Army, or as part of the
United States Army, the classification of the combined regular and
selected divisions:
Captain Albert L. Smith, Philadelphia. Pa.
Captain Perry E. Hall, Springfield. N. J.
First Lieutenant Hugh M. Clarke, Pittsburgh. Pa.
[A]First Lieutenant Arthur H. McGill. New Castle, Pa.
First Lieutenant Robert Lowndes, Elkridge, Md.
First Lieutenant C. D. Bailey, Summit. N. J.
First Lieutenant J. S. Waterfield, Portsmouth, Va.
Second Lieutenant Frank F. Yeager. Philadelphia, Pa.
Second Lieutenant Sidney F. Bennett, Ottawa, Canada.
Second Lieutenant Berkley Courtney, Fullerton, Md.
Second Lieutenant Leo C. Julian, Lakeland. Fla.
Second Lieutenant Robert S. Campbell, Pittsburgh. Pa.
[Footnote A: Deceased.]
CHAPTER XXIX.
ROSTER OF BATTERY D.
This list contains the names and home-addresses of the enlisted
personnel of Battery D, who served overseas and whose names were
on the sailing list of the U. S. S. Edward Luckenbach.
Marinus Abrahmse, Pvt.,
196 Washington St., Lodi, N. J.
Eben C. Allen, Pvt.,
Main St., Closer. N. J.
Abel R. Anderson, Pvt.,
36 West 6th St.,
Ridgefield Park, N. J.
John J. Anderson, Cpl.,
R. F. D., No. 1. Perth Amboy, N. J.
Curran B. Armstrong, Pvt. 1 Cl.,
Dreyton, N. D.
Harold J. Arnold, Cpl.,
456 E. Broad St., Hazleton, Pa.
William E. Bachman, Pvt. 1 Cl.,
120 West Fourth St., Hazleton. Pa.
Conrad A. Balliet, Pvt., 1 Cl.,
597 Lincoln St., Hazleton. Pa.
Joseph T. Becker, Pvt., 1 Cl.-Cpl.,
913 West 38th St., Chicago, Ill.
Louis F. Bracco, Pvt.,
156 Orient Way, Rutherford, N. J.
Harold C. Bratt, Pvt., 1 Cl.,
58 Cleveland St., Hackensack, N. J.
Joseph Brazina, Pvt., 1 Cl.,
127 Muir Ave., Hazleton, Hts., Pa.
Cornelius Breen, Pvt.,
25 Hobart Place, Garfield, N. J.
Thomas J. Brennan, Pvt., 1 Cl.-Cpl.,
R. F. D., Box 394, Pottsville, Pa.
William F. Brennan, Cpl.,
713 W. Tioga St., Philadelphia, Pa.
Leslie S. Brooks, Pvt., 1 Cl.,
Box 60, Fort Edward, N. Y.
Hugh P. Burke, Sgt.,
312 Wells Ave., Parsons, Pa.
Alexander Calderwood, Cpl.,
Gwyneed Valley, Pa.
Milton O. Campbell, Pvt.,
Box 65, Waldwick, N. J.
Jason Canfield, Cpl.,
Kenton, Ohio.
James Cataldo, Cpl.,
191 S. Pine St., Hazleton, Pa.
John Chardell, Cpl.-Sgt.,
561 Garfield St., Hazleton, Pa.
Hugh A. Coll, Cpl.-Sgt.,
627 N. Wyoming St., Hazleton, Pa.
John L. Conley, Pvt.-1 Cl.,
501 E. Clenton St., Frankfort, Ind.
Joseph E. Conlon, Cpl.,
22 Ulmer St., Hudson, Pa.
Leo C. Connor, Pvt., 1 Cl.,
137 Center St., Ashland, Pa.
James E. Corcoran, Pvt.,
470 Gregory Ave., Weehawken, N. J.
Charles Cuttito, Cook,
16 Avenue A, Lodi, N. J.
William H. Decker, Jr., Pvt.,
277 Forest St., Jersey City, N. J.
Frank De Graff, Pvt.,
192 Spring St., Lodi, N. J.
Meyer Deitch, Pvt., 1 Cl.,
858 Union Ave., Bronx, N. Y.
Leo C. Delaney, Sgt.,
1327 Main St., Pittston, Pa.
Philip Den Bleyker, Pvt.,
R. F. D., No. 1, Rohway, N. J.
George Dorsey, Cpl.,
328 S. Keyser Ave., Scranton, Pa.
Fred Downsbrough, Cpl.,
Box 153, Firthcliffe, N. Y.
