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Felix Ferguson

Submitted by: Chelsy Proper {museum director}

Felix Ferguson was born around 1893. Felix Ferguson 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

Before the War, Felix Ferguson was a farmer in the Moss Grove area of Berkeley County, South Carolina.

Felix Ferguson enlisted in the US Army in Moncks Corner, South Carolina on December 18, 1917. Ferguson was assigned as a private to Company H of the 370th Infantry; this was an African-American regiment, one of only a few in the War. He served until February 24, 1919 and was honorably discharged in March, 1919.

Ferguson was awarded three citations for gallantry in action near Trieres Farm (France) in September 1918, continuing to fight though he had trench foot.

Unfortunately, Ferguson died in 1920, leaving behind a wife, Ella, and a daughter, Rosabell.

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Saul Solomon

Submitted by: Bob Wolfson {Great Nephew}

Saul Solomon was born around 1895. Saul Solomon 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

Saul Soloman

Born in Piatra-Neamt, Romania in 1895. Immigrated to England, South Africa and back to England. Came to the US in 1906. Saul was a naturalized citizen in 1917.

He was a college student when the war broke out. He served overseas from Apr 2 1918, until he was Killed in Action on Oct 19th 1918. He was engaged in 2 Battle of the Marne; Argonne. Saul was a Pvt serving with 11 Co 152 Dep Brigade and the HQ Co, 30th Infantry, 3rd Infantry Division.

He received the Pendant La Grande Guerre, ( Certificate signed by the President of France and the Victory Medal. Saul is buried in the Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery.

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Joseph John Lesanskey

Submitted by: Lauren Stauffer {great granddaughter}

Joseph John Lesanskey was born around 1888. Joseph Lesanskey 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

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Frank Carson Davidson, Jr.

Submitted by: Marianne (Dee) Dosch {granddaughter}

Frank Carson Davidson Jr. was born around 1894. Frank Davidson served in World War 1 with the United States Navy. The enlistment was in 1918 and the service was completed in 1919.

Story of Service

Frank Carson Davidson, Military Service Gunners Mate 3rd Class Ninth Naval District U.S. Naval Reserve Force

The First World War began in Europe on July 28th, 1914. As hard as the United States tried to stay out of WWI, President Woodrow Wilson asked Congress to enter The Great War on April 6th, 1917. It turned out to be one of the deadliest conflicts in history as over 18 million troops and civilians were killed during the more than four years of fighting. The Selective Service Act was passed on May 18th, 1917 requiring men between the ages of 21 to 31 to register for the U.S. Armed Forces.

On this one hundred year anniversary of my country entering into WWI, I wanted to know more about my grandfather who served in the armed forces during this time. With the help of my Aunt, his daughter Diana Davidson Carter, I was able to learn some facts about his time in the U.S. Navy. In an old box in her attic were his military records with the information that I compiled together, along with some old photographs, to write this story.

Read more: Frank Carson Davidson Jr.

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Eugene Biancheri

Submitted by: Eugene J. Biancheri {Son}

Eugene Biancheri was born around 1889. Eugene Biancheri 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

Eugene Biancheri, born in 1889 in Italy, emigrated to New York City in 1904 and became a citizen two years later. He entered the U. S. Army on October 12, 1917 and trained with the 82nd Infantry Division in Camp Gordon, Georgia. Alvin York, then a Private and later one of the best known heroes of the War, was in the same 328th Infantry Regiment.

Eugene participated in the first major offensive of the War at St. Mihiel, France. On September 15 he was seriously gassed while working on repairs to broken telephone lines near Vandieres, France, and was evacuated to the field hospital at Dieulouard.

When the Order of the Purple Heart was revived in 1932, he received the medal, via the orders signed by General Douglas MacArthur, then Army Chief of Staff. My father proudly wore the Purple Heart pin on his jacket.

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Conan Samuel Babin

Submitted by: Conan Samuel Babin {grand nephew}

Conan Samuel Babin was born around 1899. Conan Babin served in World War 1 with the the United States Army. The enlistment was in 1917 and the service was completed in 1917.

Story of Service

Bennett was from Donaldsonville LA but was living and working at the Buick plant in Flint Michigan at the war's onsite.

He apparently volunteered for combat duty and arrived in France around June 2018. He died in advance on a railroad embankment in Juvingy France August 29th 1918.

The American Legion Hall in Donaldsonville, LA is named in his honor

Read more: Conan Samuel Babin

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Clement E. Whittle

Submitted by: Norbert F. Whittle {son}

Clement E. Whittle was born around 1892. Clement Whittle 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

Private 1st class.

Served in France, was assigned to a demolition group.

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Thomas C. Carter, Jr.

Submitted by: Ward Calhoun {friend of family & researcher}

Thomas C Carter Jr. was born around 1889. Thomas Carter 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

Thomas Carter's education began in 1906 at the Marion Military Institute, graduating in 1908. He applied for OCS in 1917 and was accepted for training at Ft Ogelthorpe, Tn. He was commissioned in December 1917 as a 1st Lt and moved to Ft Gordon, Ga. His unit, the 320 Machine Gun Battalion, was part of the 82nd Division.

In April 1918, Lt Carter was on his way to England and France. He wrote letters to his family from training camp until just before his death in October 1918. Tom was all for the war because of the atrocities he saw and knew the Allies would prevail.

Read more: Thomas C Carter Jr.

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Richard Lee Arnold

Submitted by: Kim Gregg {granddaughter}

Richard Lee Arnold was born in 1895. Richard Arnold served in World War 1 with the United States Army. The enlistment was in 1918 and the service was completed in 1918.

Story of Service

Richard Lee “Dick” Arnold was born January 21, 1895 to John Edward and Louallan (née Nickerson) Arnold. He was the youngest of four children who grew up on a farm two miles east of Ames, Iowa.

After the US government declared war on Germany, President Wilson instituted a national draft. Dick registered as required. He enlisted (whether he was drafted or volunteered remains unclear) in the Army on August 28, 1918 at the Nevada (Iowa) courthouse as that was the county seat of Story County.

He was inducted through Camp Dodge (Johnston, Iowa - home of the Iowa National Guard) being assigned to the 144th Engineers.

Read more: Richard Lee Arnold

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Joseph Urbanski

Submitted by: John A. Urbanski {Grand-Nephew}

Joseph Urbanski born in 1895. Joseph Urbanski served in World War 1 with the United States Army. The enlistment was in 1918 and the service was completed in 1918.

Story of Service

Joseph Urbanski #1765091
Private Company M, 312th Infantry Regiment
78th Division, United States Army

Joseph Urbanski was born in Schenectady, N.Y. in 1895 to Prussian immigrants, John Urbanski and Stanislawa Wozniak, and was their fourth of twelve children. According to his siblings, he was strong and would often settle disputes among kids in the neighborhood. Prior to the war, Joe worked as an ice delivery man in the local area from a horse drawn ice wagon with his older brother.

When the US entered the war, Joe tried to enlist in the Army but was rejected because he had flat feet. However, after work he would go to the local recruitment location and would argue for enlistment. He was later drafted into the Army. My Father, who was the youngest child in the family, recalled that before Joe left for training he told his mother (my Grandmother) that he would bring the Kaiser home on a chain. This claim likely reflected my Grandparents known dislike of the Germans who occupied and controlled their region of Poland (Prussia) before they immigrated to the U.S.

Read more: Joseph Urbanski