The Georgia Guard on the Eve of War: May, 1939

By Maj. William Carraway

Historian, Georgia Army National Guard

A machine gun crew of The Albany Guards, Company H, 121st Infantry Division at Camp Clifford Foster, Fla. Georgia Archives

On May 1, 1939, the Georgia National Guard published a leather-bound pictorial review depicting all the Soldiers and units of the Georgia National Guard. Compiled on the eve of World War II, the book serves as a snapshot in time, capturing units in their last months of existence and Soldiers whose lives would soon be cut short by the world’s most destructive war. In his introduction to the book, Brig. Gen. John E. Stoddard wrote: “If in the years to come, this edition shall bring back pleasant memories of deeds well done and services faithfully rendered it shall have served its purpose, and I, together with the others who have made its publication possible, shall feel that the efforts put forth in getting out this edition were well worthwhile.”

The 1939 pictorial review captures a Georgia National Guard in a state of transition. While the Guard structure had changed very little since the reorganization following WWI, from 1939 forward, the units and mission of the Georgia Guard would change regularly, shaped by the perceived threat of the Soviet Union and its capabilities. This article offers an overview of the Georgia Guard structure of 1939 and serves as the first of many articles that will delve into the role of the Georgia Guard in World War II.

Brig. Gen. John Stoddard, Georgia's Adjutant
General 1937-1940. Georgia Guard Archives

The driving force behind the 1939 pictorial review, Brig. Gen. John Stoddard began his military career in Nebraska where he organized and commanded an infantry company of the 7th Nebraska regiment. When that unit was not called for service in World War I, Stoddard attempted to pursue a commission from the Balloon School at Fort Omaha. Anxious to serve and unable to receive a timely appointment, Stoddard enlisted in the United States Navy and rose through the petty officer grades before commissioning as an ensign. After resigning his commission in the Navy, Stoddard remained in the Naval Reserves until 1925. Five years later, Stoddard returned to military service in the Georgia Guard when he organized the Washington, Ga.-based Company B, 264th Coast Artillery. During his time in command, Company B achieved the highest firing record of any National Guard artillery unit. In 1937 he was appointed adjutant general by Governor E. D. Rivers. Stoddard served as the adjutant general until 1940.[i]

In 1939, the Georgia Army National Guard was organized into a State Headquarters, 30th Division Units and Non-Division Units.

State Staff

The headquarters of the Military Department of Georgia was located in the Old Soldiers Home east of Grant Park near the present location of 410 United Avenue. At the time, there were no armories for National Guard units, although construction had been initiated for facilities in Calhoun and Marietta.

Non-commissioned officers on the state staff in 1939: Master Sgt. R. J. Banks,
TSgt. Luther Holcombe, Staff Sgt. D. Owen Walker and Sgt. Addison Smith.
Georgia Guard Archives.

The state staff of the Georgia National Guard was federally recognized September 5, 1927 and by 1939 consisted of 12 officers and enlisted personnel, including the adjutant general. By contrast, the Joint Force Headquarters of the Georgia National Guard in 2019 consisted of nearly 500 personnel.[ii]

Thirtieth Division

Commander and staff of the 30th Infantry Division. Major General Henry Russell is seated on the left.  Georgia Guard Archives.

Following World War I, the 30th Infantry Division was reorganized with National Guard troops allocated from Tennessee, North and South Carolina and Georgia. Division Headquarters was reorganized in Macon, Ga. August 23, 1923. The Special Troops of the 30th Division contained several Georgia Guard specialty units and was headquartered in Griffin and Atlanta. The 30th Military Police Company was designated June 2, 1924 in Springfield, Ga., while the 30th Tank Company was established in Forsyth August 15, 1924. A medical detachment of the 30th Division Special Troops was authorized in Toccoa, Ga. in 1936.

Soldiers of the Forsyth-based 30th Tank Company in 1939. Georgia Guard Archives.

In addition to headquarters and special units, the 30th Division was comprised of two infantry brigades, a field artillery brigade, an engineer regiment and aviation assets. Of these, Georgia Guard units comprised parts of the 59th Infantry Brigade and the 55th Field Artillery Brigade.

Crests of the 59th Infantry Brigade and 55th Field Artillery Brigade.
Georgia Guard Archives

The 59th Infantry Brigade, headquartered in Macon, Ga. consisted of the 121st Infantry Regiment, Georgia National Guard and the 118th Infantry Regiment, South Carolina National Guard. The Headquarters Company of the 59th Infantry Brigade was the Macon Volunteers, which is today the Headquarters Company of the 48th Infantry Brigade Combat Team.