Albert Dransfield, Pvt.,
29 Wayne Ave., Paterson, N. J.
James M. Duffy, Sgt.-1st Sgt.,
224 Hollenback Ave., Parsons, Pa.
James A. Durkin, Hs.,
77 Henry St., Plains, Pa.
Adam O. Dyker, Pvt.,
196 Monroe St., Garfield, N. J.
William Ellert, Pvt.,
Willow St., Moonachie, N. J.
Arden C. Evans, Pvt., 1 Cl., Cpl.,
R. F. D., No. 3, Benton, Pa.
Thomas Evans, Pvt., 1 Cl.,
1922 Cedar St., Anderson, Ind.
Gerald F. Farrell, Pvt.-Cpl.,
78 E. Carey Ave., Plains, Pa.
Walter R. Farrell, Pvt.-Sgt.,
Box 405, Kellogg, Idaho.
Ermino (Buck) Favo, Pvt.,
16 Erving Place, Garfield, N. J.
Victor J. Feinour, Pvt., 1 Cl.,
Jacksonville, Pa.
Leroy H. Fish, Pvt., 1 Cl.,
30 Wren St., Pittston, Pa.
Fred N. Fisher, Pvt., 1 Cl.,
28 S. Front St., Minersville, Pa.
Fay H. Freadhoff, Pvt.-Cpl.,
503 Third Ave., Sterling, Ill.
Howard C. Freitag, Pvt.,
Box 44, Fair View, N. J.
Anthony J. Fritzen, S. Sgt.,
1724 Jackson St., Scranton, Pa.
John M. Frye, Jr., Pvt., 1 Cl.,
2519 S. 62nd St., W. Phila., Pa.
Gomer P. Gealy, Pvt.,
634 N. Hyde Park Ave., Scranton, Pa.
William R. Geiger, Pvt., 1 Cl.,
South 2nd St., St. Clair, Pa.
Charles W. Geiswalt, Pvt.,
335 N. George St., Pottsville, Pa.
Hugh A. Gildea, Cpl.-Sgt.,
84 Merritt Ave., Plains, Pa.
John Gripp, Pvt., 1 Cl.,
938 Mt. Vernon Ave., Scranton, Pa.
Michael Guresh, Pvt.,
R. F. D., No. 2, Box 18, Tamaqua, Pa.
Christian Hagedorn, Pvt.,
28 Sicomac Lane,
Midland, Park, N. J.
Stephen A. Hurtz, Pvt.,
134 Ryerson Ave., Paterson, N. J.
Curtis F. Horne, Pvt.,
612 21st St., Windber, Pa.
Patrick J. Hughes, Pvt., 1 Cl.,
73 Second St., Paterson, N. J.
Charles W. Hunt, Pvt.,
775 Dalton, Ave., Pittsfield, Mass.
Concetti Imbesi, Pvt., 1 Cl.,
925 Scranton St., Scranton, Pa.
Nels C. Jacobsen, Pvt.,
Farmont, Minn.
Ollie S. Jay, Pvt.,
Waelder, Texas.
John J. Jlosky, Pvt.,
49 William St., Englewood, N. J.
Albert R. Johnson, Pvt., 1 Cl.,
Kipp, Kansas.
John E. Jones, Pvt., 1 Cl.,
300 E. Beech St., Hazleton, Pa.
Reggie L. Jones, Pvt.,
Pembroke, Ky.
Charles L. Jourdren, Pvt.,
123 Elm Ave., Bogota, N. J.
Charles Karsch, Pvt.,
Washington Ave.,
Little Ferry, N. J.
