The Story of the American Expeditionary Forces
|
USMC
|
Letters and Photos
of
Eugene West, 1st Battalion, 5th Marines
Contributed by His Daughter Marydith West Beeman
|
Lt. Eugene West, USMC
These materials were transcribed and compiled by his daughter, Marydith W. Beeman, with help of Eugene's sister, Esther Irene West.
Eugene West (no middle name) was born in Lucknow, India, November 28, 1898. He was brought up in India as one of four children including his brother John, who was also in the war. Of missionary parents, Eugene went to college at Ohio Wesleyan University before joining up in the Marine Corps at age 19. These letters and photos were saved by his family. After the war he worked in India for Standard Oil, was Asst. Trade Commissioner in New Zealand, before returning to the states, where he later worked for Remington Arms during WWII and Dupont. Eugene West died 1961 and is buried Arlington National Cemetery.
His parents were born in Ohio, but all their children were born and educated through high school in British Indian schools; you will note British spelling of some words. Eugene and his brother John were both in the war, as was "Giger" (Hubert Ernsberger), a friend from school in India and college in Ohio. I have always wondered about him, and you will see why.
Note: Because Eugene was raised in India in a missionary family, his references to that country and his home experiences will have comments of explanation, many supplied several years ago by his sister. Included here in these dozen letters are primarily the military information, omitting family greetings and a part Eugene wished not to have published. In some letters, he mistakenly wrote 1917 for 1918, maybe in wishful thinking. Censored sections are indicated by underlines, editorial comments are in brackets.
|
Click on Title to Access Material
Eugene West's Service Record
|
Eugene West's Photo Album
|
Letter 1 |
Greetings from a New Marine
April 22, 1917
|
Letter 2 |
Somewhere in France
Christmas Eve, 1917
|
Letter 3 |
A Friend from India in Distress
January 30, 1917 (1918)
|
Letter 4 |
Now a Sergeant
May 8, 1917 (1918)
|
Letter 5 |
Paris and a Commission
July 15th, 1918
|
Letter 6 |
After Soissons
July 27, 1918
|
Letter 7 |
Meeting a Congressman
August 23, 1918
|
Letter 8 |
Preparing for an Action in the Champagne
October 1, 1918
|
Letter 9 |
The Battle of Blanc Mont
October 15, 1918
|
Letter 10 |
The Last Day of the War
November 27, 1918
|
Letter 11 |
Crossing the Rhine
December 14, 1918
|
Letter 12 |
Occupation Duty
January 5, 1919
|
Sources and Thanks: All the material used on these pages were provided by Marydith Beeman with the exception of two paintings from the USMC historical series. MH
|
To find other Doughboy Features visit our
Directory Page
|
For Great War Society
Membership Information
Click on Icon |
For further information on the events of 1914-1918
visit the homepage of
The Great War Society
|
Additions and comments on these pages may be directed to:
Michael E. Hanlon
(medwardh@hotmail.com) regarding content,
or toMike Iavarone (mikei01@execpc.com)
regarding form and function. Original artwork & copy; © 1998-2000, The
Great War Society
|