Thad Manning Mangum
Submitted by: Michael T. Mangum {grandson}
Thad Manning Mangum served in World War 1 with the United States Army. The dates of service are: Known 25 May 1918-25 June 1919.
Thad Manning Mangum served in Co. K 323rd Infantry Regiment 81st Army Division fighting Wildcats. He was mustered into the Army in front of the Courthouse in Greenville, NC on May 25, 1918 and by 3 am was en-trained aboard the Norfolk Southern in front of 800 crying Mothers, Sweethearts and somber Fathers.
After less than a month basic training at Camp Jackson, SC he was sent to Camp Sevier, SC for further training. By the end of July they boarded the British Ship RMS Melita. The English food was horrid and not fit for livestock as described by the men. Most were seasick on the crossing and for men like my grandfather who could not swim they lived in constant fear of being torpedoed and had the clouds of War hanging over them. After a short stay in England they boarded an old seagoing paddle wheeler and after a rough nighttime crossing of the English Channel were finally in France by August 16th, 1918.
They boarded the famous 40 x 8 cattle cars and were shipped to a training area where the French taught them how to go in and out of the trenches, in short how to survive. By September they were sent to the Saales Pass of the St Die sector of the Vosge Mountains. Americans were sent here to serve under the French and acclimate to combat. Up until the Americans arrival the Vosges had been a so called quiet sector however the Americans started pressing the attack and the Germans responded in kind.
Phillip Varco served in World War 1 with the the United States Army. The dates of service are: Known June 1917-Jjan. 1919.
Raymond Howard Leonard served in World War 1 with the the United States Army. The dates of service are: Known June 1916- 1920.
Benjamin Clayton Bowman served in World War 1 with the United States Army. The dates of service are: Known 08 February, 1918 to 07 July, 1919. 
