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WWI
Company K 370th Infantry
McLean County, Illinois
[McLean County, Illinois, in the World War, 1917-1918; by Edward E. Pierson & Jacob Louis Hasbrouck c 1921]
(Transcribed by: Teri Moncelle Colglazier)
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The 370th made a glorious record in France where they met some of the Kaiser's best troops and put them to flight each time, thereby wining for themselves the name of "Black Devils." Although several of the stalwart men belonging to the Bloomington company fell on the battlefield, the large majority of them survived the terrible hardships to which they were subjected, and rejoiced with their relatives and friends at being at home once more. The members of Company K 370th infantry formerly were known as the Eight Illinois composed chiefly of men from Bloomington, but when the war broke out the company was recruited to full strength with the addition of men from Pontiac, Clinton and other nearby places. The members follow:
Lt. Willis Stearles History of Company In July, 1917, in response to President Wilson's call, the company left Bloomington for Peoria. They remained there about ten weeks, leaving Peoria for Camp Logan, Houston, Texas, on October 12. In March, 1918, they left Camp Logan for Newport News, Va., and arrived in France April 22. On April 29th they were placed with a French division and trained with them until June 23 when they went into the trenches near Regonville where they remained for a week. From there they were taken to Vraincourt and went into the trenches again for ten days being quartered during that time with one of the best French divisions. On August 16, 1918, the local boys left for Verdun front and on September 14 went into the front line trenches. Between that time and the day they were subjected to heavy shell fire and gas attacks. On September 30, the third battalion engaged in another hard fought battle and on October 12 they started in full pursuit of the fleeing enemy, and arrived in the trenches at midnight, October 18, ready to advance again the next morning. On October 28th they left for Honoyn, and on November 9th were again in pursuit of the enemy, and were in the final battle on the day the armistice was signed. They arrived at Brest, France, January 10, 1919 and landed in New York on February 9. Cited for Bravery For bravery in battle and for their work in trench and camp the 370th Infantry were highly praised by General Mittlhouser, commander of the 36th division of the French army. There are several among the local boys who wear decorations for distinguished service. Among these are Alonzo Walton, of Normal, who was cited for bravery in carrying food to his company during a German barrage. Donald Luster and Harry L. Pierson received their distinguished service medal for going into "No Man's" land in daylight and carry out their wounded comrades. At one time two of the wounded died on their shoulders while being carried out. Those Left in France Only one of the local company sleeps in France, although several remained several months in the hospitals recovering from wounds. Gus Williams, killed in action, is the only one who was called to give up his life. John Redd, who was reported by the war department as killed in action was found in a hospital at St. Agnan. He was seriously wounded September 30, five machine gun bullets entering his body. Later, however, he died from his wounds. Among the wounded were Corporal Len Wilson, wounded in the leg by a piece of shrapnel on September 30; Private Paul Turlington, wounded by shrapnel on October 4; Earl Lewis, ill in the hospital; Sergeant Solomon Williams, ill at the hospital in Brest; and Joe Fort, evacuated to a casual company September 5 at Brest.
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