m a r k e r i c k s o n p a i n t i n g s Frank Severin Erickson Ernest Julius Erickson Andrew Anders Sebran Erickson American Expeditionary Force 1918 - 1919 Out West & North Dakota
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My grandfather, Frank Gustaf Severin Erickson (308th Infantry - Company H) standing in the midst of other surviving soldiers of the 77th Division. Known as "The Lost Battalion," this photograph was taken at Apremont & the Argonne Forest in France on October 28th, 1918 a couple weeks after they had escaped the mayhem. The well chronicled “Lost Battalion” of World War I was comprised of nine companies of the 77th Infantry Division. In the Argonne forest in early October of 1918, the division advanced toward the German line, believing themselves to be supported by French forces on their right flank. However, the French advance was stalled, and the division found itself surrounded by the Germans and cut off. For six days the division sustained heavy casualties, but held it’s ground. Frank was a runner for Captain William J. Cullen of the 308th Infantry. to Frank Severin Erickson dated March 1st, 1919 “We are along the road parallel 276.4.Our artillery is dropping a barrage directly on us. For Heavens sake stop it.” When the division was initially created in World War I, almost all of its recruits were drafted from NYC, and many of the men came from different areas of the country. Like my grandfather Frank coming from North Dakota, there were quite a few from the Great Plains states represented in the 77th. The division was nicknamed the “Liberty Division,” sometimes referred to as the Statue of Liberty Division. Reflected by the image of the Statue of Liberty on the unit’s arm patch you can view this on Frank's uniform here: Frank Severin Erickson's 77th Division uniform |
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