Summer encampment of the Albany Guards, Company H, 121st Infantry Regiment, Georgia National Guard at Camp Clifford Foster, Fla., July 1932.  Left to right: 1: Capt. S. Saye, 2-, 3-, 4: Col. Lewis Pope, 5-, 6: Sgt. McCauley, 7-, 8-, 9: Capt. John Joe West, 10-, 11: Dave Gotatowsky. Georgia Guard Archives.

The 121st Infantry Regiment headquarters and 1^st Battalion were based in Macon. The 2^nd Battalion was based in Brunswick while the third battalion was based in Dublin. In addition to the regimental and battalion headquarters and line companies A to M, the 121st included a Macon-based service company and medical detachment as well as a Monroe-based howitzer company.

Headquarters Battery, 2nd Battalion, 118th Field Artillery Regiment at Camp Jackson, S.C., 1935.  Georgia Guard Archives.

The 55th Field Artillery Brigade was headquartered in Savannah, Ga. and consisted of the 118th Field Artillery Regiment of Georgia, 113th FA of North Carolina and 115th FA of Tennessee. The 118th FA was composed of two Savannah-based field artillery battalions, each with a headquarters battery and combat train and three line batteries. All batteries were based in Savannah with the exception of the Waynesboro-based Battery A.

Headquarters Platoon, Company H, 105th Quartermaster
Regiment in 1939. Lieutenant Colonel George Mallett stands
center.  Georgia Guard Archives.

The 105th Medical Regiment was comprised of units based in North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia. Georgia’s Company H, 105th Medical Regiment was organized March 17, 1924 in Atlanta, Ga. as Field Hospital Number 114.

Division Headquarters Platoon, Headquarters Company, 105th Quartermaster Regiment was organized and federally recognized June 13, 1927 in Jackson, Ga. Lt. Col. George Mallet commanded the detachment from its organization.

Non Division Units

Company A, 122nd Infantry Regiment at Fort McClellan, Ala. 1932.  Georgia Guard Archives.

The 122nd Infantry Regiment

The 122nd Infantry Regiment was based in Atlanta Georgia and mirrored the structure of the 121st Infantry Regiment. With historic units such as the Gate City Guard dating back to 1857, the 122nd Infantry entered World War I service as the 5th Infantry Regiment, Georgia Guard and was redesignated the 122nd Infantry in September 1917. Reorganized in 1924, the 122nd Infantry was initially comprised of two battalions with units based in Atlanta. A third battalion was constituted with units based in Calhoun, Cedartown, and Elberton.

The 108th Cavalry on parade in Atlanta in 1939.
Georgia Guard Archives.

108th Cavalry

With regimental headquarters based in Hinesville, Ga., the 108th Cavalry Regiment was composed of units from Louisiana and Georgia. In addition to the regimental headquarters, the Georgia component of the 108th consisted of the 1st Squadron, headquartered in Atlanta, Ga. along with a Machine Gun Troop, known as The Governor’s Horse Guards. Troop A, the Georgia Hussars, was based in Savannah with a medical detachment while Troop B, the Liberty Independent Troop, was stationed in Hinesville.

264th Coast Artillery Battalion

The Statesboro-based 264th Coast Artillery Battalion was initially allocated to Georgia in 1930. Headquarters, Medical Detachment and Battery A were based in Statesboro with Battery B in Washington. Brigadier General John Stoddard, the Adjutant General of Georgia had organized Battery B in 1930 and served as its first commander.

Soldiers of the 264th Coast Artillery Medical Detachment in 1939. Top Row:  Private
William D. Franklin, Pvt. I. V. Simmons, Pfc. Gerald D. Groover.  Bottom Row:
Sgt. Albert Green, Pvt. James Deal. Georgia Guard Archives.

A Howitzer of the Atlanta-based 179th Field Artillery Regt.
Georgia Guard Archives.

Pre-War Organizational Changes

While the units of the 30th Division would remain intact, the non-divisional units of the Georgia Guard would face reorganization and the Soldiers of those units would be retrained in different military specialties. On July 1, 1939, the 1st and 2nd Battalions, of the 122nd Infantry Regiment were reorganized and federally recognized as the 179th Field Artillery regiment. The 179th would field 155 mm towed howitzers and would ultimately serve in the European Theater of the war[iii].