James F. Kelly, Cpl.,
123 Burke St., Plains, Pa.
John A. King, Cpl.,
515 Main St., Pittston, Pa.
David B. Koenig, Cpl.-Sgt.,
533 Peace St., Hazleton, Pa.
Erik W. Kolmodin, Pvt.,
39 Central Ave.,
Ridgefield Park, N. J.
John Kontir, Pvt., 1 Cl.-Cpl.,
538 Cleveland St., Hazleton, Pa.
Anthony P. Lally, Pvt.,
Girardville, Pa.
Charles C. Lang, Pvt.,
199 Wetmore Park, Rochester, N. Y.
Walter F. Licalzi, Pvt., 1 Cl.,
131 Fulton Ave.,
Astoria, L. I., N. Y.
Joseph T. Loskill, C. M.,
546 E. Broad St., Hazleton, Pa.
Wasyl Lugowy, Pvt., 1 Cl.,
221 Berner Ave.,
Hazleton Heights, Pa.
Saverio Lupas, Hs.,
80 W. Carey Ave., Plains, Pa.
Louis F. Maslakosky, Pvt., 1 Cl.,
662 Lincoln St., Hazleton, Pa.
Frank Miller, Pvt.,
Orchard St., Wortendyke, N. J.
William C. Minnich, Pvt., 1 Cl.,
202 E. Holly St., Hazleton, Pa.
John J. Mooney, Pvt., 1 Cl.,
1543 N. Morvine St., Phila., Pa.
Thomas E. Morgan, Pvt.,
Ellendon, Fla.
Joseph A. Morowitz, Pvt.,
22--44th St., Corona, L. I.
Daniel R. Mullery, Bg.,
1113 Main St., Pittston, Pa.
George A. Musial, Cook,
47 E. Sheridan St., Miners Mills, Pa.
Joseph J. McAtee, Pvt., 1 Cl.,
404 Schuylkill Ave., Pottsville, Pa.
Bernard A. McCaffrey, Pvt., 1 Cl.,-Cpl.,
R. F. D., Fisher's Hill,
Hazleton, Pa.
Joseph McCann, Pvt.,
10 Morton St., Paterson, N. J.
John J. X. McGeehan, Pvt.,
116 S. Church St., Hazleton, Pa.
Joseph T. McGovern, Pvt.,
507 N. 21st St., Phila., Pa.
Herbert G. Nankivell, Mec.,
1520 Price St., Scranton, Pa.
Walter A. Nebiker, Pvt.,
32 Wood St., Garfield, N. J.
Lewis Nedwood, Pvt.,
965--2nd Ave.,
Astoria, L. I., N. Y.
Joseph E. O'Donnell, Pvt.-Cpl.,
319 E. Walnut St., Hazleton, Pa.
Joseph J. O'Donnell, Pvt.,
Kelayres, Pa.
Stanley J. Ogrydiak, Sgt.,
655 Seybert St., Hazleton, Pa.
Gennaro Paladino, Pvt.,
280 Harrison Ave., Lodi, N. J.
Joseph C. Parella, Pvt.,
21 5th Ave., Lyndhurst, N. J.
Joseph H. Petrask, Pvt.,
6 S. Main St., Lodi, N. J.
Herman Petrett, Pvt.,
Box 113, Waldwick, N. J.
John Petrilla, Pvt.,
222 S. Bennett St., Hazleton, Pa.
August C. Pfancook, Sgt.,
20 E. Tamarack St., Hazleton, Pa.
Robert C. Phillips, Cpl.,
Box 825, New Richmond, Wis.
Harold V. Pierce. Pvt.,
Sunset Hill, Kansas City, Mo.
Homer D. Pifer, Pvt.,
Rochester Mills, Pa.
Arle J. Ploeger, Pvt.,
c/o Westbury Rose Co.,
Westbury, L. I.
Joseph Popso, Pvt., 1 Cl.,
228 Carleton Ave.,
Hazleton Heights, Pa.
Luke F. Proulx, Pvt.,
929 Atwell Ave., Providence, R. I.
John S. Quade. Pvt., 1 Cl., Cpl.,
Lansdale, Pa.
