**** Under Construction **** Details being added, facts checked. The men of the Lost Battalion, the men who strove to relieve them, and related events like the "first pocket" of September 28-29th, comprise an astounding list of WWI decorated heroes. Of the 119 Congressional Medals of Honor (CMOH) for WWI they received 8: 6 of 86 Army and 2 of 4 Army Air Force. (As to the use of "Congressional" , I understand the dispute. For now it stays.) They also received at least 38 Distinguished Service Crosses (DSC), citations, and French medals like the Croix de Guerre with Palms. My information to date tells me the pigeon, Cher Ami, might have received the DSC, the Croix de Guerre with Palms, and entry into various pigeon and bird halls of fame. No area is in more dispute. I will use any pretext to list a hero, even with the flimsiest evidence, and note the source as I improve my lists. Anyone with proof of inclusion and/or exclusion is welcome to contribute, and in time these qualifications will be noted. In the end, every soldier involved in this event is a hero, so this page includes the "History of the 308th Infantry 1917-1919" list of Lost Battalion participants at the bottom. I am looking for a list of DSC recipients from the 307th at this time. For related lists of heroes: Heroes of the Lost Battalion Relief Effort |
Although cut off for 5 days from the remainder of his division, Maj. Whittlesey maintained his position, which he had reached under orders received for an advance, and held his command, consisting originally of 46 officers and men of the 308th Infantry and of Company K of the 307th Infantry, together in the face of superior numbers of the enemy during the 5 days. Maj. Whittlesey and his command were thus cut off, and no rations or other supplies reached him, in spite of determined efforts which were made by his division. On the 4th day Maj. Whittlesey received from the enemy a written proposition to surrender, which he treated with contempt, although he was at the time out of rations and had suffered a loss of about 50 percent in killed and wounded of his command and was surrounded by the enemy. (Copy of Text from CMOH) |
Commanded a battalion which was cut off and surrounded by the enemy and although wounded in the knee by shrapnel on 4 October and suffering great pain, he continued throughout the entire period to encourage his officers and men with a resistless optimism that contributed largely toward preventing panic and disorder among the troops, who were without food, cut off from communication with our lines. On 4 October during a heavy barrage, he personally directed and supervised the moving of the wounded to shelter before himself seeking shelter. On 6 October he was again wounded in the shoulder by a German grenade, but continued personally to organize and direct the defense against the German attack on the position until the attack was defeated. He continued to direct and command his troops, refusing relief, and personally led his men out of the position after assistance arrived before permitting himself to be taken to the hospital on 8 October. During this period the successful defense of the position was due largely to his efforts. (Copy of Text from CMOH) |
