Stories of Service

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

Reeder Miller

Submitted by: Andy A Miller {Grandson}

Reeder Miller

Reeder Miller born around 1891. Reeder Miller served in World War 1 with the United States Army. The enlistment was in 1918 and the service was completed in 1919.

Story of Service

Reeder Miller entered service in Honesdale, Pennsylvania and traveled to Camp Wadsworth, South Carolina near Spartanburg. In September 1918, he deployed as the regimental sergeant major in the 4th Corps Field Artillery with the American Expeditionary Forces in France.

In late October, just as his unit was getting "into the thick of the fight", he was notified that he'd been selected to attend the field artillery officer training school at Saumur. He would spend the remainder of his time in France there.

When the Armistice was signed on November 11th, his class was kept in session and he graduated the school in January 1919. With the War over, and the need for officers and soldiers greatly reduced, his class was denied commission as artillery officers and were reverted to their previous rank prior to the officer training school. By the end of that month, he and his classmates were ordered home.

Edward Babb Cutter

Submitted by: Aaron Bahe, American Legion Post

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Edward Babb Cutter born around 1887. Edward Cutter served in World War 1 with the United States Army. The enlistment was in 1906 and the service was completed in 1918.

Story of Service

On May 1, 1887 in Anoka, Minnesota, Edward Bab Cutter (Nicknamed 'Ned') was the youngest of three born to the family of Oscar and Mary Cutter. Completing his high school education and with his mother's permission, Ned joined Company B, 3rd Minnesota Volunteer Regiment on 22 June 1906. By 1909, his fellow comrades had elected Ned 2nd Lieutenant.

While majoring in Law at the University of Minnesota, Ned joined the Cadet Corps Program (forerunner to the ROTC) and was officially recognized as an officer in the U.S. Army National Guard. Upon completing his studied on 5 June 1911, he received promotion to 1st Lieutenant.

Following graduation, Ned briefly relocated to Thief River Falls where he worked on his elder brother's newspaper. Due to the distances involved, Ned considered resigning his commission but no record of it exists and it is believed his Commanding Officer, Major Arthur Caswell, found an alternative solution.

Oran O. Sutton

Submitted by: Douglas Frye {Cousin}

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Oran O. Sutton born around 1897. Oran Sutton 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

Oran O. Sutton was born on September 24, 1897 to Wilken B. Sutton and Amelia Lowe Sutton in Clay County, Indiana.

Per his tombstone in Eagle Point National Cemetery, Oregon, he served with Wagr Btry C 63 Arty CAC.

Sam Mazzara

Submitted by: Sam Mazzara {Grandson}

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Sam Mazzara was born around 1896. Sam Mazzara 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

Sam Mazzara was born on March 6, 1896 in Monte San Guiliano Sicily. He immigrated to the United States in April of 1913 and lived in Detroit. He was drafted into the U.S. Army and inducted on Sept. 22, 1917 in Detroit. He was assigned to the 85th Infantry Division (the Custer Division), 339th Infantry Regiment Company H and took his basic training at Camp Custer in Battle Creek, MI.

After basic training, he was assigned as a cook. This regiment was destined to be known as the Polar Bears (as well as Detroit's Own) and fight in Russia in a little known piece of the United States World War I history.

On July 14, 1918, he left Camp Custer with his unit. They were ordered overseas for duty. He arrived at Camp Mills, Long Island on July 15th, 1918. From there, his unit departed for England on July 21, 1918 and arrived in Liverpool, England on Aug. 3, 1918. They thought they were going to fight in Europe, however, once they reached England, they were told they were going to Russia at the request of the British government.

Charles Hollopeter

Submitted by: Allen Phetteplace, VFW post, and by Walter F. Johnson

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Charles Hollopeter born around 1896. Charles Hollopeter 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

Charles Hollopeter was born at Amsworth, Nebraska, Jan. 1, 1896. Son of Curtis and Josephine Hollopeter.

Enlisted at Stanley, Wis., on July 8, 1917, in Co. L 128th Inf. Sailed for France Feb. 20, 1918. Participated in all the battles of the 32nd Division. Promoted to the rank of corporal.

Was killed in action in the Meuse-Argonne, Nov. 7, 1918. (Burial at Riverside Cemetery, Ladysmith.)

