Valor Magazine - Volume 2, Number 2

THE GEORGE S. ROBB CENTRE FOR THE STUDY OF THE GREAT WAR AT PARK UNIVERSITY VOLUME 2, NO. 2

VALOR

PRIVATE ERNEST SPENCER FIRST LIEUTENANT WILLIAM WARFIELD THE STUDENT ARMY TRAINING CORPS AT PARK COLLEGE Valor magazine is sponsored by the Robert R. McCormick Foundation

VALOR

CONTENTS There's no expiration on valor.

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Message from President Smeed 4 Message from Robb Centre Director Westcott 6 First Lieutenant William Warfield 21 National Hispanic Heritage Month 22 National Native American Heritage Month 23 First Division Museum and the Great War Institute Symposium 24 Private Ernest Spencer 29 Veterans Day Lecture Series 32 "More Than A Medal" 33 The Student Army Training Corps at Park College

24 Private Ernest Spencer Company D 6th Marines 2nd Division, U.S. Marine Corps

44 The Centennial of the Tomb of the Unknown 46 Adopt-A-Hero Program 47 Sponsorships

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MESSAGE FROM PARK UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT SHANE SMEED

Park University has a long and rich history of educating and serving those men and women who serve our nation and protect our freedoms.

When the U.S. declared war on Spain in April 1898, 13 Park students and alumni enlisted to serve in the U.S. Army.

Park’s first student and alumnus who served was Thomas Dodd Roberts (18441936). He enlisted as a private at the outbreak of the U.S. Civil War with the 62nd Illinois Volunteer Infantry Regiment.

Military service was noted in the family as Roberts maternal great-grandfather served as a captain during the American Revolution and his two brothers, William and Charles, also enlisted during the Civil War. Roberts’ regiment served in Arkansas, Mississippi, and Tennessee. At the conclusion of his first enlistment, he was promoted to sergeant and following his re-enlistment in 1865 was promoted to second lieutenant.

In October 1918, Park assisted in training and educating young men in the Student Army Training Corps. Sixty-one cadets participated in the SATC.

Two decades later, when the U.S. entered World War I, 192 Park students and alumni served in the U.S. Army, U.S. Marine Corps, and U.S. Navy.

Ten gave the ultimate sacrifice: Lloyd R. Boutwell Myrtis Cargill Edgar C. Fisher James Hamilton Laurie Leck Lynn Murray Carl Rinderly Irwin Shaw Albert A. Thomas Howard Votaw

I invite you to read this issue of Valor to read more about Park University’s connections to World War I and the continuing Valor Medals Review efforts by staff and students in the University’s George S. Robb Centre for the Study of the Great War. Shane B. Smeed President Park University

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MESSAGE FROM ROBB CENTRE DIRECTOR WESTCOTT In the summer of 2021, the personal collections of Julius Ochs Adler (1892-1955, a Jewish American were donated to Park University’ George S. Robb Centre for the Study of Great War by the Adler Family.

The collection is a combination of personal effects, military memorabilia (pre-World War I through World War II) and scrapbooks of the Ochs and Alder families.

The collection includes uniform components, pieces of artillery and weaponry, and original orders and photographs of the 77th Infantry Division. The Robb Centre’s holdings are appropriately supplemented by the New York Public Library’s New York Times Company Collection, which includes information related to the Adler Family’s associations with the New York Times, Chattanooga (Tenn.) Times, and Ochs estate.

Adler’s Distinguished Service Cross and Croix de Guerre with Bronze Palm actions qualify for investigation under the Valor Medals Review. His service with the 306th Infantry Regiment, 77th Infantry Division as captain, then major, allowed him to collect and edit the official history of the 306th. Published in 1935, an original copy is held in the Robb Centre’s Howard R. Votaw Library.

Thanks to the Adler Collection, several handwritten notes and partial manuscripts now accompany the holdings. The Robb Centre is deeply appreciative of the donation of this collection and is incredibly grateful to be the home of Adler’s legacy. Two of the favorite items of Josh Weston, Robb Centre military analyst, are below.

P17 Helmet (United States) The American P17 was a helmet based on the British Mark I Brodie helmet of similar design. Both designs feature a similar dome shape and skirt, and are made from hardened manganese steel.

However, the main difference is in the chinstrap bails whereby the Mark I would feature a 16-gauge brass or steel wire, while the P17 is made from a 12-guage iron wire which made it stronger in comparison to the Mark I. The marking stamps of the British Mark I’s featured with a letter followed by a slash and then another letter, and it would have at least six numbers to indicate which of the nine steel suppliers produced the helmet.

Meanwhile, the American P17 would feature a stamp beginning with Z and followed by a series of numbers.

However, the code doesn’t give an indication to which

American company produced the helmet.

This helmet is in poor condition given that the texture of the helmet has slowly worn off, and there is some tarnishing and rusting present. Furthermore, the helmet liner is torn out from the inside, and only a small portion remains on the innermost crown of the helmet. The helmet was part of lot number “ZC44” as indicated by its stamp on the inside of the skirt on the rear. The 16-gauge iron wire to hold the chin straps are still attached but rusting. On the outer portion of the helmet, the American “Statue of Liberty” Division insignia can be seen on the front of the helmet, with the paint of the Division insignia remaining in fair condition.

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MESSAGE FROM ROBB CENTRE DIRECTOR WESTCOTT M1898/05 a/A Bayonet with scabbard (Imperial German Army) This bayonet was used within the Imperial German Army during the First World War in conjunction with the standard issue 8mm Mauser Gewehr 98 and made from steel. It superseded the M1898 bayonet and was less prone to breakage than its predecessor; the production of this series (a/A) was undertaken between 1905 to about 1918. They were offered in different variations such as sawback, sawback removed, shortened, with/without flashguard, high/low muzzle-ring “ears” and features a wooden grip with a blued-steel scabbard.

It has a 14-½-inch blued-steel blade with a distinct bulge toward nearer the point; this was designed to give it extra weight in slashing movements which eventually earned it the nickname of the “butcher blade.” It is attached to the Mauser Gewehr 98 by sliding onto the “Stock” (Floor) located under the muzzle and held to the gun with the stockhalter (Stick holder) and the seitengewehrhalter (Side gun holder). A spring-loaded button located on the butt of the bayonet would lock the bayonet in place; to remove, a button is located on the right side of the butt of the bayonet would be pushed for the bayonet to slide off.

This particular M1898/05 a/A is a sawback removed variation with low ears.

Stamped on the left side of the ricasso is “WAFFENFABRIK” with “MAUSER A.G.” located beneath, then “OBERNDORF a/A” at the bottom. This indicates that it was produced at the Mauser arms factory in the small German town of Oberndorf. The “a/A” (alter) designates the blade as the “older” model of the blade (the newer models produced were marked n/A [neuer]).

Under the manufacturers stamp on the left ricasso is the serial number of 3222.

Along the spine of the blade, near the handle, is the Imperial German Crown and “17” which indicates the blade was manufactured in 1917.

The pommel is stamped with the Fraktur proof mark and the wooden handle is grooved for easier grip. The bayonet is in fair condition with some rust, while the pommel shows wear and tarnish. The button, located on the pommel, still works but is slightly rusted around the edges. The wood on the handle is worn and has slight damage on the right portion of the handle while the rivets show rust around the edges.

The guard on the handle shows signs of rust but is in good condition.

The scabbard is made of bluedsteel and stamped near the throat with “3222” which indicates that this is the original scabbard to the bayonet. Under the serial number, the same stamping on the left of the ricasso on the bayonet can be seen with “WAFFENFABRIK MAUSER A.G. OBERNDORF a/A” with the German Iron Cross located at the bottom. The scabbard is in poor condition and is mostly rusted but still holds the belt chape attachment. The screw near the throat is in fair condition, but is corroded on one end. The draw is a little stiff, however, sheaths easily. There are two small indentations, one which goes through the scabbard, near the chape ball.

Artifact research performed by Joshua Weston.

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FIRST LIEUTENANT WILLIAM WARFIELD Born: June 7, 1883, Illinois. [1] Death: February 12, 1966. Burial at Burr Oak Cemetery, Alsip, Ill. [2] Hometown: Chicago Race: African-American Branch of Service: U.S. Army, Infantry Unit at Time of Action: 1st. Lieutenant, Company L, 3rd Battalion, 370th Infantry Regiment, 185th Infantry Brigade, 93rd Division. Attached to: French 59th Division, French XXX Corps, French Tenth Army. [3] Locations of Service: Camp Logan, Texas, Oct. 15, 1917;. Brest, France, April 22, 1918; [4] St. Mihiel Sector (Lorraine) June 17-July 5, 1918;. Aire Sector (Lorraine), July 7-Aug. 18, 1918;. Oise-Aisne Operation Sept. 15-Nov. 11, 1918. [5] Le Gue d’Hossus, Belgium, Nov. 11, 1918. [6] Military Honor: Distinguished Service Cross citation.