Capt. Holderman commanded a company of a battalion which was cut off and surrounded by the enemy. He was wounded on 4, 5, and 7 October, but throughout the entire period, suffering great pain and subjected to fire of every character, he continued personally to lead and encourage the officers and men under his command with unflinching courage and with distinguished success. On 6 October, in a wounded condition, he rushed through enemy machinegun and shell fire and carried 2 wounded men to a place of safety. (Copy of Text from CMOH) |
October 3rd, 1918 09:30 Private Henry Miller snuggled through the underbrush like a snake, flanked one of these snipers as the sniper had flanked the company and drilled him witha rifle bullet. "I got him," Miller said, turning his head, but just at that moment a machine gun got Miller in turn. (The Lost Battalion, Johnson & Pratt) |
October 7th, 1918 08:00 Captain Holderman volunteers Private Krotoshinsky to bring a message back to the lines. 18:30 Reaches the lines, volunteers to lead back to pocket.19:00 Relief led by Krotoshinsky reaches the pocket. (Paraphrased from The Lost Battalion, Johnson & Pratt) I need to find and add text of DSC. All the rest are 308th and that is where I got the text. Krotoshinsky also has his story told "History and Rhymes of Lost Battalion". See "Books" page to on-line copy of book, find his story. I will add link here soon. |
October 4th, 1918 05:30 A strong patrol under Corporal Peterson was sent to bring a message through the lines. Coming upon a German patrol, Peterson took out three Germans before leading the patrol back to the pocket. (Paraphrased from The Lost Battalion, Johnson & Pratt) |
I have contradictoy info on this - I am unsure if Cher Ami received the DSC (the 1919 movie said it was awarded to Cher Ami), but I am fairly sure of the rest of the following information. October 4th, 1918 15:00 The pocket is being bombarded by our artillery. Cher Ami, the last pigeon, is sent with a message to stop the bombardment. 16:00 Cher Ami arrives at her loft, with an eye missing, a leg missing, and her breastbone broken, delivering the message to stop the bombardment. (Paraphrased from The Lost Battalion, Johnson & Pratt) Cher Ami also received the French Croix de Guerre with Palms, and was inducted into the Racing Pigeon Hall of Fame in 1931 and received a gold medal from the Organized Bodies of American Racing Pigeon Fanciers in recognition of his extraordinary service during World War I. |
Cher Ami |
List of the Lost Battalion from "History of the 308th Infantry 1917-1919" |
