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James Thomas Ward, Co. B, 102nd Reg., Infantry, Decatur County, Indiana
Indianapolis Star
"James T. Ward of Letts, Indiana, says a book in his pocket stopped shrapnel.
"Held by Huns Six Months.
"Young man, who ate horse meat and cow beets is back in Indiana home.
"GREENSBURG, Indiana, May 4, James T. Ward of Letts, one of two Decatur County men captured by the Huns in the world war, has arrived home and told of six months spent in two prison camps at Laon and at Camp Rastatt. He ate horse meat and cow beets once a day as prisoner at Laon. Coffee made of acorns was the only breakfast given to the men and a cup of tea for supper, with sometimes soup for dessert. At Camp Rastatt he fared better, but the food with unwholesome, and he lost flesh. But for the fact the Red Cross sent food from Switzerland would have starved, he said.
"Ward enlisted in Paris, Illinois were he was employed with two other men. The three remaining together, even going over the top, and all were captured. Ward was taken prisoner five days after entering the front lines, and for six months, he was in the Huns prisons, being released December 6, 1918. He was wounded at the battle of Chateau-Thierry and taken prisoner.
"Bible Saves His Life: He said the German surgeon dressed his wound, inflicted by shrapnel in the chest, only twice. Ward said that one of the steel particles struck a Bible in his inside pocket. He said he could hardly walk when released Camp Rastatt. He is apparently in good health now. Ward stated that he received no letters while overseas, and learned when coming home his father had died while he was still in France.
"Frank Wilmer, another Decatur County boy, who was taken prisoner, was released the same time, but his division is not returned from France.
"After being released from prison, Ward went into Switzerland. He was cared for by the Red Cross. He has high praise for this organization and the Salvation Army. He has one brother in the Marines was still overseas."
Vanderburg County News June 1, 1918
George Norris Williams of Evansville of the 15th Field Artillery, missing since May 2 in France. His parents live at Henderson, Kentucky although young Williams had been working at the local Mercantile for years.
"Dear Mrs. Elliott:
In reply to your letter of the fifth asking for information concerning George Norris Williams. He enlisted in Battery E., 15th Field Artillery, Regular Army in Evansville, Indiana on May 2, 1917. Sailed for France, December 12, 1917. After two months of active service, was captured while on observation duty, by eight German soldiers disguised in French officer’s uniforms; on the night of May 2, 1918. Was taken to Limburg, Germany but remained there only a short time; was transferred to many different camps. It was from Darmstadt that he was released on December 8, 1918. After spending about seven months in various hospitals in France; he landed in Newport News, Virginia. He received his discharged at Camp Taylor, Louisville, Kentucky. He then returned to the home of his family in Henderson, Kentucky. He is now in Evansville, Indiana.
Sincerely, his sister, Elizabeth Williams"
POWs Captured US Engineers
National Archive Photo courtesy of Indiana War Memorial Archives
Russell Caldwell Harrison, Private, Ambulance Corps, Tippecanoe County, Indiana
Entered service Aug. 1, 1917. Stationed at Allentown, Pa. Sailed for France in May, 1918. Was taken a prisoner by the Germans while in active service on the 28 th of May, 1918. Was in prison camp almost seven months. Through the kindness and efficiency of the Red Cross he was kept from starving until his release in the late fall of 1918. Born at LaFayette, Ind., June 26, 1895, son of Mrs. Rose Harrison. Home is LaFayette. Ind.
George Swenson, Pvt., Army, Howard County, Indiana
Served in France and was taken prisoner to Germany early in the war. He was only 21 years of age, but when he was released after the armistice that he was said to look as old as a man of 50 years. He claimed the prison horrors were indescribable.
German Prisoners of War
"America's Freedom" photo
Harry Frederick Gortemiller, Ripley County, Indiana
“On the 20 th day of September we broke through the Hindenburg line and opened the road to final victory. On that day we took Bellicourt and Nauroy and sustained the desperate struggle for Bony. After that day, through three weeks of almost continuous fighting, we advanced from one success to another, capturing several thousand prisoners and many guns and took Preurant, Busigny, Vaux-Andigny, St. Souplet and Mazingheim.”
David Persfield Freeman, Pfc., Co. K, 3rd Infantry, Grant County, Indiana
Received 6 Divisional citations for bravery in action.
Battles:
Wounded: