Robb Centre News - February 2021

ROBB CENTRE NEWS GEORGE S. ROBB CENTRE FOR THE STUDY OF THE GREAT WAR AT PARK UNIVERSITY MONTHLY NEWSLETTER

U.S.S. Alcedo

U.S.S. Cyclops

U.S.S. Ticonderoga

Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph NH 57015)

U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command photo

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Ticonderoga (1918)

U.S.S. von Steuben

U.S.S. Lake Moor

U.S.S. Lansdale

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/ File:Uss_Von_Steuben_ID-3017.jpg

http://www.navsource.org/archives/ 12/1217218001.jpg

http://www.navsource.org/archives/05/ pix2/0510105.jpg

U.S. Navy Sailors

BY TIMOTHY WESTCOTT, PH.D. African American servicemembers of the U.S. Army

Dozens of these sailors died related to combat

92nd and 93rd Infantry Divisions are known for their

incidents involving the above vessels. During

valor. Their narratives revealed service representative

February, the George S. Robb Centre for the Study of

of the best character against all odds and limited

the Great War will feature stories of these vessels and

military opportunities. In commemoration of Black

the narrative of the sailors on the Robb Centre's

History Month, another set of narratives need to be

Facebook and Twitter accounts.

reported-those African Americans that served and died in the U.S. Navy-approximately 10,000 African Americans served in the enlisted ranks of the U.S. Navy during World War I.

FEBRUARY CALENDAR

Photo #: NH 56659 -- USS Bushnell (Submarine Tender # 2) Mess Attendants on board the ship U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph

FEBRUARY 2021, VOLUME 5

13th: 245th Birthday of the U.S. Navy 15th: USS Cassin v. U-61 Photo #: NH 103999 -- USS Matsonia (ID # 1589) 24th: Vittorio-Vento Halftone reproduction of a photograph ofCampaign the officer's galley begins U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph

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Park Alumni and Students of World War I

BY ASHYLN WEBER

The following article is a continuation of the George S. Robb Centre for the Study of the Great War and Frances Fishburn Archives and Special Collection series, "Park Alumni and Students of World War I," highlighting the service career of our veteran students and alumni.

William James Stephenson was born to Charles (1859-1928) and Clara Mae Strubelt (1875-1967) on Oct. 7, 1895, in Basehor, Kan. The second of three children, Stephenson spent his early life living on the family farm between Fairmount, Kan., and Basehor. After graduating from Basehor High School in 1913, Stephenson was accepted to Park College, becoming a member of Parchevard Literary Society.

Graduating in June 1917, with a Bachelors of Arts degree in English and history, Stephenson did not hesitate to enlist in the U.S. Army a month later. After training at Jefferson Barracks, Mo., and Camp Robinson, Wis., Private First Class Stephenson and Battery F, 17th Field Artillery (Sept. 21, 1917, assigned to the 2nd Division) left Hoboken, N.J., on Dec. 13, 1917, aboard the U.S. Army Transport Ship Covington , arriving in Brest, France, on Dec. 20. Stephenson was originally assigned to the Verdun Sector (March 14-July 7, 1918), then engaged in the Battle of Chateau Thierry, Soissons Sector, St. Mihiel Sector, Aisne Offensive and finally Meuse-Argonne Offensive. After the Armistice was signed, Stephenson was stationed in Bendorf, Germany, near the Rhine River, where the Ehrenbreitstein Fortress was occupied by the American Expeditionary Forces.

Stephenson, now a sergeant, and his company left Brest on July 25, 1919, aboard the U.S. Army Transport Ship Ryndam, arriving in Brooklyn, N.Y. on Aug. 4. Stephenson was honorably discharged from military service on Aug. 14, 1919, at Camp Robinson, Wis.

Ehrenbreitstein Fortress Source: https://ohiomemory.org/digital/collection/p16007coll51/id/7602/

Stephenson returned to his family's farm where he soon became superintendent of schools in Basehor and Easton, Kan., from 1920-22. Stephenson then moved to Tonganoxie (Kan.) High School where he taught history and coached from 1922-28. On June 9, 1923, Stephenson married Mabel Grace Casebier (1898-1980), and they had one child, William James, Jr. (1925-94). In 1928, Stephenson retired from teaching and began working for First State Bank of Tonganoxie, rising in rank to become executive vice president by the 1960s. Stephenson was heavily involved in the Tonganoxie Methodist Church, Kiwanis Club, Masonic Lodge and American Legion, as well as local affairs throughout his adult life. Stephenson later became president of the Tonganoxie Building and Loan Company, holding this position until his death on April 11, 1964. Stephenson is buried in Tonganoxie Cemetery.

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Negro Leagues Baseball Veteran

BY ISBELLA TASSET

Three years into World War I, with Europe in a state of bloody turmoil and war fever in the U.S. growing over the "Zimmerman Telegram" (a secret diplomatic communications from the German Foreign Office in January 1917 that proposed a military alliance between Germany and Mexico) and unrestricted submarine warfare, the U.S. officially entered the conflict. In the months following, the American populace felt the full force of largescale mobilization, the likes of which would not be surpassed until World War II. Few aspects of life remained untouched, and America's fast-growing favorite pastime was no exception. Baseball players in the majors, minors, and Negro Leagues alike enlisted in a war that would bring both honor and tragedy.

