Transcript of personal war history written by Albert

 

"Albert Peterson, Drafted Oct 1917, Entered Service March 29, 1918 at Fort Riley at Camp Yankton in [several letters unclear] 89 Division, [1 word unclear ] Company 355 Machine Gun Company.  Left USA for La Havre France June 4, 1918.  Arrived in La Havre June 24, 1918.  From La Havre I went to ?Grovel? France for training until we took up the St. Mihiel [Saint-Mihiel] Sector [ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Saint-Mihiel ] and went over the top on Sept 12, 1918.  Successfully accomplished our objective we established the lines and held them until we were transferred to the Meuse Arggone [Argonne] Sector, where we made preparation for a drive on Nov 1, 1918 which was a successful artillery barage and machine gun fire all night. [ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meuse-Argonne_Offensive ]  In the morning we went over the top, found nothing but German casual[-ties], took a few prisoners also took some prisoner(s) in the St. Mihiel sector.  In the Arggone we suffered our greatest loss, losing nearly half our Co.  Among them was myself a victim of the enemy's mustard gas on that ?first? night of Nov. 1, 1918.  I stayed with my Co. in the advance of that day Nov. 2 until in the evening when my burns got too severe to continue.  I had to go back for medical aid, rode a supply truck back to the first Medical Station and Hospital where remained until after the Armistice from where I was moved to Base Hospital in Southern France.  Was in bed until Jan. 12, 1919.  Recovered from my burns.  I was transferred to Casual Co. [a couple of words unclear] home was organized into a So. Dak. Co.  on Feb. 12, 1919 at a Casual ?Camp?.  We left Brest France March 3, 1919, arrived in New York March 11, 1919.  Was discharged from service at Camp Dodge, Iowa with an Honorable Discharge (No. 19814) with the following remarks: No AWOL, no absence, under General Order 31 and G.O. 45.  I [2-3 words unclear] 21 of March, 1919.  Albert Peterson."