Herschel Badgley In World War I
Circa 1918 by Steve Badgley
My uncle, Herschel Badgley was a soldier in World War 1. He served with the 10th Machine Gun Battalion, 4th Division, American Expeditionary Forces. The 10th Machine Gun Battalion was a unit that used motorcycles with side cars. Machine guns were mounted on the side cars. Uncle Herschel told me he was a messenger.
Special Order No. 81 dated July 26, 1919 states the following:
Herschel Badgley, Pvt 1/Cl. 567990,Hq, 10th MG BN, is hereby authorized to wear the following decorations pursuant to General Orders cs, G.H., American E.F. 1919.
WAR SERVICE CHEVRON Authorized Nov 17, 1918, May 17, 1919
WOUND CHEVRON Authorized Aug 13, 1918
VICTORY CLASP WITH STARS For battle participation as follows:
AISNE MARNE OFFENSIVE --8 JULY - 6 AUG 1918
VESLE SECTOR, FRANCE --AUG - 13 AUG 1918
ST. MICHAEL OFFENSIVE -- 14 SEPT 1918
MEUSE ARGONNE OFFENSIVE -- 26 SEPT - 21 OCT 1918
By order of Major Jones
William R. Miller, 2nd Lieut. U.S.A.
Adjutant
The following is taken verbatim from a small diary he kept. The spellings may or may not be correct. Some of the words are hard to make out.
Hospital for measles & mumps Jan Feb 1918
May 6, 1918
Left camp Mills got on boat at N.Y. at 12 Noon.
May 7, 1918
Sailed about noon
8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15
On the ocean
May 16,1918
Picked up convoy yesterday P.M. French lady fell overboard this A.M. We landed in Bordeaux at noon. Hiked 5 miles to camp.
17 , 18, 19
Rested in camp
May 20, 1918
Left Bordeaux
May 21
Laid over night in Le Mans
May 22
On train all day
May 23
Arrived at Le Havre. Had good bath and we are with the British Troops.
May 24
Drew gas masks.
May 25
Left Le Havre at 8.00 P.M.
May 26
Arrived at Rouin 7.A.M. Left about 4 P.M.
May 27
Arrived at Calais 2 P.M.
May 28
Left Calais 8 A.M. arrived at Samere 4 P.M.
May 29
Marched 8 mi. to Franc. Our first air raid. 3 bombs were dropped.
May 30
Rested all day.
May 31
Signed pay roll, Stood Muster
Saturday June 1, 1918
Drilled today
June 2
On Ration Dump
4,5,6,7,8,9,10
June 11
Entrained
June 12
Arrived at La Ferte 12 M. Marched too Changes Camping Place (Unsure of spelling)
June 13
Ready to move
June 14
Drilled. Also 15 & 16
June 17
Drew Fords & Dodges (Must have been trucks to haul supplies and men)
June 18
Drew Motorcycles
July 1, 1918
(No entries for rest of June)
Moved to Acquerre.
July 15
Saw first observation balloon burn today.
July 18
Moved to Brumetz 4 A.M.
July 21
In woods near Bonnet
July 23
Back to Brumetz
July 24
Moved to Vailley (Not sure of spelling)
July 28
Moved again. Located in woods.
July 31, 1918
Moved. Located at a captured ammunition dump. Saw air battle.
Aug 5, 1918
(Unsure of day. Looks like a 5)
Moved to Cherry Chateau
Aug. 12
Left C. Chateau arrived at Foret De Fere 9. A.M.
Aug 14
Bombed by enemy planes. Was blown about 10 ft. Landed in hole. Can’t hear very well and eyes hurt.
Aug 15
Moved at 8 P.M. last night. Got lost from outfit. Slept in side car. Found outfit about 5 A.M. Went through Mt. Merail le Rieux. (Mt. Meriuh Le Rieux ??)
Aug 19
Moved 1230 P.M.
Aug 20
Arrived at St. Bein (Bern?) Traveled through De.Vezur Marsaine Esternay Sezanne Fere Fairmont St Dizier Rumacourt.(Rimscourt?) (No commas between names. Must have been towns he passed through.)