One player, 30-year-old Spottswood Poles, was famous in the game for his powerful throwing arm and blazing speed. Poles, with a batting average consistently above .300 and 41 stolen bases in the first 60 games of the 1911 season, was colloquially known as the "black Ty Cobb." He began his career at 19 as an outfielder with the Harrisburg (Pa.) Giants and three years later became centerfielder for the Philadelphia Giants, who defeated the Leland Giants of Chicago in the 1909 "Colored Championship of the World." Poles stayed with Philadelphia for another year before moving to the newly-formed New York Lincoln Giants, where he led all hitters during the 1913 exhibition series against the white Philadelphia Phillies, getting 10 hits in 15 at-bats.

In 1914, Poles was at the top of his game, with a stunning batting average of. 481.

Source: Ancestry.com

In addition to the Lincoln Giants (based in the New York City), Poles formed part of an impressive lineup for the Brooklyn (N.Y.) Royal Giants in 1914, the Lincoln Stars (New York City) from 1914-16, and the Hilldale Daisies (Darby, Pa.) in 1917. By 1917, Poles had earned a reputation as a fierce runner and an intense competitor. And, like many Black ballplayers of his time, he had proven his ability on the field against teams of both races.

After the U.S. declared war on Germany, baseball teams across the nation faced a shortened season and rosters. Famous ballplayers from across all leagues either voluntarily enlisted or were drafted by the provisions of the Selective Service Act, which deemed baseball as "non-essential."

Poles, along with other Negro Leagues stars such as --Julius "Gentleman Dave" Malarcher, Frank Wickware and William "Specks" Webster--missed the 1918 season while serving in Europe. Poles joined the 15th New York (Colored) Infantry Regiment, better known as the Harlem Hellfighters, and arrived in Europe in December 1917.

Poles, and other members of the 15th, were initially assigned to manual labor jobs miles from the front lines, but when the French Army implored Gen. John J. Pershing for reinforcements, the 15th New York became the 369th Infantry Regiment. They were attached to the 16th Division of the Fourth French Army and sent to the trenches.

Poles, a sergeant, served in the battles of Belleau Wood, Chateau-Thierry, the second Marne, and the MeuseArgonne Offensive, earning a Purple Heart for his actions. After spending more days in the trenches than any other unit and occupying the Rhineland for several weeks after the Armistice, the Harlem Hellfighters were relieved from duty. They returned to New York more than a year after they had departed.

Continued on Page 4

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Continued from Page 3

The Negro baseball scene had change somewhat in the year Poles had been away. Several teams, including the American Giants (Chicago) had diminished lineups and some, like the Indianapolis ABCs, disbanded for several years. The war and the 1918 influenza pandemic took the lives of several of the greats, including Ted Kimbro, Pearl Webster and Norman Triplett. Further, unlike during the modern pandemic where spectators might attend a game virtually, there was no alternative in 1918 but to cancel all games that posed a public health

Sponsorship Opportunities Research Investors

The George S. Robb Centre for the Study of the Great War invites research investors to join the Valor Medals Review effort to properly recognize our servicemembers. The research is supported by legislation (S. 1281/H.R. 2249) signed within the National Defense Authorization Act on December 20, 2019,

concern.

Poles initially took a managerial position with the Hellfighters, a team composed entirely of veteran ballplayers, but left shortly after to play for the Atlantic City (N.J.) Bacharach Giants. He later played again for the Hilldale Daisies and Lincoln Giants, as well as, Richmond (ind.) Giants, earning a respectable batting average of .284, even at the age of 36.

After 1923, Poles started his own small taxi cab service.

He and his wife later moved to Harrisburg, Pa., where he came full circle by becoming a manager for the Harrisburg Giants. In the 1940s, as a final contribution to the game, Poles mentored a young Brooks Lawrence, who would become a famous pitcher for the St. Louis

To discuss investing in the project, please contact: Nathan Marticke, Chief Advancement Officer Park University - 816-584-6844 nathan.marticke@park.edu.

Give Today! http://advancing.park.edu/valormedals

Cardinals and Cincinnati Reds.

(No federal appropriations are funding the project)

Poles is buried in Arlington National Cemetery, a few

Strategic Partners

rows away from the legendary Jud Wilson, another

Partners are critical to advancing the mission of the Valor

Negro Leagues player and the only Black World War I

Medals Review. Endorsements, research support or other

veteran with a plague at Cooperstown (Baseball Hall of

non-financial support of the successful completion of the

Fame).

Valor Medals Review is invited.

The African American ballplayers, who served overseas,

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were in the unique position to prove not only that a

Dr. Timothy Westcott, Director

Black ballplayer is as capable of dominating on the field

George S. Robb Centre for the Study of the Great War,

as a white player, but that a Black soldier can contribute

Park University - 816-885-2345 - tim.westcott@park.edu

as much to his country as a white soldier.

Centre Staff

Visit Us

Dr. Timothy Westcott Director Email: tim.westcott@park.edu

Website: https://gsr.park.edu

Ms. Ashlyn Weber Associate Director Mr. Joshua Weston Senior Military Analyst

Facebook: George S.Robb Centree for the Study of the Great War LinkedIn: George S Robb Centre at Park University YouTube Channel: George S Robb Centre Twitter: @CentreRobb

FEBRUARY 2021 VOLUME 5

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