William G. Riethus
What is World War I also called? It is commonly called "The Great War." The great War started in August, 1914 and went until November of 1918. America tried very hard to keep out of this war that was fought in Europe, but in 1917, German attacked allied ships which caused U.S. casualities. The United States could no longer stay out, so they packed up as many men and women as they could, trained them and sent them to the front lines to defend our country.

According to "The History of the 127th Infantry, 64th Brigade, 32nd Division, 1917-1919," Company A of the Wisconsin National Guard was mobilized on July 15, 1917. On September 24th, 1917, the 1st and 2nd Wisconsin Infantries were drafted under Federal Service into the new 127th infantry. Company A was part of this unit, and included members from the 6th Wisconsin. The 127th and Company A trained for a month, getting ready for the big fight at the front line.

"......Marshfield responds with Company A mobilized at home on July 15, 1917..." "Companies A and 1st and 2nd Wisconsin Infantry were stationed at Camp McArthur, Waco, Texas as advance detachment from the regiment." "The rest of the regiment went up and on September 24, 1917 the 1st and Wisconsin Infantries were drafted into Federal Service under the new distinction of the 127th U.S. Infantry. In this new order Company A received a large number of men from the 6th Wisconsin who had happened to enlist in Marshfield." "The new 32nd division had been put together, trained and equipped to go overseas." Company A left the camp on January 21st, 1918 going to Camp Merritt, New Jersey, which would mean that they would be going over to Europe in a very short time. They arrived at Camp Merritt on January 28th. The boys were well quarted, well fed and in high spirits. "Any soldier that was stationed there knows it to be a totally awesome camp with the last touch of the good old U.S.A. with amazing soft beds, amazing clean kitchens and mess halls that are the bees knees, all the hot showers you can imagine!! There is so much heat and light it could be mistaken for the sun!"

Taken from the March 2nd, 1918, Marshfield Times, "One of the many soldiers who died in the camps was Marshfield's own Sergeant William Reithus, Jr." William died from Pneumonia. He had almost recovered and was close to defeating the disease, when a relapse happened. If William could have served he would have made his country and family proud of him. William left this earth with his loving father by his side.

Sara Kempen, Student
East Junior High, Wisconsin Rapids

World War I is known as the "Forgotten War", because it was the last war fought that was not recorded through pictures, film, or news reports. This war was fought between August 1914 to November 1918 and the countries involved were England, France, Russia, Italy, Austria-Hungary, and Germany. There were 36 countries all together involved in the fighting. The U.S. didn't enter the war until April 6, 1917. The reason America entered the war was because Germany attacked our ships and was trying to get Mexico on its side. World War I changed the world, because nothing like it had ever happened before.

Sergeant William Riethus Jr., the only son of Mr. and Mrs. William Riethus, Marshfield, Wisconsin, proudly served as a member of the 127th Infantry Band. Billy, as he was called, worked on his family farm until he joined the Army and was sent in June, 1916 with Company A to the Mexican Border.

The History of the 127th Infantry, 64th Brigade, 32nd Division, 1917-1919, reports that the men were stationed at Camp Wilson in San Antonio, Texas for 8 months of hard drilling, hiking and toiling. In February 1917 they went back home in better physical shape then they had left. They were called into action on July 15,th 1917 and mobilized at Camp Douglas. Company A was sent to Camp McArthur Waco, Texas before the rest of the regiment. Their purpose was to set up camp in the South and their goal was to "beat the Hun."

The time between August 21, 1917 and January 21, 1918 at Camp McArthur was no vacation reports the History of the 127th Infantry. The company left the camp on January 21, 1918 and arrived at Camp Merritt, New Jersey on January 28th. According to the History of the 127th Infantry. Camp Merritt was known as a fine camp with good beds, fine kitchens, and excellent baths. The soldiers were anxious to go to war and learned that they were to sail for France on February 18th.

Some of the soldiers never made it to the ship because an epidemic of mumps went through the camp. Sergeant Riethus was one of the soldiers left behind because he contracted pneumonia, recovered, and then relapsed and died on February 26, 1918.

Sergeant Riethus would never experience the uneventful trip across the sea, the labor at Saint Sulpice, and the intensive training at Courcelles. He would also not experience the battles at Alsace, Chateau-Thierry, Sossions, Juvigny, and Argonne Forest. His fellow soldiers experienced hardship as they hiked from battle to battle carrying heavy packs, automatic rifles, and loaded clips for the automatic rifles. The weather was wet and cold and many of the men had lice. On April 18, 1918, Company A left Germany to begin the long trip home.

Sergeant William Riethus Jr. was brought home from New Jersey by his father who had been with him when he died. The Marshfield Times, March 2, 1918, included a two page article describing Billy's life and death. The Times noted that his parents were heart broken and the city of Marshfield mourned his death. The Times reported that Billy was "admired for his bravery, love of his country, and manly bearing."

Veronica Nelson
East Junior High School

28 Feb 1918, Thu The Marshfield News and Wisconsin Hub (Marshfield, Wisconsin) Newspapers.com

28 Feb 1918, Thu The Marshfield News and Wisconsin Hub (Marshfield, Wisconsin) Newspapers.com