I had an interesting experience while researching the 81st Infantry Division last week. The unit, which was formed during World War I, was made up of recruits from North Carolina, South Carolina, and Florida. Training was held at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, near Wildcat Creek. During training, it was decided that patches could make it easier for the soldiers to identify one another in battle. So the patches were made; naturally, the wildcat was the emblem used. The 81st infantry division’s patches were deemed such a success that the Army implemented them for all units.
If that wasn’t interesting enough, I stumbled across this nugget of information the very same day: former North Carolina Governor William B. Umstead was a member of the 81st Infantry Division–the very same Wildcats! I rarely remember details when it comes to military ranks and divisions, so I was quite surprised (and pleased) to put together those two pieces of information. Serendipitous, you might say.
My father was with the 81st, 321St RCT during WW2. The 81st was reconstituted at Camp Rucker in Alabama. He was part of the invasion of the Palau Islands in 1944. The 81st invaded the island of Anguar and later reinforced the 1st Marine Division on Peleliu. There is book being published by the University of Oklahoma press. One of the authors is Bob Blair.
As for North Carolina military history, this past October a monument was dedicted on Ocracoke Island to remember the US Navy Beach Jumpers. I am the current Vice-President of the Association. Chek out our website for more information.
I am researching a man from Madison Fl, KIA on 25 September 44. His name was James Riley Newman and he served with the 321st RCT. Any ionformation or how I can locate information would be greatly appreciated. Thanks
I have been researching the WW1 81st Division. My grandfather served in France and was in the battle of the Meuse River-Argonne Forest. Information on the various Infantry Regiments that made up the 81st has been hard to find. Does anyone out there have any ideas where I could find out more info?
My grandfather was George R Evans, Lapine AL 81st Regiment 322nd Infantry Division WW1 awarded DSC for action near Grimaucourt France Nov 10, 1918.
I want to learn as much as i can regarding him and his regiment and division.
Please contact me with any info.
Thanks
My grandfather, Irvin E. Brooks, was in Company G, 322nd Infantry, 81st Division during World War I. I have written to the National Archives and they told me there are almost 2000 pages of operational reports available in RG 120 – Records of the AEF relating to the 322nd’s activities. I suspect this is true for all the regiments. There’s a place on their web site where you can request information. They recommended I come in or hire a researcher because the files are so big (they cannot copy a request that large and had nothing specifically related to Company G). Maybe one day… Give it a try. It’s free. Good luck to you all in your hunt!
My Grandfather Perry Billy Boyd Flynn was all over the Pacific and on Anguar With the 81st infantry. He was a runner. Anyone who recocnizes him please reply.
My grandfather was also in the 81st. His name was Arthur Burns Thomas.
My brother and I came into possesion of some of his personal effects. His diary, some company correspondance, pictures of the family he sayed with in France, and many wwI era post cards.
My father served in Company E, 322 Infantry, 81 Infantry Div. during WWII. He fought on Anguar. Returned home to Monroe, Lousiana, married and raised 3 children. He passed away in 1977. Does anyone remember him. I have very little information on other battles and awards he recieved. He didn’t like to talk about it.
Thanks
Dennis
One of the soldiers from the 81st infantry has passed away. Just saw his obituary in today’s Burlington paper. Tom Glascock(97y/o). I did not know of his involvement. Salute..
Private, U.S. Army Weedall Lewis Henry
317th Field Artillery Regiment, 81st Division
Entered the Service from: South Carolina
Died: September 29, 1918
Buried at: Plot H Row 41 Grave 29
Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery
Romagne, France
Dear sir or Madam.
I am currently researching the family history of Lewis Henry Weedall who left England on or around 1915 he lived in Illinois for a while and eventually joined the 317th Field Artillery Regiment, 81st Division and went to France with his Battalion but unfortunately was killed in action on September the 29th 1918 and is buried at: Plot H Row 41 Grave 29 in the Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery.
Living in England information about (Weedall Lewis Henry) isnt readily available so I am hoping that in some way you can help me, or direct me which way I should go
Is it possible at all to find a photograph of this very brave soldier off his passport or identity papers or indeed anything to e mail me as no such likeness exists within the family at all.
Any documentation of either a social nature or military information of his war record or service would complete our very long search todate.
We would like in our hearts to try and to bring our lost but never forgotten relative back to life as no one in our extended family from all over the United Kingdom has ever seen a photograph of him at all or knows of his background.
We as a family went to France this year to the Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery with a poppy wreath from the British Legion and Poppies of course to remember him by we have taken photos of his resting place and if anyone related would like a copy we would willingly send one.
He may be buried in a foreign field through the course of his duties for 92 years but he has never been forgotten if you can help in any way we as a family would be eternally grateful and finally as a family we can at least close the sad loss in our family circle.
Thanking you in anticipation
R E Weedall (relative)
I am looking for information about Captain John H. Lightsey, Company G, 322nd Infantry Battalion, 81st Division, Killed in action September 28 on the Island of Angaur, Palau. Captain Lightsey was a 1940 graduate of Clemson College.
