Stories of Service

You can search for the name or unit and you will get a list of the stories that contain them.

Harold J. Cloutman

Submitted by: Kevin Cloutman {Grandson}

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Harold J. Cloutman was born around 1893. Harold Cloutman served in World War 1 with the United States Marine Corps. The enlistment was in 1917 and the service was completed in 1918.

Story of Service

My Grandfather, Corporal Harold J. Cloutman, enlisted in the US Marine Corps at the outbreak of the American involvement in WWI. Being 24 years old, and a college graduate, he was quickly promoted to the rank of Corporal. He arrived in France with the first deployment of the AEF assigned to the 5th Marine Regiment which was part of the larger Marine Brigade. He was a gunner on a .30 caliber water cooled machine gun.

Upon their arrival in France, the Marine Brigade participated in a few quiet sectors, but their biggest challenge came during Germany’s last great offensive in the Spring of 1918 when they broke the French lines southeast of Paris. The Marines were thrown into battle to plug the gap in the line in what would famously be called Belleau Woods.

Maurice Herbert Roberts

Submitted by: Thomas, "T.J." Cullinane {Town Historian}

maurice roberts mug Maurice Herbert Roberts was born in 1900. Maurice Roberts served in World War 1 with the United States Army. The enlistment was in 1917 and the service was completed in 1918.

Story of Service

Forgotten Sorrow, Forgotten Valor.

In gazing at the serene visage of Maurice Roberts, one gets the impression of a young man who has wisdom beyond his years. Just eighteen when he volunteered for the Army, Maurice had seen his mother Carrie pass away at age 39 after a long and painful fight with uterine cancer. As his unit was preparing for overseas movement at Camp Syracuse, New York, he would learn of the death of his nineteen year old sister Melissa from tuberculosis.

In spite of these tragedies, or perhaps because of them, Roberts would fight with reckless abandon on the Western Front. He would be cited twice for bravery by the French government, a very rare distinction for a lowly enlisted man, before being killed in action during the opening stages of the Meuse-Argonne Campaign.

George Michener Hubbard

Submitted by: Betty Hubbard Hicks {Granddaughter}

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George Michener Hubbard was born around 1875. George Hubbard served in World War 1 with the United States Army. The enlistment was in 1916 and the service was completed in 1919.

Story of Service

George Michener Hubbard was in the Spanish American War, Philippine Insurrection, and WW1. WW1 France in Meuse-Argonne and gassed three times. Had many health problems. Was in the 56th Pioneer in France.

Paul Emerson Riege

Submitted by: Kenneth Riege {grandson}

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Paul Emerson Riege born around 1900. Paul Riege served in World War 1 with the United States Marine Corps. The enlistment was in 1917 and the service was completed in 1919.

Story of Service

This is a story of my grandfather Pvt. Paul Emerson Riege. He was born on 7 June 1900 in Brookville, OH, which is a small town about 15 miles outside of Dayton, OH. Farming was about all there was to do so when the United States declared war on Germany and officially entered "The Great War" my grandfather, along with many of the other young boys (who quickly became men) ran off to join the military. As the story was told to me by my grandmother, my grandfather's older brother Otto, who was 20, had told the Army Recruiter that his younger brother was only 16 and was too young.

Terzo Cenci

Submitted by: Margaret Cenci Frontera {grand-niece}

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Terzo Cenci was born in 1890 Terzo Cenci served in World War 1 with the United States Army. The enlistment was in 1917 and the service was completed in 1919.

Story of Service

TERZO CENCI – IMMIGRANT & PATRIOT

Terzo (translated to "Third," was the "third" child) Cenci was born at 11:30 p.m. on September 23, 1890 at No. 56 Via del Corso, in the city of Terni, Umbria, Italy, to Agostino Cenci and Alessandra Formiconi.

In 1903, Terzo, his uncle, Bernardino Formiconi, and Bernardino's new bride, Rosa Modestini, all came to the United States from Italy on the same sailing of the S.S. Prinz Oskar. Terzo travelled in steerage, Bernardino and Rosa did not. The ship left Naples, Campania, Italy on December 7, 1903, and sailed into New York harbor on December 26, 1903. Terzo was 13 years old. He arrived at Ellis Island with $20.00 in his pocket and was going to join his older brother, Dante, who was living at 112 Elmer Street, Trenton, NJ.

Cody Melvin McGinnis

Submitted by: S. Kuaile {2nd great nephew}

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Cody Melvin McGinnis was born around 1887. Cody McGinnis served in World War 1 with the United States Army. The enlistment was in 1917 and the service was completed in 1919.

Story of Service

Cody M. McGinnis's enlistment in the National Army was in Toledo, Ohio on Nov 30, 1917, where he lived. He was born in Hardin County, Ohio. Cody was 30 years old. He was in the Mechanical Repair Shop Unit 320, Motor Transport Corps to Discharge Corporal 3 Oct 1918. American Expeditionary Forces 11 Jan 1918 to 11 June 1919.

Honorably discharged 20 June 1919.

He died in Toledo at the age of 44 years.

Warren Findley Hoyle

Submitted by: Martha Bridges {Historian, American Legion Post 82, Shelby, NC}

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Warren Findley Hoyle born around 1895. Warren Hoyle served in World War 1 with the United States Marine Corps. The enlistment was in 1917 and the service was completed in 1918.

