Stories of Service

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

William Anderson

Submitted by: Nathaniel Jenkins, Jr. {Grandson}

5a6631ecdba2d Croix de Guerre

William Anderson was born around 1894. William Anderson 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

My grandfather, William Anderson, a South Carolina native, was a real American War Hero. He was a quiet and warm man, a jack-of-all-trades born in the late1800s, and he lived a humble life in Asheville, North Carolina. He was part of an all-black regiment that fought with French soldiers against the Germans during World War I.

When my mother would take me and my sisters to visit him, he would frequently show us his medal that he had tucked away in an old tarnished tin Sucrets box. The medal, shaped like an Iron Cross backed by crossed swords, was marred with time; and it had an aged green and red ribbon attached. My grandfather would beam with pride every time he displayed the medal, but as little kids we didn’t fully understand the significance of his pride. Apparently, he wanted his grandchildren and great-grandchildren to know what he'd done--and to be proud of him.

Many years later, I discovered that Grandfather Anderson's efforts on the battlefield earned him a coveted French medal, the Croix de Guerre or Cross of War, for bravery in combat action. That's the same honor given Audie Murphy, the most decorated American combat soldier of World War II.

Corporal Anthony Finocchio

Submitted by: Danielle Murray {Great Grand Niece}

Corporal Anthony Finocchio

Corporal Anthony Finocchio born around June 19, 1892. Corporal Anthony Finocchio 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

Corporal Anthony Finocchio was a member of Company F 316th Infantry AEF, 79th Division.

He was my maternal Grandmother's Uncle. There is an excerpt in the History of Company F 316th Infantry AEF, 79th Division that describes him "to a T".

While in a dugout, a German shell hit the trench. He was knocked to the ground, in the mud. " He wiped the mud off his leggings ( he was the neatest soldier in the regiment), shrugged and smiled. Just then another round of shelling hit the dugout, destroying the roof and killing him and others" . This was November 3rd., 1918 – 8 days before Armistice was signed.

His Dad, Uncle George, brought him home to be buried in Fernwood Cemetery, East Lansdowne, PA.

Clarence A. Dunning

Submitted by: David Corvino {Friend of the family}

Clarence Dunning image

Clarence A Dunning born around 1889. Clarence Dunning served in World War I with the United States Army. The enlistment was in 1918 and the service was completed in 1918.

Story of Service

The Summerville South Carolina American Legion Post was named in honor of Summerville resident and World War I veteran Clarence A. Dunning. Clarence was killed in action near Bellicourt, France on September 29, 1918.

He was the son of Francis A. Dunning and the former Catherine D. Busch of Summerville. Born October 18, 1889, Dunning grew up in Summerville, and lived on Gum Street. He had three brothers; John, Henry and Herbert, and one sister, Emma. Clarence was the second youngest child, just 3 years older than Herbert and 9 years younger than John. He enjoyed a typical childhood, growing up in the small town life that Summerville offered. He attended Quakenbush School and Summerville school. In 1917 he was employed as a grocery clerk by J.M. Dawling at 29 Wentworth Street in Charleston. The 1917 Charleston City Directory also lists Clarence as working in a grocery store at 343 East Bay Street. It is unclear if he worked in both places.

Clarence was married to Lottie Bell Berrie on April 30th, 1914. They were technically married at the time that he died but were living apart when Clarence was drafted, according to Chris Dunning. Clarence was inducted on March 30, 1918, and began basic training at Camp Jackson in Columbia, SC on April 1, 1918. After basic training, he joined his division in training at Camp Sevier in Greenville, SC. From Camp Sevier, he was transferred to Camp Mills, New York to await transport to France. On June 4, 1918, Dunning sailed with his organization from New York for overseas service on the RMS Mauretania, arriving in Liverpool, England, June 11, 1918. Assigned to a rest camp for 11 days, he was then sent to Calais (Pas-de-Calais) on June 22, 1918, and proceeded to 17th Training Area In the vicinity of Fays-Billot (Haute-Marne) where he remained until July 21, 1918.

