He was a civil engineer, who by the time of the war, specialized in sewer systems (the coming thing). He’d lied about his age to get in the Spanish American War, and thought the Puerto Rican campaign great adventure. WWI changed his view, having participated in the second battle of the Marne, especially on the Vesle River. After attempting to cross a small bridge under fire, the American forces in Fismette we set upon by German troops with flame throwers.
That'll change your perspective. But seriously, it's a sad piece, because, of course, we just went and did it again, before the bodies were cleared from the first round.