Two previous "Genealogy Notes," Michael Knapp's "World War I Service Records" (Fall 1990) and, with Constance Potter, "Here Rests in Honored Glory: World War I Graves Registration" (Summer 1991), described the complications of searching for personnel files in the custody of the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) because of the devastating fire there in 1973. The number of volunteer enlistments was slightly over 300,000.(4) More than 24 million men registered for the draft, and almost 2.7 million men were furnished to the U.S. ![]() Even though the National Defense Act of 1916 provided for the gradual expansion of the regular army and reserves, the United States was forced to build an army based on volunteer enlistments and the draft. Fresh from chasing Pancho Villa during the Punitive Expedition in Mexico (See Prologue, Fall and Winter 1997), the strength of the United States Army in April 1917 was about 200,000, 80,000 of whom served in National Guard units. The manpower and supplies needed to field an expeditionary force were at their lowest numbers since the Civil War. The United States was almost completely unprepared to participate in the war. From them has sprung unbounded courage to face hardships, heroic strength in battle, the Nation's power to right the wrongs of selfish despotism."(3) To these homes the Nation owes a debt of fullest gratitude. Secretary of War Baker reflected upon this when he stated that "while we rejoice that our losses were no heavier we still bear in mind the thousands of homes throughout the country upon which the heavy burden of war has fallen. More than 100,000 Americans lost their lives during this period. Although the United States participated in the conflict for less than two years, it was a costly event. Baker, "over 25 per cent of the entire male population of the country between the ages of 18 and 31 were in military service."(2) Previously unknown places such as Belleau Wood, Meuse-Argonne, and Saint Mihiel were etched into the minds of Americans through newspaper reports of battles. When the war ended, more than four million "Doughboys"(1) had served in the United States Army with the American Expeditionary Forces (AEF). After remaining neutral for three years, the United States reluctantly entered what was supposed to be "The War to End All Wars." By declaring war on April 17, 1917, President Woodrow Wilson committed the nation to join the other Allied countries in their efforts to defeat the Central Powers. For Americans it is time to reflect upon the contributions made by their forebears in helping to end the deadliest conflict the world had then known. ![]() November 11, 1998, marks the eightieth anniversary of the armistice ending World War I. 3 | Genealogy Notes By Mitchell Yockelson They Answered the Call Military Service in the United States Army During World War I, 1917–1919įall 1998, Vol.
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