A. Eli Quinett,
607 N. Park St., Shawnee, Okla.
Walter L. Reece, Pvt. 1 Cl.,
425 S. Walker St., Webb City, Mo.
Clinton Reese, Sgt.,
323 N. Everett Ave., Scranton, Pa.
John F. Reilly, Pvt.,
2843 Jasper St., Philadelphia, Pa.
Charles M. Reisch, Pvt.,
238 Centre St., Ashland, Pa.
Petro Repole, Pvt.,
351 West 47th St., New York City.
Philip Rheiner, Pvt.,
89 N. 6th St., Paterson, N. J.
Harry J. Ritzel, Pvt.,
428 W. Sunbury St.,
Minersville, Pa.
Nathan Rosen, Pvt., 1 Cl.,
48 N. Wyoming St., Hazleton, Pa.
Grover C. Rothacker, Mec.,
37 E. Broad St., Hazleton, Pa.
John E. Rowland, Pvt.,
130 Linden St., Yonkers, N. Y.
Nathan Ruderman, Pvt.,
193 Scholes St., Brooklyn, N. Y.
William H. Rudolph, Sd.,
171 S. Laurel St., Hazleton, Pa.
Harry Scheiblin, Pvt.,
415 9th St., Carlstad, N. J.
Earl B. Schleppy, Sgt.,
N. Church St., Hazleton, Pa.
Alfred G. Schoonmaker, Jr., Cpl.,
33 Clinton Place.
Hackensack, N. J.
Alexander Seaton, Pvt.,
Hudson Heights, N. J.
A. Ernest Shafer, Cpl.,
208 Markle Bank Bldg.,
Hazleton, Pa.
Walter T. Shaw, Pvt.,
3520 Longshore St.,
Faconu, Phia., Pa.
Raymond Sheldrake, Pvt.,
141 N. 4th St., Paterson, N. J.
Albert J. Sheridan, Pvt.,
413 E. Norweigian St.,
Pottsville, Pa.
William Seivers, Pvt.,
c/o Norwegian-American A. C.,
208 E. 128th St., New York City.
August H. Simmler, Jr., Pvt.,
149 Clinton St., Paterson, N. J.
Ray S. Skidmore, Bg.,
153 Abbott St., Miners Mills, Pa.
Otto J. Skirkie, Jr., Pvt., 1 Cl.,
Ridgefield Park, N. J.
Edward J. Skrenda, Pvt.,
Smithville South, L. I., N. Y.
Charles W. Smith, Pvt., 1 Cl.,
226 Georgia Ave., Parsons, Pa.
Albert W. Soule, Pvt.,
Musselshell, Mont.
Charles L. Stark, Pvt.,
33 E. Thorton St., Akron, Ohio.
William C. Steidle, Pvt., 1 Cl.,
711 E. Norweigian St.,
Pottsville, Pa.
John R. Sweeney, Pvt., Cp.,
16 E. Birch St., Hazleton, Pa.
John Sysling, Pvt.,
18 Grand St., Garfield, N. J.
George M. Thompson, Pvt., 1 Cl., Cpl.,
571 Grant St., Hazleton, Pa.
Michael A. Tito, Cpl.,
523 Seybert St., Hazleton, Pa.
Edward G. Tracey, Pvt.,
1129 Sophie St., Philadelphia, Pa.
Charles A. Trostel, Mess Sgt.,
1119 Jackson St., Scranton, Pa.
Mattiejus Tuinali, Hs.,
1931 Albright Ave., Scranton, Pa.
Charles S. Umbenhauer, Pvt., 1 Cl.,
Box 56, First St., Port Carbon, Pa.
Barney Van De Brink, Pvt.,
74 Hill St., Midland Park, N. J.
[B]Leonard J. Van Houton, Pvt.,
29 Hamburg Ave., Paterson, N. J.
Wilbert Weber, Pvt., 1 Cl.,
146 Woodbine Ave.,
Toronto, Ont., Canada.
Harry L. Whitfield, Pvt., 1 Cl.,
597 N. Locust St., Hazleton, Pa.
William S. Willier, Pvt., 1 Cl.,
Box 15, Hegins, Schuylkill Co., Pa.
