BEFORE THE BIRTH OF THE AMERICAN LEGION – 1917-1919 – OR WHAT’S SAN ANTONIO AND FRANCE GOT TO DO WITH IT?
In the Crossings historical monthly newsletter of May 2016, written for the Somerset Historical Society, I wrote about the Charter in May 1930 granting the establishment of American Legion Post 443 for the community of Somerset, Bexar County, Texas. In the process, I also wondered how and when the original American Legion came to be. A quick scan on the Internet provided book-loads of information. The following is a brief survey of that birth of the American American Legion…with my wanderings.
Those of you who have endured one of my American History classes and The United State’s entry into a world war that began in August 1914, may recall hearing about the unrestricted submarine warfare and the Zimmerman Note. They were two of major factors that tipped the scale and brought the United States to join the war that had become stalemated into terrible trench warfare on the Western Front. No, I’m not discussing them, just getting you mentally “organized.”
GENERAL JOHN J. “BLACK JACK” PERSHING COMES TO SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS
Into this maelstrom came Major General John J. “Black Jack” Pershing and his American Expeditionary Force, aka the AEF. Gen. Pershing was well known in San Antonio. As commander of Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas, he was ordered to stop and capture the cross-the-border raiding of one Francisco Villa. For nearly a year Pershing and the 7th Cavalry chased the Mexican revolutionary around Chihuahua, Mexico, but was never able to capture him.
A month later, on February 21, 1917, General Pershing took command of Fort Sam Houston at San Antonio, Texas. On April 6, 1917, the United States declared War on The Triple Alliance of Germany-Austria Hungary-Italy. In May, 1917, Gen. Pershing was called to the White House to receive President Wilson’s direction to organize, train, and command the callup of 1 million to 3 million men to serve in the new American Expeditionary Force or A. E. F. /AEF. Pershing was also told to get his command staff to France PDQ to begin their work. The men of the AEF training at Fort Sam Houston would be ready to join the fight on the Western Front in France when called.
GEN, PERSHING AND THE A. E F. GET TO WORK 1917
When troop ships began arriving in France in Summer, 1917. Gen. Pershing decided to use his force separately from the British and French who were now stalemated in trenches.
at San Antonio, Texas, arrives in France in June 1917.
THE GREAT WAR BEGINS FOR REAL FOR THE A.E.F. IN 1918
The first real battle that the American Expeditionary Forces against Germany was a Seicheprey, France. General Pershing saw this at a training ground for his untried “Yanks.” This was the first significant infantry battle for the AEF, a victory and proof to the Germans that those Doughboys/Yanks, would not run when wounded.
The real work of the AEF began with the Battles of Seicheprey in April 1918. A battle at Catigney in May, was followed in June, 1918, with Marines and Army at Belleau Wood. Chateau Thierry came next. September into November 1918, saw more fierce fighting with various divisions involved at St. Miheil, and finally, the Meuse-Argonne. This Mese-Argonne offensive lasted into November…November 11, 1918. It may have been only seven months, but they were pretty intense…no, pure hell.
next great war, to do their job to ensure they would not die for their country, but to make sure that their enemy would die for his.
At the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, in 1918, came The Armistice, the cease fire. Later, the Treaty of Versailles ending the conflict, was signed by Germany and the four Allied powers, France, Great Britain, United States, and Italy (yes they sorta switched sides).
For the American military, as in most if not all wars, for the many who survived, difficulties of all sorts lay ahead. There was growing amount of serious talk among both officers and enlisted that something needed doin’. Help in a variety of ways was due those individuals who served and survived this war. Even families, both of those buried in France and of those returning home, needed support. All needed help…now. But, what? And, by whom?
NEXT: THAT “SOMETHING” RAPIDLY BECOMES MORE THAN JUST TALK.