1st. Lieutenant William J. Warfield, Company L, 370th Infantry. For extraordinary heroism in action near Ferme de la Riviere, France, 28 September 1918. Although separated with his platoon from the company, Lieutenant Warfield continued to lead a stubborn resistance against enemy machine-gun nests, successfully capturing a gun and killing the crew. After having been severely wounded, he still continued in command, refusing relief until his objective was reached.

Warfield’s award could be a candidate to upgrade to the Medal of Honor. His actions are comparable to those of Medal of Honor recipient Michael B. Ellis, who single-handedly attacked and reduced machine-gun nests at Exermont on Oct. 5, 1918. Another comparison would be to Medal of Honor recipient African-American Platoon Sgt. Matthew Leonard, in Vietnam on Feb. 28, 1967. He charged an enemy machine gun and destroyed the hostile crew. Leonard succumbed to his many wounds, sacrificing his life for his platoon. Warfield’s action differed from Ellis in the number of machine guns captured, and from Leonard because Warfield survived his wounds.

Warfield, who rose from private to commander of the Illinois 8th Infantry in 1935, earned his military rank through a gallant record on the field of battle.

Warfield enlisted at the age of 19 as a private on May 30, 1902. [7] The 8th Infantry Battalion was expanded, reorganized and redesignated as the 8th Infantry Regiment, Illinois National Guard, with new companies recognized on May 30, 1902. [8]

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Photo Colonel John R. Marshall

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Warfield was promoted from first sergeant to first lieutenant, Infantry, from Jan. 29, 1908 to Jan. 17, 1913.

[9] The 8th Infantry was called into federal service for Mexican border duty under Col. Franklin A. Denison, arriving at Camp Wilson, Fort Sam Houston, Texas, on July 6, 1916. [10] Warfield held the rank of second lieutenant, Infantry, from Aug. 22, 1916 to Oct. 27, 1917. [11] The 8th Infantry left San Antonio to return to Illinois on Oct. 7, 1916, and was mustered out by Col. Michael M. McNamee, on Oct. 27, 1916. [12] Warfield was second lieutenant, Illinois 8th Infantry, from Oct. 28, 1916 to July 24, 1917. [13] The 8th Regiment under Denison was federalized and called for World War I service on July 25, 1917. The 8th Infantry was mustered on Aug. 3, 1917 and drafted into service on Aug. 5, 1917. [14] On Aug. 18, 1917, Company G proceeded to Camp Logan preparing the camp for the remainder of the regiment. This company was present during the race riot in Houston on Aug. 23. [15] At train stops, the troopers refused to respect segregated facilities. They tore down Jim Crow signs in a railroad station. The 8th Illinois National Guard was the only regiment with a full complement of AfricanAmerican officers. “Where are the white officers?” people asked. The train carrying the man body of the 8th regiment rolled into a railhead near Camp Logan on Oct. 18. The 8th Illinois was attached to the 33rd Division only for training and support. Lt. Col. Otis B. Duncan asked Brig. Gen. H.D. Todd, Jr., the acting commander of the 33rd Division Illinois National Guard, to include the 8th Infantry in a parade in November. Todd’s response was: “The ‘8th’ is part of Illinois’ contribution to the mobile army designated to go over there, so they will see all the Division or none.” The African-American citizens of Houston, a quarter of the population, cheered the marchers and made the regiment welcome. [16] On Dec. 1, 1917, the entire 8th Illinois Infantry formed ranks on the post parade ground to be transferred. Maj. Gen. George Bell, Jr., the 33rd Division’s commander, read the official orders redesignating the 8th Illinois Infantry as the 370th Infantry Regiment, National Army of the U. S., and handed the regimental colors to Denison. [17] Warfield was promoted to first lieutenant on Jan. 19, 1918. [18] In March 1918, the 370th left Logan for Newport News, Va. On April 6, the regiment sailed for France. An inspecting officer said the regiment would never be fit for combat so long as African-American officers were in command. [19]

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There was some question in military circles as to whether or not this regiment should be sent overseas, with its African-American colonel and officers; but the splendid way in which Denison handled his men and maintained discipline at Camp Logan proved to the War Department that he was an intelligent and experienced soldier, and a competent officer who knew how to command and guard the interests of his regiment. Denison proceeded overseas with his regiment. [20] Photo Col. Franklin A. Denison

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The 370th arrived in Brest, France, on April 22, 1918. [21] On April 25, the regiment moved to Grandvillars where it passed to the French Army. [22] After about six weeks’ training under French instructors, the regiment was considered sufficiently trained to go into the lines, and on June 12 and 13, 1918, the regiment entrained and proceeded to Ligny-en-Barrios (Meuse), the 3rd Battalion marched to Velaines (Meuse).

French instructors were needed, and the men of the 370th Infantry were relieved of all their American equipment, which they had trained with at home, and were re-equipped with French arms and equipment exclusively, including French rifles, pistols, helmets, machine guns, horses, wagons and even French rations, which consisted of food sufficient for about two meals per day, while their American ration had provided for three meals per day. But in spite of difficulties arising from differences in languages and equipment, the regiment made rapid progress.

On June 21, 1918, the regiment began occupying a sub-sector, Han-Bislee, St. Mihiel. This being the first time the regiment had occupied positions in the line, it was deemed advisable by the division commander to intermingle the 370th with French troops, in order that officers and men might observe and profit by close association with veteran French troops. There were no casualties.

On the night of July 3-4, 1918, the regiment was withdrawn from the St. Mihiel sector. Various positions were occupied in the Argonne Forest. The particular sector occupied by the 370th Infantry was exceptionally quiet at that time, except on one or two occasions. In this position, the regiment suffered its first casualty. [23] Denison was relieved of his command on July 12. The man who replaced Denison, Col. Thomas A. Roberts, was the first white officer in the 24-year history of the 8th Illinois National Guard. [24] Photo Colonels Denison, Roberts and Duncan

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The regiment engaged in its first offensive encounter with the enemy on Aug. 4, 1918.

On Aug. 16, the 370th was relieved from its position in the Argonne Forest and sent for rest behind the lines near Bar-le-Duc. On Sept. 16, in the Soissons sector, Companies I and L were pushed forward in front of Mont des Signes, and up to Sept. 21 took part in the various battles incident to the capture of this exceptionally strong enemy position.

Companies I and L were relieved on Sept. 22 and proceeded to Antioche Farm and Tincelle Farm, respectively, and placed in reserve. The regiment’s companies and battalions had been attached to various French units of the 59th Division. [25] Companies F, G, I and L, 370th Infantry, were attached to front-line regiments, and participated in the fighting near Moisy Ferme and Mont de Singes.

The 370th Infantry took command of the left subsector of the French 59th Division on Sept. 24. The left boundary followed the Oise-Aisne Canal from the bend west of Courson to Ecluse. From Sept. 25 to 27 the 370th Infantry engaged in minor actions to clear the enemy from the triangle formed by the road, the canal and the railroad.

The Army Group of the German Crown Prince approved the withdrawal of the German Seventh Army to Canal de l’Oise a l’Aisne and Bois de Mortier during the night of Sept. 27-28.

Information of the German withdrawal was obtained by the French at 1 a.m. on Sept. 28, and all frontline battalions were at once ordered to attack at daybreak in order to gain contact with the enemy. The advance began about 8 a.m., and Hill 158, southwest of Pinon, was occupied by noon. Resistance from Mont des Singes, Ferme de la Riviere and Bois de Mortier held up the center and the left.

