Although cut off for 5 days from the remainder of his division, Maj. Whittlesey maintained his position, which he had reached under orders received for an advance, and held his command, consisting originally of 46 officers and men of the 308th Infantry and of Company K of the 307th Infantry, together in the face of superior numbers of the enemy during the 5 days. Maj. Whittlesey and his command were thus cut off, and no rations or other supplies reached him, in spite of determined efforts which were made by his division. On the 4th day Maj. Whittlesey received from the enemy a written proposition to surrender, which he treated with contempt, although he was at the time out of rations and had suffered a loss of about 50 percent in killed and wounded of his command and was surrounded by the enemy. (Copy of Text from CMOH) |
Web Sites About Major Whittlesey: |
Major Charles White Whittlesey Commander of the Lost Battalion of WWI Declared one of the three most important members of the American Expeditionary Force (AEF) by General Pershing, Commander of the AEF |
Facts: A pacifist who felt obligated to serve his country! A "New York Lawyer" from New England among Regular Army Officers! Derisevely nicknamed "Galloping Charlie" at Camp Upton because of his slender figure and long legs! His unit was trapped for two days in a mini-Lost Battalion on Sept 28th! Led only unit that made it's objective on Oct 2nd, and that is why they were trapped! Argued with his superiors they would be trapped again, and then followed his orders explicitly! Received Congressional Medal of Honor! After war a national hero who: Was declared one of the "three outstanding heroes of the AEF" by General Pershing! A pall bearer for the opening of the "Tomb of the Unknown Soldier! Chairman of Red Cross Roll Call. Probably burdened by war memories, request for help from soldiers and widows, and his "hero" status, commited suicide 11/29/21! |
The Lost Battalion of WWI in the Argonne Forest October 2nd thru 7th, 1918 |
This page was last updated on:
December 6, 2001
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