FIRST BATTALION HEADQUARTERS 308TH INFANTRY Rank Name Company Major Charles W. Whittlesey Sgt. Mjr. Benjamin F. Gaedeke Hqts. (K) K - Killed Cpl. Walter J. Baldwin Hqts. Pvt. James F. Larney Hqts. (W) W - Wounded Pvt. George Botelle C. (W) Pvt. Philip Cepeglia C. Pvt. Robert Manson B. Pvt. Omer Richard Hqts. Pvt. Irving L. Liner D. Pvt. Albert Harlin D. Pvt. David Tulchin C. Pvt. Theodore Tollefson Hqts. (M) M - Missing Pvt. Wm J. Powers Hqts. Pvt. Joseph Friel A. (K) COMPANY "A" 308TH INFANTRY 2d Lt. Henry J. Williamson Sgt. Herman G. Anderson Cpl. Irving Klein (W) Pvt. Alfred P. Nauheim Pvt. Grover C. Johnson Pvt. Roy E. John Pvt. Innocenzo Cella Pvt. Anthony Hiduck (W) Pvt. John Collins (W) Pvt. Nie B. Mettam Pvt. Stephen Wondowlesky Pvt. Rubin Hudlow (W) Pvt. Henry Erickson (W) Pvt. Wayne W. Martin Pvt. Bert C. McCoy (W) Pvt. Kennedy K. Kelly (K) Pvt. Roland P. Judd (K) Pvt. William Johnson (K) COMPANY "B" 308TH INFANTRY 2d. Lt. Harry M. Rogers (K) Sgt. Lawrence Osborne (K) Sgt. Samuel Marcus Sgt. Harry J. Hermsdorf Cpl. Albert Copsey Cpl. George Duffy Cpl. Martin McMahon (W) Cpl. Richard W. Mathews Pvt. Thomas Dunnigan Pvt. Francis Feeney Pvt. Sigurd V. Swanson Pvt. Joseph Macali (W) Pvt. Thomas Harris Pvt. Bart Amatetti Pvt. Clyde C. A. Hintz Pvt. Walter Hanson Pvt. John T. Flynn Pvt. James A. Keegan Pvt. Phillip Kornelly (W) Pvt. Martin O. Lokken Pvt. Frank Karpinsky (W) Pvt. William Ziegenbalg Pvt. Lawrence Pomeroy Pvt. Harry Bickmore Pvt. Walter S. Peterson (W) Pvt. Agel Geanekos Pvt. Clarence Peters Pvt. James Hearty (W) Pvt. David H. Baker (W) Pvt. Emery Bronson (W) Pvt. Henry J. Cadieux (W) Pvt. Louis Morris (W) Pvt. Bonaventura Pistoria (W) Pvt. Chas. H. Chavelle (W) Pvt. John Holt (W) Pvt. Barney Greenfield Pvt. John Reiger (W) Pvt. Orlander Sketson (M) Pvt. Raymond Hammond Pvt. Leonard Glenn Pvt. Peter Evans (W) Pvt. Stanislaus Albis (W) Pvt. Stanley O. Bradshaw Pvt. Hyman Gallob (K) Pvt. Grant S. Norton (K) Pvt. William C. Halligan (K) Pvt. Arthur A. Beske (K) Pvt. Carlton V. Knott (K) Pvt. Arthur H. Jones (K) Pvt. Jos. B. Drydal (K) Pvt. Earl F. Jepson (K) Pvt. Sylvester Hoven (K) Pvt. Wm. M. Holliday (K) Pvt. Carl Hildenbrand (K) COMPANY "C" 308TH INFANTRY Capt. Leo A. Stromee (W) 2d. Lt. Gordon L. Schenck (K) 2d. Lt. Leo W. Trainor (W) Sgt. Raymond Blackburn Sgt. John Colassacco Sgt. Lionel Bendheim (W) Sgt. William Jacob Sgt. Fred T. Main Sgt. Bert B. Morrow Cpl. Joseph K. Baldwin Cpl. Joseph Bejnarowicz Cpl. Thomas Brennen (W) Cpl. Jacob Held Cpl. Jack Tucker Pvt. Otto M. Knifsund Pvt. Stanislaw Kosikowski Pvt. Clifford R. Brown Pvt. Louis Baskin Pvt. Arthur E. Benson Pvt. Henry Cassidy (W) Pvt. Percy Charlesworth (W) Pvt. Savine Coppielo Pvt. James T. Condon Pvt. Edward T. Curley (W) Pvt. John Crosby (W) Pvt. Lee H. Downs Pvt. Joseph C. Fortunato Pvt. Charles W. Frink (W) Pvt. Joseph Giganti Pvt. Albert