Stories of Service

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

Robert Sharp, Jr.

Submitted by: Lorraine Kish

58ecd0f234058 Robert Sharp WWI

Robert Sharp, Jr. served in World War 1 with the United States Navy. The dates of service are: Known July 24, 1917 - March 27, 1919.

Enrolled at Fifth Naval District in Norfolk, Virginia on 24 July 1917. He sailed to Bulgaria.

On 29 Sep 1917 he was at Cherrystone Island. Spent time at U.S.N. Hospital in Norfolk from Sep - Oct 1917. In Dec 1917 he was at Cherry Stone Island Base.

On 26 Sep 1918 he was "restricted five days liberty in France for gambling."

On 15 Nov 1918 he was on board the U.S.S. William A. McKenney. His record was clear.

War Service Certificate #53805 issued on 27 Mar 1919.

George H Young

Submitted by: Wm Stuart

George H Young George H. Young served in World War 1 with the United States Marine Corps. The dates of service are: Known 4/17- 8/19.

George H. Young enlisted in US Marine Corp. 11 days after the US declared war on Germany. George and 3 of his brothers served in the Army and Navy.

Young was a first generation American born to German immigrants. His Military History sheet says he fought "Bois de Belleau (Belleau Woods) Chateau Thierry, St Mihiel.Though one of battle pins shows Muese Argonne as well.

George was wounded twice in the same leg and according to the family was the sole survivor of a gas attack.

George Young returned to Michigan after the war where he worked on a farm with his brother who was completely deaf after being in the Navy.

Allen H. Ward

Submitted by: Robert Arieta {grandson}

no photo 300

Allen H Ward served in World War 1 with the United States Army. The dates of service are: Unknown .

My maternal grandfather died before I was born, All I know is he served in the United States Army in World War 1. I wish I knew more.

Louis Arieta

Submitted by: Robert Arieta

no photo 300

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

2nd ID, Purple Heart, locations served, St. Mihiel, Meuse-Argonne, and Defense Sector.

Purple Heart received for action in "No Man's Land". Louis was wounded, and hung up on barbed wire during a gas attack, given up for dead, Louie was discovered alive three days later. Apparently being hung up on the barbed wire kept Louie high enough off the ground where the gas effects were not deadly.

Lau Sing Kee

Submitted by: Guy Takamatsu

Lau Sing Kee mug

Lau Sing Kee served in World War 1 with the United States Army. The dates of service are: Known April 18, 1918 to April 25, 1919.

World War I hero and highest decorated enlisted man from San Jose: Lau Sing Kee (1896 -1967)

By Guy Takamatsu

This writer learned of Lau Sing Kee on a visit to the Chinese Museum located at History Park, a subsection of Kelley Park in San Jose. His medals are on the display, courtesy on loan of his relatives. He won the Distinguished Service Cross and the Purple Heart from the United States and the Croix de Guerre from France. Lau Sing Kee was born in Saratoga, his family moved to San Jose. He died in New York City.

Sgt. Lau Sing Kee is buried at Arlington National Cemetery. Here is a link to his grave marker in Arlington. https://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=48767981

He received his medals for staying 3 days straight at a message center. In spite of his position being shelled and gassed, he refused to leave his post. At one point he was by himself for 24 hours. One wonders how he managed to survive and live until 1967. Others who had been gassed died shortly thereafter in about two years. After the war he received a hero’s welcome in San Jose.

Albert J. Goody

Submitted by: Jack Sherman {grandnephew}

Albert J Goody mug Albert J Goody served in World War 1 with the the United States Army. The dates of service are: Known 1917-1919.

My great uncle Albert left Brewer Maine and followed his brother George into the Army. He served in D troop 12th Cav and was stationed at Corzal in the Panama Canal zone for the duration of the war. He did the entire war as a Private since he couldn't read and write English and unlike his brother didn't go to France where being a native French speaker would be an asset.

