Joel Talbot Arthur
Submitted by: Wanda Arthur {Great-great-niece}
Joel Talbot Arthur born around 1891. Joel Arthur 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
Joel Talbot Arthur was born June 17, 1891, in the Greshamville area of Greene County, Georgia. Named for both grandfathers, Joel Ruark (pronounced “Rooks” at the time) and Talbot Arthur, he was the fifth of seven children born to Seaborn Arthur and Mary Eugenia “Jennie” Ruark Arthur. Just three generations removed from a great-grandfather who had owned 900 acres in neighboring Oglethorpe County, Joel was born into the downtrodden, post- war South in which cotton was still king but little cash was in circulation. Sharecropping had evolved, whereby poor farmers, black and white, worked land owned by others in return for a place to live and a minor share of the harvested crop. Such was the plight of the Arthur family for several generations.
In 1900, the Arthurs lived on a rented farm in the Greshamville District. At that time, according to the census, nine-year-old Joel was not attending school and was unable to read or write. The cotton crop, a Georgia sharecropper’s sole means of survival, as well as other demands of the farm, rendered schooling an intermittent opportunity when there was nothing else to do. As with most sharecropping families, the Arthurs moved frequently, forever seeking to improve their lot in life. At some point during the time period 1901-1902, Seab Arthur moved his family north, crossing over into the adjacent county of Oconee and settling on a tenant farm near the town of Watkinsville. Seab died there, January 31, 1906, leaving Jennie with 19-year-old Lenora, 14-year-old Joel, 10-year-old Grady, and 5-year-old Gladys.
George Anthony Basel
Submitted by: Brian Basel {Grandson}
George Anthony Basel was born around 1890. George Basel 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
Served in the U.S. Navy for four years as a Machinist Mate First Class on four ships prior to World War One.
Enlisted in the Army on April 4, 1918 and was stationed at Camp Upton, Yaphank, NY, with the 28th "Keystone" Infantry Division. He served overseas in France from May 4, 1918 with Company H, 2nd Battalion, 111th Infantry Regiment and then with Company B, 3rd Battalion.
His battle campaigns include Champagne-Marne, St. Muhiel, and meuse-Argonne at Toul Sector. He was wounded in the right hand and shoulder on July 17, 1918 clearing the woods (Bois D'Aigremont) over the Paris Metz Road between Crezancy and Fossoy and was taken to Base 45 at Blois, France for recovery. He rejoined Company H on October 10, 1918 as it passed through Mountblainville, France.
Being fluent in German, when his unit returned home April 18, 1919, he remained overseas serving as an interpreter.
James Forrest Reynolds
Submitted by: Christopher Reynolds {2nd Great Nephew)
James Forrest Reynolds was born around 1895. James Reynolds served in World War 1 with the United States Marine Corps. The enlistment was in 1917 and the service was completed in 1918.
Story of Service
Corporal Reynolds was the company armorer for 82nd Co, 3rd Battalion, 6th Marines when he was killed by German shrapnel on 26 Jun 1918 on hill 204 during the WWI Battle for Belleau Wood.
Robert J McClain
Submitted by: Dennis {Great Nephew)
Robert J McClain was born around 1903. Robert McClain 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
Felix Ferguson
Submitted by: Chelsy Proper {museum director}
Felix Ferguson was born around 1893. Felix Ferguson 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
Before the War, Felix Ferguson was a farmer in the Moss Grove area of Berkeley County, South Carolina.
Felix Ferguson enlisted in the US Army in Moncks Corner, South Carolina on December 18, 1917. Ferguson was assigned as a private to Company H of the 370th Infantry; this was an African-American regiment, one of only a few in the War. He served until February 24, 1919 and was honorably discharged in March, 1919.
Ferguson was awarded three citations for gallantry in action near Trieres Farm (France) in September 1918, continuing to fight though he had trench foot.
Unfortunately, Ferguson died in 1920, leaving behind a wife, Ella, and a daughter, Rosabell.
Thordur Thordarson
Submitted by: Stephen Thordarson {Grandson}
Thordur Thordarson born was around 1897. Thordur Thordarson served in World War 1 with the United States Marine Corps. The enlistment was in 1917 and the service was completed in 1920.
Story of Service
My grandfather was born in Raudkollsstadir, Iceland and moved to America in 1899. He grew up in Upham, North Dakota and when America became involved in World War I, he joined the Marine Corps, his brother Oskar joined the Army.
My grandfather trained in Texas, California and finally at Quantico. He was part of the 5th Brigade and was sent to France.
I believe my grandfather was one of only 5 Icelanders who served in the US military during World War I.
Saul Solomon
Submitted by: Bob Wolfson {Great Nephew}
Saul Solomon was born around 1895. Saul Solomon 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
Saul Soloman
Born in Piatra-Neamt, Romania in 1895. Immigrated to England, South Africa and back to England. Came to the US in 1906. Saul was a naturalized citizen in 1917.
He was a college student when the war broke out. He served overseas from Apr 2 1918, until he was Killed in Action on Oct 19th 1918. He was engaged in 2 Battle of the Marne; Argonne. Saul was a Pvt serving with 11 Co 152 Dep Brigade and the HQ Co, 30th Infantry, 3rd Infantry Division.
He received the Pendant La Grande Guerre, ( Certificate signed by the President of France and the Victory Medal. Saul is buried in the Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery.
Joseph John Lesanskey
Submitted by: Lauren Stauffer {great granddaughter}
Joseph John Lesanskey was born around 1888. Joseph Lesanskey 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
Frank Carson Davidson, Jr.
Submitted by: Marianne (Dee) Dosch {granddaughter}
Frank Carson Davidson Jr. was born around 1894. Frank Davidson served in World War 1 with the United States Navy. The enlistment was in 1918 and the service was completed in 1919.
Story of Service
Frank Carson Davidson, Military Service Gunners Mate 3rd Class Ninth Naval District U.S. Naval Reserve Force
The First World War began in Europe on July 28th, 1914. As hard as the United States tried to stay out of WWI, President Woodrow Wilson asked Congress to enter The Great War on April 6th, 1917. It turned out to be one of the deadliest conflicts in history as over 18 million troops and civilians were killed during the more than four years of fighting. The Selective Service Act was passed on May 18th, 1917 requiring men between the ages of 21 to 31 to register for the U.S. Armed Forces.
On this one hundred year anniversary of my country entering into WWI, I wanted to know more about my grandfather who served in the armed forces during this time. With the help of my Aunt, his daughter Diana Davidson Carter, I was able to learn some facts about his time in the U.S. Navy. In an old box in her attic were his military records with the information that I compiled together, along with some old photographs, to write this story.