Jump to content
The Great War (1914-1918) Forum

Great War Casualties - American


Sgt York

Recommended Posts

To our American members:

Is there an equivalent CWGC American website? or something similiar that one can look up the details of American Great War casualties.

Ronnie.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Ronnie,

See my posts in the "First American Casualties" and "American who died on 8th April" postings on this forum. Not only is there a US (sort of) equivalent to the CWGC database, but there is also an equivalent of the SDGW CD.

Dave.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Ralph and Dave,

Many thanks for your info and links. I'll check them out.

I'm searching for details of two men. One is a local man, whom served in the American forces and was killed whilst serving with the AEF in France. The other is an American soldier buried in our local cemetery. He died as a result of the troopship SS 'Tuscania' being torpedoed off the coast of Ireland in 1918 - his body being washed ashore on our island.

I've contacted the following:

National Personnel Records Center

Military Personnel Records

9700 Page Avenue

St. Louis, MO 63132-5100

U.S.A.

But, they suffered a fire in 1973 with 80% of army records from 1912 to 1960 being destroyed - I'm not being too optimistic in gaining any information.

Ronnie.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Yes, the Germans helped you burn your WW1 records, we did it on our own. Further, these poeple take a year to answer an inquiry. They are absolutely terrible, sometimes we suspect them of saying records are burned when they have not looked.

For various reasons many states have records, for instance they started as Nationl Guard troops and those are state until federalized. Also some states have had bonuses which required men to give proof sf service.

If you know the man's state inquire of Office of Adjutant General of state of Kentucky or wherever. Our state responds within a week. If you do not know state, the division frequently gives you a god guess , as 27 was NY NG and 30 Tennessee, North Carolina NG. Also divisions composed of draftees were from certain states fo the most part.

This does not work a lot of times, you had regulars from everywhere and every fourth division was broken up for replacements. Kentucky's draftee division and NG division were brokern up which pisses me off as I type today.

American Armies and Battlefields In Europe tells you where each division was from. Good luck with Godless St. Louis!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Ronnie.

Let me know their names and I'll have a look on the U.S.casualties CD for you. There's a section on foreign nationals serving in the U.S.Army on it ,with a 50% chance of a photo of him.

Dave.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Paul,

Thanks for info on contacting Office of Adjutant General for the state. I've established my American man came from Washington State, but was originally from Colorado. Regarding my local man, I've only his name from the church memorial, and that he served with the AEF. I can't find any relatives of his still living on Islay today, who may have been able to furnish me with more infromation.

I've checked out the AMBC database suggested by Ralph and Dave, which returned zilch.

I'm really amazed that the US doesn't have a national database of all your war dead simliar to our CWGC. The reason I say this, is because your such a patriotic nation and show great respect to your war dead and heros.

I'll contact you in 12 months! time when I get a response from St. Louis...

Ronnie.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

So you don't even have a division, shoot! I don't know what to say. St Louis is nearly hopeless. On the other guy try both states. Here in Kentucky this can be done on internet, you just email and give and address/fax it you have both.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I did not find Washington State AG on a quick search , did find Colorado w/o a specific reference to records as on our site in Kentucky is I emailed and asked, will let you know. I think you know Dave can find him if he's in a US Cemetery but 70% or so were sent home after both wars. Personally I think the figure is lower, after all only one unknown is here.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Paul,

The Doughboy buried in our cemetery is:

Pte Roy Muncaster

D Coy

6th Battalion

20th Engineers (Forestry)

I've downloaded lots of info on the 20th Engineers and the sinking of the 'Tuscania'

Roy actually made it to the lifeboat and was a big help in saving others, but was killed when his lifeboat was dashed against the rocks on the MUll of Oa, Islay.

He was at Washington State University (1917). I also found a reference to him for Colorado (1915) his name was given as J. Roy Muncaster, his fraternity being Phi Gamma Delta.

His gravestone is still in remarkable good condition after 80 odd years. I think its made from marble. I'll put a photo of his grave on this thread. His parents elected to have his body remain on Islay.

My Islay man who served with the AEF was James Gray. I very much doubt if I'll ever find out about him.

Ronnie.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Sorry Dave,

Just read your post.

American:

Pte Roy Muncaster or could be down as J. Roy Muncaster

D Coy

6th Battalion

20th Engineers (Forestry)

Died 5th February 1918

Local Islay man:

James Gray

Most probably died in 1918

Ronnie.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Regarding Gray, wonder if he was a Gaelic speaker? That interests me, Welch and Gaelic speakers especially ones who spoke little English.

I can tell you Muncaster was white from the fraternity. Contact the fraternity's national headquarters not WSU chapter. They would have had a national magazine and it likely mentioned his death. Also WSU Pullman WA will have a record. Both will have web sites, I think I would use mail.

Pray for St. Louis.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Sorry,Ronnie.

No mention of either on the CD (it only has approx. 60% of the dead listed).

Some you win,some you lose.

Dave.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...