Brief Description of the Lost Battalion On October 2nd, 1918, units of the 77th "Liberty" Division from New York advanced into the dense terrain of the Argonne Forest in France. History was made over the next 6 days as this unit, the "Lost Battalion", refused to surrender even though they were completely surrounded, constantly attacked, low on ammunition and supplies, had no food, shelter and limited access to water. Of the over 600 men first trapped in the "pocket", only around 200 walked out. They received 3 Congressional Medal of Honors (CMO), many Distinguished Service Crosses (DSC), and many other awards. Their leader, Major Whittlesey, was declared one of the three most important members of the American Expeditionary Force (AEF) by General Pershing, Commander of the AEF. Two airmen received CMO's for their involvement in the event, the first attempted air resupply drop in military history. Others trying to releive the battalion also received the DSC. A carrier pigeon, Cher Ami, received international acclaim for heroically delivering a message. A movie of the event was made in 1919, and scores of books on the subject make it one of the most analyzed military actions in history. If that was not enough, Major Whittlesey committed suicide in 1921, and controversy has swirled around the event for over 80 years. http://www.longwood.k12.ny.us/history/upton/lost.htm http://www.longwood.k12.ny.us/history/upton/lost1.htm http://www.longwood.k12.ny.us/history/upton/miles.htm
This is a very sad account of Major Whittlesey's death .... many men died this way after the war I'm afraid ... they died because of overwhelming guilt mostly ... who knows what drove the Major ... all we can say is - RIP Major Whlttlesey Charles White Whittlesey was born January 20, 1884 in Florence, Wisconsin. He was the eldest son of Frank R. and Annie Whittlesey and had three younger brothers
Hi Annie Another great post from you. I had seen a movie re the Lost Battalion. They certainly put up a great fight. It was a shame about Major Whittlesey suicide.
Thanks John .... and did you know ..... ?? Alvin York received his Medal of Honor for actions in an effort to relief the famous Lost Battalion. The operation was planned in-part by Major Joseph Stilwell who would command the US forces in China and Burma in World War II. More than a million Americans sailed to Europe in 1917 and 1918 to fight in the Great War. Only three of them, all well over 100 years old, are alive today. And of all who fought, just one emerged as the exemplary doughboy - Alvin York. On this date in 1918, York performed a feat of bravery and military skill that would amaze his countrymen, change his life, and etch his place in the history books. When all the participants in the epic conflict are gone, very soon, their stories preserved only in books, handed-down memories, and granite inscriptions, Alvin York’s name will live on. In late September 1918, the Allies had begun a massive offensive intended to end the war before winter. During that campaign, a battalion of about 600 Americans was surrounded near the Argonne Forest in northeastern France. An attempt had to be made to relieve the force, which became known as the Lost Battalion. Corporal York’s unit, part of the 82nd Infantry Division, was ordered to push back the Germans and cut a rail line as part of the action. York and his companions had endured the trenches since June, but they had so far seen little action. http://www.americanheritage.com/art...war-I-wwII-aef-medal-of-honor-tennessee.shtml