The 3rd Battalion of the 122nd Infantry Regiment was combined with the batteries of the 264th Coast Artillery to form the 214th Coast Artillery (antiaircraft).[iv] Instead of going to war as cavalrymen, the Soldiers would serve anti-aircraft guns as their unit was reorganized as the 101st Antiaircraft Automatic Weapons Battalion. The 214th and the 101st would both see active service in the Pacific Theater of the war.

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[i] Pictorial Review of the National Guard of the State of Georgia, 1939, inside cover.

[ii] Ga. ARNG Task Organization December 1, 2018

[iii] Pictorial Review of the National Guard of the State of Georgia, 1939, 89.

[iv] Official National Guard Register, War Department, 1939, 66.

Ga. Guardsmen in Rome Assist U.S. Navy Airship Landing

By Maj. William Carraway

Historian, Georgia Army National Guard

The Georgia Army National Guard unit at Rome Georgia had seen many things in its twelve years of existence. Since the unit’s founding in 1947, the Guardsmen of Company A, 163^rd Tank Battalion had helped apprehend fugitives, conducted missing persons searches and assisted the citizens of North Georgia following weather emergencies. But May 18, 1959 would see the Rome Guardsmen make history as the first Georgia Guardsmen to assist the landing of a U. S. Navy airship.[i]

In May, 1959, the Treasury Department initiated the Share in America Savings Bond Drive. To kick off the campaign in North Georgia, Treasury Department officials contacted the Naval Air Station Glynco at Brunswick Georgia and asked that one of their submarine-chaser blimps be dispatched north to generate interest. The U.S. Navy agreed to participate, but informed treasury officials that they would need to arrange for a ground crew to facilitate the airship’s landing at Russell Air Field in Rome, Ga.

Frank Barron, bond campaign chairman contacted Capt. Lewis Varnedoe, commander of Company A, 163^rd Tank Battalion and asked if his unit could assist with 20 volunteers. Accordingly, a detail of Georgia Guardsmen dressed in crisply pressed fatigues reported to Russell Field under the command of 2^nd Lt. Ronald Winslett. A four-man detachment from the U.S. Navy briefed the Georgia Guardsmen on what to expect when the 285 foot airship arrived. The Guardsmen were instructed to secure the nose lines of the blimp as it reached the airfield. They were also informed that the duty was dangerous. In the event that the blimp lost control and shifted in the wind, the Guardsmen were told to “hit the deck” to avoid the twin engine propellers of the craft.

As the blimp approached the landing strip of Russell Field, wind gusts made the landing treacherous. After winds blew the blimp off course its first landing attempt was waved off. The second landing attempt appeared destined for the same result, but the Guardsmen scrambled to secure the nose lines and held the craft in place long enough for it to touch down on its one wheel.

 Georgia Army National Guardsmen of Company A, 163rd Tank Battalion based in Rome, Ga. assist a U.S. Navy sub-hunting blimp in landing in Rome, Ga. May 18, 1959 during the Share in America savings bond drive. It was the first landing of a blimp at Russell Field. More than 20 Guardsmen assisted in landing the blimp during rough winds. Georgia History Archives / released

Despite the rough landing conditions, newspaper reporters, radio broadcasters and local dignitaries were taken aboard the airship for an aerial tour of the North Georgia Mountains. Curious onlookers from the ground beheld the spectacle of the area’s first lighter-than-air flight.

Returning to Russell Field, the U.S. Navy pilots again encountered variable wind gusts. The wind shifted just as the airship had touched down and the craft began to slide sideways off the runway and into a grassy field. The Guardsmen sprang to action, sprinting 100 yards to reach the tow lines. Grappling with the pitching airship, the Guardsmen held firm and eventually succeeded in securing the U.S. Navy blimp to the ground.

The passengers disembarked from the airship and the U.S. Naval personnel commended the Guardsmen for their assistance.

The memory of the U.S. Navy blimp visit to Rome, Ga. would far outlive the naval airships themselves. The airship squadrons based out of NAS Glynco were decommissioned in 1959.[ii] The airship hangars would stand as mute testaments to the airship program until they were demolished in 1971.[iii] Three years later, Naval Air Station Glynco was decommissioned.

The Georgia Guard armory in Rome continued to serve as the home of the Company A, 163^rd Tank Battalion until 1963 when the unit was reorganized as Company A, 2nd Battalion, 108th Armor. Since 2011, the Rome armory has been the base of operations for the 1160th Transportation Company which is currently supporting Joint Readiness Training Center Rotation 19-07 at Fort Polk, La.[iv]

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[i] Landlocked Rome Guardsmen Join Forces with Navy Land Blimp after Tug-of-War with Sub Chaser." The Georgia Guardsman Magazine, May/June 1959, 2.

