US Army Soldiers in Europe

[isadore]

Hi All,

I recently discovered in a book a family member wrote about her family. Her father born in Ireland emigrated to Pittsburgh and was later Drafted to the US Army in WW1.

She mentions in the book that US Soldiers who were born in Europe were offered the option of returning back to their country of origin for a visit on their way back to the US.

Is this something anyone else has come across in their research?

Many thanks

 

 

[4thGordons]

I have not heard this -- I would also be very interested in additional information on this practice.

I do wonder about it as a generalized practice (particularly for non officers) given the scale of what was going on.

The US Division in which I am most interested had large numbers of first generation immigrants but many were from central powers countries which raised quite different questions upon conscription - but presumably would also have been an issue if such visits were possible.

Presumably, such trips might be traceable through passenger ship's lists etc.

Chris

[Kath]

No help, but I thought this had been discussed before, but can't find the posts.

[4thGordons]

7 hours ago, Kath said:

No help, but I thought this had been discussed before, but can't find the posts.

It rang bells for me too but I couldn't recall any details.

Chris