The 370th Infantry received the attack order while in the midst of the relief of its front-line battalion by the 2nd Battalion. The relief was completed, however, and the attack launched at daybreak. The right of the 370th Infantry was unable to advance, but the left succeeded in occupying the woods west of Ferme de la Riviere by noon. A position was held facing east toward the farm and north along the canal. [26] Warfield was maneuvering his platoon forward of the lines when his unit became separated from his company. The Germans discovered Warfield’s platoon trapped between the lines and began harassing it with machine-gun fire, which caused several casualties. Without help, Warfield charged one of the closest machine-gun nests, overran it and killed the gun crew. He scooped up the machine gun and carried it back to his platoon, and in the process was severely wounded. In spite of his wounds, Warfield continued to command his platoon until they worked their way back to their own lines to rejoin the company. For his actions Warfield was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross. [27] After he was wounded, Warfield became the 3rd Battalion supply officer. [28]

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Photo Lt. William Warfield, Sgt. Lester Fossie, and Pvt. Alonzo Walton, all of the 370th Infantry Division, wearing their Distinguished Service Crosses.

The French 59th Division pivoted on the 370th infantry and attacked to the northwest, eliminating the Laffaux salient. The 59th Division ordered the attack to continue to the south bank of the canal by Sept.

29. [29] Although the 370th Infantry contributed significantly to the success of the attacks in the sector, problems in command performance at the company and battalion levels haunted the regiment. Gen. Rondeau, temporary commander of the 59th Division, wrote a disparaging letter about the inefficiency of the officers to AEF Headquarters. Pershing sent Maj. Lloyd R. Fredendall to investigate the complaint.

Fredendall wrote “About the other officers whom I saw: I am constrained to say that most of them are too fond of their dugouts.” [30] This was ironic coming from Fredendall, who would be defeated commanding II Corps at Kasserine Pass in February 1943. He’d be replaced by Gen. George S. Patton, Jr. [31]

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Other African-American soldiers received the Distinguished Service Cross for their actions at the OiseAisne Canal.

On Sept. 28, 2nd Lt. Rufus B. Jackson of Chicago, in command of the Stokes mortar section of his company, had received orders to fire on German machine-gun nests that were preventing his company from continuing the attack. Jackson was not furnished with exact locations of the machinegun nests and could not deliver fire as ordered. His solution was to crawl forward into exposed positions and, while being targeted by heavy machine-gun and artillery fire, locate and plot the machine-gun nests. Jackson then crawled back along the same hazardous route to return to his mortars and directed accurate fire to destroy the German machine guns.

On Sept. 30, Lt. Col. Otis B. Duncan’s 3rd Battalion was ordered to make an immediate frontal attack across open ground to take Ferme de la Riviere and the railroad line south of the canal. Cap. William B. Crawford, Denison, Texas, had just been placed in command of Company L when he was tasked with leading the attack. Crawford, wanting to ensure success, went forward and personally led the advance element of his company through a scathing machine-gun and artillery barrage.

Private James Fuquay, light machine gunner from Company H, disassembled his weapon to correct a stoppage, and reassembled it under fire. Wounded, he operated the gun until unconscious.

Sgt. Norman Henry, Chicago received a Distinguished Service Cross for his actions while leading his squad of the machine-gun company in an attack under heavy German machine-gun, rifle, and artillery fire. Henry observed that one of his guns, critical to the attack, was out of action and moved to what proved to be an exposed position to assist in repairing it. While making the repairs he came under direct and constant machine-gun and rifle fire. After the gun was functional and Henry led his squad to capture its objective, he went forward and again braved heavy enemy machine-gun fire to assist the only surviving officer in his company in assembling the scattered squads to prepare defensive positions.

These actions proved the one point on which Rondeau and Fredendall agreed: the high morale and courage of the men. It seems unlikely that many of these men could have performed such acts of valor without at least some level of appropriate leadership and example of conduct from their officers. [32] The old “8th Illinois Regiment” gave a splendid account of itself and proved at the Oise-Aisne Canal to be among the world’s greatest troops. Their position was near the center of the 59th Division, in the same spot where France had lost division after division. [33]

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Map 370th Ground Gained

On Oct. 3, the French 59th Division prepared to cross the canal. The 3rd Battalion, 370th Infantry, attacked at 3 p.m. to capture Ferme de la Riviere and established a position along the canal from the Pinoin – Brancourt road bridge to the divisional boundary. They reconnoitered the western part of Bois de Mortier on Oct. 4. The 1st Battalion relieved the 3rd Battalion in the front line the night of Oct. 8-9.

On Oct. 12, German artillery ceased altogether. At 6:30 a.m. the bridges south of Anizy and on the Pinon – Brancourt road were captured and the crossing commenced.

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Map Oise-Aine, 370th Inf. Sept. 15-Oct. 13, German 5th Guard Division

The 1st Battalion, 370th Infantry, crossed the canal and river and advanced into Bois de Mortier. This completed the first phase of the pursuit by the 59th Division, and the 370th Infantry passed to support.

During the night of Oct. 27-28, the regiment moved toward the front northeast of Laon. The 3rd Battalion moved to positions in reserve near Chambry. [34]

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Map Oise-Aine, 370th Inf. Aug. 18-Nov. 11, Laon to Rocroi

By the end of October 1918, the American First Army and the French Fourth Army had accomplished the first part of the Meuse-Argonne Offensive. Opposite the French 59th Division, the German withdrawal to the Antwerp-Meuse line commenced during the night of Nov. 4-5. The advance was resumed. The Germans resisted stubbornly. A detachment from the 3rd Battalion, 370th Infantry, occupied Logny les Aubenton after dark. On Nov. 9, the Germans had evacuated their positions. Pont d’Any was held by the 3rd Battalion.

The advance was continued on the morning of Nov. 11. Encountering only slight resistance, the 59th Division held the Rocroi- Regniowez road at 11 a.m., when the Armistice became effective. The 3rd Battalion, 370th Infantry halted at Le Gue d’Hossus, Belgium.

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Map Oise-Aine, 370th Inf. Nov. 9-11, to Le Gue d' Hossus, Belgium

“The 370th Infantry,” Duncan said, “was the first regiment of allied troops to enter Petit Chapelle, in Belgium, and the citizens gave them an ovation.”

On Nov. 12, the 370th Infantry was concentrated in the vicinity of Aubenton, moving from there to the area north of Laon. On Dec. 10 the regiment moved by stages to the area north of Reims, where it was relieved from duty with the French 59th Division on Dec. 13 and moved to Soissons. On Dec. 23, the regiment moved up to the American Embarkation Center, Le Mans, for return to the U.S. The 370th sailed from Brest on Feb. 2 on S.S. La France. Warfield was in 1st Class, 3rd Battalion Headquarters Company, 370th Infantry. They shipped to New York and to Camp Upton, Long Island, N.Y. on Feb. 9, 1919. [35]

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Photo of officers of the 370th Infantry on board the ship taking them home. All are wearing the Croix de Guerre, the Distinguished Service Cross, or both. Left to right, kneeling: Capt. G. M. Allen, Lt. O. A. Browing, Capt. D. J. Warner, and Lt. Roy B. Tisdell; standing, Lt. Robert P. Hurd, Lt. Col. Otis B. Duncan, Maj. J. R. White, Capt. W. B. Crawford, Lt. William Warfield, and Capt. Matthew Jackson.

On Feb. 17 the regiment arrived in Chicago, detrained and proceeded to the Coliseum, where the citizens had arranged a reception for the returning regiment. At 2 p.m. the regiment paraded through the Loop district of Chicago, and at about 4 p.m. entrained for Camp Grant, Ill. On Feb. 24, the discharge of officers and enlisted men began, and continued until March 12, 1919, on which date the 370th regiment formally ceased to exist. [36] Warfield remained a first lieutenant in the 8th Illinois Infantry, Feb. 25, 1919. He was promoted to captain, Infantry on Aug. 25, 1921, through March 3, 1927. He was captain in the Officers Reserve Corps, Infantry, Sept. 18, 1923, through March 30, 1927. [37] On May 30, 1927, Warfield entered politics. He was elected to the state legislature from the 5th Senate District and was in the Illinois State General Assembly up to World War II. He served on important committees, such as appropriations, efficiency and economy, elections, revenue, senatorial apportionment, and was chairman of the Committee on Military Affairs of State, and a member of the Legislative Council.

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Warfield re-entered the 8th Infantry Regiment as a colonel, appointed by the State of Illinois on Jan. 31, 1935, to command the regiment, and was federally recognized by the War Department as colonel, Infantry, on Feb. 25, 1935. [38] Warfield retired as a brigadier general. [39]

Information provided by Andrew E. Woods, research historian, Col. Robert R. McCormick Research Center, First Division Museum at Cantigny Park, Wheaton, Ill. NOTES [1] US National Guard Register 1939, 399. Illinois 8 INF. [2] Find A Grave www.findagrave.com/memorial/2134221/william-j.-warfield (April 2021).