Morris Pvt. John Murphy Pvt. Morris Richter Pvt. Harry Semenuk Pvt. John L. Voorheis Pvt. George Keim Pvt. Joseph King Pvt. Lewis O'Brien Pvt. Frank J. Kostinen Pvt. Otto R. Hatcher Pvt. Walter J. Krantz Pvt. Archie F. Larkin Pvt. Erik Larson Pvt. Frank N. Lauder Pvt. Leo J. Jacoby Pvt. Raymond Johnson (W) Pvt. Chester Lysen Pvt. Stephen Marchelwski Pvt. Cecil Lowman Pvt. George Mayhew Pvt. Joseph L. McGowen Pvt. Robert L. Mears Pvt. Olin McFeron Pvt. William Hission Pvt. Wyatt L. Holden Pvt. Dominick Indiana Pvt. Emil Kaufman Pvt. William Monk Pvt. Fred Olson Pvt. Charles Pinkstone (W) Pvt. Stacy M. Hicks Pvt. Max Lesnick Pvt. Charles Oxman Pvt. Lester Griswold (W) Pvt. John McCabe Pvt. William W. Armstrong Pvt. Louis N. Hazen (W) Pvt. Niles F. Cunningham Pvt. Constantine Vittulli (W) Pvt. Chas. Wallenstein Pvt. Benedetto Sugro Pvt. Martin Tuite Pvt. Joseph H. Puniskis Pvt. Fred A. Mandell (W) Pvt. Lars Olson Pvt. Andrew Payne (W) Pvt. Roy L. Marion Pvt. Lucien St. Cartier (K) Pvt. John Hinchman (K) Pvt. David Gladd (K) Pvt. Eugene McGrath (K) Pvt. Samuel Feuerlicht (K) Pvt. John Damcott (K) Pvt. Joseph Castrogiovanna (K) Pvt. John Reynolds (K) Pvt. Catino Carnebucci (K) SECOND BATTALION HEADQUARTERS 308TH INFANTRY Rank Name Company Act. Major Capt. George G. McMurtry (W) Sgt. Maj. Clarence R. Rossch Hqts.Bn. Clk. Pvt. Daniel V. Tallon E (K) Pvt. James Brice E Sgt. Gerard Kirchner H (Bn Scout N.C.O.) BATTALION RUNNERS Cpl. Arthur A. Doherty (W) Pvt. Frank D. S. Fredette Pvt. John Eichorn Pvt. Peter H. White Pvt. John J. McCallion Pvt. Ralph O. Dunham Pvt. Herbert Gross Pvt. Edward Stringer Pvt. Charles J. Pugh Pvt. Carl A. Rainwater Pvt. Spiro Rayony Pvt. Harry Thorsen (W) Pvt. Clarence Patterson Pvt. Reuben H. Ahlstedt (W) Pvt. John R. Hamilton Pvt. Ammon Chupp (W) Pvt. Michael J. Lukas BATTALION SCOUTS Cpl. Bernard Gillece Pvt. Herbert Jorgenson (W) Pvt. Lester T. Sands Pvt. Alfred Rodriquez Pvt. John Delmont Pvt. Irving W. Greenwald (W) Pvt. Joseph Levine Pvt. John O'Keefe (W) Pvt. Joseph Kierman Mech. Louis M Probst Pvt. Arthur Jorgenson Pvt. Arthur Solomon Pvt. Martin Ellbogen (W) Pvt. Harrison Dayo Pvt. David Magnusson (W) Pvt. Anthony Anastasia Pvt. Walter Weiner Pvt. Farland F. Wade (W) Pvt. Arthur G. Nelson (W) Pvt. Alfred E. Summers Pvt. Henry W. Goldhorn Pvt. Alfred J. Petti Pvt. George Koebler (K) Pvt. Theodore Ingraham Pvt. William Bedrna Pvt. Michael Kelly Pvt. Percy Grossberg Pvt. Edward L. Wenzel Pvt. Harold Arnold (K) Pvt. Homer Rayson (K) Pvt. John Ruppe (K) COMPANY "E" 308TH INFANTRY 1st Lt. J. V. Leak (W,M 4Oct18) 2d. Lt. Victor A. Harrington (W,M 4Oct18) Sgt. Frederick W. Baldwin Cpl. Peter C. Judis Cpl. Ernest S. Merry (K) Pvt. Sidney Rose (W) Pvt. Joseph R. Pennington (W) Pvt. Patrick Maney (W) Pvt. George H. Chiswell (W) Pvt. Frank Habeck (W) Pvt. Arnold M. Morem (W) Pvt. Jacob Kaspirovitch (W) Pvt. Walter L. Domrose (M) Pvt. Robert M. Pardue Pvt. Harold Brennen Pvt. Raymond Flynn Pvt. Vitto Ratto Pvt. John L. Del Sasso Pvt. Joseph Vitkus Pvt. Olaf W. Swanson (K) Pvt. Henry Miller (K) COMPANY "G" 308TH INFANTRY 2d. Lt. Fred Buhler (W) 2d. Lt. Sherman W. Eager Sgt. Amos Todisco (W) Sgt. Jeremiah Healey (W) Sgt. Harry Freeman (W) Sgt. Mark C. Hagerman Cpl. James Colan (W) Cpl. Joseph Kennedy Mech. John Schmidt (W) Bugler George M. Enlander (W) Pvt. Truman P. Fairbanks (W) Pvt. Robert Gafanowitz (W) Pvt. Frank Pollinger (W) Pvt. William Holzer (W) Pvt. Ernest J. Ridlon (W) Pvt. Michael Mele (W) Pvt. Peter A. Fitzgerald (W) Pvt. William Regan Pvt. Guiseppe Santini Pvt. Jesse J. McCauley Pvt. Ludwig Blomseth Pvt. Arthur R. Lovell Pvt. Oscar Potter (W) Pvt. Arthur Erickson Pvt. Dennis A. Gallagher (W) Pvt. James E. Slingerland Pvt. Eugene Selg Pvt. John Conneally Pvt. James R. Woods Pvt. William Schultz Pvt. Frederick L. Wilber (W) Pvt. Nathaniel Miller (W) Pvt. Frederick Elliott (W) Pvt. Glenn H. Weaver (W) Pvt. Ernest Wornek (W) Pvt. Frank Delgrasso (W) Pvt. Myron D. Perrigo (W) Pvt. Oscar Wallen (W) Pvt. Antonio Trigani Pvt. Rito Mares Pvt. Gust Dahlgren (W) Pvt. Benjamin Pagliaro Pvt. Osro Deaderick Pvt. Joseph Schanz Cpl. Haakon A. Rossum (W) Pvt. Hermand Edlund Pvt. Melvin E. Clemons Pvt. Ray E. Layman Cpl. Holger Peterson (K) Pvt. William Martin (K) Pvt. William A. Begley (K) Pvt. John Boden (K) Pvt. Lauren G. Reid (K) Pvt. Paul F. Andrews (K) Pvt. James Bruton (K) Pvt. Albert A. Ross (K) Sgt. Michael Greally (K) COMPANY "H" 308TH INFANTRY 1st Lt. William J. Cullen 1st Lt. Maurice V. Griffin (W) Sgt. Patrick J. Landers Sgt. Edwin C. Brown (W) Cpl. Charles B. Cornell Cpl. Harry L. Shaffer (W) Cpl. John Bowden (W) Cpl. Olaf Nilsen Pvt. Herbert M. Drake Pvt. William C. Burns Pvt. William J. Lucy Pvt. Frank R. Estes Pvt. W. Stenger Pvt. John A. McNearney Pvt. Joseph E. Cathcart Pvt. Harry P. Damon Pvt. Arthur J. Hecker Pvt. Clyde Hepworth (W) Pvt. John Renda (W) Pvt. Henry P. Flaming Pvt. Gabe Elkin Pvt. Edward Swanson Pvt. Isidore Speigel Pvt. John Delserone (W) Pvt. Blaze Stoianoff Pvt. Melvin G. Sunby Pvt. Elmer E. Bent Pvt. Earl A. Flack Pvt. Andrew Mathews Pvt. Sydney C. Mann Pvt. Roy Cummings Pvt. Andrew J. Taasaas Pvt. Enrique Perea Pvt. Albert N. Steichen Pvt. Olaf Erdahl Pvt. Harold B. Neptune (W) Pvt. Edward Holbert Cpl. Wilbur C. Whiting Pvt. Lyle J. Edwards Pvt. Fernnau Miller Pvt. Siguard Gaupset (W) Pvt. Frank Mauro (W) Pvt. Joseph Joyce (W) Pvt. John B. Swartz (W) Pvt. Herbert B. Gibson (W) Pvt. Charles Ritter (W) Pvt. Henry H. Senter (W) Pvt. Lloyd A. Huntington (W) Pvt. James R. Strickland (W) Pvt. William E. Francis (W) Pvt. Josephus Powell (W) Pvt. Oscar Willis (W) Pvt. Joseph Chambers (W) Pvt. Angel Orlando (W) Pvt. Richard R. Coe (W) Pvt. Arthur F. Coatney (W) Pvt. Conrad Engen (W) Pvt. Albert R. Witthans (W) Pvt. Stanley Sobaszkeqicz (W) Pvt. Louis