John A. Yanoshik, Pvt.,
Lofty, Pa.
Frank Yeosock, Cpl., Sgt.,
285 River St., Coalridge, Pa.
Frederick D. Young, Mec.,
1516 Market St., Ashland, Pa.
[Footnote B: Leonard Joseph Van Houten died at his home in Paterson,
N. J., on October 7, 1919, four months after discharge from Battery
D.]
CHAPTER XXX.
RECORD OF BATTERY TRANSFERS.
As previously recorded in this volume, a large number of men were
transferred from the ranks of Battery D during the period of
organization. Scores of others also left the battery during the latter
days of its existence. No official record in concise form exists of
the scores of transfers effected during the first few months of the
battery's history.
The following list gives information of transfers that a thorough
search of the records now reveals. It is the most accurate list that
can be compiled under the circumstances.
GAINED COMMISSIONS.
The following members of Battery D were transferred from the outfit as
successful applicants to officers' training schools. All were, in the
course of time commissioned as lieutenants. Messrs. Sword and McAloon
were commissioned in France, while the others attended training
schools in the United States.
William C. Thompson, Jackson, Miss.
Merrill C. Liebensberger, Hazleton, Pa.
Harry T. Kenvin, Hazleton, Pa.
Thomas S. Pengelly, Hazleton, Pa.
John M. Harman, Hazleton, Pa.
Edward J. Kane, Plains, Pa.
Willard F. Jones, Scranton, Pa.
Joseph B. McCall, Philadelphia, Pa.
William O. Sword, Parsons, Pa.
Timothy McAloon, Scranton, Pa.
John G. Young, of La Grange, Ga., serving with Battery D in rank of
corporal, was promoted to sergeant during September, 1918, at La
Courtine, then left the battery for the A. E. F. Artillery School at
Saumur. He was made a "third lieutenant" of coast artillery January,
1919, and returned to Battery D the latter part of January of the same
year at Benoite Vaux. Early in February he was sent to the field
hospital at Chaumont Perfitte and sailed for the U. S. from Brest
April 10th as hospital patient. On May 1st Young was transferred to
Camp Gordon, Ga., and made first-sergeant of a convalescent battalion.
On January 1st, 1920, First Sergeant Young was made Army Field Clerk
and transferred to Newport News and Norfolk, Army Supply Base. He was
discharged from the service, March 12th, 1920.
SENT TO TEXAS CAMP.
On February 5, 1918, Battery D was called upon and furnished the
following men for service with the Fifth Artillery Brigade at Camp
Leon Springs, Texas:
John E. Bayarsky, Hazleton, Pa.
Frederick J. Boddin, Hazleton, Pa.
Anthony Correale, Hazleton, Pa.
Karl L. Lubrecht, Hazleton, Pa.
Alfonso Lupattelli, Scranton, Pa.
James J. McDermott, Freeland, Pa.
Edward V. McGee, Hazleton, Pa.
John McGrady, Plains, Pa.
Bernard A. McKenna, Hazleton, Pa.
Frank J. Monahan, Plains, Pa.
Joseph Smith, Freeland, Pa.
Earl G. Spitzner, Harleigh, Pa.
Stephen J. Thompson, Hazleton, Pa.
George H. Throne, Hazleton, Pa.
John M. Tusko, Hazleton, Pa.
JOINED KEYSTONE DIVISION.
Battery D sent a number of men to the 28th Division at Camp Hancock,
Ga., who joined with the Keystoners on the eve of departure for
overseas. This transfer included:
Patrick J. Campbell, Freeland, Pa.
Edward T. Edgerton, Plains, Pa.
William H. Ringlaben, Jr., West Hazleton, Pa.
William E. Ritter, Plains, Pa.
Henry L. Schleppy, Hazleton, Pa.
Joseph Welky, Hazleton, Pa.
ASSIGNED AS ENGINEERS.
On January 28, 1918, the following men were transferred from Battery D
to the 304th Engineers at Camp Meade:
Bernard A. Malloy, Hazleton, Pa.
Day M. Roth, Hazleton, Pa.
