Military Monday - World War I - Frank P. Smith - Honorable Discharge

Honorable Discharge From the United States Army

This is to Certify, that*  Frank P. Smith #76330 Private 1/cl 262nd Co 131st  MP Bn

THE UNITED STATES ARMY, as a TESTIMONIAL OF HONEST AND FAITHFUL SERVICE is hereby HONORABLY DISCHARGED from the military service of the UNITED STATES by reason of  S.C.D.L.D 3rd Ind Hdqrs. West Depot S.F. Calif. dated July 9, 1919. SAID  Frank P Smith was born in DeKalb, in the State of Illinois. When enlisted he was 19 years of age and by occupation a Truck Driver. He had Blue eyes, Brown hair, Ruddy complexion , and was 5 feet 6 3/4 inches in height.

Given under my hand at Fort Douglas Utah this 16th day of July, one thousand, nine hundred and nineteen.

                      

A.D. Darcy, Lt. Col. Med. Corps USA

U.S.A. General Hospital #27

Military Monday - World War I - Frank P. Smith - Enlistment Record

ENLISTMENT RECORD

Name: Frank P. Smith Grade: Private 1/cl Enlisted, or Inducted: April 9, 1917 , at Spokane, Washington. Serving in  First   enlistment  period at date of discharge. Prior service:  None. Noncommission officer: No. Marksmanship, gunner qualification or rating:  None. Horsemanship:  Not mounted! 

Battles, engagements, skirmishes, expeditions: Marne Defensive - June 28 to July 7, 1918; 2nd Battle of Marne - July 14-20, 1918; St Michel - Sept 12-16, 1918; Meuse-Argonne - Oct 7-Oct 9 1918.  Decorations, medals, badges, citations:  None.

Knowledge of any vocation:  Typist. Wounds received in service: High explosive shell wound causing fracture of 8th and 9th rib, left side and right collar bone. Physical condition when discharged: Poor.  Typhoid Prophylaxis completed: May 1, 1917. Paratyphoid prophylaxis comleted: November 11, 1917.  Married or Single:  Single.  Character: Excellent.

Remarks:  Co H 2nd Wash Inf April 9 1917-Aug 5 1917; Co H 161st Inf Aug 5, 1917-June 20, 1918; Co F 2nd Am. Train (sp?) Kume 20, 1918- Dec 28, 1918;  262nd Co 131st M.P. Bn Dec 28, 1918-June 12,1919; Detch patients June 12,1919. date of discharge.  Served in France. Left U.S Dec 14,1917 . Arrived U.S. May 29, 1919.  No A.W.O.L or other absence under G.O 45, W D 1914.

(Soldier entitled to 2/3 regular rate of travel to place of enlistment under circular # 85 W.D. 1918)

Military Monday - World War I - Frank P. Smith

On April 7, 1917 a young man of 19 years of age enlisted into the service. This young man was Frank P. Smith (my grandfather). He departed from his hometown of Spokane, Washington on April 6, 1917 via the Spokane and Inland Railroad arriving at Camp Murray April 11, 1917.

 While at Camp Murray, he was assigned to "H" Company 2nd Washington 161 Regiment Division 41. He remained in this Camp until April 15, 1917.

He was later transferred to Camp Tacoma Sector, Electron, Washington for guard duty. This appears to be Fort (Camp) Lewis. (click on the link below for further history on Fort Lewis).

 http://www.historylink.org/index.cfm?DisplayPage=output.cfm&file_id=8455

He was back in Camp Murray on August 15, 1917 and then sent across the country to Camp Mills on August 39, 1917. (click on the link below for further history of Camp Mills.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Camp_Mills

Frank arrived at the Port of Embarkation on December 12, 1917.  On December 14, he boarded the steamship, President Lincoln for an 18 day voyage to France.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_President_Lincoln_(1907)

The ship arrived in Brest, in northwestern France in Brittany, on December 29 and landed December 31, 1917.  He remained here for two hours. He was soon transferred to Chaumont, Dijon, France.

Frank moved up to the battle line on June 15, 1918 where he participated in the following battles: Marne Offensive, June 28; Second battle of Marne, July 14; St. Mihiel Offensive, September 16; and Meuse Argonne, October 7.

He was wounded at Meuse Argonne, the Champagne sector, Oct 9, 1918.  He was in hospital:Field #16 - Evacuation 5; Base #202 - Camp 52; Base 85; Base 69 - Evacuation Newport News, VA and Gen #27 Fort Douglas.  He was in the Base Hospital #202 in Orleans, France when the Armistice was signed.  The only promotion he received was to First Class Private in March of 1917.

                                         On The Way Home

On May 18, 1919, Frank arrived in St. Nzaire, France where he would board the steamship Antigone.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Antigone_(ID-3007)

 He arrived at Newport News, Virginia May 29, 1919. He was transferred to Fort Douglas, Salt Lake City, Utah. It was here that he was honorably discharged.