[ii] Faulkenberry, Leslie, Project Glynco: A History of NAS Glynco, Brunswick, Georgia. PDF, 100

[iii] Faulkenberry, Leslie, Project Glynco: A History of NAS Glynco, Brunswick, Georgia. PDF, 130

[iv] Organizational Authority 204-11. National Guard Bureau, September 3, 2009

A Mother’s Day Letter from the Trenches of World War I

Frank Morton Hunt
Georgia State Memorial Book, 1921

On Mother’s Day, 1918 Pvt. Frank Hunt of Milner Ga., a Soldier in Company A, 151st Machine Gun Battalion of the Georgia National Guard wrote home from the trenches to his mother, Sarah Ellen Hunt.

FRANCE, Mother's Day, May 12, 1918.

My Dear Mother: Mother's Day - every day, mother mine, is "Mother's Day", but today I am to be occupied wholly with thoughts of you, and to tell you once again what you already know. I'm sure I should tell you oftener, but mother knows how her children are apt to think - their affection for her is so much a matter of course that it seems to be a waste of words.

Daily I remember how you trained me to walk in the paths of righteousness, instilling into my mind and conscience the love of God and country. I have often wondered far from that path, but the fault was none of yours. Today I am trying to profit by your teaching, and realize more, each day, that a man need fear nothing if he be guided by the precepts learned at mother's knee. The first simple prayer, "Now I lay me down to sleep," which you taught me - unconsciously I repeat it until this day, and always a prayer that you may be spared so that, someday, ours may again be a happy, reunited family, and if anything should ever occur to prevent my returning to you don't shed a single tear, unless they are tears of joy. Mama, I know that I'd at last meet you in a better land.

There, now, I haven't any idea of anything happening. Am just as well and happy as can be, and oh, so homesick for a glimpse of you. But the homesickness won't keep any of us from doing our bit in making those homes and mothers safe against Prussianism. Let us hope that won't take long. The hardest part of it all is going to fall on the dear mothers and folks at home. Our part, over here, is comparatively easy. I thank God for a mother such as you. With a heart full of love, Your son,

FRANK M. HUNT, Co. A, 151st M. G. Bn., A. E. F.

Frank Hunt was killed in action July 28, 1918 near Sergy, France.

Final resting place of Frank Hunt, Milner Baptist Church Cemetery, Milner, Ga.
Photo by Maj. William Carraway

End of the Rainbow

by Maj. William Carraway

Historian, Georgia Army National Guard

Homecoming: May 1919. Sergeant Robert Gober Burton  kneels left beside Sgt. Augustus Williamson. Burton's mother,
Ida Burton, is seated before Williamson.  Georgia Guard Archives.

While enroute to the United States, the U.S.S. Minnesota and the Soldiers of the 151st Machine Gun Battalion were rerouted. Instead of arriving in Newport News, Va. as expected, the men debarked April 26, 1919 in Hoboken, N.J. That evening, the battalion proceeded to Camp Merritt, N.J. Here, the men were provided with post cards to send home to inform their families that they had arrived in the United States.

April 24, 1919 to Mrs. P.F. Burton

Date: April 26, 1919

I arrived in New York today on the transport U. S. S. Minnesota

Will go at once to Camp Merritt, New Jersey and will write from there as soon as possible.

Signed Gober Burton

Unit Co. A. 151 M. G. Bn[i]

Over the next several days, members of the battalion were arranged into detachments and dispatched to camps in states such as Michigan and Wyoming for discharge and return to their home states.[ii] While these men were being arranged in casual companies Sgt. Burton excitedly wrote home to his family relating his joy at being back in the states.

Merritt Hall, Camp Merritt, New Jersey

May 4, 1919

My dearest Mater,

Well here I am in the good ol’ USA. What do you know about that? As you know by the card, we landed on the 26th and I think that I have kept you informed from then till now by wire. I suppose you think that I have been rather extravagant since I landed don’t you? Here is the way I figured it. I have been away for 18 months and have not had a chance to have a good time. I really think that I am due a little fling don’t you? But mater dear, I haven’t done anything bad but go to the theatre and dance. I learned to take care of myself. I have seen lots of suffering from unwise living over there and I don’t hanker after any of it. I have come back as clean as I went away.

You remember my writing about the friend in N.Y.? Well she has been grand to me since I landed, and she has done everything possible to make me have a good time.

