Andrew C. Shagren

Submitted by: Charles Bohnenberger {Great Great Nephew}

Andrew C. Shagren born around 1895. Andrew Shagren 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

Andrew C. Shagren was the son of a Swedish immigrant father and Irish immigrant mother. He was my grandmother's favorite uncle.

He was drafted on Sept 22, 1917 in Philadelphia PA, and served in Company K of the 3rd Battalion of the 315th Infantry Regiment. He rose through the ranks quickly, being promoted to Corporal on June 14th 1917, then Sergeant on October 23, 1918.

By that time he had seen action in the Meuse Argonne offensive, Verdun Sector. This area was one of the toughest sectors of the Allied line, facing the indomitable German emplacements at Montfaucon.

When the offensive began in September, a memoir from a Company K soldier describes the sound and fury of a six hour artillery barrage that preceded the infantry assault. I imagine my great Uncle's thoughts as he prepared to face battle for the first time.

After only a few weeks, he was killed in action - November 5, 1918, a mere six days before the Armistice. I recall my grandmother telling stories about Uncle Andrew - how he wrote to her from Baltimore where he was in training, from the train station before departing for New Jersey where he would board the SS America for transport to France. And her stories always were told with a smile, that faded to sadness thinking of his death.

After the war, his parents (my great grandparents) paid to bring him home - where he now rests beside them at Holy Sepulcher Cemetery outside Philadelphia. On November 5th we will visit and decorate his grave - we will think of his sacrifice and the life that could have been. And on November 11th we will remember him, and all those who have served and sacrificed for our great nation - and we will honor them.