Reeder Miller
Submitted by: Andy A Miller {Grandson}
Reeder Miller born around 1891. Reeder Miller served in World War 1 with the United States Army. The enlistment was in 1918 and the service was completed in 1919.
Story of Service
Reeder Miller entered service in Honesdale, Pennsylvania and traveled to Camp Wadsworth, South Carolina near Spartanburg. In September 1918, he deployed as the regimental sergeant major in the 4th Corps Field Artillery with the American Expeditionary Forces in France.
In late October, just as his unit was getting "into the thick of the fight", he was notified that he'd been selected to attend the field artillery officer training school at Saumur. He would spend the remainder of his time in France there.
When the Armistice was signed on November 11th, his class was kept in session and he graduated the school in January 1919. With the War over, and the need for officers and soldiers greatly reduced, his class was denied commission as artillery officers and were reverted to their previous rank prior to the officer training school. By the end of that month, he and his classmates were ordered home.
Edward Babb Cutter
Submitted by: Aaron Bahe, American Legion Post
Edward Babb Cutter born around 1887. Edward Cutter served in World War 1 with the United States Army. The enlistment was in 1906 and the service was completed in 1918.
Story of Service
On May 1, 1887 in Anoka, Minnesota, Edward Bab Cutter (Nicknamed 'Ned') was the youngest of three born to the family of Oscar and Mary Cutter. Completing his high school education and with his mother's permission, Ned joined Company B, 3rd Minnesota Volunteer Regiment on 22 June 1906. By 1909, his fellow comrades had elected Ned 2nd Lieutenant.
While majoring in Law at the University of Minnesota, Ned joined the Cadet Corps Program (forerunner to the ROTC) and was officially recognized as an officer in the U.S. Army National Guard. Upon completing his studied on 5 June 1911, he received promotion to 1st Lieutenant.
Following graduation, Ned briefly relocated to Thief River Falls where he worked on his elder brother's newspaper. Due to the distances involved, Ned considered resigning his commission but no record of it exists and it is believed his Commanding Officer, Major Arthur Caswell, found an alternative solution.
John Chester Foster
Submitted by: Mark Foster {grandson}
John Chester Foster born around 1885. John Foster served in World War 1 with the United States Army. The enlistment was in 1917 and the service was completed in 1918.
Story of Service
In December of 2010, I started going through a box of my father's, letters, newspaper articles and pictures. I started reading several regarding my grandfather who was killed in World War 1. I knew very little about this man except that he was buried at Arlington National cemetery. Our family rarely spoke of him; he had divorced my grandmother and abandoned his family. My father never mentioned him and speaking with cousins, my uncles never brought him up either.
One interesting newspaper article stated that his headstone at Arlington was incorrectly labeled. It was from the Illinois State Register dated March 8, 1936 and said “the tombstone on his grave had borne the inscription, John Chester Foster of Pittsburg, Kansas, killed in action, 27 April 1918”. It went on to say that the family had visited Arlington and had trouble finding the grave because it had Kansas instead of Illinois. Later it said that the family had requested the headstone be changed and the war department had authorized “that a properly inscribed tombstone would be installed without delay.”
Oran O. Sutton
Submitted by: Douglas Frye {Cousin}
Oran O. Sutton born around 1897. Oran Sutton served in World War 1 with the United States Army. The enlistment was in 1917 and the service was completed in 1919.
Story of Service
Oran O. Sutton was born on September 24, 1897 to Wilken B. Sutton and Amelia Lowe Sutton in Clay County, Indiana.
Per his tombstone in Eagle Point National Cemetery, Oregon, he served with Wagr Btry C 63 Arty CAC.
Sam Mazzara
Submitted by: Sam Mazzara {Grandson}
Sam Mazzara was born around 1896. Sam Mazzara served in World War 1 with the United States Army. The enlistment was in 1917 and the service was completed in 1919.
Story of Service
Sam Mazzara was born on March 6, 1896 in Monte San Guiliano Sicily. He immigrated to the United States in April of 1913 and lived in Detroit. He was drafted into the U.S. Army and inducted on Sept. 22, 1917 in Detroit. He was assigned to the 85th Infantry Division (the Custer Division), 339th Infantry Regiment Company H and took his basic training at Camp Custer in Battle Creek, MI.
