The Men of L were members of Company L of the Chicago, Illinois National Guard who were mobilized in 1917 during World War I. The unit was augmented by draftees primarily from the Chicago area. Company L was part of the 3rd Battalion of the 132nd Infantry Regiment of the 33rd Division, “The Prairie Division”. The Men of L fought on the Western Front participating in many of the famous battles including during the Meuse Argonne and Somme operations.
The Men of L organization was founded in Gonderingen, Luxemburg on January 25, 1919, to promote, encourage and cultivate the memories of War-time association, while in the United States Army. On the 8th day of May, 1929, The Men of “L” was chartered by the Secretary of State of Illinois, a corporation, not for pecuniary profit and has through the past 25 years met annually and commemorated memories of our association. We pledge to each other continued loyalty and association until the last man shall pass his memories to the shadow of Time.
Men of L 1929-193x membership list. This list includes issue dates and addresses: MoL-Membership Certificates-1929-193X
Men of L Silver Anniversary membership certificate issued in 1944 to members in good standing for 25 years. List of members in 1944 PDF link (MoL-Silver Anniversary Membership Certificates 1944).
Image links to PDF version.
A hundred years after WWI, Navy Commander Ronald Miller (Retired), creator of the Company-L.com website and grandson of Private First Class Harry Shankman, in conjunction with Edward Hudson great uncle of Sergeant Wesley Foster, and Barbara Metzger daughter of Corporal Lee William Reuter, have combined forces and have dedicated themselves to honoring the Men of L and their sacrifices. The three met when the website Ron created honoring the service of his grandfather was discovered by Barbara (2011), and Ed (2015). Over the intervening years the idea for honoring all the Men of L, telling their story, and finding their descendants became their mission.
The Men of L is an Illinois non-profit organization incorporated January 2019. Our organization and website are dedicated to the memory and sacrifices of members of Company L. Our mission is publicizing the website to find descendants of the Men of L so they may know the battle history and stories of their ancestor’s sacrifices. Additionally the website is designed to educate the public on WWI and how it impacted soldier-citizens and those drafted to defend our great Nation.
The foundation for the Men of L organization was a post-World War I organization called Men of L formed by American Expeditionary Force soldiers of the 132nd Infantry stationed in Luxembourg. They organized the Men of L as a non-profit fraternal corporation in Chicago, Illinois, on May 7, 1929. The Men of L hosted picnics, dinners, and organizational meetings. Meetings continued for 45 years, until 1974, when the organization ceased operation due to loss (death) of members. Over three hundred and eighty soldiers have been identified as having served with Company L.
Newspaper article undated but probably 1929. Extract below.
Survivors of L company of the 132nd Infantry formed a veterans’ society known as “Men of L” in January of 1918, when the regiment was in Gonderange, Luxembourg, and members believe it to be the first association formed after the World War. Austin and Oak Park (Chicago suburbs) were largely represented. Head of the group had the title “Skipper,” and the first was George Rooney, now a judge in Cook county probate court. Present officers are:
Skipper – H.H. Rogers
Top Kick – K.E. Watson
Judge Advocate – George Rooney
Liaison Officer – A.J. Keating
Mess Sergeant – S. Van Pelt
Sergeant of Guard – George Fallon
Corporal of Guard – S. Bernstein
Historian – R.H. Cornwall
Company Clerk – L. Reuter