We welcome your feedback and comments
If your ancestor was a member of Company L and you have photos, memories, information to share, or website related issues . . . . or if you have any Feedback or Comments please use the form below, or email Ron Miller
Hello! Great information. Thanks for the research and making this easily available to thousands of descendants like me. Amazing site! I have also been searching for Company A, of the 33rd Division and 132nd Infantry: men who also came from Illinois and trained through Camp Logan before shipping off to France in 1918. Do you know of any sites that house similar information to what you’ve posted for Company L – only for Company A? I have been searching for nearly 6 months and keep striking out. Thank you for any thoughts you may have. Again, I appreciate your site and will continue to explore it. I believe my grandfather was in Company L.
Craig,
Thank you for your feedback. We previously recommended research options directly to you. But for those who might be reading your feedback the recommendations are worth repeating.
1. The St. Louis NARA now has all WWI related records for soldiers and their units. A visit may be necessary to view some records.
2. It’s possible to request service members military records online for WWI (and other wars) from the VA.
3. Local county historical societies often have relevant records.
4. Local newspapers often published articles, especially when soldiers departed, during wartime, and upon returning.
5. Soldiers often joined veteran organizations and they might have records. E.g. VFW, Am Legion, DAV.
6. Genealogy sites often have records. E.g. Ancestry, Fold3. And often local libraries provide free access.
7. Many soldiers are buried in military cemeteries that searchable online.
8. Books, and websites, contain unit histories and often list soldier’s names. Some books are online and free to read.
Best,
Men of L
Hi my grandfather was in this company. Pvt Earl Miller. I was looking at the pictures and in panel 5 #116. The man in the picture looks a lot like my father, so I am guessing this could be a match. When I showed it to my father he also feels that man could be him. More than any other man in any of the other panels. I have been working on the Family Genealogy and this led me to this site. Thank you for having this available. I never knew my grandfather. I am trying to find out if grandpa did get the purple heart. My father remember a metal and it does state in his discharge paper he sustained a right shoulder wound Aug 2, 1918 at the Army of Occupation of Vader Lines in the 3rd Corps, Amiens Sector Attack at Hamel? July 4, 1918? The form I have is hard to read, a bit blurred. Also the other photo posted, #49 could also be my grandfather.
Regarding your grandfather’s potential Purple Heart Medal (PHM) there are many issues to consider. On the Combat Operation page I’ve recapped this issue. This is what may be most important for your grandfather:
During WWI soldiers were eligible for the wound chevron, worn on the right uniform sleeve, if they were as a result of enemy action killed or died by friendly fire, or wounded. In all cases it was required that treatment by a medical officer would have been required. When the Purple Heart Medal was authorized in 1932, WWI soldiers could apply for the medal by exchanging their Meritorious Service Citation Certificates; apply if had been authorized wound chevrons; or apply if they were otherwise authorized the medal under the provisions pertaining to the wound chevron regulation. Many soldiers of Company L were not authorized wound chevrons primarily due to being gassed – which was not considered a wound (wounds in WWI meant bleeding) – or having been wounded but not having been treated by a medical doctor.
Do you have his uniform, or a photo of your grandfather with a wound chevron on his right sleeve? If so he would be eligible for the PHM. And based on his discharge paper’s notation of being wounded it’s my opinion that he did deserve the PHM even if it never officially was in his records or if he never applied for it. I’m guessing you are aware that most WWI records were lost to the 1973 NARA Archive fire; but not all records were lost and many have been recovered. I recommend you apply for his records and request all of his medals. https://www.va.gov/records/get-military-service-records/
We would like to add his discharge paper to his biography page, and on other sections of the website, if you would like to share it.
Thanks again for your feedback.
Best,
Ron