His web page is http://cualumni.clemson.edu/page.aspx?pid=1531 Captain Lightsey was a 1940 graduate of Clemson College. I can be reached at scrollofhonor@clemson.edu
I am a family historian trying to piece together the military history of my grandfather, George Alvis Lokey, who was with the 81st in France. He bacame very sick after the war and died in 1933 supposedly from complications caused by being gassed (mustard) during his tour in France. If anyone has any records of the 81st fighting in a chemical environment, I ‘d love to here about it. Thnaks in advance.
Joe Lokey
Woodbridge, VA
The 81st Infantry Division participated in the third of seven large-scale U.S. Army maneuvers conducted in Tennessee during the World War II years. The 81st was involved in simulated combat across 22 counties of middle Tennessee from April 26 to June 20, 1943. Other units in this particular maneuver include VII Corps, the 5th Armored Division, the 79th Infantry Divsion and the 101st Airborne Division. I spent two years researching and writing a book on the WWII Tennessee maneuvers and I am delighted to share info and talk with vets and their family members. My email is woodyair@comcast.net; my phone is 615-353-1890. The name of the book is “In The Presence Of Soldiers,” and it has very detailed information about every exercise in each maneuver, including composition of opposing forces, when/where simulated combat occurred, objectives, umpiring, air support and other information. There are also details about recreation centers and interaction with civilians.
My grandfather was Clifton J. Knowles of Wallace, N.C.
He was born January 25,1894 in the town of Long Creek, Pender County ,North Carolina. His parents were Bryant B. and Lula Underwood Knowles.
When WWI broke out , he enlisted in the U.S.Army on December 17,1917 at Warsaw,N.C. and was in the first group to leave from Duplin Co.. They sent him to Camp Jackson,S.C.near Columbia, for basic training and then assigned him to Battery “B” ,317th Field Artillery Regiment,156 Brigade , 81st (Wildcat) Division. This group sailed from New York on August,7,1918 for Liverpool , England .After 12 days at sea and 5 days in England ,they finally reached LeHarve, France .A few days later, they arrive at the Meuse-Argone forest area .Since he was a sergeant, he was responsible for one of the 75mm cannons. Mules were widely used to position these cannons. One day one of those recalcitrant beast decide to kick him which resulted in a broken shin bone. He was sent to a hospital in England thus ending his active participation in the actual fighting. After several months of convalesce, he returned to Camp Jackson to be honorably discharged on May 10 ,1919. His commanding officer wrote on his discharge the word EXCELLENT to describe his character. They paid him a bonus of $157.62.
My grandfather was also a member of the 81st Div. His records indicate he was in Co. I, 324 Inf until Oct 14, 1917. He served in France from Oct 1918 until April 1919. His name was Caulie Hendricks and he was from Jacksonville, Florida.
My father, Paul Durdovic, was in Company H of the 321st RCT in World War II. He died in 1962 at age 46. I was 13 at the time and never had an opportunity to talk with him about his war experience. I would be very grateful to hear from anyone who may have known him. Or from the sons or daughters of those who served with him.
I found what appears to be a military issued pocket bible with the name Marion F. Wyatt,% Headquarters Company, 322nd Regiment, 81st Division-1917 in a box of books from my parents estate. I do not recognize the name, but would like to find out if their was a connection to my family.
My Grandfather, William C. Myrick, Sr. was a veteran of WWI. His tombstone indicates he was a Corporal and a member of the 324th Infantry, 81st Infantry Division. However, I had been told by my uncles, his sons, that he volunteered as an ambulance driver and made his own way over sometime in early 1917.
The campaign bars on his Victory Medal are: Montdidier-Noyon, Aisne-Marne, St. Mihiel, Meuse-Argonne, and Defensive Sector.
I know that he was gassed in one battle and wounded by shrapnel in another. My understanding is that after his second wounding, he met some friends from his hometown of Laurel, MS that were in the 81st and he got himself moved there as a replacement.
I was given his military momentos which included his uniform with all patches and ribbons intact and the following 5 medals: Distinguished Service Medal, Purple Heart, WWI Victory Medal, Army of Occupation Medal and French Croix DeGuerre with a Star on the ribbon.
My uncles told me that the DSM and Purple Heart were presented to him sometime in the 1930′s by a Mississippi Congressman.
Does anyone have any idea how I can sort through this mess and get some accurate information?
Thanks,
Brad Henderson
Hello! I have the honor of being the historian for the 81st Regional Support Command — today’s Wildcats. We still host a reunion for the 81st WWI and WWII families, veterans and friends. Look us up at 81stwildcatassociation.com for information. We will meet in Nashville 8-11 August 2013 this year. Please join us. Thanks !!! Dr. J. Boyd
My father James Robert Terry served with the 81st in WWII. I have a book “The 81st Infantry Wildcat Division in WWII” that gives a very good overview of the divisions activities during the war.
I see there is a youtube video now that talks about the division in WWII, a short look at the campaign mostly on Angaur. Is there a place where I can look up what RCT and company he was in?