After basic training, he was assigned as a cook. This regiment was destined to be known as the Polar Bears (as well as Detroit's Own) and fight in Russia in a little known piece of the United States World War I history.
On July 14, 1918, he left Camp Custer with his unit. They were ordered overseas for duty. He arrived at Camp Mills, Long Island on July 15th, 1918. From there, his unit departed for England on July 21, 1918 and arrived in Liverpool, England on Aug. 3, 1918. They thought they were going to fight in Europe, however, once they reached England, they were told they were going to Russia at the request of the British government.
John Joseph Quinn, Jr.
Submitted by: Dave Quinn {Grandson}
John Joseph Quinn, Jr. was born on 09/21/1894. John Quinn served in World War 1 with the United States Army. The enlistment was in 1917 and the service was completed in 1918.
Story of Service
Headquarters, 79th Division, Am. E. F. France. 8th May,. 1918
General Orders : No. 29:. E X T R A C T.
Par. 3 For gallantry in action and meritorious services, the following citations are published for the information of the command.
(On Sept. 27, 1918) Sergeant John J. Quinn, Medical Detatchment, 314th Infantry.
Sergeant Quinn remained alone in a dressing station near Montfaucon and gave first aid to all wounded men, and arranged for the evacuation of same, which was executed under heavy shell fire. Sergeant Quinn completed the task regardless of safety to himself. (Silver Star).
On September 29th, 1918, near Nantillois, he remained at a first aid station, while being shelled by German artillery, performing his duty under continual artillery fire until all patients had been given first aid and evacuated.
Charles Hollopeter
Submitted by: Allen Phetteplace, VFW post, and by Walter F. Johnson
Charles Hollopeter born around 1896. Charles Hollopeter served in World War 1 with the United States Army. The enlistment was in 1917 and the service was completed in 1918.
Story of Service
Charles Hollopeter was born at Amsworth, Nebraska, Jan. 1, 1896. Son of Curtis and Josephine Hollopeter.
Enlisted at Stanley, Wis., on July 8, 1917, in Co. L 128th Inf. Sailed for France Feb. 20, 1918. Participated in all the battles of the 32nd Division. Promoted to the rank of corporal.
Was killed in action in the Meuse-Argonne, Nov. 7, 1918. (Burial at Riverside Cemetery, Ladysmith.)
Willmar Albert Bathke
Submitted by: Allen Phetteplace, VFW post, and Walter F. Johnson
Willmar Albert Bathke born around 1895, Willmar Bathke served in World War 1 with the United States Army. The enlistment was in 1918 and the service was completed in 1918.
Story of Service
Willmar Bathke- Born at Springfield, Minn., June 22, 1895. Son of Fred and Sean Bathke, of Tony.
Before entering the service, he was engaged in farm work, assisting his parents.
Entered the service July 5, 1918. Assigned to 109th Co. Engineers, 28th Division. Sailed for France Sept. 12, 1918. Participated in the battle of St. Mihiel. Was gassed at Thincourt, Nov. 2, 1918.
Suffered an attack of bronchial pneumonia which resulted in his death, Nov. 9, 1918. (Burial Riverside Cemetery, Ladysmith).
George Washington Willard
Submitted by: Eric Wiech {Great Grandson}
George Washington Willard born around 18 Dec. 1892, George Willard served in World War 1 with the United States Army. The enlistment was in 1917 and the service was completed in 1919.
Story of Service
Pvt. George Washington Willard was born on December 18, 1892, in Madison, SD. His mother died when he was six. Soon after, he and his younger brother were placed in the Sioux Falls children’s home. From there, he was sent to live with a family that was quite poor. He worked long hours at farm labor, was fed little, slept in a bed bug-infested bed, only had socks hired men threw away, and had little schooling for two years. When he was constantly late for the little schooling he received, his teacher asked him why. After he explained, the teacher contacted the children’s home, which sent two women to check on his conditions. They immediately removed him from the home. He was placed into another foster home and lived/worked there until he was 17.
Pvt. Willard was drafted into the Army on the 20th of September, 1917, when he was 24. On May 11, 1918, he would sail from New York, NY to Liverpool, England. Listed as his “in case of emergency” contact is a “friend” from Summit, SD, Miss Agnus Swanson.