James Lynn Rupp

Submitted by: John {grandson}

James Rupp image

James Lynn Rupp born around 1897. James Rupp 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

Like so many others. He signed up for the draft while he was working for AT&T. The draft card shows his occupation as a AT&T Lineman.

While serving over there. His job was to keep the phones connected. After each battle and sometimes during. He had to go out and reconnect the wires. On one or more occasions. He was gassed and that was probably why he got shipped home and got discharged 20 May, 1918. He was part the Signal Corp.109th.Field Sig.Bat.Out post Co.C. He entered service July 7th, 1917 and was part of the Bell Battalions that Bell Laboratory was instrumental in creating.

I wish I knew more. But I wouldn't have known most of this if it hadn't been for his great granddaughter asking me, so innocently, "What did grandpa do during the War?"

One of the best books I found was called "The Hello Girls." I read so much about that war. I had to do something else for quite a while. I hope to finish this story somehow, someday.

Fordyce Reynolds

Submitted by: Alice Collins {Granddaughter}

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Fordyce Reynolds born around 1899, Fordyce Reynolds 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

Nines Simmons

Submitted by: Karen Nix {Granddaughter}

Nines Simmons 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

Nines was drafted in 1918. He was a dentist in Harvey ND., and was selected because he was used to the cold winters. He was sent to Archangel, Russia as a lieutenant and was involved in leading the companies in battle there as well as taking care of dental issues, working in the hospital, carrying the wounded off the battlefield and administering care while getting them to the hospital. This unit was called the Polar Bears.

They were unable to leave Russia when the armistice was called and endured the harsh winter with 60 degree temperatures until June when the rivers thawed enough to get the ships through the rivers to pick them up and take them home.

While stranded there, they endured many hardships and ended up fighting for their lives in the Russian civil war.

Herman Baum

Submitted by: Jeff Baum {Grandson}

Herman Baum image

Herman Baum born around 1892, Herman Baum served in World War 1 with the the United States Army . The enlistment was in 1917 and the service was completed in 1919.

Story of Service

He was assigned to the POW detail in France. He was wounded, 30% disability.

Anthony Zjawin

Submitted by: Walter R Zjawin {Great Nephew}

Anthony Zjawin image Anthony Zjawin 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

Great Uncle was a Polish Immigrant living in Jersey City NJ .He was recruited by the French at a Polish Home.

He served in Hallaer's Blue Army. He returned to United States and started a dairy in Jersey City NJ. Mike became a US Citizen. The Name of his Dairy was VETERAN'S Dairy.

He could not join American Veteran's Organization because he fought under the French Flag.

Early Erwin Baggett

Submitted by: Janet C. Rogers {Great Nephew}

Early Baggett image

Early Erwin Baggett born around 1894. Early Baggett 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

Early Erwin Baggett resided in Quail, Collingsworth Co., Texas on the family farm. He was the third son in a family of 8 children. Early, age 22, registered for the draft June 5, 1917 in Wellington, Texas. He was inducted October 8, 1917 as a private in the 132nd Machine Gun Battalion, 141st U.S. Infantry, 71st Brigade, 36th Division of Texas.

Major General William R. Smith, commanded the division from the time it sailed for France in July 1918 until its return in the spring of 1919.

Early was ordered to report immediately to Camp Bowie which was located in Tarrant County near Fort Worth, Texas. He arrived at camp in civilian clothes. It was weeks before uniforms were provided and much longer before they were equipped with rifles. For a time, the men drilled with sticks and clubs.

Cold weather caused a great deal of hardship among the men. Many cases of pneumonia, measles and the flu resulted. After the first month overcoats and woolen clothing finally arrived. Tents were improved as they were walled and floored with wood.

William O. Geyer

Submitted by: Claude Reeson {great nephew}

William Geyer image

William O Geyer born around 1896, William Geyer served in World War 1 with the the United States Army Air Corps . The enlistment was in 1917 and the service was completed in 1918.

Story of Service

Lost at sea with sinking of the Tuscania

George Washington Morgan

Submitted by: Jerry Michaud {Helping Out his Grandson}

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George Washington Morgan born around 1874, George Morgan served in World War 1 with the the United States Army . The enlistment was in 1917 and the service was completed in 1919.