US Army Training Center - Yearbook (Fort Eustis, VA)

Page 85 text:

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAmumwNNrr U AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA m of-6111213 zivar XX , QV THE 34TH INFANTRY, CMTC FORT EUSTIS, VIRGINIA, 1926 A

Page 84 text:

N. , in .5 THE THIRTY-FOURTH INFANTRY CAPTAIN GEORGE L. EBERLE, Adjutant Fort Eustis- O-D -Fort Eustis The 34th Infantry was organized at El Paso, Texas, July 15, 1916, as one of the first steps in carrying out the National Defense Act of 1916. Detachments from the 7th, 20th, and 23rd were assembled at Fort Bliss, Texas, and the actual assignment to com- panies was made on July 15. El Paso remained the home of the 34th Infantry until the summer of 1917, when one battalion, the 3rd, was sent to the Big Bend district, where it remained on guard duty along the border until December. During 1917 a number of enlisted men were transferred to National Army camps where they were appointed non- commissioned oflicers to assist in organizing the National Army divisions. Late in june, 1918, the 34th Infantry, as a part of the 14th Infantry Brigade, moved to Camp NIcArthur, YYaco, Texas, where it became a part of the 7th Division. Intensive training was carried on during late june and july and by July 26 the Regiment was ready for overseas service. The Regiment proceeded to Camp Nlerritt, N. I., where most of the time was devoted to preparation for sailing. The 34th embarked on the A1nfriczz and sailed on August 17, reaching Brest on August 27. Two days and nights were spent in shelter tents pitched on the fields near Pontanezan Barracks. Two days more in box- cars placed the Regiment in the 15th Training Area, in central France. Here intensive training was again taken up in preparation for actual entry into the battle line. On September 25 and 26, 1918, the 34th entrained and twenty-four hours later de- trained at a small station between Toul and Nancy. From there a night march was made north toward the battle zone. Regimental Headquarters .were established at Martin- court, about halfwaybetween Toul and Thiacourt. Early in October Browning machine guns and Browning automatic rifles were issued to the companies and a day or two was spent in target practice to familiarize the men with the weapons they were to use in action. On October 9 the 34th Infantry relieved a regiment of the 99th Division in the Puve- nelle Sector, about two miles north of Thiacourt. On November 1 and 2, units of the 1st and 2nd Battalions attacked and captured about one kilometer of ground along the frontage of one battalion. About November 8 the 34th was relieved and placed in division reserve until November 10 when the Regiment was again placed in the front line as one of the assault regiments for the attack in the direction of Metz. The attack started on the afternoon of November 10, but was halted after only a slight advance, upon infor- mation that the armistice had been signed. The front line position held on November 11 was occupied by the Regiment until Thanksgiving day, November 28. During December and January the 34th was moved to the area around Conflans and Briey and charged with guarding the German war material left during the enemy evacuation. This duty terminated on April 1. About the middle of May, 1919, the 34th Infantry was released to the SOS for return to the United States. On june 9 Regimental Headquarters and the 1st Battalion embarked on the Holland- American Liner, Nieuw flmrterdam. The 2nd and 3rd Battalions were placed aboard the Agamemnon. On June 19 the 34th debarked at Hoboken and those men and oflicers who were in the service for the duration of the war were transferred to various demobili- zation camps for discharge. The remainder of the Regiment, all regular personnel, arrived at Camp Funston, Kansas, on june 25. Early in January, 1921, the 7th Division was moved to Camp lVIeade, Maryland, by rail. In the fall of 1921 the 7th Division was dissolved and many of the organization were made inactive. The 34th Infantry was one of those regiments chosen to remain on the active list. At this time, however, the 1st Battalion was sent to Fort Hamilton, New York, the 2nd Battalion to Fort Ontario, New York, Headquarters 3rd Battalion and Companies I and HKN to Fort Howard, Maryland, while Regimental Headquarters and Companies LH, Headquarters Service and Howitzer were stationed at Madison Barracks, New York. All of these detachments marched overland from Camp hleade to their various destinations. The Fall of 1922 saw the 34th again moving, this time to Fort Eustis, Virginia, its 'present station. During 1923 and 1924, the Regiment temporarily changed stations to Page l:'z'gfzly-lhwr x . - - A YYY' VY'.Y-YY- n 1,1 u Y s 1 1 1 1 n I n A an I

Page 86 text:

Fort Eustis- O-D -Fort Eustis ducted its Summer Training activities at Fort Eustis, Virginia, where it has instructed the students of the CMT Camp and the officers of several Reserve regiments. A coat-of-arms has been adopted for the 34th Infantry and on July 31, 1922, it was approved by the Secretary of 'War. VVhile the 34th is a young regiment among American military organizations, it sprang from worthy forbears and had distinguished service on the Nlexican border and in France. THE REGINIENTAL SPONSGRS 34THINF1XNTRY,CMTC mp Meade for the Summer Training Camps. Since that time the 34th Infantry has con- CSl1Ldt'111J' ai ffm Collfgz' of Hfilliam and lllary in lfirgirziaj Company AH-Miss lVIartha E. Curtis, of Smithfield, Virginia, daughter of Thomas H. Curtis, nominated by Blue Candidate Albert H. Dell. Company HB -Miss Ellen D. Bloody, of Church View, Virginia, daughter of Alonzo Nloody, nominated by Basic Candidate David W. Lehman. Company Cv-Miss Virginia NI. Ayers, of Petersburg, Virginia, daughter of James R. Ayers, nominated by Blue Candidate Percy A. Reardon. Company HD -Miss Ruth G. Burton, of Danville, Virginia, daughter of Charles G. Burton, nominated by Blue Candidate Charles M. Hunter. Company E -Miss Irene H. Jackson, of Chase City, Virginia, daughter of P. Hinton Jackson, nominated by W'hite Candidate Willie G. Keller. Company F -Miss Louise Harwood, of Saluda, Virginia, daughter of Joseph W. Harwood, nominated by VVhite Candidate Charles C. Boley. Company Gi,-Miss Margaret Chandler, of Newport News, Virginia, daughter of Charles F. Chandler, nominated by Blue Candidate William P. Jeffreys. Company HU-Miss Gladys Van Volkenburgh, of Charlotte Court House, Virginia, daughter of Ernest E. Van Vollcenburgh, nominated by White Candidate Henry A. Turley. DELL Lrzr-IMAN REARDON I'TUNTER YE EDU IQELLER BOLEY JEFFREYS 'FURLEY CURTIS Moopv AYERS BURTON j'AcxsoN TJARXVOOD CHANDLER XTAN VOLKENBLRGH Page Eighty-for s 1 1 1 1 Y 1 1 1 1 171 171 eWV1' V 1 1 AYuV1D'H1'A'n'aW falfxfn 1'11ln1nv1'1'nY.Vn'1YA