2d Lt. Bleckley, with his pilot, 1st Lt. Harold E. Goettler, Air Service, left the airdrome late in the afternoon on their second trip to drop supplies to a battalion of the 77th Division, which had been cut off by the enemy in the Argonne Forest. Having been subjected on the first trip to violent fire from the enemy, they attempted on the second trip to come still lower in order to get the packages even more precisely on the designated spot. In the course of his mission the plane was brought down by enemy rifle and machinegun fire from the ground, resulting in fatal wounds to 2d Lt. Bleckley, who died before he could be taken to a hospital. In attempting and performing this mission 2d Lt. Bleckley showed the highest possible contempt of personal danger, devotion to duty, courage, and valor. (Copy of Text from CMOH) |
1st. Lt. Goettler, with his observer, 2d Lt. Erwin R. Bleckley, 130th Field Artillery, left the airdrome late in the afternoon on their second trip to drop supplies to a battalion of the 77th Division which had been cut off by the enemy in the Argonne Forest. Having been subjected on the first trip to violent fire from the enemy, they attempted on the second trip to come still lower in order to get the packages even more precisely on the designated spot. In the course of this mission the plane was brought down by enemy rifle and machinegun fire from the ground, resulting in the instant death of 1st. Lt. Goettler. In attempting and performing this mission 1st. Lt. Goettler showed the highest possible contempt of personal danger, devotion to duty, courage and valor. (Copy of Text from CMOH) |
After his platoon had suffered heavy casualties and 3 other noncommissioned officers had become casualties, Cpl. York assumed command. Fearlessly leading 7 men, he charged with great daring a machinegun nest which was pouring deadly and incessant fire upon his platoon. In this heroic feat the machinegun nest was taken, together with 4 officers and 128 men and several guns. (Copy of Text from CMOH) I have conflicting information on Sgt. York. His CMOH was awarded for action on the east edge of the Argonne Forest, while the Lost Battalion was on the west edge, and on October 8th, a day after the LB was releived. His diary (I will add a link when I find it again) makes several references to the LB and his determination to releive them, but I have been told it was written for him as propoganda. As I stated above, I will use any excuse to list a hero, and York is surely a hero. My excuse this time: perhaps his fierce effort was partially motivated by his desire to releive the LB, and he had not yet heard they were releived the night before. Yes, I know, flimsy. |
October 4th, 1918 08:00 Lieutenant Knight was wounded twide leading three strong attempts to releive the Lost Battalion (Paraphrased from The Lost Battalion, Johnson & Pratt) |
Congressional Medals of Honor Awarded to Lost Battalion Relief Effort Participants |
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The Lost Battalion of WWI in the Argonne Forest October 2nd thru 7th, 1918 |
This page was last updated on:
May 27, 2002
Heroes of The Lost Battalion Relief Effort |
**** Under Contruction **** Details being added, facts verified. The men of the Lost Battalion deserve their heroic place in history, but recognition must be given to the incredible sacrifces of the men trying to relieve them. The remainder of the 308th, the 307th, and all the men of the 77th threw themselves against a wall of machine gun fire and wire in their attempts to get through. In the end General Alexander personally oversaw the effort, and Colonel Houghton found a way to infiltrate through the wire. The French on the left flank coordinated with attacks, bu the coordination always fell apart, somtimes the fault of the 77th. The Army Air Force pilots tried the first air resupply drop in military history, and paid with their lives. On the east end of the Argonne the Big Red One and 82nd division were involved in an epic battle with the best of the German army and broke through, causing the eventual withdrawal of the Germans from the entire Argonne. In Sergeant York of the 82nd's diary he mentions the men of the Lost Battalion twice, and his determination to do what he can to releive them. |
Distinguised Service Crosses Awarded to Lost Battalion Relief Effort Participants |
BENJAMIN KAUFMAN, first sergeant, Company K, 308th Infantry. For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty in action with the enemy in the Forest of Argonne, France, October 4, 1918. He took out a patrol for the purpose of attacking an enemy machine gun which had checked the advance of his company. Before reaching the gun he became separated from his patrol and a machine-gun bullet shattered his right arm. Without hesitation he advanced on the gun alone, throwing grenades with his left hand and charging with an empty pistol, taking one prisoner and scattering the crew, bringing the gun and prisoner back to the first-aid station. |
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HAROLD BROWN, (Army serial No. 3130988), private, Company D, 3o8th Infantry. For extraordinary heroism in action near Charlevaux, France, October 4, 1918. When the first two battalions of his regiment had been surrounded by the enemy, Pvt. Brown volunteered to accompany a patrol for the purpose of establishing liaison with the forward troops, knowing from the fate of previous patrols that the mission would probably prove fatal. He was killed as the patrol was attempting unsuccessfully to reach the forward battalions. Next of kin, Mrs. Grace G. Brown (wife), 261o I Street, Bakersfield, Calif. |
Harold Brown |
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WALTER P. DONOGHUE (Army serial No. 17o8284), sergeant, Company D, 3o8th Infantry, 77th Division. For extraordinary heroism in action near Moulin de Charlevaux, in the Argonne Forest, France, October 6, 1918. He was sent out on a patrol to investigate machine-gun fire from the left flank and to the rear of his company's position, and was wounded in the left leg by shrapnel fragments. Upon reporting back to his company commander he refused to be evacuated, but insisted in taking an active and gallant part in four subsequent attacks made to reach a battalion of our troops who were cut off and surrounded by a superior force of the enemy. Home address: 2412 Marion Avenue, New York, N. Y. |
Walter P. Donoghue |
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PAUL R. KNIGHT, first lieutenant, 3o8th Infantry. For extraor-dinary heroism in action near Binarville, France, October 3-5, 1918. Although he had been twice wounded, he led his company in four attempts to cut through a heavy barbed-wire entanglement to capture Hill 205 in the Forest of Argonne, France, in order to reach two battalions of his regiment which had been cut off by the enemy. |
Paul R. Knight |
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BENJAMIN E. TRERISE (Army serial No. 17o8988), first sergeant, Company F, 3o8th Infantry, 78th Division. For extraordinary heroism in action near Binarville, France, October 4, 1918, and near St. Juvin, October 15, 1918. During an attack in the Argonne Forest, October 4, 1918, Sergt. Trerise was wounded in five places by shrapnel. Although in need of medical attention, he refused to be evacuated but remained, steady-ing his men and holding his unit intact. On October 15, after two attempts at rescue of a wounded man had failed, he advanced through heavy enemy fire and brought the wounded man to shelter. Residence at enlistment: 108 West Eighty-fourth Street, New York, N. Y. |
Benjamin E. Trerise |
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ERNEST WORNEK (Army serial No. 3137861), private, first class, Company G, 3o8th Infantry. For extraordinary heroism in action near Moulin de Charlevaux, France, October 3, 1918. Facing heavy machine-gun and rifle fire, he went out alone and rescued a soldier who had been wounded in advance of our lines while on a patrol. Home address: Mrs. E. B. Baker, mother, Mackey, Idaho. |
Ernest Wornek |
