The Fredericksburg Memorial Military Museum

CATALOG G1985-014 ARMY Collection

Willis D. Kniesley
SN 53642

WWI 1917-1919, Co. F, 26th Inf., 1st Division, AEF,
Born: June 8, 1898, Harbor Springs, Michigan. He was still living in Michigan in 1999.
Enlisted: April 26, 1917 at Columbus Barracks, Columbus OH. 18 years old at time of enlistment, 5'3" high, brown eyes, brown hair, and ruddy complexion. He was a Junior in High School when he joined the Army with 8-10 of his classmates. One was killed in WWI, another lost a leg. Mr., Kniesley is the only current survivor.
Acquired from Mr. Robert Ford, Coatesville, PA in 1985, with additions donated by Mr. Kniesley in 1993, 1994, 1995 and 1998.

BACKGROUND

· Mr. Kniesley trained with the regular army at San Benito, Texas, finally sailing from Hoboken NJ on June 14, 1917 aboard the cattle boat Lenip. They landed at St. Nazaire France where he served as part of AEF, First Division, First Army. His battle credits include Sommerville, Ansauville, Cantigny, Montdidier-Noyon, Aisne-Marne, Saizerais, St. Mihiel, the Argonne Campaigns and Army of Occupation at Montabaur Germany.

Of the original 250 Co. "F" personnel who sailed for France, there were only 19 left to pose for a picture in the spring of 1919.

· He was never wounded, and participated in all of the 1st Division battles. The end of the war found him in the Argonne Forest. From that point he marched with the 1st Division to occupy Germany. He returned to the US from Brest France with the 1st, arriving NY September 4, 1919. He was honorably discharged at Camp Mead, MD on September 24, 1919.

· Medals and decorations include the WWI Victory Medal with the appropriate campaign bars listed above. WW1 50th anniversary medals(2), the French Croix DeGuerre (unit award) and the Mexican Border Service ribbon.

· After his return to civilian life he finished high school, attended the Ferris Institute, and worked for a time in Grand Rapids MI. He moved to Detroit in 1932 where he worked for Vickers for 25 years. He moved to Royal Oak Michigan in 1940 where he lived until he move to a retirement home in Pontiac Michigan when he turned 100 (in 1998). He was married for 51 years.

ACCESSION LIST.

1. Wool tunic with 1st Division patch, US/26 and Inf./F collar brass. Mexican Border Service Ribbon, WWI Victory Ribbon (5 stars). Croix de Guerre unit cord, 4 overseas stripes, Sgt. Chevrons, Hon. Discharge Stripe.
2. Dog Tag on orig. cord.
3. Overseas cap with CO/F brass.
4. Victory medal with 5 clasps in original box.
5. Painted 1st Div. helmet with straps and liner.
6. US Box Respirator, with cans and defogger.
7. Wool leg wraps.
8. Waist Belt.
9. Mess kit.
10. Photographs:

• a. Group high school enlistment photo.
• b. 4 in uniform, Germany 1919.
• c. 19 survivors Co. F.
• d. Co. F, full complement.
• e. Work detail.
• f. Ten photo postcards 1st Division.
• g. Large photo of statue with 1st Div. on the steps.

11. 1st. Division history.
12. 26th Infantry Unit History.
13. Maps accompanying 1st Division History.
14. Letters:

• a. Correspondence with Mr. Ford (2).
• b. Correspondence discussing experiences, donating material.

15. Mexican Border souvenir pillow.
16. 2 each,75th Anniversary WWI medals with cases.
17. Other Documentation:

• a. Discharge papers.
• b. Regimental publications, announcements and misc.

In 1919 Bill Kniesley posed in this picture with his brothers of the 1st Division. The site is the huge statue of the German emperor located at the union of the Rhine and Moselle rivers at Coblenz. This statue was removed during WW2 to protect it from Allied bombers but has been restored to celebrate the reunification of modern Germany. Bill Knisely is there, he is the daring young man who sits between the ears of the horse, hundreds of feet above his fellow 1st Division veterans.