[3] American Battle Monuments Commission, 93d Division Summary of Operations in the World War (Washington D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office, n.d.), 25-34.

[4] Emmett J. Scott, American Negro in the World War (1919), 214-230, 317, 319.

[5] Order of Battle of the United States Land Forces in the World War, AEF, Divisions, (USGPO, Washington, 1931), 441-442.

[6] Emmett J. Scott, American Negro in the World War (1919), 214-230, 317, 319.

[7] Historical and Pictorial Review, National Guard and Naval Militia of the State of Illinois (Army and Navy Publishing Company, Inc., 1940), 443 and 476, “Eighth Infantry.”

[8] James A. Sawicki, Infantry Regiments of the US Army (Wyvern Publications, 1981).

[9] US National Guard Register 1939, 399. Illinois 8 INF. [10] Historical and Pictorial Review, National Guard and Naval Militia of the State of Illinois (Army and Navy Publishing Company, Inc., 1940), 443 and 476, “Eighth Infantry.”

[11] US National Guard Register 1939, 399. Illinois 8 INF. [12] Historical and Pictorial Review, National Guard and Naval Militia of the State of Illinois (Army and Navy Publishing Company, Inc., 1940), 443 and 476, “Eighth Infantry.”

[13] US National Guard Register 1939, 399. Illinois 8 INF. [14] Historical and Pictorial Review, National Guard and Naval Militia of the State of Illinois (Army and Navy Publishing Company, Inc., 1940), 443 and 476, “Eighth Infantry.”

[15] Emmett J. Scott, American Negro in the World War (1919), 214-230, 317, 319.

[16] Frank E. Roberts, The American Foreign Legion: Black Soldiers of the 93rd in World War I (Annapolis: Naval Institute Press, 2004), 24. 75, 158-162.

[17] Ibid.

[18] US National Guard Register 1939, 399. Illinois 8 INF. [19] Arthur E. Barbeau and Florette Henri, The Unknown Soldiers, African-American Troops in World War I, (Temple University Press, 1974, Philadelphia, PA. Da Capo Press edition 1996) 28-29 and 76.

[20] Emmett J. Scott, American Negro in the World War (1919), 214-230, 317, 319.

[21] Historical and Pictorial Review, National Guard and Naval Militia of the State of Illinois (Army and Navy Publishing Company, Inc., 1940), 443 and 476, “Eighth Infantry.”

[22] Order of Battle of the United States Land Forces in the World War, AEF, Divisions, (USGPO, Washington, 1931), 441-442.

[23] Emmett J. Scott, American Negro in the World War (1919), 214-230, 317, 319 and James A. Sawicki, Infantry Regiments of the US Army (Wyvern Publications, 1981).

[24] Arthur E. Barbeau and Florette Henri, The Unknown Soldiers, African-American Troops in World War I, (Temple University Press, 1974, Philadelphia, PA. Da Capo Press edition 1996) 28-29 and 76.

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[25] Emmett J. Scott, American Negro in the World War (1919), 214-230, 317, 319.

[26] American Battle Monuments Commission, 93d Division Summary of Operations in the World War (Washington D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office, n.d.), 25-34.

[27] Frank E. Roberts, The American Foreign Legion: Black Soldiers of the 93rd in World War I (Annapolis: Naval Institute Press, 2004), 24. 75, 158-162.

[28] W. Allison Sweeney, History of the American Negro in the World War (Negro Universities Press, NY, 1919). 177.

[29] American Battle Monuments Commission, 93d Division Summary of Operations in the World War (Washington D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office, n.d.), 25-34 and Frank E. Roberts, The American Foreign Legion: Black Soldiers of the 93rd in World War I (Annapolis: Naval Institute Press, 2004), 24. 75, 158-162.

[30] Frank E. Roberts, The American Foreign Legion: Black Soldiers of the 93rd in World War I (Annapolis: Naval Institute Press, 2004), 24. 75, 158-162.

[31] Blythe Foote Finke, No Mission Too Difficult [Cantigny First Division Foundation](Contemporary Books, Chicago, IL. 1995) pages 97, 98, 105.

[32] Frank E. Roberts, The American Foreign Legion: Black Soldiers of the 93rd in World War I (Annapolis: Naval Institute Press, 2004), 24. 75, 158-162.

[33] Emmett J. Scott, American Negro in the World War (1919), 214-230, 317, 319.

[34] American Battle Monuments Commission, 93d Division Summary of Operations in the World War (Washington D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office, n.d.), 25-34.

[35] Emmett J. Scott, American Negro in the World War (1919), 214-230, 317, 319 and S.S. La France, incoming passenger list.

[36] Emmett J. Scott, American Negro in the World War (1919), 214-230, 317, 319.

[37] US National Guard Register 1939, 399. Illinois 8 INF. [38] Historical and Pictorial Review, National Guard and Naval Militia of the State of Illinois (Army and Navy Publishing Company, Inc., 1940), 443 and 476, “Eighth Infantry.”

[39] Find A Grave www.findagrave.com/memorial/2134221/william-j.-warfield (April 2021).

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“LESSER-KNOWN STORIES OF THE GREAT WAR: WOMEN, MINORITIES, CIVILIANS, AND THE UNTOLD” First Division Museum and The Great War Institute Symposium May 13-14, 2022 First Division Museum 1s151 Winfield Road Wheaton, IL 60189

Call for Papers The symposium, hosted by the First Division Museum (https://www.fdmuseum.org/) and sponsored by The Great War Institute at Park University (https://gsr.park.edu), will be held May 13-14, 2022, at the First Division Museum, 1s151 Winfield Road, Wheaton, IL., 60189.

Paper and panel proposals in all fields of history related to “Lesser-Known Stories of the Great War: Women, Minorities, Civilians, and the Untold” are invited. The symposium is particularly interested in proposals for complete sessions, including panelists, chairs, and commentators. All proposals should be submitted no later than March 1, 2022, at https://gsr.park.edu/the-greatwar-institute/1d-museum-institute-symposium/.

In addition to established scholars, the symposium highly encourages aspiring and young scholars, including graduate students, to present their work. For questions about submitting a proposal, please contact us at gsrcentre@park.edu.

Registration shall be available starting in January 2022.

Symposium sponsorship opportunities are available by contacting the George S. Robb Centre for the Study of the Great War at gsrcentre@park.edu.

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PRIVATE ERNEST SPENCER Ernest Spencer was born to Lancaster (1855-1934) and Sarah French Spencer (1858-1934) on Aug. 21, 1899, in Toppenish, Washington. He was the second-youngest of 11 siblings, brother to Osker (1876-1932), Jesse (18791953), James (1882-1944), Jimmie (1885-?), Chester (1886-1953), Lester (1888-1955), Benjamin (1901-67), Nellie (1891-1988), Margaret (1891-1972), Bertha (1895-1960), and Esther (1898-1991). The Spencer family lived on the Yakima (Wash.) Indian Reservation.

Ernest enlisted in the United States Marine Corps with his parent’s permission on 1 May 1917 at Mare Island, California, where he attended training camp until October 1917.

Spencer enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps with his parent's permission in May 1917, at Mare Island, Calif., where he attended training camp until Oct. 1917. Private Spencer sailed to Brest, France, aboard the U.S. Army Transport Ship Henderson in May 1918 and was attached to the Army on June 8. 1918. Spencer was assigned to 112th Company, 8th Regiment from Oct. 1917 to May 1918, then with a battalion replacement company from May to July 1918, and finally with the 81st Company, 6th Machine Gun Battalion, Jul 1918 to Aug. 1919. He was present at the Chateau-Thierry Sector from July 4-9, 1918; the Aisne-Marne Offensive July 18-19; the Marbache Sector August 9-18; and the St. Mihiel Offensive September 12-16, where he received the Distinguished Service Cross and Navy Cross.

At the time of his act of valor, Spencer's unit, 81st D Company, 6th Marine Regiment, 6th Marine Machinegun Battalion, 4th Marine Brigade, was attached to the 2nd Division (U.S. Army), I Corps, First Army, American Expeditionary Forces.

The St. Mihiel Salient was an impediment to Allied operations, created during the initial German invasion of 1914. The Salient had withstood multiple attempts by the French to regain the territory. St. Mihiel was part of a group of salients that interfered with railroad communications that were essential to further (Allied) offensive operations.

The Salient was roughly a triangular shape, with its angles near Pont-a-Mousson, St. Mihiel, and Verdun approximately 35km (21.7 miles) across the base, extending approximately 25km (15.5 miles) into the Allied lines.