We had quite a nice trip across only two nights were rough and I could stand them for we were coming home.

We parade in Macon before we are mustered out. I suppose that you still receive the Macon papers and know all about the preparations that are being made for the 151st. I would lots rather that no fuss was made over it, but it seems as if there is bound to be, so I am submitting with the most grace possible.

I don’t know but it is said that we start south soon. I sho do hope so.

I believe that before long I will be an American again, but these people certainly have funny ways. They speak English and don’t wear wooden shoes or shrug their shoulders and they treat you as if you were real humans instead of being just a cog in a machine.

I think that I am going to like this country real well however I don’t like N.Y. I have seen so much of crowds and jams and things until I am sick of the whole works. I want to get in some place where there is plenty of room.

Do you know that next Sunday is Mother’s Day? Do you recall another Mother’s Day Oh! so long ago? Wouldn’t it be good if I could be at home next Sunday?

This is enough for this time mater. Hoping to see you soon.

Your devoted,

Son[iii]

As Burton predicted, on May 7, 1919 the remnant departed for Macon with 17 officers and 248 enlisted men. Upon reaching Macon two days later, the Soldiers received an enthusiastic welcome home. The citizens of Macon had decorated the streets with rainbow colors and welcome home signs and Soldiers were embraced regardless of their home town or state.

Commemorative card presented to the Soldiers of the 151st Machine Gun Battalion
by the citizens of Macon, Ga. Georgia Guard Archives.

Two years earlier in 1917, upon returning from Mexican border service the Soldiers of the old 2nd Georgia Infantry Regiment had paraded down Cherry Street and received medals presented by the city of Macon. As Burton had feared, an attempt was made the afternoon of May 9, 1919 to form the 151st MGB for a parade but the press of the welcoming citizens and reuniting families was so overwhelming that the parade plans were quickly scrapped. Instead, the Soldiers were treated to a lunch at the Hotel Lanier provided by the ladies of the 151st Machine Gun Battalion Auxiliary followed by a reception at a park where ground had been allocated for a memorial to fallen members of the 151st. A particularly poignant moment was experienced by all when former members of the battalion who had previously returned home as casualties were reunited with their returning comrades.

May 9th ended with an outdoor dance which lasted well into the night. The following morning the battalion loaded onto railcars bound for Atlanta and departed with the sound of cheers echoing over the rails. Arriving in Atlanta, the battalion was again greeting by cheering citizens. The battalion marched through the business district of Atlanta and was feted at the Capital City Club. During the luncheon the battalion was addressed by the governor and other distinguished guests. Following the luncheon, the battalion assembled for what would be its final formation and marched back to the train depot for the final trip to Camp Gordon. Arriving the afternoon of May 10, the men were assigned to various companies to begin the process of discharge. The next day, Burton wrote home to advise his mother on his impending discharge.

Camp Gordon

Sunday Afternoon

Dearest mater,

I know how you feel for I feel the same way and I want to come home mighty bad. Won’t you be patient till Tuesday? Then I can come home for good. I think that we will be discharged by then.

Don’t tell anyone when I am coming home or anything. I am going to disconnect the phone when I get home.

I will tell you about all the things people have been doing for us when I get home.

I am as well as can be.

Listen, I may come home late Tuesday night, I don’t know. I think that I shall.

Won’t write anymore now.

Don’t fix that big dinner till I get home and tell you when I feel like eating it.

With heaps of love,

Gober[iv]

By May 15, all of the Soldiers of the 151st Machine Gun Battalion had been discharged and begun their final journey home.[v]

The Battalion History of the 151st MGB, written in 1919 summarized the unit’s 18 months of overseas service during which time the battalion was in contact with the enemy for 167 days and within enemy artillery range for 194 days. The 151st MGB established headquarters in 77 different locations, conducted movement by rail six times and marched approximately 1,200 kilometers. After serving in ten separate engagements the battalion served as part of the American Army of Occupation in Germany for 140 days. From March 1 to November 11, 1918 the battalion suffered 57 killed in action or mortally wounded, 385 wounded and one missing in action. Nine Soldiers died of disease or non-battle related injuries bringing the battalion's total losses to 452 casualties. Originally composed exclusively of Georgia Guard Soldiers with an authorized strength of 581 officers and men ultimately 1,237 Soldiers served in the battalion. Only 236 of the original Georgia Soldiers returned with the battalion.[vi]

Burton and his longtime friend Sgt. Ed Williamson returned to Monroe, Ga. almost 20 months after they set out together with Company H, 2nd Georgia Infantry bound for the Mexican border. When Privates Burton and Williamson left in 1916, Gober’s brother Frank had written that they would return “loaded down with glory.” When they came home in 1919, they returned as non-commissioned officers in one of the most storied divisions of the war. But by then, Burton was long past his boyhood dreams of medals and parades. He moved back in with his parents, and as in 1916, pondered whether to seek employment or enroll in college. By September he informed his family of his decision.