Sept 2nd 1918
(No other entries for Aug)
Left St. Bein today arrived at Signbulles 8 30 Via Bar Le Duc
Sept 10
Moved last night in woods north of Houdinville on St. Michael Front.
Sept 19
Saw an exciting air battle. Enemy plane brought down.
Sept 20
Moved to Born (Boin?)De Lennes (Lemmes?) through Houdinville Landscourt.
Sept 24
Moved last night 8 miles to Boin Le Severy
Sept 26
Went into action 9 P.M. last night Argonne Sector
Sept 27
Moved yesterday to urginville (Viginville?)
28 - 29 - 30
Lost with motorcycle on the Argonne Front. (He was shot and gassed during this time)
October 1918
From Oct 1 to 19. Motorcycle Laison work
Oct 19
Outfit relieved
Oct 20
Hot Bath, full change of uniform
Oct 23
Moved to Dagoinville
November 10, 1918
(No other entries for October)
Move to (Left Blank)
Nov 11, 1918
Armistice signed
Nov 13
Back to Euville
Nov 21
Moved 12 M. Arrived at Xonville 6 P.M. Vignol Essey Thiacourt Jaulney Chambliey (No commas or periods. Must have been towns he passed through)
Nov 22
Left Xonville 930 A.M. arrived at Jarny at 12 M. 22 Kilo from Metz Came through Mar Le Tours.
Nov 23
Thanksgiving no drill.
Dec 1st, 1918
(No more entries for November)
Left Jarny 930 A.M. arrived at Monderchange 2 P.M. Came through Buery wich Trieux Saney Esch Luxembourg.
Dec 2
Left Monderchange, Luxembourg 9.A.M. Went through esch Aunnetz Diedenhoffen Thiorville to Hellange.
No more entries.
Uncle Herschel told me that during the times he was lost from his outfit that he was scared to death for his life. He survived being gassed and shot. His wounds and the effects of the gas bothered him for the rest of his life. You may wonder why he continued on duty with his wounds. If your wounds were not fatal or totally disabling you were expected to continue your duties as best you could.
When he was hit by the bomb and blown into the hole. His buddies thought that the bomb had completely blown him away. They didn’t think to look for him in the hole he was blown into. When Uncle Herschel came to after being unconscious for quite a while he said he couldn’t move, or make a sound. He laid there for a long time before someone found him.
He told me of witnessing a German plane strafing the trenches. The German made several passes and when he ran out of ammunition he made one more low pass along the trenches. He tilted his wings and saluted the doughboys in the trenches as they fired their rifles at him. He got away.
When he was on the ship going over, he wanted to see a whale. He told me he was in the bow of the boat looking for a whale when a storm came up. He stayed out on the bow as the storm approached. He said the waves were getting bigger but he thought he would be ok. He was holding onto the cables on the railing around the bow. He really wanted to see a whale. He said all of a sudden this big wave came out of nowhere and the bow and him were completely submerged as the ship broke through the huge swell. He said the force of the water swept his feet out from under him and as he was holding onto the cable his body went perpendicular with the deck. When the ship rose up out of the wave he came down hard on his knees against the steel deck. He said he could barely walk let alone run back to safety before the next wave came in but somehow he made it. He never got to see a whale.
Story from "The Badgley Family Journal"
Circa 1918 by Steve Badgley
My uncle, Herschel Badgley was a soldier in World War 1. He served with the 10th Machine Gun Battalion, 4th Division, American Expeditionary Forces. The 10th Machine Gun Battalion was a unit that used motorcycles with side cars. Machine guns were mounted on the side cars. Uncle Herschel told me he was a messenger.
Special Order No. 81 dated July 26, 1919 states the following:
Herschel Badgley, Pvt 1/Cl. 567990,Hq, 10th MG BN, is hereby authorized to wear the following decorations pursuant to General Orders cs, G.H., American E.F. 1919.
WAR SERVICE CHEVRON Authorized Nov 17, 1918, May 17, 1919
WOUND CHEVRON Authorized Aug 13, 1918
VICTORY CLASP WITH STARS For battle participation as follows:
AISNE MARNE OFFENSIVE --8 JULY - 6 AUG 1918
VESLE SECTOR, FRANCE --AUG - 13 AUG 1918
ST. MICHAEL OFFENSIVE -- 14 SEPT 1918
MEUSE ARGONNE OFFENSIVE -- 26 SEPT - 21 OCT 1918
By order of Major Jones
William R. Miller, 2nd Lieut. U.S.A.
