James Montgomery Whitmore

Submitted by: Gene L. Whitmore {Grandchild}

James Montgomery Whitmore served in World War 1 with the United States Army. The dates of service are: Unknown .

 

My grandfather, James Montgomery Whitmore, died before I was born. My father and uncles (Korean War era) related stories told to them about the feelings of the young men in 1916 as the prospect of war participation loomed.

By the 1917 entry of America into the Great War, it was understood that the existing forces arrayed against each other in Europe were at am impasse, and America's participation would tip the scales. Additionally, grandfather related that the Germany and Austria-Hungary alliance were seen at the time as having waited for the slightest excuse to ignite a war to grab land and power, and the Allied Expeditionary Forces were united in their cause of opposing the unjust invasion of many parts of Europe.

 

It was thought that Germany dragged a reluctant U.S. into the war by conspiring with Mexico to attack the U.S., which forced America's decision to finally enter the Great War. So with both excitement and a bit of trepidation, our boys prepared for their induction into the military and prepared to break the stalemate in Europe.