Harry R. Schmeer, Hazleton, Pa.
Paul W. Schmeer, Hazleton, Pa.
John Shigo, Freeland, Pa.
The 19th Engineers at Camp Meade received in its personnel on February
15, 1918, from Battery D:
James A. Kenney, Plains, Pa.
Clark Burt, Plains, Pa.
The February Replacement Draft at Meade took several Battery D men
from the engineers, as follows:
Condidio Gentelezza, Scranton, Pa.
Harry A. Nelson, Plains, Pa.
Orelio Rosi, Plains, Pa.
TO DEPOT BRIGADE.
While preparations for departure overseas were under way transfers
were made to the various training battalions of the 154th Depot
Brigade, as follows:
John C. Demcik, Hazleton, Pa.
August H. Genetti, Hazleton, Pa.
Michael V. Hughes, Plains, Pa.
Abraham Kahn, Hazleton, Pa.
Francis A. Kenney, Scranton, Pa.
Thomas Murray, Plains, Pa.
Peter Sasarack, Jr., Hazleton, Pa.
Frederick L. Smith, 2nd, Hazleton, Pa.
A number of these men were reassigned to other units. Michael V.
Hughes was assigned to the 79th Divisional Staff and accompanied the
division overseas. Frederick L. Smith, 2nd, was assigned to special
duty as a chemist. Thomas Murray was seriously ill at the Camp Meade
base hospital when the outfit departed.
John Dempsey and George D. Vogt, both of Hazleton, Pa., were, on March
17, 1918, assigned to the Q. M. C. school for cooks and bakers at Camp
Meade.
TO REGIMENTAL SUPPLY CO.
Transfers were made to the 311th F. A. Supply Co., as follows:
George Kolessar, Hazleton, Pa.
Christy McAvaney, Scranton, Pa.
George Novotney, Hazleton, Pa.
Stanley Reese, Hazleton, Pa.
Harry B. Stair, Mt. Top, Pa.
Joseph Yeselski, Hazleton, Pa.
CHANGES AT BENOITE VAUX.
A number of changes in the battery roster were necessitated at Benoite
Vaux, France, due to men being sent to hospitals for sickness. Some
left to attend schools, while Philip J. Cusick, of Parsons, Pa.,
received word through the Red Cross of his early discharge due to the
death of his father.
The transfers at Benoite Vaux included the following:
Howard A. Bain, Kansas City, Mo.
Thomas A. Davis, Scranton, Pa.
Philip J. Cusick, Parsons, Pa.
Stuart E. Prutzman, Palmerton, Pa.
Joseph Silock, Hazleton, Pa.
Harry Dauberman, Lawrence, Kansas.
Michael V. McHugh, Hazleton, Pa.
Anthony Esposito, Hackensack, N. J.
Reed F. Hulling, Charlestown, W. Va.
Clarence V. Smith, Hazleton, Pa.
Arthur A. Jones, Boundbrook, N. J.
Charles E. King, Pottsville, Pa.
John Verchmock, Hazleton, Pa.
Charles Nace, Philadelphia, Pa.
Arthur Van Valen, Englewood, N. J.
James F. Burns, Pottsville, Pa.
OTHER TRANSFERS
Joseph Delosaro and John Sharawarki, both of Hazleton, Pa., were
discharged from Battery D February 5th and 14th respectively, for
physical disabilities.
Carl G. Brattlof, of Newark. N. J., was assigned to the 154th Brigade
Headquarters, Dec. 1918.
James J. Gillespie, of Hazleton, Pa., Feb. 11th, 1918, was
transferred to the Railway Transportation Corps.
George F. Haniseck, James F. McKelvey and Mathew Talkouski, all of
Hazleton, Pa., May 31st, 1918, were sent to join the U. S. Guards,
Fort Niagara, N. Y.
John F. Kehoe of Hazleton, Pa., Feb. 3, 1918, was transferred to
Headquarters Bn. G. H. Q. A. E. F., France. He left Camp Meade
February 27th, being the first man from the organization to get
overseas.
Otto Kopp, of Hazleton, Pa., transferred June 1, 1918, to Headquarters
Co., 311th F. A.
