World War I broke out August 1914. America didn’t enter the war until 1917. In reality America didn’t want to enter the war at all. The President at the time, Woodrow Wilson, issued a declaration of neutrality. America tried to negotiate peace between the Axis and the Allies. On May 7th 1915 German ships fired torpedoes on a British passenger ship. On the ship was 128 Americans. President Wilson demanded that Germany stop attacking passenger ships, and that America would not tolerate it. After numerous American ships were sunk, America declared war on Germany April 6th 1917.

Trenches were a big part of World war I. Life in the trenches was very unpleasant. Many soldiers caught disease. Some were common such as the cold and flu, but others were much more deadly such as Trench Foot, and Trench Fever. The cause of Trench Foot was due to the wet conditions. Mold would usually grow until the soldier had to amputate his entire foot, knee or even leg. Trench Fever was spread by lice.

One method of attack using trenches was called “over the top”. A group of soldiers would go over their own trenches and run across “no mans land”. The problem with this was that when they would get about half way they would either be dead or badly wounded. Other forms of attack were; using grenades, machine guns, mustard gas, and even tanks. The Germans were the first to use gas. Rifles were the main weapons used by the Allies and the Axis in the trenches.

Private Earl F. Kunz of Marshfield was a soldier for the Allies. During the war he was killed in action. His remains were brought back to Marshfield from overseas. He lost his life during the later portion of the war. He was buried with military honors under the auspices of the local Legion post. All of the Pallbearers were ex service men. Commander Asa Rhoades was in charge of the funeral.

The service of this young man and all of the others that served will not be forgotten. He gave his life as did many others for the well being of others. Without people like Earl F. Kunz we would not be living the way we do today.

By John Akkerman
East Junior High School