"DOUGHBOYS PASSING OFF STAGE AS AMERICA'S DEFENDERS"

ONLY 600,000 VETS AVAILABLE FOR BATTLE SERVICE BY 1925

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) On February 11, 1923, the Associated Press reports "men who shared with (General John J.) Pershing the great adventure in France are passing off the stage as America's defenders." 

According to "official charts...their place already is being taken by the younger brothers of the A.E.F.* "Tomorrow," the A.P. continues, "it will be their sons who stand ready to fight..." 

By January 1, 1920, 3 million doughboys** had been discharged from the army and by 1925 only 600,000 veterans will be available for "battle service."  That number will drop to 423,000 by 1930.

*A.E.F. (American Expeditionary Forces) a formation of the United States Army in Western France during WWI established on July 5 1917 under command of General Pershing.  AEF HQ at Chaumont, France. Total # of soldiers in 1918, 2,057,675.

**doughboys is a popular term for American infantrymen in WWI.  The origin of the term is unknown but among the possibilities are because of their fondness for doughnuts served by the Red Cross and the shape of their uniform buttons.

SOURCE

"Great U.S. Army of '20 Fades; Soon Sons Must Defend Flag," The Sunday Star, Washington, D.C., February 11, 1923, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/

General Headquarters A.E.F.

Distinctive Cloth Insignia

by The Institute of Heraldry

"UNCLE SAM'S MOST WIDELY TRAVELED PRODIGAL"

A.E.F. DESERTER, ATTEMPTING TO SURRENDER, MISSES THE BOAT

London (JFK+50) On January 26, 1923, the Associated Press reports Rusceyl Pattenger of Roodhouse*, Illinois, an A.E.F.** deserter, "is destitute" here in London "after wandering 10,000 miles through Asia and Europe."

It seems Mr. Pattenger has been attempting to be taken into custody for the past two years.  His latest attempt failed when he was unable to reach Antwerp to board the transport St. Mihiel.

The AP describes him as "Uncle Sam's most widely traveled prodigal" and "a pitiful spectacle of a man who once wore the uniform."

Rusceyl Pattenger deserted in Siberia on January 17, 1920.

JFK+50 NOTE

During WWI, 5,584 American servicemen were charged with desertion while 2,657 were convicted.  24 received death sentences that were later commuted by order of President Woodrow Wilson.

*Roodhouse is located in Greene County in the west central region of Illinois.  Its 1920 population, 2,928, was a 34.9% increase from 1910.

**American Expeditionary Force (1917-1920) was the U.S. Army at the Western Front in WWI.  AEF Headquarters were at Chaumont, France. In 1918, the AEF numbered over 2 million men.

SOURCE

"Yank Deserter, Circling Globe To Surrender, Misses St. Mihiel," The Evening Star, Washington, D.C., January 26, 1923, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/

A.E.F. in London

1917

Photo by Horace Nicholls

Imperial War Museum