Donald H. Durham, of Newark, N. J., and R. L. Krah, of Lavelle, Pa.,
were transferred to the regimental Headquarters Co., while in France.
William M. Powell. Jr., of Hazleton, Pa., February 5th, 1918, assigned
to the Ordnance Depot Co., No. 101, Camp Meade.
On October 12, 1918, Raymond Stegmaier, of Jamaica, N. Y., was
detached from the battery on special duty as orderly to Lieut.-Col.
Palmer.
William Van Campen, of Ridgewood, N. J., was injured by an explosion
of a hand-grenade on Nov. 5, 1918. The following day he was sent to
Base Hospital No. 24 at Limoge. Nicholas J. Young, of Pottsville, Pa.,
was transferred to the same hospital, October 16th, following the gun
explosion at La Courtine.
David L. Grisby, of Terre Haute, Ind., was transferred to Base
Hospital No. 15 to undergo an operation. He left the battery at Ville
sous La Ferte on November 22nd.
Charles A. Weand, of Pottsville, Pa., Nov. 30, 1918, was sent to Base
Hospital No. 11, A. P. O. 767, France.
Henry J. Buhle, of New Brunswick, N. J., was sick in the hospital at
La Courtine when the regiment left the artillery range, in France,
November 14, 1918.
Carl J. O'Malia, of Scranton, Pa., and Frederick M. Bowen, of
East Rutherford, N. J., were patients at the hospital in Rimaucourt
when the outfit left Blancheville, France.
Arthur D. Roderick, of Hazleton, Pa., and William R. Jones, of
Bergenfield, N. J., became detached from the battery while on leave.
They were taken ill in Paris and sent to a hospital in the French
metropolis.
Edward Campbell, of Hazleton, Pa., one of the battery cooks, remained
at the embarkation camp at St. Nazaire, France, to take charge of camp
bakery. Cook Campbell returned to the States the latter part of July.
CHAPTER XXXI.
PERSONALITIES.
September 20, 1918. Adam O. Dyker was re-christened "Honey-Bee" Dyker.
The event took place in a rather stinging manner at Camp La Courtine,
France.
On the night in question Private Dyker was on guard duty at the
battery kitchen, which was situated under a canvas roof in a locality
that was infested at that particular time with bees and yellow
jackets.
While walking his post at the midnight hour Dyker thought of a can of
strawberry jam that he knew the cooks had deposited in a certain
place. Groping his way through the dark Dyker found the can of
preserves, also a spoon, and immediately started to fill a sweet
tooth.
In a short time the entire battery guard was aroused by a distressing
cry from one of the outposts. At first it was difficult to determine
whether the call was from a 311 Regiment post or a 312th Regiment
post.
The question was soon settled, however, when Dyker appended to the
customary outpost call the designation of both the battery and the
regiment, and added these words. "For God's sake hurry up, I'm all
bee'd up."
The jam which he devoured was full of bees and yellow jackets. While
the humor of the incident appealed to the boys of the battery, all
sympathized with the unfortunate guard, who had an agonizing time of
it in the camp hospital for several weeks as a result of eating
honey-bees.
* * * * *
Shortly after the armistice was signed John J. Jlosky drank too much
cognac and fell out of line at retreat one night. He was ordered to
report at the battery office. When asked why he did not stand at
attention he replied to Lieut. Bailey: "How do you expect a man to
stand at attention with sand-paper underwear on?"
The battery had just been issued woolen underwear that day.
* * * * *
In recalling stable-police duty at Camp Meade, Md., there is one
incident that always amused Bill Powell. Here's the story in his own
words:
"After the usual morning duties as stable police, 'Mad Anthony'
assigned me to load a wagon of manure. After struggling with it for
perhaps an hour I felt extremely proud of the transference of the
large amount of material from the ground to the wagon. I was then
ordered to go with the driver. I thought this pretty soft. It was a
zero day and I soon found that I was mistaken. We were on our way to
unload the manure in flat cars.
"When we got to Disney, half frozen, the driver disappeared to a
position near a roaring log fire and I commenced to unload. Here's
where I realized the advantage of being a driver.
