Descendants of WWI Company L soldiers, 132 Infantry Regiment, 33rd Division
“The Prairie Division”
This website is dedicated to the memory and sacrifices of members of Company L,
3rd Battalion, 132 Infantry Regiment, 66th Brigade of the 33rd Division
“The Prairie Division”.
33rd Division ‘The Prairie Division’
The 33rd Division “The Prairie Division” included Company L when America entered WWI. As result of its World War I service, the 33rd division was the only US Army division that has fought as part of British Army and French Army corps. Company L was comprised of soldiers from the Illinois National Guard Second Infantry unit, Company L, that was based in Chicago. When federalized and sent for training at Camp Logan, Texas, they were augmented by draftees who often were trained at Camp Grant, Illinois, and further augmented by other more seasoned soldiers. Read the soldier’s compiled biographic information.
From Camp Logan, Texas, Company L sailed for Brest, France in May 1918. View their ship manifests.
The 33rd served with the Australians at the Amines sector, and was represented by units at Verdun and at the Meuse-Argonne. As a division, the 33rd Division spent 27 days in active sectors and 32 days in quiet sectors. It captured 3,987 prisoners – a record for a National Guard Division – and advanced 36 km (22 miles) against the enemy while sustaining 989 battle deaths and 6,266 wounded. Read Company L’s combat history.
The 132nd Infantry Regiment in WWI
written by Colonel Abel Davis, Regimental Commander – 1919.
Extract following narrative of the 3rd Battalion, which included Company L, describing the battle of Bois de Fays. (Emphasis added) Book is available on the Book page.
Every officer in Co. L became a casualty. 1st Sgt. Geoffrey L. Hubbard took command of the company and showed great bravery in leading his men, reorganizing the company and rendering particularly good service in caring for the wounded.
Corp. Tibbets of Co. L, who bravely led a reconnaissance patrol through the German lines, was obliged to fight his way back to join his own company. When he got back he brought valuable information regarding the enemy positions.
Pvt. Torfin and Pvt Prushick distinguished themselves in the engagement by the manner in which they carried messages through a heavy barrage and machine gun fire.
Sgt. James Reynolds of Co. L had the special mission assigned to him of mopping up enemy positions. He ran into three machine guns which were still in operation. He captured the crews and brought them in as prisoners.
Capt. Charles E. Wise was in command of Co. L when it made its advance from Bois De Fays to the northern edge of Bois De Foret. Although severely wounded by a shell fire, he remained in command of his company until he became so weak and exhausted that it was impossible for him to continue on. He took shelter in a shell hole, from where he continued to direct the action of his company, until it was turned over to his 1st sergeant, all the other company officers having become casualties. His courage, bravery and coolness inspired his men and did much towards the success of the attack.
F.W. Wise, Colonel of the Marines, was in command of the 59th Infantry during the time that our 3rd Battalion and machine gun company were attached to him. Here is his comment on their work:
“I wish to call attention to the splendid services rendered by the officers and men of the 3rd Battalion, 132nd Infantry, under command of Major Bullington, while attached to this regiment from October 6th to October 10th, 1918 . . . . Their service was performed under most trying conditions.”
Brigadier-General E.E. Booth has this to say about the actions our men in this engagement:
“This battalion rendered excellent service and showed the splendid material of which it is composed by performing its work without a murmur under a grilling artillery and machine gun fire, to which it was subjected for several days.”
The 3rd Battalion and the machine gun company paid dearly in the performance of their duties. Our casualties were 1 officer and 37 men killed and 11 officers and 315 men wounded and gassed. The Major, the Company Commanders of I,K,L and M and the machine gun companies were casualties. The battalion came out of the line commanded by 1st Lieut. Harry A. Yagle, who earned his promotion to captaincy by his splendid service. When the battalion rejoined the regimen, the only comment which I heard from the men was, “We gave them hell, and captured four hundred of them.”
The 132nd Infantry particiated in the following major operations:
Battle of Hamel
Battle of Amiens
Second Battle of the Somme
Verdun-Fromerville
Meuse-Argonne Offensive
Troyon
Grand Duchy of Luxemburg (occupation)
WWI Victory Medal with combat operations clasps
Awarded to Company L
Meuse-Argonne – 26 Sep 1918 to 11 Nov 1918
St. Mihiel – September 12 to September 16 1918
Somme Offensive – Aug 1918 to 11 Nov 1918
Defensive Sector – 4 Jun 1917 to 11 Nov 1918
Read the biographic information of Company L soldiers, including the 33rd Division’s Chain-of-Command. Data includes rank, service number, status, manifest information, awards, stories, photos, and more. View postal cards and other documents. Read memories of their experiences.
WWI Doughboy statue, Hines VA Hospital, Hines, Illinois.
On display at the main entrance, the statue was sculpted by Guido Rebechini who was a neighbor of Corporal Lee Reuter of Company L. Corporal Reuter’s WWI uniform was used by the sculptor. Cast in 1941 and erected 1943. Photo Credit: Daniel DuVerney, Hines Media Services. Used by permission.
If your ancestor was a member of Company L and you have photos, memories, information to share, or website related issues . . . . please Contact Ron Miller
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