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The St. Mihiel Salient also covered permanent fortifications of Metz, protected the Briery Iron Basin, and seriously threatened the flank of any Allied operations that might be taken in the Meuse-Argonne region. The Germans had blocked all rail transport between Paris and the Eastern Front due to their positioning in the St. Mihiel Salient and had constantly threatened Paris (forcing Allied forces to maintain the defensive). Gen. John J. Pershing believed that reducing the Salient would allow the First Army to advance northeastward toward Metz, which would threaten the strategic Briery Iron Basin (a key to German war production) as well as the lateral rail network that ran through Metz and the Saar coalfields.

The operation, known as the St. Mihiel Offensive, was to begin at 1 a.m. on Sept. 12, 1918, with an artillery preparation, with the main attack being launched at 5 a.m.; a second attack at 8 a.m.

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Sept. 12, 1918 The First Army and its attack on the St. Mihiel Salient began with the advance of Allied tanks and troops across trenches at the town of St. Mihiel (the troops following closely behind the tanks), however, the muddy conditions bogged down the Renault FT tanks. The 2nd Division began its attacks on a "2km front as the left Division of the I Corps, brigades in column (3rd Infantry Brigade at lead) advances through the Bois du Four, Bois la Haie-l’Eveque, east part of Bois du Beau Vallon, Bois d’Heiche, Bois du Fey, Thiaucourt and over the heights to the north.” D (81st) Company remained in position on the northern outskirts of Thiaucourt.

Sept. 14, 1918 On Sept. 14 and 15, “the (2nd) Division renews its attacks and establishes the line, Bois de Blainchamp, Moulin de Rembercourt, east and northwest edges of Bois de la Montagne, 1.5 km north of Xammes.”

Sept. 15, 1918 2nd Division headquarters location: Manonville. D (81st) Company: At 4 a.m., D (81st) Company advanced to take positions in support of the 3rd Battalion, 6th Regiment.

At approximately 5 a.m. at coordinates 384.2-243.2, D (81st) Company was fired upon by the enemy (Germans) with machine guns while an artillery barrage occurred behind the companies. The battalion commander issued orders to attack with the 1st platoon supporting the right flank and the 3rd platoon attacking the left flank, while the 2nd platoon remained in reserve.

1st platoon (on the right flank) advanced with the infantry until they were held up by enemy (German) machine-gun fire from Monplaisir Farm, and positions were taken in drill trenches approximately 500 yards southwest of the farm.

The 3rd platoon (on the left flank) advanced approximately 800 yards south of Chairey, where their guns took position along an unimproved road between Chairey and Bois de la Montagne.

The enemies (Germans) counterattacked and the infantry fell back to the edge of the nearby woods.

Two reserve guns were sent to the left flank, making a total of six guns on the left flank where two of said guns were blown out by German artillery with another being abandoned.

Due to the speed of the retreat of the infantry, the machine guns had trouble keeping up, becoming surrounded on three sides by the enemy (Germans) at one point.

The 3rd platoon (on the left flank) became badly scattered and fell back to the town of Thiaucourt, where it regrouped. The left (3rd) platoon of D (81st) Company was held in place until Lt. George Bower, platoon commander, was wounded. This resulted in a retreat when the platoon became caught in a depression of the ground and put under intense machine gun and artillery fire.

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At approximately 5 p.m., the German counterattack became accompanied by a heavy barrage.

The enemy (Germans) counterattacked the right flank (held by the 1st platoon) but took heavy losses and was repelled.

During the German retreat, its advance wave was entirely wiped out by a section of two guns conducting in enfilade fire.

During this period, Sept. 12-15 Spencer "repeatedly volunteered and carried messages through intense machine-gun and artillery fire, obtaining valuable information at critical moments," and received the Distinguished Service Cross and Navy Cross for his efforts.

Sept. 16, 1918 The 78th Division relieved the 2nd Division (except artillery, which stayed to support the 78th Division until Sept. 18) and the latter moved to the north of Toul near Ansauville and Royaumeix. D (81st) Company. At approximately 1 p.m., the infantry was relieved by the 2nd Battalion of the 310th (accompanied by machine guns). However, D (81st) Company remained in position until 9:30 p.m. when it was also relieved.

While the 6th Machine Gun Battalion awaited their relief, they were in support of the 4th Brigade. Though continuously subjected to artillery fire (heavy at times), very few casualties were sustained, with nothing noteworthy happening.

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Companies C (77th) and D (81st) were practically the only companies that had any fighting to do, which occurred during an extension of the line of observation beyond the Army line. D (81st) Company, as well as the 2nd Battalion, Sixth Regiment did not know they were beyond the Army objective while advancing, nor in the front line, as they thought they were in support until they were attacked. The lines were formed as support lines, and not of a combat line as a result.

Enemy provisions during this period included a dense network of wire, trenches, concrete dugouts, machine-gun emplacements, planes and balloons, teams of horses, artillery batteries, shelters (for troops), machine-gun nests and rifles, strongpoints with trenches, concrete machine-gun nests, and deep dugouts, mortars, wagons, light machine guns, heavy machine guns, ammunition, and grenade mines.

Spencer also saw service in the Meuse-Argonne Offensive Oct. 1-3, 1918, and Meuse-Argonne Offensive Nov. 3-11. Spencer was wounded in action on Oct. 4, 1918, while in the Champagne sector of France directly following the second Meuse-Argonne Offensive. Spencer was awarded the Silver Star Citation and Second Division Citation on Dec. 21, 1918, for gallantry in the Thiaucourt Sector, and a Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal in September 1920. Spencer sailed back to the U.S. aboard the U.S. Army Transport Ship Santa Paula on July 24. 1919, arriving at Camp Mills, Long Island, N.Y., on Aug. 4. Spencer was honorably discharged as a private first class at Quantico, Va., on Aug. 13.

Spencer married Verna Rose Locke (1903-55) on May 31, 1927. He later married Mabel Elizabeth Smartlowit (1910-43) on March 8, 1941. They had two daughters, Sandra (1941-) and Annette (19432016), and one son, Robert Eugene (1942). Mabel died during childbirth in 1943. It is unknown if Spencer raised his two daughters to adulthood on his own, though he lived almost exclusively with his sister, Bertha, on and off until her death in 1960. Spencer was not particularly close with his daughters but spent a great deal of time with Bertha's children as they grew up. Spencer worked various labor and long-distance trucking jobs until his retirement. Spencer died on Jan. 3, 1980, in Toppenish, Wash., and is buried in the Yakima Reservation Community Memorial Park in Wapato, Wash.

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Park University’s Great War Institute, a division of the University’s George S. Robb Centre for the Study of the Great War, hosted its inaugural Great War Institute Veterans Day Lecture Series event with a discussion on “The Legacy of Col. Charles Young.” The talk was held Nov. 5, 2021 at The National World War I Museum and Memorial in Kansas City, Mo.

Presenting the discussion was Brian Shellum, an author and historian who writes about African American and military history. Shellum retired in 2015 as a senior intelligence officer with the Department of Defense in the Joint Improvised Explosive Device Defeat Organization. Prior to that, he served as a government historian in the Defense Intelligence Agency for 12 years. He retired from the U.S. Army after service as an armor officer and West European foreign area specialist.

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Shellum’s career highlights include various troop assignments with tank units, a tour as an Army attaché, Gulf War service with the 2nd Brigade, First Armored Division, and work as a senior political-military analyst in the DIA. He graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y., and holds a graduate degree from Campbell University. His military decorations include the Bronze Star Medal and the Order of St. George.

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Shellum has authored three books, Black Cadet in a White Bastion: Charles Young at West Point, Black Officer in a Buffalo Soldier Regiment: The Military Career of Charles Young, and African American Officers in Liberia: A Pestiferous Rotation, 1910-1942, all published by the University of Nebraska Press. His fourth book, Buffalo Soldiers in Alaska, Company L, Twenty-Fourth Infantry, was recently published by the UNP. His lecture focused on Young (1864-1922), a soldier, diplomat and civil rights leader who overcame stifling inequality to become a leading figure in the years after the Civil War when the U.S. emerged as a world power. His work ethic, academic leadership and devotion to duty provided a strong base for his achievements in the face of racism and oppression. His long and distinguished career as a commissioned officer in the U.S. Army made him a popular figure of his time and a role model for generations of new leaders.

