Private Ralph Schenken's World War I Adventure

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Millions of men served in the United States military during World War 1. None of them are living but some have left evidence of their World War 1 adventures. Private Ralph Schenken of the U.S. Army’s 27th Division was one of those.

Pvt. Ralph Schenken with his parents and brother.

Ralph Schenken’s notice to appear for physical examination.

Draft classification card. A “1” means you’re very likely on your way to being a soldier. I’m not sure why the Notice to Appear for Examination is dated after the Notice of Classification.

When you go to war you get plenty of fliers, information cards and booklets. This one urges soldiers to not be Absent Without Leave.

This Army Song Booklet from World War 1 is another item that was provided to some soldiers including Ralph Schenken.

Here’s a look inside the Army Song booklet with musical notes and lyrics. The Army song was adopted from the Artillery Song or Caisson Song.

Training at Camp Gordon, Georgia.

Lewis Machine gun. A 7.62 mm gas-operated light machine gun that could fire 550 rounds per minute with an effective range of 850 meters (880 yards). It weighed 26 pounds.

Three soldiers pose at Fort Gordon.

A pass that was issued to Ralph Schenken of Company E, 32nd Infantry Regiment (training) while at Camp Gordon allowed him to visit Atlanta, Ga.

After training at For Gordon it was off to Europe for Ralph Schenken and his buddies. Here’s Schenken’s Abandon Ship tag for the S.S. Czar.

The Czar, first launched in 1912, was employed as a troopship carrying United States troops to France as part of the United States Navy’s Cruiser and Transport Force.

Ralph Schenken (left) was assigned to the Company C, 102nd Ammunition Transportation Battalion of the 27 Infantry Division.

Here’s a look at one of the 102nd Ammunition Battalion’s trucks. Very primitive compared to what we have today. No protection from rain or extreme temperatures. Of course, horse-drawn wagon drivers had endured these conditions for centuries.

Here’s a better look at the type of truck that Schenken’s unit used to transport ammunition. (Source: National Archives of the United States)

Soldiers sit on the barrel of a huge rail artillery gun. These weapons could inflict enormous casualties on their targets. This is possibly a 320 mm French-made rail gun.

This likely French woman blushes as Ralph Schenken passes her. The French greatly appreciated the American presence in France.

Here’s another booklet given to Schenken. A France our Ally booklet published by the YMCA.

Two tickets from Laval to Montsurs, France.

Soldiers celebrate Christmas in Montsurs.

Pvt. James W. Sutton

French money from World War 1.

Schenken kept in touch with his friends and family during his deployment. Notice the Censored stamp at the bottom. Any mail home had to be cleared by a censor, in this case Schenken’s Company Commander Captain Alson Shantz.

Following the armistice that ceased hostilities, American and other allied forces moved into Germany. This photo shows a German 1,000 mark bill that would be worthless within a few years due to unfair surrender terms placed on Germany that caused the German economy to collapse.