Spent a year in hospitals, in France and Carlisle,PA
Discharged Dec, 1919. Received a final payment of $64.00 total for his service. No GI Bill for the "Doughboys." But he was awarded a Purple Heart when the medal was designated in the 30's. I still have the medal.
Many records were destroyed by a fire in the War Dept, but I was able to get lots of information about his service and injury.
He never talked about the war. But he read "In Flanders Fields" to me when I was little. I'm not sure why, but it made me cry.
God bless you, Dad.
My father was in the Navy and in a couple of engagements during that war, when they were headed back to port the morning before they arrived the Chief told my father to go and get a new flag to put up before they pulled into Pearl. The old one was torn in half about even with the blue field and smelled like diesel fuel from the smoke stacks. He told my dad to keep it and show it to your grand-kids and tell them what we did. It is the most valued possession I have.
My wifes great grandfather was french and killed a Verdun 6 weeks before her grandfather was born.