In 1884, Young was the ninth African American to enter the U.S. Military Academy and five years later became the third to graduate from West Point. The newly-commissioned second lieutenant was assigned to the 9th Calvary at Fort Robinson, Neb., before being transferred to Fort Duchesne, Utah, and rising to the rank of captain. Following service at Wilberforce (Ohio) University, Young became the first African American national park superintendent, managing Sequoia National Park (now Sequoia Kings Canyon National Park) in California.

Young was appointed the first U.S. military attaché to Haiti and the Dominican Republic in 1904 before serving in the same role to Liberia from 1912-16 and earning two promotions (to major in 1912 and to lieutenant colonel in 1916).

In 1917, Young was medically retired and promoted to colonel. In hopes of reconsidering his retirement, Young, then 54 years old, made a historic 500-mile horseback ride from Wilberforce to Washington, D.C., but to no avail. However, he was retained on a list of active duty officers.

Days before the Armistice of Nov. 11, 1918, Young was assigned to Camp Grant, Ill., to train Black servicemen before the Department of State in 1920 appointed him to serve again as military attaché in Liberia. However, during a visit to Nigeria in late 1921, Young became gravely ill and died in early January 1922.

Due to British law, Young’s body was buried in Nigeria for one year before it could be repatriated to the U.S. for final interment. After arriving back in the U.S. in New York City in May 1923, Young received a hero’s welcome as thousands celebrated his life as he made his way to Washington, D.C. On June 1, 1923, Young became the fourth soldier honored with a funeral service at Arlington (Va.) Memorial Amphitheater before burial in Arlington National Cemetery.

The legacy of Young’s service in the Indian Wars, Spanish American War, Philippine American War, Pancho Villa Expedition and World War I are continued through the Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers National Monument in Wilberforce, and collection held in the National Afro-American Museum and Cultural Center, also in Wilberforce.

Park University’s Great War Institute Veterans Day Lecture Series was presented in conjunction with The National World War I Museum and Memorial, the World War I Historical Association, the Black Archives of Mid-America, the Harry S. Truman Library and Museum and the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

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“MORE THAN A MEDAL” The narratives of the servicemembers that continue to be researched by Park University’s George S. Robb Centre for the Study of the Great War staff impart the lives of individuals that served our nation during World War I. Over the past months, five additional servicemembers—five Jewish Americans and one Hispanic American—have meet the criteria for further review, making the total 214.

However, voicing the full narratives of these servicemembers, the progression of research and the commitment to inform larger audiences furnished the staff an opportunity, in April 2021, to engage with Lame Deer Films, New York, to produce a short documentary that recounts these narratives, progressions and commitments.

“More Than A Medal” aims to bare the unrelenting malice of sociological-cultural racism and antisemitism of the early 20th-century. On or off the battlefield, some servicemembers proved they could break from their race’s stereotyped inferiorities and were able to use their military achievements in disregarding determined roles they historically portrayed in society. However, others were forced to abandon their freedom from stereotyping for survival in the Jim Crow South or “uncivilized” West, where their contributions to the War and larger society lacked credence in the eyes of their neighbors.

The documentary is to tell the stories of veterans who have been ignored and diminished by their military service for over a century. “More Than A Medal” underlines that, as a nation, there remains an obligation to ensure that all who served are judged not only by their character, but also by their actions.

These servicemembers stood on the ideal that their strains for fairness deserve our examination in the most candid light. As a nation, we are strengthened and healed by addressing these slights to our veterans’ memories and their families. Allowing a historical narrative to remain that exaggerates the good and ignores the bad is no longer acceptable; we can be better today and in the future of having acted. “More Than A Medal” gives a voice to those who were not allowed one and amplifies those who were punished for using theirs.

“More Than A Medal” will debut at the National World War I Museum and Memorial, Kansas City, Mo., on March. 24, 2022 with a further screening at the First Division Museum, Wheaton, Ill., on May 13, 2022.

Robb Centre staff is considering additional screenings in Little Rock, Ark., New York, Philadelphia and Washington, D.C. and will post on the Robb Centre website (https://gsr.park.edu) dates, times and locations.

A viewing of the documentary trailer can be seen on the Robb Centre’s YouTube Channel.

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THE STUDENT ARMY TRAINING CORPS AT PARK COLLEGE

Photo of SATC Students

“ALTHOUGH EXISTING FOR ONLY TWO-AND-A-HALF MONTHS, THE PARK STUDENT ARMY TRAINING CORPS VITALLY AFFECTED EVERY PHASE OF CAMPUS LIFE AND DEMONSTRATED THE LOYALTY OF OLD PARK TO OLD GLORY" [1]

Following Congress’s declaration of war on Germany in April 1917, the U.S. faced significant challenges in the rapid mobilization of troops for an overseas war. To meet the sudden demand for increased manpower, the War Department appealed to the patriotic desire among young men to answer the call of duty. As more and more college-age students left their studies to enlist, post-secondary enrollment rates in the U.S. began to decline.

In August 1918, when Congress temporarily lowered the conscription age to 18, it posed a looming catastrophe for colleges and universities across the nation. In response to declining enrollments and the need for military personnel with more education and technical training, the War Department’s Committee on Education and Special Training created the Student Army Training Corps.

The SATC inducted college males into the Army while still permitting them to attend school, subject to Army discipline and immediate call to active service. The program incentivized completing a degree by simultaneously enabling college students to fulfill their patriotic aspirations through military training.

The SATC offered a means to increase the military power of the country and formalize ties between the Army and the higher education community. For colleges and universities, like Park College (now Park University), the SATC was a way to contribute to the war effort without losing students. And for students, the SATC was an alternative to voluntary enlistment or forced conscription.

In May 1918, Secretary of War Newton D. Baker stated, “This new policy aims to accomplish a twofold object: first, to develop as a great military asset the large body of young men in the colleges; and second, to prevent unnecessary and wasteful depletion of the colleges through indiscriminate volunteering, by offering to the students a definite and immediate military status” [2] Congress approved the SATC on Aug. 31, 1918. It was divided between vocational sections (previously known as national army training detachments) and newly-established collegiate sections. Over the next several months, 516 colleges and universities developed SATC programs under the direction of the War Department. [3] Missouri alone had 21 such institutions, including Drury College, University of Missouri, St. Louis University, Washington University, William Jewell College, and Park College. [4]

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The official induction of all SATC members occurred on Oct. 1, 1918, in ceremonies across the country.

The ceremony for the Park College SATC members (some of whom were local residents or laborers while others were students) occurred on the Park House lawn. Each member took an oath of allegiance to the U.S. Army administered by Lt. William J. Armstrong, commander of Park’s SATC. [5] The flag was raised and messages were read from U.S. President Woodrow Wilson, Assistant Secretary of War Benedict Crowell, and Gen. Peyton C. March. Wilson’s comments included: “The enterprise upon which you have embarked is a hazardous and difficult one. This is not a war of words; this is not a scholastic struggle: It is a war of ideals yet fought with all the devices of science and with the power of machines. To succeed you must not only be inspired by the ideals for which this country stands, but you must also be masters of the technique with which the battle is fought. You must not only be thrilled with zeal for the common welfare, but you must also be masters of the weapons of today.”

“There can be no doubt of the issue. The spirit that is revealed and the manner in which America has responded to the call is indomitable. I have no doubt that you too will use your utmost strength to maintain that spirit and to carry it forward to the final victory that will certainly be ours." [6] Armstrong, Park College President Frederick Hawley and Homer B. Mann, president of Park’s Board of Trustees delivered speeches. Armstrong remarked, “I have a limited time in which to whip these young men into shape for active service. Some things must be done which will at first seem awful to civilians, yet these things have to be done. It is a shock for this college to suddenly have a military post set down in its midst. The resulting situation must be met by a spirit of cooperation on the part of the civilians and of the soldiers. In so far as I can do so, I shall uphold the traditions and customs of the college, and I shall see that all under me do likewise." [7] Armstrong/Ballard/Stube Lt. William J. Armstrong, Park SATC commander; Lt. Ballard, adjutant commander; and Lt. Stube, charge of company.

