Log Cabin Memorial - Veterans 314th Infantry Regiment A.E.F.

"Website project will honor WWI veterans"
Newspaper article in the East Bay (RI) Newspaper
BY JASON TURCOTTE jturcotte@eastbaynewspapers.com
http://www.eastbayri.com/story/289782914081045.php
This article was initiated by Charlie Mogayzel a 314th Member

WHAT WE'RE ABOUT

The Descendents and Friends of the 314th are a group of people dedicated to
honoring and preserving the story of their fathers and grandfathers in the First World War.

Originally organized as the Veterans of the 314th Infantry A.E.F. the veterans have since passed on.
The current membership helps to maintain the Log Cabin Memorial at Valley Forge National Park,
receives a newsletter, and once a year attends a Memorial Day service at the
Washington Memorial Chapel located on the same grounds as the cabin.

We are always looking for new members and interested persons.
Anyone wanting more information please contact John H. Shetler at jhshetler@comcast.net.
Please title your email inquiries with "314th Inf".

If you wish to become a member please use the membership form here. Contributions are tax deductable.

HISTORY OF THE LOG CABIN

Erected at Camp Meade, Maryland in 1917 by the men of the 314th as an Officers Club and assembly room, it was purchased from the U.S. government after the war, carefully torn down, and rebuilt on ground provided by the Washington Memorial Chapel by members of the regiment. Dedicated in 1922 by the Veterans of the 314th A.E.F. to honor the 362 men of the regiment who made the supreme sacrifice, the cabin houses artifacts of the 314th which allows us to glimpse at how life was for the men during the First World War. The centerpiece of the cabin is a bronze tablet listing all the members of the regiment. A star was placed beside each name upon their death as a sign of honor. Click here to see photos of the Log Cabin over the decades

History of the 314th A.E.F.

Organized as part of the 79th Division A.E.F. the men of the 314th were trained at Camp Meade, Maryland. Arriving at the camp in September, 1917 the unit completed training and sailed to France aboard the USS Leviathan in July, 1918. Upon arrival at Brest, France they continued training until September when they took part in the Meuse Argonne Offensive. Capturing the town of Malancourt on September, 26 1918, they assisted the 313th Infantry the following day in the capture of the town of Montfaucon. It should be noted that Montfaucon was a heavily defended area and observation post of the German army. Of the four infantry regiments of the 79th Division involved in the offensive, the 314th was hardest hit. It took several days to account for all the missing and bring the regiment up past the halfway mark in manpower.

The 79th Division was relieved on September, 30th and transferred to the Troyon sector. Here they did a variety of tasks, including holding the front. Alternating duty with the 313th, 315th, and 316th Infantry in the trenches. In this period of so called rest, they were harassed with mustard gas, shelling and enemy raids but did not yield the line.

At the end of October the 79th Division was again relieved and moved in place to participate in the third phase of the Meuse Argonne Offensive. On November 1, 1918 the 314th drove forward and captured the towns of Crepion, Waville, and Moirey by November, 9th. The following day the unit captured Buisson Chaumont, Hill 328. On November 11th the 314th advanced against Cote de Romagne and stopped firing at 11am., time of the armistice. At wars end that day, the 314th had made the greatest drive of the offensive into German lines, east of the Meuse River.

The regiment continued training, passed a review by General Pershing, and shipped home on May 15, 1919 aboard the Princess Matokia. Arriving at Hoboken, New Jersey on May 26, they were discharged at Camp Dix, New Jersey end of May 1919.

This is a brief overview of the regiment and its actions. For more information about the 314th in World War One there is a current two volume booklet for sale. Please contact Steve Rentz at srentz@comcast.net Also see list of books and websites on this website.
 

79th Division History

Commanded by General Joseph H. Kuhn, the 79th Division was organized in August 1917. Composed of Pennsylvania, Maryland, and District of Columbia men, later rotations of draftees would include New York, Ohio, Rhode Island, and West Virginia.

The division trained at Camp Meade, Maryland which included help from British and French officers. Trench warfare was studied and taught but the American Army had taken the open attack approach for the upcoming offensives and the training reflected this. Several times during the course of training, men were moved from the division to other units. This, along with lack of proper equipment, and sufficient training hampered the division from deployment to France.

The 79th shipped out to France in July 1918 and continued training upon arrival in France. At the beginning of September 1918 the division entered the front line, relieving units of the French Army, and participated in the first phase of the Meuse-Argonne offensive. The average training of the men at this point in time was approximately 33 days, due to replacement troops. During the course of the next two months the 79th would earn two distinctions. One, for holding up the advance against formidable odds at Montfaucon, France and two, for making the deepest thrust into German lines on the last day of the war, November 11, 1918.

Communication problems, terrain, snipers, little artillery support, and overrun enemy positions in the rear were all problems for the division. French and Allied Aero support were all but nonexistent in several cases.

Division strength in August 1918 was at 26,150 men. In November the total is at 19,035. Although the division was only engaged from September 26, 1918 to November 11, 1918, it lost more men than any other American division during this period.

THE LORRAINE CROSS - Symbol of Triumph

In the battle of Nancy during the 15th Century, Charles the Bold, Duke of Burgundy, was defeated and the reign of the House of Anjou began. The Lorraine Cross was adopted by the new reign (Rene 11, 1473-1508) and served as a symbol of justice and freedom to the people of Lorraine and French Nation.

During all its war service, the 79th Division fought in the French province of Lorraine. Fighting against formidable odds, the division claimed victory. It is only fitting the division would choose the Lorraine Cross as its symbol and was adopted shortly after the war ended.

Originally called the Liberty Division, the 79th pledged to win back that portion called Lorraine for France. It is with honor that the 79th Division still wears the Cross of Lorraine today.

The Lorraine Cross was adopted by Major General Joseph Kuhn and his staff shortly after the armistice was signed.

Approved by General Headquarters, the insignia was to be worn on the upper left arm near the shoulder.

Many variations of the patch exist maybe due to the fact that most or all were sewn in France by different manufacturers.

Since the insignia was adopted after the end of the war it is quite possible that many of the men had little time to sew it on their uniform before boarding ship for home.

Chronology of the 314th Regiment

UNITS COMPRISING THE SEVENTY-NINTH DIVISION A.E.F.

Veterans of the 314 Infantry American Expeditionary Forces Stained Glass Window in the Fort Meade Historic Main Post Chapel Photos by Marc Romanych - Secretary, Western Front Association - East Coast Chapter