B. Caldwell Pvt. Arch Robertson Pvt. Scott R. White Pvt. Daniel M. Knauss Pvt. John A. Stanfield Pvt. James E. Lesley Pvt. Solomon E. Rhoads Pvt. Len L. Leflaer Pvt. Robert Dodd Pvt. Hugo E. Untereiner Pvt. Isadore Ostrovsky Pvt. Joseph Royall Pvt. Sidney Smith Pvt. Frank G. S. Erickson Pvt. Lowell R. Hollingshead (W) Pvt. Thomas H. Clay (W) Pvt. Cecil L. Duryea (W) Pvt. Otto Wheeler Pvt. Jack Recko Pvt. Emil A. Peterson (W) Pvt. Henry C. Buth (K) Pvt. Henry Miller (K) Pvt. Ancel E. Fassett (K) Pvt. Raymond O. Clark (K) Pvt. William J. Workman (K) Pvt. Robert J. Little (K) Pvt. Henry C. Luckett (K) Pvt. Samuel Rosenberg (K) Pvt. Thomas Cavello (K) Pvt. Jesse J. Mendenhall (K) Pvt. Richard W. Hyde (K) Pvt. George W. Nies (K) Pvt. Harold H. Thomas (K) Pvt. Leonard C. Gitchell (K) Pvt. Thomas J. Lyons (K) Pvt. Alfred E. Erickson (K) Cpl. Charles G. Tumm (K) Pvt. Lewis Zeman (K) Pvt. Hiram M. Rugg (K) Pvt. Theodore Hanson (K) Pvt. Henry Chinn (K) Pvt. Robert E. Christian (K) MEDICAL DETACHMENT WITH 1ST AND 2ND BATTALIONS 308TH INFANTRY Pvt. Irving Sirota Pvt. James M. Bragg Pvt. John Gehris COMPANY "K" 307TH INFANTRY Capt. Nelson M. Holderman (W) 1st Lt. Thomas G. Pool (W) Sgt. James Murphy Sgt. Boyd S. Hatch Sgt. Joseph P. Heuer Sgt. James A. Deahan Sgt. James Carroll Cpl. George Sims Cpl. Bert M. Green Cpl. George Gilley Cpl. Alonzo D. Blanchard Cpl. Robert F. Bradford Cpl. George F. Speich Cpl. Paul A. Schwartz Mech. Lester Underhill Pvt. Samuel A. Altiera Pvt. Charles I. Adams Pvt. Louis Berg Pvt. Charles F. Christ Pvt. Hans Christensen Pvt. John Connelly (W) Pvt. Thomas H. Gill Pvt. George Hoadley Pvt. Albert O. Kaempfer (W) Pvt. Frank J. Lyons Pvt. Robias Meyerowitz Pvt. Thomas Murray Pvt. William F. Brew (W) Pvt. Frank Stingle (W) Pvt. Salvatere Pesetti Pvt. Calegere Pope Pvt. Benj. E. Ternquist Pvt. William Kelmel Pvt. Frank Hogue Pvt. Ralph Brinkoma (W) Pvt. Benjamin Roberts (W) Pvt. Lememe Schettino Pvt. Leonard Beebe (W) Pvt. Pietre Test (W) Pvt. John Fare (W) Pvt. Joseph Spallina (W) Pvt. Edward Baker (W) Pvt. Leonard Beeson (W) Pvt. John Karaluinas (W) Pvt. Clifford Thomas (W) Pvt. Victor L. Bringham (W) Pvt. Floyd Berlev (W) Pvt. Joseph Christopher (W) Pvt. Arthur E. Fein (W) Pvt. William Knabe (W) Pvt. Isaac Lipacher (W) Pvt. Gile Ofstad (W) Pvt. Albert E. Martin (W) Pvt. Thornweld Rosby (W) Pvt. Leroy A. Stumbe Pvt. Arthur Schwanbeck (W) Pvt. Ray Treadwell Pvt. Otto Velz (W) Pvt. Guiseppe Scialdono (W) Pvt. Charles F. Adams Pvt. Abraham Kretoschinsky Pvt. Thomas J. Mannion Pvt. Joseph Prusek Pvt. Vincent Witschen Pvt. James P. Felton (W) Pvt. Alfred Hendrickson (W) Pvt. Arthur Hicks (W) Pvt. David O. Jones Pvt. Kenneth Murray Pvt. Jacob C. Phelps (W) Pvt. Carl A. Anderson Pvt. Herbert Bueskins (W) Pvt. Giovanni Bivalace (W) Pvt. James Chamberlain Pvt. Philip Christenson Pvt. Timothy Connelly Pvt. Albert A. Etenauer Pvt. Peter Gibbons |