Vishvanath Narayan Banawalker

Submitted by: Tanveer Kalo

Vishvanath Narayan Banawalker served in World War 1 with the United States Army. The dates of service are: Known September 6, 1918- Januray 21, 1919.

 

Vishvanath Narayan Banawalker was born on July 21, 1892 in Vengurla, British India. He arrived to the New York City from Liverpool, England in September 1915 on the ship Mauretania a age of 21. His New York passenger list noted his race as Hindu (East Indian) .Banawalker settled in Cambridge, Massachusetts after his arrival to the U.S and found work as a machinist.

On June 5, 1917, Banawalker registered for the draft in Cambridge. His draft card listed his race as Malayan (Malaysian). The bottom left hand corner of the card was ripped off, which was done if a person was black.

Vishvanath Narayan Banawalker entered military service on September 6, 1918. He served in the Motor Transport Corps and was honorable discharged on Januray 21, 1919. He did not serve overseas.

 After the war, Banawalker returned to Cambridge. On June 12, 1918, he delcared his intention for U.S. naturalization.

By 1930 he worked as a salesman, was naturalized, and was single.

On September 2, 1930 he petitioned for U.S. naturalization.

On Aprill 7, 1942 Vishvanath Narayan Banawalker died at age of 50 in Cambridge, Massachusetts.