Local newspapers frequently printed letters from local soldiers to provide more in-depth coverage of war news. This index, prepared by Dan Masters, records all soldiers' correspondence printed in Wood County newspapers during World War I. Researchers should be aware that these indexes do not necessarily represent the holdings of the Center for Archival Collections. Those wishing to review the news articles or editorials cited here should consult the Guide to Newspaper Holdings.

Correspondents by name | Index by Date
Newspaper Index List

Correspondents

Herman M. Adler
148094, Custar, Ohio, age 18 5/12 yrs., born in Custar, Ohio, enlisted December 16, 1916 at Columbus Barracks, Ohio in 44th Regiment, Coast Artillery, transferred to Battery B, 9th Regiment, Coast Artillery at unknown date in 1917, transferred to 4th Co., Quartermaster Corps, Camp Stuart, Virginia in 1919, transferred to Utilities Detachment 1, Newport News, Virginia November 20, 1919, furloughed to reserve January 12, 1920, promoted to Sergeant at unknown date, service with A.E.F. 1917-February 11, 1919, service in England.
Letter: January 2, 1918

Leo M. Bauerschmidt
1522900, Custar, Ohio, age 18 8/12 yrs., born in Custar, Ohio, white, enlisted March 13, 1914 in Co. M, 2nd Infantry, Ohio National Guard, unit became Co. M, 146th Infantry, 37th Division, promoted to Corporal October 3, 1917, demoted to Private July 5, 1918, promoted to Corporal September 24, 1918, service with A.E.F. June 15, 1918-March 31, 1919, service at Ypres-Lys, Meuse-Argonne, and Defensive Sector, honorable discharge April 13, 1919.
Letter: February 13, 1918

Ralph P. Claggett
641426, Custar, Ohio, age 26 9/12 yrs., born in Grayling, Michigan, white, enlisted December 14, 1917 at Allentown, Pennsylvania in U.S. Army Medical Corps, promoted to Private First Class January 25, 1919m service with A.E.F. June 13, 1918-April 23, 1919, service at Vittorio-Veneto and Defensive Sector, honorable discharge April 26, 1919.
Letter: April 24, 1918

George Friess
1956363, Custar, Ohio, age 28 8/12 yrs., born in Custar, Ohio, white, enlisted October 4, 1917 at Bowling Green, Ohio in Co. B, 308th Ammunition Train, 83rd Division, transferred to Co. A, 308th Ammunition Train, 83rd Division December 4, 1917, promoted to Corporal February 14, 1918, promoted to Sergeant February 1, 1919, service with A.E.F. June 13, 1918-April 27, 1919, service at Meuse-Argonne, honorable discharge May 14, 1919.
Poem: January 16, 1919

H.J. Korts
Letter: February 13, 1918

John P. Nagel
2426530, Custar, Ohio, age 26 8/12 yrs., born in Custar, Ohio, white, enlisted April 1, 1918 at Bowling Green, Ohio in 16th Co., 4th Training Battalion, 158th Depot Brigade, transferred to Co. M, 330th Infantry, 83rd Division April 20, 1918, transferred to 158th Depot Brigade May 15, 1918, honorable discharge as Private December 26, 1918.
Letter: May 8, 1918

Index by Date

January 2, 1918
Private Herman M. Adler, Battery B, 9th Regiment, Coast Artillery, somewhere in France, December 1, 1917, pg. 1

January 16, 1918
"Poem from Chillicothe," Private George Friess, Co. A, 308th Ammunition Train, 83rd Division, Camp Sherman, Ohio, pg. 1

February 13, 1918
Corporal Leo M. Bauerschmidt, Co. M, 146th Infantry, 37th Division, Camp Sheridan, January 13, 1918, pg. 1
Private H.J. Korts, Aux. Remount No. 325, Camp Logan, Texas, January 31, 1918, pg. 1

April 24, 1918
Private Ralph P. Claggett, U.S. Army Medical Corps, Allentown, Pennsylvania, March 15, 1918, pg. 1

May 8, 1918
Private John P. Nagel, 16th Co., 4th Training Battalion, 158th Depot Brigade, Camp Sherman, Chillicothe, Ohio, pg. 1