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Park College became a full-time military post under Army control. The 132 SATC members were considered both students and active-duty soldiers subject to military law and military discipline. [8] They earned the pay of privates and received discounted insurance policies. [9] The government assumed the cost of tuition and issued uniforms, personal equipment, and “one cot, three wool blankets, two bedsocks or two mattress covers, and thirty pounds straw.” [10] Park College was responsible for providing “housing, subsistence, and instruction." [11] Photos of barracks and Copley-Thaw Hall

The newly-constructed Copley-Thaw Hall served as the SATC barracks. The first floor held the officer’s quarters, offices, YMCA rooms and quartermasters’ departments. The second floor contained the study hall and sleeping quarters for 25 men. The third floor, 145 feet long by 48 feet wide, was a long, unpartitioned room that accommodated about 100 men for sleeping quarters. [12]

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As soldiers, SATC members were subject to strict military discipline. They were under close supervision at all times and were expected to attend to every detail of military regulations, from clean uniforms to tidy mattresses. There was a zero-tolerance policy regarding absences and a strict daily schedule that accounted for every hour from reveille to taps.

Photo of daily schedule

The men had to perform well not only in military training but also in academics and to show respect and courtesy to all Park College instructors in the same manner as to superior officers. Armstrong reminded the cadets that, “Obedience is a necessary attribute of discipline, for without it any army is a mob." [13] The War Department classified different kinds of military training depending on the specialization of the college and the age and/or technical skills of the students. SATC members over the age of 19 could train for the Infantry, Air Service, Ordnance and Quartermaster Service, Engineer Corps, Signal Corps, Chemical Warfare Service, and Motor Transport and Truck Service. The standard requirement was 11 hours a week of practical instruction, theoretical military instruction, and physical training.

Standard military training for SATC members included close-order drills, saluting, bayonet exercises, target practice with army-issued rifles, and military athletics. [14] The SATC band trained with their instruments as well.

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Photos—one an SATC cadet with a rifle; the second two SATC cadets; a third and fourth is the SATC band; a fifth appears to be SATC cadets in a trench; a sixth is an SATC cadet at attention with rifle at side.

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Theoretical military instruction included the study of infantry drill regulations, field service regulations, small arms firing, map reading, tables of organization, personal hygiene and sanitation, and the military policy of the U.S. [15]

SATC members were graded in academics as well as military training. They had to complete 42 hours a week of academic study comprised of specialized military courses and “allied subjects” such as English, economics, biology, and math. The required courses for the SATC were military law, surveying, sanitation and hygiene, and the war aims course.

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Dr. Merlin Findlay, professor of biology, taught sanitation and hygiene. The course trained soldiers in the basic problems of disease prevention, sanitation and disinfection in military camps and trenches. The course also dealt with water supply, food and nutrition, and common disease-carrying insects in areas of combat. Other local physicians offered additional lectures on first aid and tropical diseases. [16] Professor of History Malcolm Magers taught the war aims course which focused on the perceived reasons for the war and the U.S. involvement. The content was divided between historical and economic causes, the governments involved, and the war as a philosophical conflict (such as “war of ideals.") [17] The entire curriculum was based on three terms of three months each to facilitate the quick withdrawal of any student called to active duty.

Like other Army soldiers, SATC members could be selected for officer training and advance in rank. The policy of selecting SATC members for officer training incentivized putting military training above academics. Some students began to fall behind in their studies, [18] while others suffered from sleep deprivation. [19] Other problems that plagued the Park College SATC included a shortage of uniforms caused by increased demands from overseas, a lack of qualified instructors for the surveying course, and a small academic staff that had great difficulty in providing adequate instruction to the men in the SATC and traditional Park College students.

The SATC was a new and complex program in the process of being organized on a national and college level. There were many logistical difficulties in organizing a military unit on a college campus and preparing students as soldiers in a few short months. These problems were compounded by the outbreak of the Spanish Flu. By December 1918, “there were no classes in session on account of the influenza epidemic." [20] Despite these issues, the SATC proved a success in several ways during its few months of existence. On a national level, the SATC managed to provide some level of military training to 140,000 young men, including 8,642 who were transferred to officer’s schools. [21] For Park College, the SATC served its purpose in that there was no lack of student enrollment for the Fall 1918 semester, despite the lowered draft age. In fact, according to Hawley, every dorm room was full that semester and hundreds of applicants had to be turned away for lack of space. [22] One consequence of becoming a SATC institution was a rapid change in the social fabric of the institution. On the one hand, the induction ceremony and military training sessions inspired a sense of pride and civic responsibility among the student body. In its Oct. 11, 1918, issue, The Stylus (Park’s student newspaper) described the SATC as “one of the most important organizations on the campus. [23] There was a unique comradery among SATC members that came from shared training and recreation.

They came together for mass singing three times a week and also organized opposing baseball teams from the two platoons.

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Three photos, including dining hall.

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On the other hand, the SATC lessened the influence of pre-existing extracurriculars and social clubs. On Oct. 16, 1918, the War Department ordered the total suspension of the activities of all fraternities on campus. [24] “A great change is also noticeable in the family life of the college,” The Stylus remarked.

“The sociable table groups in the dining rooms of the dormitories are no more. Instead the men now mess in the dining hall of Nickel (Hall) and no girls except the waitresses are allowed. [25] In addition to the tension between college extracurriculars and the SATC, there was also tenuous balance between the demands of higher education (and of professors and administrators) and the demands of proper training for wartime soldiers (and of commanding officers.) The Park College tradition of several hours of manual labor daily among the student body had to be given up for a time, as most of the male students were in training. The administration also could not regulate church attendance for students under the SATC schedule.

The War Department made it clear that its primary objective was the training of good soldiers, not the social welfare or academic reputations of the schools. Park College was no exception. An article in The Stylus said, “Whereas heretofore college life was made up of many different phases - educational, athletic, and social,- it will now consist only of intensive military and academic training. [26] On Nov. 11, 1918, in a French railway carriage several thousands of miles distant from Park College, Allied and German representatives signed an armistice that ended World War I. A little over a month later, on Dec. 14, the War Department terminated the SATC at Park College, SATC members were demobilized and a standard curriculum resumed. “Sgt. Zimmer and Sgt.Maj. Smith are now the lone survivors of the unit,” The Stylus reported in January. “It is the duty of these men to handle the reports of returned equipment, attend to the army quarters, raise the flag and do other minor tasks." [27]

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SATC members received permission to keep their uniforms and other articles of clothing, their Army salaries and insurance policies, and full academic credit for their coursework as part of the SATC. Many went on to complete their degrees. Copley-Thaw Hall was renovated and became a men’s dormitory. In many respects, Park College life returned to normal. The Stylus reported “After about two months of army life the old campus is glad to witness the return of normal college activities. Uniforms are still in evidence, however, and romance seems to be hiding in every corner. It is earnestly hoped that the remainder of the school year may pass unbroken by war, pestilence or any kindred calamity or disorder."

[28] Even after the SATC disbanded, however, remnants of the program remained. For instance, several institutions continued to teach using material from the war aims course with a focus on “the war, the Peace Conference and problems of Reconstruction." [29] SATC members embodied Park College’s commitment to hard work and service by training to fight for their country in wartime while simultaneously working to earn an education. Although none of the men who trained in Park College’s SATC went overseas during the war, ­some of them went on to serve in World War II. The history of Park’s unique connection with the U.S military stretches from the Civil War (1861-65) to the present-day Park Global Warrior Center, located within the Robert W. Plaster Free Enterprise Center and School of Business on Park University’s flagship campus in Parkville, Mo. The SATC was a significant part of that long and storied history.

Photo of SATC members outside Copley-Thaw Hall

All photographs are courtesy of Park University’s Frances Fishburn Archives and Special Collections. All requests for permission to publish, use of photographs, or quote from above article must be summited in writing (archives@park.edu) to the Frances Fishburn Archives and Special Collections as the owner of the physical items and as the owner of copyright.

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Notes

[1] "Park College Student Army Training Corps, " Park College Narva (Parkville, Mo.), 1920.

[2] Secretary of War Newton D. Baker to the Presidents of all institutions of collegiate grade, Washington, D.C., May 8, 1918.

[3] The Committee on Education and Special Training to Presidents of SATC institutions, Washington, D.C., December 11, 1918.

[4] "Units of the Students Army Training Corps (Collegiate Section) Have Been Authorized at the Following Named Institutions," The Students Army Training Corps Descriptive Circular, Second Edition, Washington, D.C., October 14, 1918.

[5] "Public Induction of S.A.T.C.," The Stylus (Parkville, Mo.), October 11, 1918.

[6] Ibid.

[7] Ibid.

[8] Park College Bulletin, April 1919, 67-70.

[9] "Park S.A.T.C. Disbanded," The Stylus (Parkville, Mo.), January 17, 1919.

