the united states world war one centennial commission

February 14, 2017

"After April 6, 1917, everything about America changed"

The U.S. World War I Centennial Commission is preparing for a major national event on April 6th, 2017, to mark the 100th anniversary of America's entry into the war. Commission Chair Robert Dalessandro talks this week about the significance of the date. As a career historian, Dalessandro puts some perspective on the events that took place 100 years ago to the United States on the path to war, and how those events changed the nation and the world entire world. Read the Dalessandro interview here

Graphic novel tells stories of Native American soldiers' experiences in WWI U.S. Army

Chag Lowry is a Native American graphic novelist who lives in Northern California, whose interest in telling the story of World War I were kindled by hearing the stories of his great-great-uncles who served in the Great War. Lowry is turning the things that he has learned about the Native American who served in the U.S. military in WWI into a new graphic novel, entitled SOLDIERS UNKNOWN. Lowry calls the experiences of Native American solders unique, and took some time to tell us about it. Read the interview, and check out some of the graphic art here.

"Stars and Stripes" forever? No, the military paper actually started in WWI

Most Americans are aware of the military-based newspaper “The Stars and Stripes.” But many don’t know that it came into existence as a morale-builder after Americans surged into France during World War I – and even fewer probably know of its links to another august publication, “The New Yorker.” The Library of Congress Blog takes a look at the origins of the paper that generations of American soldiers, sailors, airmen, and Marines have looked to for news from home, and how on man's will made the concept come into being. Read the blog post here.

100 Cities / 100 Memorials Blog

Three great questions that have come up:

This blog post features three recent questions from the participants to the matching grant challenge about their participation.

Can an in-kind donation count as part of the match for the program?
Can I still submit a grant application?
Will our project qualify?

Read the actual questions and see the answer in our latest blog post.

From the WWrite Blog

"Black History Month gives the WWrite blog the opportunity to showcase African American writers and artists inspired by WWI.

This week, Major Jasmine Motupalli, Assistant Professor of Engineering at West Point, and Afghanistan War veteran, reflects upon the roles of African American women during WWI, especially the actions of journalist, activist, and suffragist, Ida B. Wells. Major Motupalli also shares part of her memoir in progress about her experience in Afghanistan as an intelligence officer."

“THE NAVY NEEDS YOU!” Poster: $12.50

Vintage replica WWI 14” x 24” poster inspired by the U.S. Navy’s plea to report to the nearest recruiting station. A patriotic and distinctive way to accessorize your wall space, this commemorative poster is offered exclusively through the World War One Centennial Commission.

Take advantage of the
Matching Donation by the
Pritzker Military Museum and Library

A Story of Service from the Stories of Service section of ww1cc.org

Clement Anthony Grobbel

Submitted by: Michael V Grobbel

Clement Anthony Grobbel served in World War 1 with the United States Army. The dates of service are: Known May 26, 1818 to July 7, 1919.

Clement Anthony Grobbel of Center Line, Michigan, was a member of the US Army "Polar Bears" who were sent to North Russia in the closing weeks of World War One.

Clem was 22 years old when the U.S. entered World War One. He was soon drafted into the Army and on 27 JUN 1918, he arrived at Camp Custer, near Battle Creek, MI. There he began training with Rifle Company I of the 339th Infantry Regiment of the National Army.

The 339th became known as "Detroit's Own Regiment", since three-quarters of the enlisted men and officers were from the Detroit area (upon their return to the U.S. in 1919, the 339th and their attached units took to calling themselves the "Polar Bears"). On 14 JUL 1918, the 339th broke camp and boarded trains for New York City, from which they sailed for England on 22 JUL 1918.

Read the whole Story of Service here.