Louis Mangold

Private Louis Mangaold was born sometime in the year 1890. He was a resident of Marshfield, where he spent his youth and then later joined the Army. After basic training, Louis was shipped to France to fight in WWI. In addition, Louis was a member of the Shawano Company during his time in France. Prior to his enlistment, he worked at a department store, and had never been far from home and certainly not to Europe.

Louis was killed in action August 4, 1918 in France. He didn't die in a big battle, but his death was sometime between the second battle of the Marne, July 15, 1918 and the battle of Havrincourt, September 12, 1918. Louis Mangold was buried in Ais-Marne, France sometime after his death. Mangold died around the same time as two other men from Marshfield, Walter Soles and Louis Seidl, who died the 3rd and 4th of August.

Mrs L.J. Mangold of Milwaukee found out that her son was killed in action while she was spending a few days in Marshfield visiting her daughter, Mrs W.H. Ludwig. Louis was 23 when he died, a short life but one filled with adventure and fear that all soldiers encounter and sacrifice.

Private Louis Mangold volunteered to help his country in a war far from home that cost him his life. We can be very grateful for people like Louis who put the needs of those above their own. Just by thinking of those actions gives us insight into the character of Louis Mangold and his love for our nation.

John Graves, Student
East Junior High, Wisconsin Rapids

World War I is known as "The War We Forgot", the First World War, the Great War, and the War to End All Wars. WWI has no real national monuments, statues, parks, iconic images, and only has one living soldier in the United States that we know of today. Nearly two million soldiers went over seas to fight for the U.S. and there isn't anything to remember these brave soldiers by, except the occasional lesson in schools through out the country.

WWI was a global military conflict that included the majority of the world's great powers. Over 70 million military personnel were mobilized in one of the largest wars the world had ever seen at this time. Over 15 million people were killed in this war, making it one of the most deadly wars in recorded history.

In 1917 Louis Mangold was working at a department store in Shawano, WI. At that time Company F, 4th Infantry Regiment, Wisconsin National Guard was formed. Louis enlisted and went into training at Camp Douglas, WI in the summer of 1917. In September he transferred to Camp MacArthur in Waco, TX where the National Guard units were reorganized into the 127th and 128th Infantry Regiments, 64th Brigade, 32nd Division. Shawano's Company F was disbanded.

From the History of the 127th Infantry, 64th Brigade, 32nd Division, 1917-1919 we know that in February of 1918 Louis Mangold and the 32nd Division were deployed to France via the ship USS George Washington. According to Family Stories-Company F, 4th Infantry Regiment Wisconsin National Guard Oscar F. Druckrey

They spent six weeks training in Brest, France. In March the 127th were assigned to labor and guard duty with the Service of Supply. In April the 32nd Division was brought together for training in East Central France. Then in May they were assigned to trench warfare training in South Alsace, France.

The German offenses were gaining. In July, Louis and the 127th were ordered to the Aisne-Marne region where several other Divisions were already fighting. On July 30th the 32nd Division attacked Bois de Cierges and sustained heavy losses. The attacked resumed on August 1st north of Cierges against Bellevue Farm on Hill 230 and was won by a frontal attack of the 127th Infantry. They were then relieved and sent to the rear for two days.

Louis Mangold was back on the front lines on August 4th at St. Gilles attacking Fismes. Casualties were heavy that day and included Louis. The Family Stories said "the casualties were so bad that at the end of the day they were only able to compose a single battalion out of the three that were originally in the battle." Walter Soles and Louis Seidl of Marshfield, and part of the 127th Infantry Regiment, also lost their lives the same day.

The Marshfield Herald reported Louis' death in their paper on August 17th 1918. They reported that "Louis Mangold was killed in action on August 4th. Deceased enlisted with a Shawano Company where he was at work in a department store. He was 23 years of age, a bright, able young man. Most of the years of his life were spent in this city." I believe his age was actually 26 when he died. He was born on September 29th, 1891 and died on August 4th, 1918.

Corporal Louise Mangold was a young man who heard the call to defend his country. He fought courageously and made the ultimate sacrifice, his life, for our freedom. He will always be remembered as a hero.

Cody Blakeslee
Wisconsin Rapids, WI

22 Aug 1918, Thu The Marshfield News and Wisconsin Hub (Marshfield, Wisconsin) Newspapers.com