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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I am fortunate for having the many historic photographs, citations, western and military memorabilia that my grandfather Frank kept safe through flood and time. A great example is this New York Evening Journal article dated November 15th, 1918, titled "Whittlesey's Story of 'Lost Battalion' - Heroic Exploits of Trapped New Yorkers Recounted by Returning Commander." This was written just over a month after the October 1918 days in the Argonne. Frank Gustaf Severin Erickson was a member of 77th Division - 308th Infantry and was a rifleman / runner with Company H. He was a surviving member of the famed "Lost Battalion," of early October 1918 in the Argonne Forest in France. He served under Major Charles White Whittlesey and Captain George G. McMurtry. During the Argonne siege Frank served as a runner for Captain William J. Cullens. Three members of the Regiment were awarded the Medal of Honor with the 308th and their times in the Meuse Argonne Battle, they were Major Whittlesey, Captain McMurtry and First Sergeant Benjamin Kaufman. Additionally, seventy-five members of the Regiment were awarded the Distinguished Service Cross and a further two the Croix de Guerre. Frank received the Silver Star and the Meuse Argonne Defense Medal, besides other commendations in 1919. Frank gave me many things over the many years as I was growing up which I treasure to this day. Some items are boxed and well kept since then, some hang on the wall or stand on shelves that I daily enjoy seeing. Many are here for you to view on his two pages of this website. I came across this article that Frank had folded in a Lost Battalion reunion envelope, dated November 15th, 1918 and published in the New York Evening Journal. It is titled, "Whittlesey's Story of Lost Battalion: Heroic Exploits of Trapped New Yorkers Recounted by Returning Commander."
Go to this page of images for Lost Battalion books that Frank is mentioned in:
My grandfather Frank Erickson (standing - 8th from the left) along with Company H, photographed in Apremont, France in early 1919. |
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