Stories of Service

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

Kekee H. Patell

Submitted by: Tanveer Kalo

no photo 300 Kekee H. Patell served in World War 1 with the the United States Army. The dates of service are: Known June 18, 1918 to August 20, 1919.

Kekee H. Patell was born on June 18, 1890 in Bombay, British India. He immigrated to the United States before 1918. By 1918 at the age of 27 Patell lived at 230 fifth ave, New York City , New York.

On June 18, 1918 Patell was inducted into the United States Armed Forces at LB or enlisting facility # 101 New York City, New York. He was sent to Camp Hancock, Georgia until August 16, 1918. Then he was assigned to the Camp Hancock August Automatic Replacement Draft Company #6, Infantry until September 11, 1918. Patell and his unit departed from New York City, New York for Europe on August 24, 1918 on board the ship Zealandia. He served overseas from August 22, 1918 to June, 1 1919.

Patell was honorably discharged on August 20, 1919 with the rank of private because of S.C.D. He was 20% disabled during this time.

Paul Andrew Stanton

Submitted by: Michael Stanton Ferneau {great nephew}

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Paul Andrew Stanton served in World War 1 with the United States Marine Corps. The dates of service are: Known May 1917 to November 1, 1918.

Joined the Marine Corps in May of 1917 with aviation in Pensacola, Fl. to Quantico, Va in Feb '18, to France in April '18 Joined the 80th Co 7 Sept 18 fought at St.Miheal, Blanc Mont, and KIA in Meuse-Argone 1 Nov'18. Burried in Meuse-Aronne American Cemetery, Romagne, France. Corporal, USMC, 6th Reg, 2nd Div. My great Uncle.

John F. Smith

Submitted by: Mark Hilton

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John F. Smith served in World War 1 with the United States Army. The dates of service are: Unknown .

The Smith-Wynn Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 96, in Montgomery, Alabama, is named after two World War I soldiers who were killed in action in the Chateau-Thierry region of France on July 26th, 1918. They were PFC John F. Smith & Corp. Rush P. Wynn. (Some records show PFC John F. Smith as MIA as of July 28th,1918. Other records show he was wounded on the 26th and died on July 28th.)

PFC Smith was assigned to a Machine Gun Company of the Alabama's 167th Infantry Regiment, which became part of the 42nd “Rainbow” Division and then the American Expeditionary Forces (AEF) in France.

Supreme Allied Commander General Ferdinand Foch immediately put the Allied Army on the offensive. Four days after winning in the Champagne, he ordered a Franco-American drive northeast from the town of Château-Thierry. The 167th (Alabama), with its sister regiment in the 84th Brigade, the 168th (Iowa) on its right flank, led the “Rainbow” Division push into a great battle at Croix Rouge Farm on July 26th, 1918. There the Alabama regiment lost 162 killed, including 3 Lieutenants and 2 Captains, company commanders. More than 1,000 from the 167th (Alabama) were wounded. But their victory forced the Germans to retreat to positions on the east of the Ourcq River, about six miles from the Croix Rouge Farm.

PFC John F. Smith, who enlisted from Montgomery, Alabama, was cited by the Commander-General of the “Rainbow” Division. He is buried in the Aisne-Marne American Cemetery in Belleau, France.

Rush P. Wynn

Submitted by: Mark Hilton

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Rush P. Wynn served in World War 1 with the United States Army. The dates of service are: Known 8/6/1917 - 7/26/1918.

Corporal Rush P. Wynn, of Montgomery, Alabama, assigned to a Machine Gun Company of the Alabama's 167th Infantry Regiment, which became part of the 42nd “Rainbow” Division and then the American Expeditionary Forces (AEF) in France.

For his service, now Corporal, Rush P. Wynn was awarded the French Croix de Guerre (French War Cross). He is buried in Greenwood Cemetery in Montgomery, Alabama.

Veterans of Foreign Wars Smith-Wynn Post 96, in Montgomery, Alabama, is one of two soldiers from Montgomery that are the namesake of the post.

Frederick Essig

Submitted by: Robert Del Camp {grandson}

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Frederick Essig served in World War 1 with the United States Navy. The dates of service are: Unknown .

My grandfather died years before I was born, but I have his service medal, dog tag, and duffel bag still in my possession. I wish I had known him to ask him about his service. The 100th anniversary makes me think about him more.

Alex R. Osterberg

Submitted by: Ray E. Osterberg

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Alex R. Osterberg served in World War 1 with the United States Army. The dates of service are: Known Apr 1918 to May 1919.

Lennard Acree

Submitted by: Chester L Burden

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Lennard Acree served in World War 1 with the United States Army. The dates of service are: Unknown .

Infantry , Lennard Acree served in France where he suffered from tear gas attacks

Ralph M. Murray

Submitted by: Frank Wilson {grandson}

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Ralph M. Murray served in World War 1 with the United States Army. The dates of service are: Known July 5,1917 - November 26, 1919.

My grandfather Ralph M. Murray of South Boston,Ma. and his 3 brothers did not hesitate to sign up to serve their country in the summer of 1917. What I do know of my Papa and the brave men that fought alongside him came directly from him some 18 years after his death in 1972. As the family was making arrangements to sell his house in 1990, a discovery was made in the basement. On a table covered up was an old reel to reel recording machine. My uncle Leo had it processed and what we found forever impacted our lives. It was my grandfather's voice reciting his service record from the day he signed up til the day he came home! Papa kept a detailed journal complete with dates, training, campaigns, etc.. He wrote a story to his detailed journey full of emotions, smells, and vivid descriptions!

Ralph M. Murray, serial# 71,101 served in the 104th Infantry Regiment of the 26th 'Yankee Division" under Clarence Edwards. He and his men fought valiantly at "dead man's curve" in the Toul sector in early April of 1918. He then fought in the Aisne-Marne Offensive.

Geddis Henry Webster

Submitted by: Anthony Blasi

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Geddis Henry Webster served in World War 1 with the United States Army. The dates of service are: Known September 9, 1917-1919.

Henry served with Company K, 38th Infantry Regiment. His unit was known for its service at the Second Battle of the Marne, earning it the designation "The Rock of the Marne." In September of 1918 Henry was gassed but survived.

Darwin Wentworth Soper

Submitted by: Anthony Blasi

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Darwin Wentworth Soper served in World War 1 with the United States Army. The dates of service are: Known November 20, 1917-July 18, 1919.

Darwin served in the 339th Infantry Regiment, which took part in the Allied Intervention in the Russian Civil War. This campaign is sometimes called the "Polar Bear Expedition."

Daniel Decatur Cross Jr.

Submitted by: Anthony Blasi

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Daniel Decatur Cross Jr. served in World War 1 with the the United States Army Air Corps. The dates of service are: Known December 20, 1917-December 16, 1918.

He served as a mechanic with the 333rd Aero Squadron in England. His unit was one of the first to return to America aboard the RMS Mauretania in December of 1918.