"While resting I noticed another wagon being unloaded nearby with a
detail of three negroes doing the heaving. This got my ire, and when I
got back I looked up 'Mad Anthony' and related what I had seen.
"'Mad Anthony' looked at me and replied, 'Hell, isn't one white man as
good as three niggers?'
"Not wishing to admit differently I left--satisfied."
CHAPTER XXXII.
A FEW GENERAL ORDERS.
"I desire to express to all the men with whom I was fortunate
enough to serve, sincere thanks for their universal loyalty and
courtesy to me and the other officers who were with me. It was
difficult during the active life of the battery to express to its
members the affection I felt for them collectively and
individually, and the high personal regard I had for them all,
both as soldiers and friends.
"We were never fortunate enough to be called into action, but at
all times, I am sure, that all those who came in contact with
Battery D felt that its personnel could be depended upon to do
the right thing at the right time. We all had our blue moments,
but, wherever we may go, or whatever we do, the spirit of Battery
D and the friendships we made will help us.
"Let me conclude by wishing a life of health, happiness and
success to all my old friends in Battery D, and may I further add
that, in looking back, I could have no greater wish than to feel
that their friendship and respect for me could be as great as the
friendship and respect I hold for them all."
CAPT. A. L. SMITH.
"Stepping Stones," Gwynedd Valley, Pa., 1920.
"I had the good fortune to serve with the best Battalion of Field
Artillery in the United States Army--the Second Battalion, 311th
F. A."
MAJOR D. A. REED.
909 Amberson Ave., Pittsburgh, Pa., 1920.
"My memories of Battery D are the most pleasant of my army
experiences. I know that your book will fulfill the very definite
need for a complete and accurate account of the experiences and
travels of the members of the battery."
CAPT. PERRY E. HALL.
Springfield, N. J., 1920.
"It would indeed be most regrettable should there be nothing
permanent to remind us of those ties of friendship, far greater
than those of organization, which bound us together for the
greater part of two years. The recollection of the
wonderful spirit and morale of those with whom we were so
intimately associated must ever bring back that old feeling of
just pride which we all felt in our battery."
LIEUT. FRANK J. HAMILTON.
4822 N. Camac St., Philadelphia, Pa., 1920.
"The happiest days of my life were spent in the 311th F. A. and
one of my best friends is Captain Smith of Battery D."
LIEUT.-COL. HERBERT H. HAYDEN.
Army & Navy Club, Washington, D. C., 1920.
CHAPTER XXXIII.
MEMORABLE DATES.
1918.
July 13--Left Camp Meade, Md., U. S. A.
July 14--Set sail from Port Richmond, Philadelphia, Pa.
July 17--At anchor in Halifax harbor, Nova Scotia.
July 20--Left Halifax bound overseas.
July 30--Battle with German U-Boats.
July 31--Landed in Barry, South Wales.
August 3--Hiked to Southampton, England.
August 4--Landed in Cherbourg, France.
August 5--Left Cherbourg via rail.
August 7--Arrived in Montmorillon.
September 4--Left Montmorillon via box car.
September 4--Arrived at La Courtine.
November 14--Left La Courtine via box car.
November 16--Detrained at La Tracey.
November 16--Landed in Ville sous La Ferte.
November 26--Left Ville sous La Ferte via motor train.
November 26--Arrived at Blancheville.
December 19--One hundred left on horse convoy.
December 25--Mule convoy arrived at Cirey les Mareilles.
1919.
January 9--Left Blancheville mounted.
January 13--Arrived at Benoite Vaux.
March 19--Trip by road to Boncourt.
April 1--Left Boncourt mounted.
April 3--Arrived in Cirey Les Mareilles.
April 12--Matériel turned in at Andelot.
April 19--Entrained at Rimaucourt.
April 21--Arrived at St. Nazaire.
May 14--Set sail for United States.
May 27--Arrived in New York harbor.
May 28--Debarked at Bush Terminal, Brooklyn.
May 28--Arrived in Camp Dix, N. J.
May 30--Battery officially discharged.
June 4--Discharge papers distributed.
FINIS