Francis "Frank" P. Putz

Submitted by: Bob Ravener (1st cousin 2X removed)

Francis "Frank" P. Putz served in World War 1 with the United States Army. The dates of service are: Known 1916-1918.

 

Frank was born in Corona, NY in 1896, the son of NYPD Sergeant Frank and Mrs. Putz. He stood 5 feet 8 3/4 inches tall with blue eyes and brown hair. In civilian life he worked for the Grant Hardware Co. in Manhattan as a draftsman.

He initially enlisted in the New York National Guard in Company K of the 71st NY Infantry Division on 23 June 1916 and served along the Mexican border for several months. When war was declared in 1917, he and what was now the NY 27th Division went to Camp Wadsworth, SC for training before boarding the USS President Grant en route to France on 17 May 1917.

Now part of the 105th Infantry Regiment, he and his band of brothers trained under British supervision, then were ordered to the Ypres salient in Belgium. On 9 July, the division defended a portion of the East Poperinghe Line in the Dickebusch Lake area.

After intense training and some R&R at "Trappist Farm", the regiment returned to front line duty on 29 August. The next day, the regiment was ordered to advance on the German lines. Through heavy artillery and machine gun fire, the regiment was able to advance about 1,000 yards and gained a foothold, capturing a large number of German troops and weapons.

The next moves was for the 27th Division to prepare to attack the Hindenburg Line and in the early hours of 27 September, Frank and his 105th regiment, along with the 106th Infantry Regiment, attacked the area around Bois de Malakoff, Quennemont Farm, and The Knoll.

Companies K and M of the 105th faced strong German resistance as they tried to consolidate their positions on "The Knoll". It was during this effort that Corp. Putz distinguished himself: "For exceptional gallantry and determined leadership of his Lewis gun squad in covering the consolidation of units of his regiment during the battle of the Hindenburg Line, northwest of Ronssay, France, September 27, 1918. This soldier was compelled during this time to expose himself to enemy machine gun and sniper fire and was killed in the performance of this gallant act."

Corp. Putz was killed by a single bullet through the heart. For his determined leadership and courage in battle, he was posthumously awarded the Silver Star Medal. As of this writing in 2017, Frank's final resting place is still unknown to the author. (In collaboration with Brian Murphy on some facts and dates)