Certificate of Matriculation for R. G. Burton for the University of Georgia
fall semester of 1919. Georgia Guard Archives.

Athens, Ga. September 1919

Friday night

My dearest mother,

Well, your son is now a full-fledged student at the University of Georgia.

I am now taking five courses: economics, accounting, Spanish, English and history. While I had the chance, I figured I might as well polish myself off a bit by taking English and history and Spanish. It is now or never.

The original entrance cost me $34.00 and my books so far have cost me about $7.00 and I have yet another one to buy.

So far, I am well pleased with everything, professors and my courses and the arrangements and everything.

I don’t have any classes in the afternoon, and I think that I will be able to get me a position.

Everyone is or are well and getting along fine.

I have met several boys that I know. I saw Harris King and see him most every day. You can imagine how pleased I am about that.

Have received the letter from Auntie and am going to write her when I have finished this letter to you.

Your devoted son,

Gober[vii]

Augustus Williamson with Ida Burton
May, 1919. Georgia Guard Archives

By 1920, Burton was still in school and still living at the old home on Broad Street. Williamson meanwhile was instrumental in the reorganization of the Monroe National Guard unit. In 1925, Howitzer Company, 121st Infantry Regiment was federally recognized in Monroe with Augustus Williamson as captain, commanding. Williamson commanded the Monroe unit for seven years before being promoted to lieutenant colonel and the office of United States Property and Fiscal Distribution Officer for the state of Georgia. His successor as commander of the Monroe unit was his brother, Donald Williamson who would command the unit until the eve of World War II.

Burton meanwhile eschewed further military service. He married Emily Grovenia and settled in Jacksonville, Fla. in 1930. He worked as a salesman for a wholesale grocery company and raised a family.

Burton’s father, Phillip passed away in 1935. His mother Ida followed in 1941. Burton’s Auntie, Mary Eualia Nunnally who had presented him with the testament that saved his life in July 1918 died in 1952.

Robert Gober Burton died at the age of 60. He is buried in Rest Haven Cemetery with his family and within walking distance of Augustus Williamson and Capt. John Aycock, his former company commander. 

Robert Gober Burton's grave at Rest Haven Cemetery in Monroe, Ga.
Photo by Maj. William Carraway

Post Script:

With this, the 25th and final chapter, the story of Sgt. Robert Gober Burton ends. It has been an effort three years in the making. This research journey has taken me from Macon, Ga. to El Paso, Texas and ultimately to the battlefields of France following in the footsteps of the Georgia Soldiers of the 151st Machine Gun Battalion. In the course of this research project, I transcribed nearly 300 pages of letters written by Burton his fellow service members and family in the order they were written. I therefore did not know how the story would end or whether Burton would even survive. Over the years, Burton, his family and the Soldiers of the 151st have become good friends and it is hard to consider that I now must leave them. Nevertheless, as we are approaching the 75th anniversary of the Normandy campaign, there are more stories to tell and more friends to meet from the past. 

-WmC

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[i] Robert G. Burton to Mrs. P. F. Burton. April 24, 1919

[ii] Peavy, Arthur and Miller, White, The 151st Machine Gun Battalion 42d (Rainbow) Division: A Battalion History and Citations of the Rainbow August 13, 1917 to April 26, 1919. J. W. Burke Co., 1919, 22.

[iii] Robert G. Burton to Mrs. P. F. Burton May 4, 1919

[iv] Robert G. Burton to Mrs. P. F. Burton May 11, 1919

[v] Peavy, Arthur and Miller, White, The 151st Machine Gun Battalion 42d (Rainbow) Division: A Battalion History and Citations of the Rainbow August 13, 1917 to April 26, 1919. J. W. Burke Co., 1919, 24.

[vi] Peavy, Arthur and Miller, White, The 151st Machine Gun Battalion 42d (Rainbow) Division: A Battalion History and Citations of the Rainbow August 13, 1917 to April 26, 1919. J. W. Burke Co., 1919, 25.

[vii] Robert G. Burton to Mrs. P. F. Burton September 16, 1919