Adjutant
The following is taken verbatim from a small diary he kept. The spellings may or may not be correct. Some of the words are hard to make out.
Hospital for measles & mumps Jan Feb 1918
May 6, 1918
Left camp Mills got on boat at N.Y. at 12 Noon.
May 7, 1918
Sailed about noon
8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15
On the ocean
May 16,1918
Picked up convoy yesterday P.M. French lady fell overboard this A.M. We landed in Bordeaux at noon. Hiked 5 miles to camp.
17 , 18, 19
Rested in camp
May 20, 1918
Left Bordeaux
May 21
Laid over night in Le Mans
May 22
On train all day
May 23
Arrived at Le Havre. Had good bath and we are with the British Troops.
May 24
Drew gas masks.
May 25
Left Le Havre at 8.00 P.M.
May 26
Arrived at Rouin 7.A.M. Left about 4 P.M.
May 27
Arrived at Calais 2 P.M.
May 28
Left Calais 8 A.M. arrived at Samere 4 P.M.
May 29
Marched 8 mi. to Franc. Our first air raid. 3 bombs were dropped.
May 30
Rested all day.
May 31
Signed pay roll, Stood Muster
Saturday June 1, 1918
Drilled today
June 2
On Ration Dump
4,5,6,7,8,9,10
June 11
Entrained
June 12
Arrived at La Ferte 12 M. Marched too Changes Camping Place (Unsure of spelling)
June 13
Ready to move
June 14
Drilled. Also 15 & 16
June 17
Drew Fords & Dodges (Must have been trucks to haul supplies and men)
June 18
Drew Motorcycles
July 1, 1918
(No entries for rest of June)
Moved to Acquerre.
July 15
Saw first observation balloon burn today.
July 18
Moved to Brumetz 4 A.M.
July 21
In woods near Bonnet
July 23
Back to Brumetz
July 24
Moved to Vailley (Not sure of spelling)
July 28
Moved again. Located in woods.
July 31, 1918
Moved. Located at a captured ammunition dump. Saw air battle.
Aug 5, 1918
(Unsure of day. Looks like a 5)
Moved to Cherry Chateau
Aug. 12
Left C. Chateau arrived at Foret De Fere 9. A.M.
Aug 14
Bombed by enemy planes. Was blown about 10 ft. Landed in hole. Can’t hear very well and eyes hurt.
Aug 15
Moved at 8 P.M. last night. Got lost from outfit. Slept in side car. Found outfit about 5 A.M. Went through Mt. Merail le Rieux. (Mt. Meriuh Le Rieux ??)
Aug 19
Moved 1230 P.M.
Aug 20
Arrived at St. Bein (Bern?) Traveled through De.Vezur Marsaine Esternay Sezanne Fere Fairmont St Dizier Rumacourt.(Rimscourt?) (No commas between names. Must have been towns he passed through.)
Sept 2nd 1918
(No other entries for Aug)
Left St. Bein today arrived at Signbulles 8 30 Via Bar Le Duc
Sept 10
Moved last night in woods north of Houdinville on St. Michael Front.
Sept 19
Saw an exciting air battle. Enemy plane brought down.
Sept 20
Moved to Born (Boin?)De Lennes (Lemmes?) through Houdinville Landscourt.
Sept 24
Moved last night 8 miles to Boin Le Severy
Sept 26
Went into action 9 P.M. last night Argonne Sector
Sept 27
Moved yesterday to urginville (Viginville?)
28 - 29 - 30
Lost with motorcycle on the Argonne Front. (He was shot and gassed during this time)
October 1918
From Oct 1 to 19. Motorcycle Laison work
Oct 19
Outfit relieved
Oct 20
Hot Bath, full change of uniform
Oct 23
Moved to Dagoinville
November 10, 1918
(No other entries for October)
Move to (Left Blank)
Nov 11, 1918
Armistice signed
Nov 13
Back to Euville
Nov 21
Moved 12 M. Arrived at Xonville 6 P.M. Vignol Essey Thiacourt Jaulney Chambliey (No commas or periods. Must have been towns he passed through)
Nov 22
Left Xonville 930 A.M. arrived at Jarny at 12 M. 22 Kilo from Metz Came through Mar Le Tours.