Willmar Albert Bathke

Submitted by: Allen Phetteplace, VFW post, and Walter F. Johnson

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Willmar Albert Bathke born around 1895, Willmar Bathke 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

Willmar Bathke- Born at Springfield, Minn., June 22, 1895. Son of Fred and Sean Bathke, of Tony.

Before entering the service, he was engaged in farm work, assisting his parents.

Entered the service July 5, 1918. Assigned to 109th Co. Engineers, 28th Division. Sailed for France Sept. 12, 1918. Participated in the battle of St. Mihiel. Was gassed at Thincourt, Nov. 2, 1918.

Suffered an attack of bronchial pneumonia which resulted in his death, Nov. 9, 1918. (Burial Riverside Cemetery, Ladysmith).

George Washington Willard

Submitted by: Eric Wiech {Great Grandson}

George Washington Willard

George Washington Willard born around 18 Dec. 1892, George Willard 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

Pvt. George Washington Willard was born on December 18, 1892, in Madison, SD. His mother died when he was six. Soon after, he and his younger brother were placed in the Sioux Falls children’s home. From there, he was sent to live with a family that was quite poor. He worked long hours at farm labor, was fed little, slept in a bed bug-infested bed, only had socks hired men threw away, and had little schooling for two years. When he was constantly late for the little schooling he received, his teacher asked him why. After he explained, the teacher contacted the children’s home, which sent two women to check on his conditions. They immediately removed him from the home. He was placed into another foster home and lived/worked there until he was 17.

Pvt. Willard was drafted into the Army on the 20th of September, 1917, when he was 24. On May 11, 1918, he would sail from New York, NY to Liverpool, England. Listed as his “in case of emergency” contact is a “friend” from Summit, SD, Miss Agnus Swanson.

Warren Finley Hoyle

Submitted by: Martha Bridges, Warren F. Hoyle Post 82 Historian

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Warren Finley 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.

Leslie Joseph Burke

Submitted by: E. Whitney Drake {nephew}

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Leslie Joseph Burke born around 1897, Leslie Burke served in World War 1 with the United States Army. The enlistment was in 1914 and the service was completed in 1917.

Story of Service

My uncle, Leslie Joseph Burke, was born in Halifax, N.S., and came to the U.S.A. as a small boy. He enlisted on the Army in DEC 1914,

In OCT 1917, he landed in France with the U.S. Army 26th Div. My uncle was in every major battle of the U.S. Army in World War I. Chevrons attached to his Victory Medal are: Meuse-Argonne; St. Mihiel; Champagne-Marne; Chateau Thierry; Oise-Aisne.

He was wounded in battle on/about 10 OCT 1918 by mustard gas. He survived, but was disabled later in life due to this.

My uncle's medals from World War I include the Purple Heart, Silver Star, and Victory Medal.

Henry A. Falk

Submitted by: Jeffrey Falk {Grandson}

Henry A Falk Henry A. Falk was born around 1887. Henry Falk 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

The information I have about my grandfather was told to me by my father, since my grandfather died when I was 2 years old.

He enlisted when he was 30 years old. A farmer by trade, he signed up for infantry. Basic training was at Camp Funston, part of Ft. Riley in Kansas. He was in company i, 353rd infantry, 89th division. He was involved in the battle of St. Mihiel, and Meuse-Argonne. He was a corporal and was responsible for ensuring that everyone got "over the top".

One time he turned to help another soldier out of the trench and as he stood up he said it felt like he was hit in the back with a sledgehammer, throwing him into the trench. The mess kit in his pack had stopped a bullet.

There was also mention of the fierce hand to hand combat he experienced, but he never went into too much detail. Having grown up on a farm, he said one of the saddest things was seeing the wounded horses. He said that men understood what could happen to them, even expect it, but the animals had no idea what was going on.

Abbas Alee

Submitted by: Tanveer Kalo

no photo 300 Abbas Alee born around 1888. Abbas Alee 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

Abbas Alee was born on June 4, 1888 in Calcutta, British India to Amed Alee and Sheburne Beybi. His parents were from Persia.

He immigrated to the United States on March 15, 1910. Alee settled in California after his arrival.

By 1917, Abbas was living in Los Angeles. On June 5, 1917, Alee registered for the draft. His draft registration card recorded his race as Hindu, birth of place as India, and occupation as a moving picture actor at Keystone Studios.

Abbas Alee married Maria or Mary Llampallas on September 25, 1918 in Los Angeles, California.

On November 14, 1918, Alee petitioned for U.S. naturalization as a soldier at Camp Kearny, California.