Comments on: 1916 SOUTH ON THE BORDER

By: Kevin Handspiker

Kevin Handspiker — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 19:36:14 +0000

Looking for any information on Roy Jackson who served with the Massachusetts National Guard during the Mexican Punitive Expedition, then with the 26th Yankee Division during World War 1. I believe he may of been with a Field Ambulance. He is buried in Long Island New York. He married Gertrude Stevens in Union New Hampshire in 1906. She was born in Yonkers, but parents may of moved to Boston. Roy was born in 1881 in Nova Scotia and died in 1964, living in the Upper West Side of NYC.

By: Robert Stickney Reno

Robert Stickney Reno — Sat, 29 Jan 2011 13:02:16 +0000

Responding to ‘Mickey’ – 9/1/2010:

Greetings, I am Richard Stickney’s grandson, Robert Stickney Reno, of Hopkinton, NH – son of Marion Reno; i’m not a professional geneaologist or chronicler, but i am part of what little is left of his ‘family’; i can easily be reached and would be glad to share family remembrances with you… best wishes,

By: Rick Martin

Rick Martin — Sun, 14 Nov 2010 21:05:28 +0000

Hi Rich,
Thanks for your great website blog. I have been researching my grand uncle’s WWI & Mexico service for quite a while and I was wondering if you have him listed anywhere? I have not found him listed in the muster at Ft Devens in 1919 but have received records from the Veterans Rep., City Hall in Brockton, MA. Private First Class William Eugene Brown, Serial # 62364. He was a member of the 101st Infantry 26th Yankee Division Machine Gun Company 16th Regiment of Infantry (newspaper), Company “M” from what I have pieced together and he was among the first troops that went to France in 1917 and participated in all the YD battles. In his obituary it was mentioned that he was recommended for the Distinguished Service Cross though I can find no documentation of him ever having received it (newspaper account said he was expected to wear it in the upcoming parade). I did get his WWI Award Card and he was listed as WIA 5-31-18 & 9-28-18, awarded Purple Heart w/OLC but according to the obit he was seriously wounded ½ hour before the Armistice on Hill 212 and spent a year in the hospital recovering from his wounds though no mention of wounds on 11-11-18 on the awards card. He supposedly also received the Croix de Guerre but that is not listed on the awards card. The newspaper account says he was at Ft Bliss, El Paso when WWI broke out. He died in 1940 at the Chelsea Naval Hospital, Boston. Any info will be greatly appreciated. I also have a letter from him written in France and was wondering where I could post it for others who may be interested. Thanks again

By: Mickey

Mickey — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 11:47:13 +0000

Greetings

I recently bought a grouping of photos and newspaper clippings ID’d to Richard E. Stickney, USMA Class of 1915. Clippings mention his service with the Punitive Expedition and promotion to Lt. Colonel with the 101st Infantry.

Could you direct me where to find more information on this soldier?

Thank you for your time and this great website!

By: Marsha

Marsha — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 01:12:41 +0000

I have enjoyed looking at and reading your website. My Great Grandfather Albert Bradley was involved with the Mexican Expedition. He was from Maryland. How can I find out for sure. He passed away in 1972 and was a very quiet man. He didn’t talk about his life., but I do remember a picture in my great grandparents house that was of a wideshot that had tents and in one corner said Eagle Pass, Texas. I have read everything that I can find and even used the internet with hopes that I could find at least a list of the Maryland National Guard that served in the Mexican Expedition.

Thank you,
Marsha

By: LeAnn Rice

LeAnn Rice — Sat, 08 May 2010 03:27:58 +0000

Hi! I am very happy to find this site and am also looking for some help. I am a graduate student at University of Maryland, Baltimore County and am writing my master’s thesis on my great-grandfather’s experience as a border soldier in the National Guard during the Punitive Expedition. I know that he served in the 28th Infantry, Company D. His name was Thomas Fail Cunningham. He served during the Punitive Expedition and then was part of the 1st AEF under Pershing to France. He was injured prior to the “big” battle that his unit was in (at least from the documentation that I can find) and was sent to a hospital in France before returning to the United States on the USS Pocahontas to a VA hospital in Asheville, NC. I am writing my thesis on the overall experience of National Guard troops during the Punitive Expedition and would like any help you could offer. Any suggestions for material to use in research or for books to read about such topics would be greatly appreciated. Thank you so much.

LeAnn

By: Michael Gurley

Michael Gurley — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 02:02:07 +0000

Rich,
I am VERY excited to find this site. My great grandfather was Charles Coffin Gurley. He enlisted in the Mass. NG on July 15, 1913 at Somerville, Mass. He was a private for his entire period of service in K Company, 8th Mass. Inf. National Guard. I have his Reservists Descriptive Card, which shows that he was furloughed on the 5th of August, 1916 at El Paso, Texas. Later, when the Mass. N.G. units became the 104th Infantry, Machine Gun Company (as part of the 26th Yankee Division) he served in France. I have his Discharge paper (prepared at Fort Devens) which contains information about his service record on the back. I also have an interesting handwritten letter from a John J Ward (?) who it appears was either an officer or NCO that my GGF served under. I’m not sure exactly what the intent of the letter is, but it appears to be a simple statement of character and/or to corroborate Charles Gurley’s sevice, as it is addressed to “To Whom It May Concern.” Anyhow, it appears that my great grandfather served in the same company as Sgt. Sam Avery. I have been trying to piece together more information on him for years now and this is the closest link I have ever found. I would be more than willing to share the details of whatever I have, if you are interested.
Sincerely,
Michael Gurley

By: worldwar1letters

worldwar1letters — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 20:24:04 +0000

Thanks so much! Your grandfather Fred was most probably defending the Border region against Mexican guerillas like Sam did rather than actually pursuing Pancho Villa in Mexico. Nevertheless, he would have been both under fire and the constant threat of attack during his service. Keep reading to learn more about the mission and life that the National Guard had during that footnote to the U.S. involvement in the Great War. In looking over the 103rd Infantry’s Roster while at Camp Devens before discharge in 1919, I see that there is listed a Corporal Frederick Richards #67112 in the Headquarters Company along with Sam. I find no Frederick Richardson, so I suspect this is him, especially since his serial # is low and would have been issued at the time of the 103rd’s original formation. This means that he and Sam would have both known each other and experienced the same things. Read on to follow the adventure that your grandfather shared!

Regards,
Rich

By: LennY Moore

LennY Moore — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 11:37:22 +0000

Hi Rich
My grandfather (Fredrick A Richardson) was a cook for the Army, perhaps that is why he may not be listed with the regular troops? How can I find info on a cook in the Army?
Thanks,
Lenny

By: worldwar1letters

worldwar1letters — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 22:14:29 +0000

Hi Lenny:
Thanks so much! Your grandfather Fred was most probably defending the Border region against Mexican guerillas like Sam did rather than actually pursuing Pancho Villa in Mexico. Nevertheless, he would have been both under fire and the constant threat of attack during his service. Keep reading to learn more about the mission and life that the National Guard had during that footnote to the U.S. involvement in the Great War. In looking over the 103rd Infantry’s Roster while at Camp Devens before discharge in 1919, I see that there is listed a Corporal Frederick Richards #67112 in the Headquarters Company along with Sam. I find no Frederick Richardson, so I suspect this is him, especially since his serial # is low and would have been issued at the time of the 103rd’s original formation. This means that he and Sam would have both known each other and experienced the same things. Read on to follow the adventure that your grandfather shared!

Regards,
Rich