Nov 23
Thanksgiving no drill.
Dec 1st, 1918
(No more entries for November)
Left Jarny 930 A.M. arrived at Monderchange 2 P.M. Came through Buery wich Trieux Saney Esch Luxembourg.
Dec 2
Left Monderchange, Luxembourg 9.A.M. Went through esch Aunnetz Diedenhoffen Thiorville to Hellange.
No more entries.
Uncle Herschel told me that during the times he was lost from his outfit that he was scared to death for his life. He survived being gassed and shot. His wounds and the effects of the gas bothered him for the rest of his life. You may wonder why he continued on duty with his wounds. If your wounds were not fatal or totally disabling you were expected to continue your duties as best you could.
When he was hit by the bomb and blown into the hole. His buddies thought that the bomb had completely blown him away. They didn’t think to look for him in the hole he was blown into. When Uncle Herschel came to after being unconscious for quite a while he said he couldn’t move, or make a sound. He laid there for a long time before someone found him.
He told me of witnessing a German plane strafing the trenches. The German made several passes and when he ran out of ammunition he made one more low pass along the trenches. He tilted his wings and saluted the doughboys in the trenches as they fired their rifles at him. He got away.
When he was on the ship going over, he wanted to see a whale. He told me he was in the bow of the boat looking for a whale when a storm came up. He stayed out on the bow as the storm approached. He said the waves were getting bigger but he thought he would be ok. He was holding onto the cables on the railing around the bow. He really wanted to see a whale. He said all of a sudden this big wave came out of nowhere and the bow and him were completely submerged as the ship broke through the huge swell. He said the force of the water swept his feet out from under him and as he was holding onto the cable his body went perpendicular with the deck. When the ship rose up out of the wave he came down hard on his knees against the steel deck. He said he could barely walk let alone run back to safety before the next wave came in but somehow he made it. He never got to see a whale.
Story from "The Badgley Family Journal"
Herschel Badgley In World War I
Circa 1918 by Steve Badgley
My uncle, Herschel Badgley was a soldier in World War 1. He served with the 10th Machine Gun Battalion, 4th Division, American Expeditionary Forces. The 10th Machine Gun Battalion was a unit that used motorcycles with side cars. Machine guns were mounted on the side cars. Uncle Herschel told me he was a messenger.
Special Order No. 81 dated July 26, 1919 states the following:
Herschel Badgley, Pvt 1/Cl. 567990,Hq, 10th MG BN, is hereby authorized to wear the following decorations pursuant to General Orders cs, G.H., American E.F. 1919.
WAR SERVICE CHEVRON Authorized Nov 17, 1918, May 17, 1919
WOUND CHEVRON Authorized Aug 13, 1918
VICTORY CLASP WITH STARS For battle participation as follows:
AISNE MARNE OFFENSIVE --8 JULY - 6 AUG 1918
VESLE SECTOR, FRANCE --AUG - 13 AUG 1918
ST. MICHAEL OFFENSIVE -- 14 SEPT 1918
MEUSE ARGONNE OFFENSIVE -- 26 SEPT - 21 OCT 1918
By order of Major Jones
William R. Miller, 2nd Lieut. U.S.A.
Adjutant
The following is taken verbatim from a small diary he kept. The spellings may or may not be correct. Some of the words are hard to make out.
Hospital for measles & mumps Jan Feb 1918
May 6, 1918
Left camp Mills got on boat at N.Y. at 12 Noon.
May 7, 1918
Sailed about noon
8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15
On the ocean
May 16,1918
Picked up convoy yesterday P.M. French lady fell overboard this A.M. We landed in Bordeaux at noon. Hiked 5 miles to camp.
17 , 18, 19
Rested in camp
May 20, 1918
Left Bordeaux
May 21
Laid over night in Le Mans
May 22
On train all day
May 23
Arrived at Le Havre. Had good bath and we are with the British Troops.
May 24
Drew gas masks.
May 25
Left Le Havre at 8.00 P.M.
May 26
Arrived at Rouin 7.A.M. Left about 4 P.M.
