Wordless Wednesday: Remembering Pittsburgh Boys of World War I

As we stop and think about Veteran's Day and what it means to all of our brave men and women who have fought and who are fighting for this wonderful country of ours, perhaps now is a good time to read some articles from the past.  How can it be that it has been 100 years since America entered World War I?

These articles were printed in the Gazette Times, one of Pittsburgh's newspapers, and authored by Charles J Doyle.  The articles have been transcribed and can be seen on the Pittsburgh Old Newspaper Project.

Take some time and catch a glimpse of what these brave soldiers did for us.

Here's just a snippet to get you thirsty for more...

OFFICER TELLS THRILLING TALE OF BATTLE
Lieut. Lewis Describes a Bayonet Clash – Small Yank Kills Giant Hun.
BOCHE BARBAROUS

Washington, Pa., Oct. 19. – Buried alive half an hour in a trench along the Marne River and alive to tell the tale is but one of the thrilling experiences of Lieut. James A. “Pud” Lewis, of Elizabeth, Pa., and former Washington and Jefferson college student, recently returned from the French battle front.
Lieut. Lewis left college in his senior year at the declaration of war in April, 1917, and enlisted as a private with Company H of the old Tenth Regiment, Pennsylvania National Guard.  In his company he was promoted to corporal, sergeant and mess sergeant.  He was then sent to the officers’ training school, won a second lieutenancy, and was assigned to Company B of the One Hundred and Ninth Infantry, a Philadelphia regiment, with which he has won high honor and promotion to first lieutenancy.  He tells a story of a marvelous bayonet fight.......

And another snippet....

HOME BOYS GET PICTURE MADE

Members of Three Hundred Nineteenth Infantry Glad to Pose for Photo

YANKS IN GOOD TRIM

Headquarters, Eightieth Division, Jan. 18. – (By Mail) – Although the plucky members of the Eightieth Division had their full share of the hard fighting that marked the last days of the great war there were in such excellent condition that they recuperated quickly when they reached rest billets. A few days after the signing of the armistice a camera man of the Signal Corps, A. E. F., United States Army, visited Florent, an Argonne Forest town, and Nineteenth Infantry was stationed, and made the accompanying photograph for me.

The eagerness with which the Western Pennsylvania doughboys gathered when it was noised about that a picture was to be taken for publication “back home” proved that they were as full of “pep” as ever. They had completed a march of approximately 26 miles just a short time before, but nobody who heard about the photographer’s visit in time failed to “get in the bunch.” They had been out of line only a short time, but every looked snappy and happy. A French officer and some of the village women were asked to pose to give local color.
Pasted Graphic
Here are the names of the home boys in the picture. Pick ‘em out yourself......


Ahh, genealogy.  How many names.  How much suffering. And continuing prayers from a grateful nation.

©2017  AS Eldredge