The 109th Infantry and the 108th Machine Gun Battalion in World War 1, made a name for themselves while on the front lines. Although the main units that are mentioned in this report are the 109th Inf Regt. In no way will this article distract from the overall showing of the 28th Inf Div. It was a consolidated effort. There was really no single unit that can take credit for the performance and accomplishments of the 28th Inf Div during that period.
April 21, 1918 the 109th left Camp Hancock,NY and traveled t Camp Upton, Long Island, NY. On May 2nd,1918 they embarked on troop transports. They became part of a very large convoy. During the trip overseas the 109th Inf Regt experienced their first casualty of the war. Howard G.Taylor Company "G" developed pneumonia and died.
The convoy docked in Liverpool, England and set up camp at Notty Ash. On May 19,1918 the 28th Inf Div set sail accross the English Channel. They arrived in Calais, France. The Division dispersed to various camps. During this period they received equipment. July 4,1918 the Division was ordered to move to the front lines to support French troops near Condeen. July 8,1918 they were ordered to another sector of the front lines. They were no longer in support. Now they had their own section to defend. Campaign Marne defenses known as the fifth German offensive seems to be the baptism of fire for the 109th. It was midnight, May 14,1918 when a terrific bombardment was the opening of the Great Battle, which followed early in the morning on May 15,1918 with an attack by the enemy on the whole front of this sector. The whole front line manned by Companies "L" and "M",109th Regt. was nearly annihilated. The Regiment held its ground even though they suffered large casualties and threw the enemy back with heavy losses . The 109th Regt. fought steady for 5 straight days and nights without rest, while being under constant artillary fire from the Germans. At this time the 109th Regt had no artillay support of their own. This line was the only barrier keeping the enemy from Paris. Thus the 28th Inf Div earned the nick name of "Iron Division".
On November 10,1918 the 28th Division moved Vigneullesles Hattonchatel under command of Col. Prescott.Who just assumed command of the 109th Regt. Col.Prescott set up his headquarters atthe Hassavant farm. The 2nd Battalion under command of Major Gregory advanced to attack. The 3rd Battalion remained in reserve at the crossroads. The 2nd Battalin ran into a nightmare. The enemy had elaborate defences set up. Conceteimplacements, several belts of barbed wire, heavyly mined, and supported by artillary and machine gun fire. Perserverence paid off. The attack was successful. The 2nd Battalion dug in and held its ground behind Ravdyrin. The next morning the 2nd Battalion attacked again. The armistice came at 11:00 AM. This attack cost the lives of 5 officers and 150 enlisteds. This was a heavy price to pay.
After the war ended the 28th Inf Division was assigned duties in and around nothern France. These were mainly routine duties.
Around mid April,1919 the 28th Division received orders to return the United States. They arrived on May 3,1919. The Division reported in to Camp Dix in New Jersey. Replacements to the Division from other states were discharged. The remainder that were from Pennsylvania went to Philadelphia on May 15,1919 and led a parade.
The history of the 28th Inf Div does not end there. During the 2nd World War the 28th Division was again activated and served with honor. The 28th earned another nick name during the battle of the Bulge. That nick name was "Bloody Bucket Division" The Division put the fear of God into the enemy.An account of their exploits are noted elsewhere in this web site.
The information above came from records kept by a former member of the 109th Inf Regt. His name George Iyoob Jr. from Mayfield, PA. The records were kept by his 2 sons, George and William, who made them available in order to put them on this web site. Thank you William and George Iyoob.