May 27
Arrived at Calais 2 P.M.
May 28
Left Calais 8 A.M. arrived at Samere 4 P.M.
May 29
Marched 8 mi. to Franc. Our first air raid. 3 bombs were dropped.
May 30
Rested all day.
May 31
Signed pay roll, Stood Muster
Saturday June 1, 1918
Drilled today
June 2
On Ration Dump
4,5,6,7,8,9,10
June 11
Entrained
June 12
Arrived at La Ferte 12 M. Marched too Changes Camping Place (Unsure of spelling)
June 13
Ready to move
June 14
Drilled. Also 15 & 16
June 17
Drew Fords & Dodges (Must have been trucks to haul supplies and men)
June 18
Drew Motorcycles
July 1, 1918
(No entries for rest of June)
Moved to Acquerre.
July 15
Saw first observation balloon burn today.
July 18
Moved to Brumetz 4 A.M.
July 21
In woods near Bonnet
July 23
Back to Brumetz
July 24
Moved to Vailley (Not sure of spelling)
July 28
Moved again. Located in woods.
July 31, 1918
Moved. Located at a captured ammunition dump. Saw air battle.
Aug 5, 1918
(Unsure of day. Looks like a 5)
Moved to Cherry Chateau
Aug. 12
Left C. Chateau arrived at Foret De Fere 9. A.M.
Aug 14
Bombed by enemy planes. Was blown about 10 ft. Landed in hole. Can’t hear very well and eyes hurt.
Aug 15
Moved at 8 P.M. last night. Got lost from outfit. Slept in side car. Found outfit about 5 A.M. Went through Mt. Merail le Rieux. (Mt. Meriuh Le Rieux ??)
Aug 19
Moved 1230 P.M.
Aug 20
Arrived at St. Bein (Bern?) Traveled through De.Vezur Marsaine Esternay Sezanne Fere Fairmont St Dizier Rumacourt.(Rimscourt?) (No commas between names. Must have been towns he passed through.)
Sept 2nd 1918
(No other entries for Aug)
Left St. Bein today arrived at Signbulles 8 30 Via Bar Le Duc
Sept 10
Moved last night in woods north of Houdinville on St. Michael Front.
Sept 19
Saw an exciting air battle. Enemy plane brought down.
Sept 20
Moved to Born (Boin?)De Lennes (Lemmes?) through Houdinville Landscourt.
Sept 24
Moved last night 8 miles to Boin Le Severy
Sept 26
Went into action 9 P.M. last night Argonne Sector
Sept 27
Moved yesterday to urginville (Viginville?)
28 - 29 - 30
Lost with motorcycle on the Argonne Front. (He was shot and gassed during this time)
October 1918
From Oct 1 to 19. Motorcycle Laison work
Oct 19
Outfit relieved
Oct 20
Hot Bath, full change of uniform
Oct 23
Moved to Dagoinville
November 10, 1918
(No other entries for October)
Move to (Left Blank)
Nov 11, 1918
Armistice signed
Nov 13
Back to Euville
Nov 21
Moved 12 M. Arrived at Xonville 6 P.M. Vignol Essey Thiacourt Jaulney Chambliey (No commas or periods. Must have been towns he passed through)
Nov 22
Left Xonville 930 A.M. arrived at Jarny at 12 M. 22 Kilo from Metz Came through Mar Le Tours.
Nov 23
Thanksgiving no drill.
Dec 1st, 1918
(No more entries for November)
Left Jarny 930 A.M. arrived at Monderchange 2 P.M. Came through Buery wich Trieux Saney Esch Luxembourg.
Dec 2
Left Monderchange, Luxembourg 9.A.M. Went through esch Aunnetz Diedenhoffen Thiorville to Hellange.
No more entries.
Uncle Herschel told me that during the times he was lost from his outfit that he was scared to death for his life. He survived being gassed and shot. His wounds and the effects of the gas bothered him for the rest of his life. You may wonder why he continued on duty with his wounds. If your wounds were not fatal or totally disabling you were expected to continue your duties as best you could.
