John Elco

Submitted by: Josh Hanna 

John Elco served in World War 1 with the United States Army. The dates of service are: Known June 7, 1917-1919.

 

Seventeen year old John William Elco traveled from his home in Donora to Pittsburgh to enlist in the Pennsylvania National Guard on June 7, 1917, less than a month shy of his 18th birthday.

Elco became a machine gunner in the 111th Infantry--part of the Keystone Division praised by General Pershing. His overseas service in 1918 was with E Company of the 19th Engineering Regiment (Transportation Corps) in France..

He left France in April 1919 but had a lifelong affinity with the US Army, serving again on the home front in WWII where he rose to the rank of Major in 1944 in command of the 3rd Battalion, 10th Regiment. He was finally discharged from the service on June 1, 1951.