92,000 North Carolinians in the khaki of the army and the blue of the 
navy were in America's first line of defense against German aggression.


And what were the penalties exacted of these 92,000 North Carolinians 
who served their country?

Six hundred and forty-eight were killed out-right on the field of battle. 
Many others died of their wounds. Four thousand eight hundred and twelve 
North Carolinians were killed or wounded in battle.

And in addition to that, 1,961 North Carolinians died from various causes 
while in service--a total casualty list of 6,773 North Carolinians.

One out of every fifteen (15) North Carolinians who donned the khaki of 
the army or the blue of the navy, came not home again or came broken in 
body or mind. Truly, North Carolinians, in the few short months that 
America was on the battle line must have been in the "focal and the 
foremost fire."


The official records bring out a pleasing fact about the North Carolinians 
who volunteered or were called for service. Over 65% of the North Carolinians 
examined were found physically fit for the strenuous and arduous duties 
of active service. This was a higher percentage than any of our adjoining 
states--South Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee or Virginia. It shows a better 
physical manhood than Pennsylvania, New York or any New England State. It 
was only exceeded by Kentucky and some of the middle western states.

Most naturally people ask, in what organizations did the North Carolinians 
serve? Until the World War, the United States always went into war by 
states. The troops were composed of men from a state and were known and 
designated as State Troops. Thus, in the Spanish-American War, the troops 
who first entered Havana, Cuba, were North Carolinians who were known 
and designated as the 1st North Carolina Infantry.

In the World War, this system was changed and for the first time in its 
history the United States went to war as a nation. State lines were 
disregarded and units were no longer designated as State Troops

There were three distinct sources which furnished the soldiers in the World 
War--the regular army, the national guard, and the national army or men 
chosen by lot or draft for service. The national guard units were taken 
into service as a unit but their designation was changed and their ranks 
filled with volunteers or men chosen by lot. Thus, the 3rd North Carolina 
Infantry, with whom I had the honor to serve, was inducted into service 
of the United States and was thereafter known as the 120th Infantry of 
the 30th Division. The ranks of this unit were filled with men from 
various states.

So we may say that there were no units or organizations in the World War 
composed exclusively of North Carolinians, and very, very few, in which 
North Carolinians formed a majority in the organization.



THE 30TH DIVISION  "Old Hickory"

The bulk of the 30th Division was composed of National Guardsmen from 
North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee, many of whom had seen 
service in 1916 on the Mexican border. They were trained at Camp Sevier, 
near Greenville, S. C., and were sent to France in May, 1918.


Two of the four regiments of infantry, the 119th and 120th Infantry, 
the 113th Field Artillery and the 105th Engineers, in this division, 
were largely North Carolinians--in fact decidedly more than a majority 
were North Carolinians.


Upon arrival in France, the artillery was detached and sent to the south 
as part of the American Army and took part in the Meuse-Argonne battle. 
It did not rejoin the division until after the Armistice. The rest of 
the division became a part of the British Army. The 27th American Division, 
from New York, was the only other American Division placed with the 
British Army.

The 30th Division first went into line near Ypres, Belgium--or Wipers, 
as the British called it. Here the 30th had its first battle, capturing 
the Belgian town of Voormezele, north of Mt. Kemmel, and pushing the 
Germans back from Ypres.

Proudly now may North Carolina write on her banner, "29th September, 
1918. The first to cross the Hindenburg Line. Bellicourt and San Quentin 
Canal."


During the war, the 30th Division advanced a total of about 20 miles over 
German opposition, captured 3,848 prisoners and had 11,000 men killed or 
wounded or many over one-third of its total.

Curious things during the War

There was one North Carolinian in the attack on the 29th of September who 
had a mania for collecting souvenirs. As soon as the attack started he 
threw away his rifle and away he went hunting for German helmets. Amid 
the most terrific artillery and machine gun fire, with men falling all 
around him, he dashed over the field picking up German helmets and German 
Ludger pistols and other souvenirs. Can you imagine it? That night he 
came staggering up to the company, completely exhausted, loaded down with 
all kinds of souvenirs of the battle.


Another North Carolinian, a sergeant and two men, got completely lost in 
the mist. They cannot tell in which direction the attack is going, in 
which direction the German lines are or in which direction the American 
lines. As they are wandering around, they suddenly spy about seven Germans 
in a trench. The Germans see them about the same time. Both are equally 
surprised. The Germans threw their hands up in the air and commence yelling, 
"Kamerad," "Kamerad." The sergeant goes over to them and accepts their 
surrender. Then from nearby dugouts Germans pour out until 144 Germans 
have surrendered to these three North Carolinians. The sergeant makes 
the Germans guide him back to the American lines and proudly marches in 
with his 144 prisoners of war.


