Nathan Colaner

Submitted by: Andrew J. Lang

Nathan Colaner served in World War 1 with the the United States Army. The dates of service are: Known November 10, 1917 - May 1919.

Nathan Colaner was a member of the 308th Trench Mortar Battery, which was part of the 158th Field Artillery, 83rd Division. For the Meuse-Argonne Offensive, the 308th TMB and Ammunition Train were assigned to the 32nd Division, the "Red Arrows". Nathan would see combat near Brabant-Sur-Meuse. On October 24th, 1918, in an action that earned this unit several medals and commendations, Nathan was a member of the crew for Mortar #2. They had "not even fired a shot" before the gun was hit by German artillery. The entire crew was severely wounded, including Nathan. The crew from Mortar #1 came over to crew the battery and they fired off approximately 15 shells before the mortar came off the sled. He would survive the war.