I read that the Wisconsin National Guard was mobilized fought in World War I, and they were German speaking troops. The U.S. Army had German speaking soldiers in the Revolutionary War, the Civil War, and in World War I.
In the book Eisenhower, Ike actually took a few moments when his subordinate said “one more step and you will be in Germany, General” after Normandie. According to the book, his father told him to say a prayer once you come back to the homeland because generations of Eisenhower came from there..
I have a photo of a Wisconsin national guard unit which was the core of the 208th Engineer Combat Battalion. The photo was taken a few days after Pearl Harbor.
They were dressed in civilian clothes and all White. By the time Daddy was drafted, it was soldiers from all over the country.
There were several distinct waves of German immigration to North America (because you have to include Canada in this discussion, too). Many of the early German emigree’s were not really looking to join the military since that was, in part, why they emigrated.
The 11th Corps, Army of the Potomac, got the unfortunate nickname “The Flying Dutchman” after their lines were broken at Chancellorsville. But the big problem in the Civil War was the lack for professionalism among the officer corps. It’s almost always the case no matter the era that troops that are better led outperform others in combat, so no ethnic group has a corner on martial superiority.
My grandfather was born here from German immigrant parents. and was in France during WW I. Since he was fluent in German, he was used to interrogate the captured Germans.
My grandfather was born here from German immigrant parents. and was in France during WW I. Since he was fluent in German, he was used to interrogate the captured Germans.