When he was hit by the bomb and blown into the hole. His buddies thought that the bomb had completely blown him away. They didn’t think to look for him in the hole he was blown into. When Uncle Herschel came to after being unconscious for quite a while he said he couldn’t move, or make a sound. He laid there for a long time before someone found him.
He told me of witnessing a German plane strafing the trenches. The German made several passes and when he ran out of ammunition he made one more low pass along the trenches. He tilted his wings and saluted the doughboys in the trenches as they fired their rifles at him. He got away.
When he was on the ship going over, he wanted to see a whale. He told me he was in the bow of the boat looking for a whale when a storm came up. He stayed out on the bow as the storm approached. He said the waves were getting bigger but he thought he would be ok. He was holding onto the cables on the railing around the bow. He really wanted to see a whale. He said all of a sudden this big wave came out of nowhere and the bow and him were completely submerged as the ship broke through the huge swell. He said the force of the water swept his feet out from under him and as he was holding onto the cable his body went perpendicular with the deck. When the ship rose up out of the wave he came down hard on his knees against the steel deck. He said he could barely walk let alone run back to safety before the next wave came in but somehow he made it. He never got to see a whale.
Story from "The Badgley Family Journal"
Circa 1918 by Steve Badgley
My uncle, Herschel Badgley was a soldier in World War 1. He served with the 10th Machine Gun Battalion, 4th Division, American Expeditionary Forces. The 10th Machine Gun Battalion was a unit that used motorcycles with side cars. Machine guns were mounted on the side cars. Uncle Herschel told me he was a messenger.
Special Order No. 81 dated July 26, 1919 states the following:
Herschel Badgley, Pvt 1/Cl. 567990,Hq, 10th MG BN, is hereby authorized to wear the following decorations pursuant to General Orders cs, G.H., American E.F. 1919.
WAR SERVICE CHEVRON Authorized Nov 17, 1918, May 17, 1919
WOUND CHEVRON Authorized Aug 13, 1918
VICTORY CLASP WITH STARS For battle participation as follows:
AISNE MARNE OFFENSIVE --8 JULY - 6 AUG 1918
VESLE SECTOR, FRANCE --AUG - 13 AUG 1918
ST. MICHAEL OFFENSIVE -- 14 SEPT 1918
MEUSE ARGONNE OFFENSIVE -- 26 SEPT - 21 OCT 1918
By order of Major Jones
William R. Miller, 2nd Lieut. U.S.A.
Adjutant
The following is taken verbatim from a small diary he kept. The spellings may or may not be correct. Some of the words are hard to make out.
Hospital for measles & mumps Jan Feb 1918
May 6, 1918
Left camp Mills got on boat at N.Y. at 12 Noon.
May 7, 1918
Sailed about noon
8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15
On the ocean
May 16,1918
Picked up convoy yesterday P.M. French lady fell overboard this A.M. We landed in Bordeaux at noon. Hiked 5 miles to camp.
17 , 18, 19
Rested in camp
May 20, 1918
Left Bordeaux
May 21
Laid over night in Le Mans
May 22
On train all day
May 23
Arrived at Le Havre. Had good bath and we are with the British Troops.
May 24
Drew gas masks.
May 25
Left Le Havre at 8.00 P.M.
May 26
Arrived at Rouin 7.A.M. Left about 4 P.M.
May 27
Arrived at Calais 2 P.M.
May 28
Left Calais 8 A.M. arrived at Samere 4 P.M.
May 29
Marched 8 mi. to Franc. Our first air raid. 3 bombs were dropped.
May 30
Rested all day.
May 31
Signed pay roll, Stood Muster
Saturday June 1, 1918
Drilled today
June 2
On Ration Dump
4,5,6,7,8,9,10
June 11
Entrained
June 12
Arrived at La Ferte 12 M. Marched too Changes Camping Place (Unsure of spelling)
June 13
Ready to move
June 14
Drilled. Also 15 & 16
June 17
Drew Fords & Dodges (Must have been trucks to haul supplies and men)
June 18
Drew Motorcycles
July 1, 1918
(No entries for rest of June)
Moved to Acquerre.
July 15
Saw first observation balloon burn today.
July 18
Moved to Brumetz 4 A.M.
July 21
In woods near Bonnet
July 23
Back to Brumetz
July 24
Moved to Vailley (Not sure of spelling)
July 28
Moved again. Located in woods.