Story of Service

On June 8, 1917, Hoyle enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps at Port Royal, South Carolina. (Parris Island) He trained at Parris Island, S.C. Hoyle also trained in Quantico, Virginia. He was assigned to the 75th Company, 6th Regiment with MOS code 0311, (Rifleman).

Hoyle was assigned to the American Expeditionary Force France. On September 16, 1917, Hoyle embarked on the U.S.S Henderson at Philadelphia, Pa. and sailed from New York on September 23 for “foreign shore service.”

Hoyle was killed at Lucy-le-Bocage, France on June 3, 1918 when a German artillery shell hit a part of the trench held by Hoyle and two others. He was killed instantly.

Antonio Mastropietro

Submitted by: Frank Mastropietro {Nephew}

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Antonio Mastropietro was born in1895 in Cercepiccola, Italy. Antonio Mastropietro served in World War 1 with the United States Marine Corps. The enlistment was in 1917 and the service was completed in 1918.

Story of Service

Antonio (Peters) Mastropietro was born in Cercepiccola, Campobasso, Molise, Italy on August 22, 1895, the eldest son of Pasquale Mastropietro and Carmela Antonelli. At a young age, he and his family came to the United States and took up residence at 36 Hulin Street in Mechanicville, NY. He attended School 3 on Saratoga Avenue.

While employed as a winder at the Strang Mill, he enlisted in the Marine Corp under the name Anthony Peters on July 7, 1917. He was shipped overseas and served as a rifleman with the 8th Co., 5th Regiment of the 2nd Marine Division. He suffered shrapnel wounds on November 1, 1918 and died the following day.

Harvey Ephraim Ott

Submitted by: Edward Morgan {great nephew}

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Harvey Ephraim Ott was born around 1897. Harvey Ott served in World War 1 with the United States Marine Corps. The enlistment was in 1918 and the service was completed in 1918.

Story of Service

Newspaper article, Phoenixville Daily Republican, June 7, 1921:

Like a gift from the dead, there has recently come to Mr. and Mrs. Samuel A. Ott of 367 Second avenue, the French Chauchat gun which their son Harvey Ott, and two companions were using when they fell, bravely fighting for their country, on a hilltop of France in September 1918.

In a letter received by Mr. and Mrs. Ott some time ago the writer, W. C. Neville, of the Headquarters of the United States Marine Corps, Washington, D.C., quotes from a letter of Lt. Colonel A. W. Williams, of the Medical Corps of the United States Army, regarding the finding of Private Ott's body.

On November 12th 1918 the remains of Private Harvey E. Ott and those of two other men were found near Jaulny, on the Touix front, the finding being entirely by accident as an inspection was being made after the signing of the Armistice.

Herman Keoka

Submitted by: Chris Isleib {Great Nephew}

no photo 300 Herman Keoka was born around 1887. Herman Keoka served in World War 1 with the United States Navy. The enlistment was in 1917 and the service was completed in 1919.

Story of Service

When America entered WWI, my great uncle Herman Keopka was working as the Assistant to the Governor of the Sailors Snug Harbor in Staten Island, NY. This huge campus facility, which is now a National Historic Landmark, served as a rest home for retired navy and merchant seaman, from 1831 until the 1940s.

Since Herman was adept with administration, and already familiar with the nautical community, he enlisted in the Navy in December of 1917 as a Pay Clerk. His talents were not missed, and he was quickly promoted to Chief Petty Officer within a few days. Soon after this, the Navy would commission him as a Supply/Personnel Officer in February of 1918.

Herman worked in the embarkation & management of the troop ships that brought the 2 million American men & women to Europe for the war. In those duties, Herman made two convoy-trips to France, one aboard the troopship USS Kiowa, and one aboard the troopship USS Tjisondari.

Charles Emory Boykin

Submitted by: Johnette Brooks {GA WWI Troops of Color Historian}

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Charles Emory Boykin born around 1896. Charles Brooks served in World War 1 with the United States Army. The enlistment was in 1917 and the service was completed in 1918.

Story of Service

WWI Corporal Charles Emory Boykin KIA: Argonne Forest

Charles Emory Boykin, Serial No. 1.974.564, was born the eldest of ten (10) children in Pool Mill District of Troup County, LaGrange, Georgia on November 17, 1896. His mulatto parents were Albert Sydney Boykin and Eunice Hill living at 307 Hamilton Street. Two years later, his brother, WWI Pvt. John Thomas, Sr. was born.

He was a student at (SATC) Georgia State Industrial College (the future Savannah State College) when he was inducted on July 1st and trained at Camp Hancock. His son was WWII Pvt. John T. Boykin, Jr.

When Charles E. registered for the Selective Service Draft on May 29, 1917, he was already a student at Morehouse College in Atlanta. He had a medium build, brown eyes, dark hair and he was single. Nine months later, he was inducted at a Chicago, IL Induction Office. He likely was entrained at Camp Meade. They arrived in Brest, France on June 19, 1918.

Their battalion proceeded to the French city of Vitrey, a four-day hike. Cpl Boykin was assigned to the the only negro signal corp in the American Army; the 325th Field Signal Corp, Company C. They were all colored college and high school males with expertise in radio/electrical engineering.