308th Infantry Regiment (United States)
The 308th Infantry Regiment was a United States Army regiment of World War I which formed part of the 77th Infantry Division. It is best known for the experiences of several of its companies which formed part of the so-called "Lost Battalion" after becoming isolated behind German lines in an attack on the Argonne Forest in October 1918.[1]
Of the 9 companies that made up the Lost Battalion, 6 of the companies (A, B, C, E, G, and H companies) were part of the 308th Infantry Regiment. The other two regiments were the 307th Infantry Regiment (K Company) and the 306th Machine Gun Battalion (companies C and D). Of the 554 men who made up the Lost Battalion, roughly 197 of them killed, 150 of them taken prisoner or are MIA, and 194 of them were rescued. The Battalion advanced into the Argonne Forest on October 2, 1918, with the belief that French forces were supporting the left flank and two U.S. divisions (including the 92nd Division) were supporting the right flank, when really the French advancement had been stalled, as well as the U.S. divisions. At this time they were led by Major Charles White Whittlesey, whom was a Medal of Honor recipient (along with his second-in-command George G. McMurtry) due to his leadership of the battalion out of German territory and, after the war, committed suicide by jumping off a ship heading for Cuba.[1]
References
- 1 2 "Lost Battallion". The Columbia Encyclopedia – via Questia (subscription required) .
Further reading
- Kingseed, Cole C. (November 2010). "The Fighting Doughboys of the American Expeditionary Forces". Army – via Questia (subscription required) (United States Army) 60 (11): 45.
- Cameron, Cameron (Winter 2009). "Monument Unveils Legend of 'Lost Battalion'". Warrior - Citizen – via Questia (subscription required) (United States Army) 54 (1): 40.
- Johnson, Thomas M.; Pratt, Fletcher (2000). The Lost Battalion. University of Nebraska Press – via Questia (subscription required) . ISBN 0-8032-7613-3.