[10] Telegram, Committee on Education and Special Training (General Staff) to President Park College, Washington, D.C., September 9, 1918.

[11] The Committee on Education and Special Training (General Staff) to The Presidents of all institutions authorized to maintain Students' Army Training Corps units, Washington, D.C., August 28, 1918.

[12] "Park Has a Military Branch," The Stylus (Parkville, Mo.), October 11, 1918.

[13] "Lieut. Armstrong Addresses Students," The Stylus (Parkville, Mo.), October 11, 1918.

[14] "Advance Copy Training Memorandum No. 1," Washington, D.C., September 26, 1918.

[15] Ibid.

[16] "War Courses Offered," The Stylus (Parkville, Mo.), November 8, 1918.

[17] Ibid.

[18] The Committee on Education and Special Training to Commanding Officers, District Inspecting Officers, District Educational Directors and Heads of S.A.T.C. Institutions, Washington, D.C., November 5, 1918.

[19] "Training Memorandum No. 3," Washington, D.C., November 18, 1918.

[20] "Park S.A.T.C. Disbanded," The Stylus (Parkville, Mo.), January 17, 1919.

[21] The Committee on Education and Special Training to Presidents of S.A.T.C. institutions, Washington, D.C., December 11, 1918.

[22] President Frederick W. Hawley to the Synod of Missouri, December 3, 1918.

[23] "Park Has a Military Branch," The Stylus (Parkville, Mo.), October 11, 1918.

[24] "Advance Copy Administration Memorandum No. 30," Washington, D.C., October 16, 1918.

[25] "Park Has a Military Branch," The Stylus (Parkville, Mo.), October 11, 1918.

[26] "Advance Copy Administration Memorandum No. 30," Washington, D.C., October 16, 1918.

[27] "Park S.A.T.C. Disbanded," The Stylus (Parkville, Mo.), January 17, 1919.

[28] Ibid.

[29] The Committee on Education and Special Training to Instructors in War Issues Course, Washington, D.C., November 30, 1918.

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The Centennial of the Tomb of the Unknown Park University’s George S. Robb Centre for the Study of the Great War commemorated the centennial anniversary of the First Tomb of the Unknown Soldier Ceremony, which occurred on Veterans Day in 1921.

On Memorial Day 100 years ago, four American servicemembers were exhumed from the MeuseArgonne, Aisne-Maine, St. Mihiel, and Somme cemeteries in France and moved to the Chalons-enChampagne City Hall for selection to become the first Unknown Soldier to be buried at the Memorial Amphitheater, Arlington (VA) National Cemetery, Nov. 11, 1921.

Sgt. Edward F. Younger, U.S. Army, was chosen to make the final selection, recalling: “It was dim inside, the only light filtering in through small windows. For a moment I hesitated and said a prayer, inaudible, inarticulate, yet real. Then I looked around. That scene will remain with me forever.

Each casket was draped with a beautiful American flag. Never before had the flag seemed to have such sublime significance and beauty. About the walls were other flags, American and French; flower petals had been scattered over the floor, and outside I could hear the band playing a hymn…I was numb. I couldn’t choose. Then something drew me to the coffin second to my right on entering. I couldn’t take another step. It seemed as if God raised my hand and guided me as I placed the roses on that casket.

This, then, was to be America’s Unknown Soldier, and by that simple act I had started him on his road to destiny.”

Lt. Gen. James G. Harbord, U.S. Army, acted as an honorary pallbearer and was present at the ceremony upon the Unknown’s return to the States for burial: “We now worship at the altar of anonymity. Whether the Unknown Soldier sought the colors eagerly or was driven into it; whether he faced the front or the rear when death came to him, we cannot say; whether he was black, white, red or yellow--for all those races fought under our flag--we shall never know. His tomb is a shrine on which flowers may be heaped without commitment.”

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President Warren Harding issued his own statement to the crowd, “He might have come from any one of millions of American homes. Some mother gave him in her love and tenderness, and, with him, her most cherished hopes. Hundreds of mothers are wondering today, finding a touch of solace in the possibility that the nation bows in grief over the body of one she bore to live and die, if need be, for the Republic.”

The Centre’s namesake, 1st Lt. George Seanor Robb was one of 40-45 Medal of Honor recipients present to help escort the first Unknown Soldier on the way to his final resting place at Arlington National Cemetery.

Thousands of civilians and retired military personnel assembled to observe the procession attended by President Harding and First Lady Florence Harding, Vice President Calvin Coolidge, Gen. John J. Pershing, Supreme Court justices and former President Woodrow Wilson (via carriage) along with French and other foreign dignitaries, in the hopes of catching a glimpse of the casket that had just arrived home from France.

Only in recent years have the identities of many individuals involved in the ceremony become public knowledge, including the names of the dozen honorary pallbearers, hidden purposefully at the time to convey the impression that all who walked with the Unknown knew him in some form. The concealment of the identities of those who walked alongside in an Army, Navy, or Marine Corps uniform was not so much an effort to blur each of the individual’s sacrifices, but to display to the crowd that everyone who served was to be equally represented. The man in the casket could have been anyone’s son, brother, husband, or father, and those in the procession would be no different; including the eight pallbearers who carried his body to the vault.

The bearers represented each of the American Expeditionary Force’s core divisions; the U.S. Navy (Chief Gunner’s Mate James Delaney and Chief Water Tender Charles L. O’Connor), U.S. Marine Corps (Gunnery Sgt. Ernest A. Janson), U.S. Army (Color Sgt. James W. Dell; First Sgt. Harry Taylor; and Sgt. Samuel Woodfill), U.S. Army’s Coast Artillery Corps (First Sgt. Louis Razga) and U.S. Army’s Corps of Engineers (Cpl. Thomas D. Saunders). The last, Cpl. T.D. Saunders, Cheyanne, American Indian, was one of the 22 Native American servicemembers qualified for investigation under the Valor Medals Review Project, walking in the same ceremony with half a dozen others confirmed by the Robb Centre for the same process.

In this rare instance, the American veterans of World War I were no longer separated by branch, rank, or race, but were all responsible in escorting their brother-in-arms to his place of burial, together. This, the first Tomb of the Unknown Soldier Ceremony and all who participated, was a direct representation of the George S. Robb Centre for the Study of the Great War's core assertion that there is no expiration on valor; regardless of racial or religious background, everyone should be honored for their service.

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ADOPT-A-HERO PROGRAM

There is no expiration on valor. Every servicemember, that meets the legislation criteria, shall be researched and their descendants contacted. If interested in sponsoring an individual servicemember for research, please contact the George S. Robb Centre for the Study of the Great War at gsrcentre@park.edu.

Adoptions will be recognized on individual servicemember web pages, sponsorship webpage and Valor magazine.

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SPONSORSHIPS Nathan Marticke, Chief Advancement Officer

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. While the research is supported by legislation (S. 1218/H.R. 2249) signed within the National Defense Authorization Act on December 20, 2019, no federal appropriations are funding the project.

To discuss investing in the project, please contact: Nathan Marticke, Chief Advancement Officer Park University (816)-584-6844 nathan.marticke@park.edu Give Today! advancing.park.edu/valormedals Strategic Partners Partners are critical to advancing the mission of the Valor Medals Review. Endorsement, research support or other non-financial support of the successful completion of the Valor Medals Review is invited.

The American Legion Army Aviation Association of America AMSUS, the Society of Federal Health Professionals Association of the United States Navy Commissioned Officers Association of the US Public Health Services, Inc. Congressional Black Caucus Veterans Braintrust Fleet Reserve Association Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America Jewish War Veterans of the USA Marine Corps League Military Officers Association of America Military Order of the Purple Heart Naval Enlisted Reserve Association Reserve Officers Association Service Women's Action Network The Military Chaplains Association of the USA Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors The Retired Enlisted Association USCG Chief Petty Officers Association US Army Warrant Officers Association Vietnam Veterans of America Wounded Warrior Project

To discuss becoming a strategic partner, please contact: Dr. Timothy Westcott, Director, George S. Robb Centre for the Study of the Great War at Park University (816)-584-6364 or tim.westcott@park.edu

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CONTACTS

Dr. Timothy Westcott Director Park University 8700 NW River Park Drive, CMB 117 Parkville, MO 64152 Email: tim.westcott@park.edu Telephone: (816)-584-6890 Website: https://gsr.park.edu Facebook: George S Robb Centre for the Study of the Great War LinkedIn: George S Robb Centre at Park University Twitter: @CentreRobb YouTube Channel: George S Robb Centre

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