October 8th, 2018
100 years ago today, my grandfather Pvt. Frank G. S. Erickson, a runner/rifleman for Company H under the command of Lt. Willam J. Cullen had a significant feeling he would survive the hellacious experience of what would be known as the 'Lost Battalion.'

Frank along with 193 other men of the 308th Infantry escaped through 'the pocket' of the Argonne and into semi-instant fame as surviving members of the 'Lost Battalion.' They had been through hell since the 2nd of October and the survivors stood proud in the group photo taken soon after (below). 554 men went into the Argonne and as mentioned only 194 walked out. The remaining 334 were either killed or captured.

Frank's grave site photograph below was taken yesterday October 7th in Bismarck, ND by my cousin Michael Boutrous, also a grandson of Frank. Mike added a couple cowboy photographs taken when Frank was an Oregon Railroad deputy. Another image of Frank from Oregon is below.

100 years ago today, Frank was surely sighing breaths of relief, yet saddened to the core at the loss of so many of his buddies and fellow soldiers.

Frank's experince in the Argonne haunted him for a lifetime. His stories were chilling and my memory of him is still strong. He inspires me still with his work ethic, strong liberal views and his craftsmanship. He was a true western man.