THE 81ST DIVISION  "Wildcats"


There was another American Division equally as gallant, the 81st or Wildcat 
Division. This was a National Army Division recruited principally from 
North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Florida. A large percentage 
of this division was, at all times, from North Carolina.


The 81st Division was trained at Camp Jackson, near Columbia, South Carolina. 
While at Camp Jackson it was noted throughout the army for the smart 
appearance of its men, its efficiency, its splendid drills and excellent 
discipline. It was held up to other divisions as one of the model divisions.

It was sent to France in August, 1918, and after only a month's training 
in France, it was placed in the front lines in the Vosges Mountains as part 
of the 33rd French Corps. It held these trenches for a month, during which 
time serious raids were attempted by the Germans, and each time gallantly 
repulsed.


On the 19th of October this division was withdrawn from the trenches in 
the Vosges and became a part of the American Army. It was moved towards 
Verdun.

On the 6th of November it replaced the 35th American Division in the front 
line.


ENGINEER TRAIN OF THE 42ND DIVISION


The 42nd or Rainbow Division was one of the first divisions to be sent to 
France. It was composed of National Guard Units from many different states 
and was called the Rainbow Division on account of the many states from 
which it was drawn. And in the opinion of many, was the best fighting body 
of troops in the American Army. The State of North Carolina furnished the 
Engineer Train of this division, which remained as a unit throughout their 
entire service, and North Carolina can well be proud of their service.


AVIATORS

Among the North Carolinians who won fame in the air might be mentioned: 
Kiffin Rockwell; James McConnell, in whose honor a monument has been 
erected at Carthage, N. C.; James Baughman, of Washington, N. C.; Arthur 
Bluethenthal, of Wilmington, and Allan Blount, of Goldsboro.

HOSPITAL UNITS

Two Hospital Units furnished by North Carolina were especially noted for 
their efficiency and for the services they rendered to their comrades--
Base Hospital No. 69, under the command of Dr. Lawrence, of Winston-Salem, 
N. C., and Base Hospital No. 0, under the command of Dr. Brenizer, of 
Charlotte, N. C.

THE WOMEN OF NORTH CAROLINA

As to the women of North Carolina, who joined the Canteen, the Red Cross and 
other allied organizations, who cheered our soldiers at home and abroad, 
and as to the women of North Carolina, who ministered to the sick, the 
wounded and the dying, there can be no praise too high. Many sacrificed 
their health and others their lives.


MEDALS

The Congress of the United States for acts of extraordinary bravery outside 
of the line of duty grants by a special act of Congress, a medal called the 
Congressional Medal of Honor, which is the highest honor an American soldier 
can win. It may be compared to the Victoria Cross of the British.

A North Carolina farmer boy, from Person County, who was killed in action, 
was awarded this Congressional Medal of Honor. His name was Robert L. 
Blackwell.

The next highest honor which can come to an American soldier is to be 
awarded the Distinguished Service Cross--the D. S. C., as the soldiers 
usually call it. Over 200 D. S. C.'s were awarded to North Carolinians.

CIVILIANS

And while their sons, brothers and fathers were worthily upholding the 
traditions of their Tar Heel ancestors on the bloody fields of France 
and Belgium, the people at home were also nobly doing their part.


The World War cost the United States over $1,000,000 for each and every 
hour she was a participant. As the cost of warring began to mount, the 
United States called on the citizens of the various states to buy Liberty 
Bonds and War Savings Stamps to help finance the struggle.

The citizens of North Carolina were asked to buy $150,000,000 of Liberty 
Bonds and War Savings Stamps. They responded by buying $160,000,000, or 
$10,000,000 more than the Government asked them to buy.

Then the Government stated that food would win the war, and our North 
Carolina men, women and children cheerfully observed every request to 
save food and promptly obeyed all requests for heatless and meatless 
days.

Three North Carolinians were in important positions in the United States 
Government during the war. Representing the United States at the Court 
of St. James was Walter Page, Ambassador to Great Britain. As 
Commander-in-Chief of the greatest navy which has ever flown the American 
Flag was Josephus Daniels. And as Chairman of the War Finance Corporation 
was Angus Wilton McLean, of Lumberton. They deserve well of their country 
for the valuable services they rendered. 





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