Ladli Prasada (L.P.) Varman

Submitted by: Tanveer Kalo

no photo 300 Ladli Prasada (L.P.) Varman served in World War 1 with United States Army. The dates of service are: Known June 5, 1917 to January 1919.

Ladli Prasada (L.P.) Varman was an Indian who served in the U.S military during World War One. L.P. Varman was born on June 15, 1892 in Saharanpur, British India. He arrived in the state of Washington at age of 23 on the Sado Maru on May 9, 1913 with only $200 with him. Sado Maru departed from Yokohama, Japan and arrived at Victoria, British Columbia, Canada on May 8, 1913. The ship arrived in Washington the next day. After arriving to the United States, L.P. Varman settled in Los Angeles, California.

When America entered the war, L.P. Varman was drafted into the United States Army on June 5, 1917. It is noteworthy that his race was listed as Caucasian on his draft card. A few days afterwards, on June 11, 1917, L.P. Varman declared his allegiance to the United States of America in California.

L.P Varman served in the United States Army from June 24, 1918 to January 27, 1919 and was part of Battery D of the 144th Field Artillery in the 40th Division, with the rank of private first class.

George Goody

Submitted by: Jack Sherman {grandson}

George Goody mug George Goody served in World War 1 with the United States Army. The dates of service are: Known 1910-1920.

My grandfather joined the Army at 16 to avoid working in the woods of Maine. His father signed his papers but couldn't read and write English so was rather angry when he figured out what was happening.

George left Maine and ended up in troop I 6th Cav on the Texas Mexico border during the punitive expedition. Since he didn't read or write English he was never promoted in 6 years of service.

When we declared war on Germany and the Army needed French speakers grandpa George became a genius overnight since he could read, write and speak French just fine.

He left the cavalry and became a dispatch rider working behind the lines since he could communicate with French people just fine. Unfortunately he was wounded and almost lost his right leg and ended the war in a hospital.

When peace broke out he went AWOL from the hospital to Paris for a celebration with some friends in a cast no less. He eventually got caught, returned to the hospital, chewed out but apparently it was worth it. His leg never healed correctly and was a constant source of pain for the rest of his life. He eventually returned to America and was discharged at Fort Dix NJ in 1920, unfit for further service.

Glenn Joseph Hixson

Submitted by: Patricia Hahner

Glenn Joseph Hixson served in World War 1 with the United States Army. The dates of service are: Known April 4, 1918-June 9, 1919.

Served in the 80th Division, aka "Blue Ridge Division", 320th Infantry, Co. C. Engagements: Artois, Somme, St. Mihiel, Meuse-Argonne.

William Henry Fowler

Submitted by: Sasha Nielson {niece}

58e7a83b9cee9 IMG 5208

William Henry Fowler served in World War 1 with the United States Army. The dates of service are: Known Dec. 13, 1917 - June 11, 1918.

Private William Henry Fowler enlisted in the United States Army Aviation Corps on December 13, 1917, at the age of 21.

He was stationed in Columbus, Ohio for two months before transferring to Camp Grant, Illinois. After two months there he went to Fort Snelling Minnesota and worked in the Government Aviation School. He was getting ready to join the flying squadron in park field Tennessee when he was stricken with pneumonia and died.

This country was three years into WWI in 1917. Willie was young, and attending automobile school in Detroit Michigan when he enlisted in the Army. He knew that when his training was complete he would be called to the battlefield....and he VOLUNTEERED to serve his country!

He was part of the 872 Aero Squadron.

Thank You Uncle Willie!!

Thomas Hallowell

Submitted by: Ron Staiger {grandson}

no photo 300 Thomas Hallowell served in World War 1 with the United States Army. The dates of service are: Unknown .

Thomas Hallowell, my grandfather (maternal) served in Company "F", 109 Infantry Regiment, 28th Division A.E.F. and was exposed to gas because of defective mask- in and out of VA hospitals until his death in 1972.

George Staiger,(paternal grandfather) served aboard the German battleship SMS Wittelsbach during WW1 seeing action against Russian forces in the Baltic Sea.

My grandfather's disliked each other very much.