July 31, 1918
Moved. Located at a captured ammunition dump. Saw air battle.
Aug 5, 1918
(Unsure of day. Looks like a 5)
Moved to Cherry Chateau
Aug. 12
Left C. Chateau arrived at Foret De Fere 9. A.M.
Aug 14
Bombed by enemy planes. Was blown about 10 ft. Landed in hole. Can’t hear very well and eyes hurt.
Aug 15
Moved at 8 P.M. last night. Got lost from outfit. Slept in side car. Found outfit about 5 A.M. Went through Mt. Merail le Rieux. (Mt. Meriuh Le Rieux ??)
Aug 19
Moved 1230 P.M.
Aug 20
Arrived at St. Bein (Bern?) Traveled through De.Vezur Marsaine Esternay Sezanne Fere Fairmont St Dizier Rumacourt.(Rimscourt?) (No commas between names. Must have been towns he passed through.)
Sept 2nd 1918
(No other entries for Aug)
Left St. Bein today arrived at Signbulles 8 30 Via Bar Le Duc
Sept 10
Moved last night in woods north of Houdinville on St. Michael Front.
Sept 19
Saw an exciting air battle. Enemy plane brought down.
Sept 20
Moved to Born (Boin?)De Lennes (Lemmes?) through Houdinville Landscourt.
Sept 24
Moved last night 8 miles to Boin Le Severy
Sept 26
Went into action 9 P.M. last night Argonne Sector
Sept 27
Moved yesterday to urginville (Viginville?)
28 - 29 - 30
Lost with motorcycle on the Argonne Front. (He was shot and gassed during this time)
October 1918
From Oct 1 to 19. Motorcycle Laison work
Oct 19
Outfit relieved
Oct 20
Hot Bath, full change of uniform
Oct 23
Moved to Dagoinville
November 10, 1918
(No other entries for October)
Move to (Left Blank)
Nov 11, 1918
Armistice signed
Nov 13
Back to Euville
Nov 21
Moved 12 M. Arrived at Xonville 6 P.M. Vignol Essey Thiacourt Jaulney Chambliey (No commas or periods. Must have been towns he passed through)
Nov 22
Left Xonville 930 A.M. arrived at Jarny at 12 M. 22 Kilo from Metz Came through Mar Le Tours.
Nov 23
Thanksgiving no drill.
Dec 1st, 1918
(No more entries for November)
Left Jarny 930 A.M. arrived at Monderchange 2 P.M. Came through Buery wich Trieux Saney Esch Luxembourg.
Dec 2
Left Monderchange, Luxembourg 9.A.M. Went through esch Aunnetz Diedenhoffen Thiorville to Hellange.
No more entries.
Uncle Herschel told me that during the times he was lost from his outfit that he was scared to death for his life. He survived being gassed and shot. His wounds and the effects of the gas bothered him for the rest of his life. You may wonder why he continued on duty with his wounds. If your wounds were not fatal or totally disabling you were expected to continue your duties as best you could.
When he was hit by the bomb and blown into the hole. His buddies thought that the bomb had completely blown him away. They didn’t think to look for him in the hole he was blown into. When Uncle Herschel came to after being unconscious for quite a while he said he couldn’t move, or make a sound. He laid there for a long time before someone found him.
He told me of witnessing a German plane strafing the trenches. The German made several passes and when he ran out of ammunition he made one more low pass along the trenches. He tilted his wings and saluted the doughboys in the trenches as they fired their rifles at him. He got away.
When he was on the ship going over, he wanted to see a whale. He told me he was in the bow of the boat looking for a whale when a storm came up. He stayed out on the bow as the storm approached. He said the waves were getting bigger but he thought he would be ok. He was holding onto the cables on the railing around the bow. He really wanted to see a whale. He said all of a sudden this big wave came out of nowhere and the bow and him were completely submerged as the ship broke through the huge swell. He said the force of the water swept his feet out from under him and as he was holding onto the cable his body went perpendicular with the deck. When the ship rose up out of the wave he came down hard on his knees against the steel deck. He said he could barely walk let alone run back to safety before the next wave came in but somehow he made it. He never got to see a whale.
Story from "The Badgley Family Journal"
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