World War I, the first of the 2 Great War, started August, 1914. Some of the countries involved were Russia, Germany, England, France, Italy, and Austria-Hungary. America was in isolation from the European War, but a German U-Boat sunk the British liner Lusitania in 1915 with 128 Americans aboard. America then decided to do something about it. They entered the war with all intentions of winning.

As America raced to try to get ready all their troops were being deployed. Leo Lutz, son of Mrs. Charles Lutz, Marshfield, was one of the youngest men. Lutz really didn't have a job. He was training as a Jacky at the Great Lakes Naval Training Station. After that he enlisted for the Navy.

Company A has some history behind it. A new camp was established and the 127th infantry of Company A went to work. Everyone was told they were to sail for France. They arrived in Geincart on March 9th. Company A then traveled to Courcelles to learn specialty weapons and trench warfare. They were now prepared to go to the frontlines.

After the month of training Company A left Courcelles. The first trip into the trenches was made on June 9th. They experienced their first casualty from artillery. They moved to the line of Roncheres and then decided they were going to attack and capture Fismes on the River Vesle. During the fight the company suffered from one killed officer and 118 enlisted men killed and wounded.

The Marshfield News on April 17, 1919 issue had a short story about Leo Lutz."Leo Lutz died April 9th at the Great Lakes Naval Training Station, where he was in training as a Jacky. The cause of death was given as cerebrospinal fever. The patriotic young was 18 years and six months old. The funeral was held Saturday afternoon with military honors. Discharged boys of the naval service of the world war served as pallbearers. Leo Lutz will be remembered as a patriotic young man willing to fight for his county."

Nelson Blaha
East Junior High School