History of the

150TH Machine Gun Battalion

42D ‘Rainbow’ Division

during World War I

 

This page is dedicated in honor of Private First Class Joseph Lorenz.

PFC Lorenz was a native of Ohio who enlisted in Company F, 2D Wisconsin Infantry Regiment in Oshkosh, Wisconsin in June of 1917. He served in France with Company C, 150TH MG Bn., was wounded in combat at the Ourcq River, and later died as a result of his wounds on 21 November 1918. Today he rests with his Comrades at Suresnes American Military Cemetery near Paris. One of his descendants contributed valuable information for this page.

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On 16 Aug. 1917, Companies E, F and G, 2D Wisconsin Infantry Regiment, were officially detached from the 2nd Wisconsin and became the 150TH Machine Gun Battalion [Companies A, formerly Co. G, 2D Wis. (Appleton); B, formerly Co. E, 2D Wis. (Fond du Lac); and C, formerly Co. F, 2D Wis. (Oshkosh)], 83D Infantry Brigade of the 42D 'Rainbow' Division. The HQs Company was formed largely from Soldiers from Co. M, 2D Wis. (Oconto). Each machine gun company had an authorized strength of one captain, two first lieutenants and three second lieutenants, all mounted on horses, and 172 enlisted men. The Battalion Commander was Major W. B. Hall, of Oconto, previously one of the battalion commanders in the 2nd Wisconsin. The Company Commanders were; Co. A, CPT Lothar G. Graef; Co. B, CPT Adelbert R. Brunet; Co. C, CPT Gustave C. Schwandt.

The 42D 'Rainbow' Division was organized by combining National Guard units from 26 states and the District of Columbia. The National Guard units from the other states included: Louisiana Cavalry; 3D Battalion, 4TH Pennsylvania Infantry; 69TH New York Infantry; 4TH Ohio Infantry; Companies B, C and F, Georgia Infantry; 4TH Alabama Infantry; 3D Iowa Infantry; 1ST Illinois Field Artillery; 1ST Minnesota Field Artillery; 3D and 4TH Companies, Maryland, C. A. C., forming 117TH Trench Mortar Battery; 1ST Separate Battalion, South Carolina Engineers; 1ST Separate Battalion, California Engineers; Missouri Field Battalion, Signal Troops; Virginia C. A. C. (Military Police); Engineers' Train, North Carolina; Ammunition Train, Kansas; Supply Train, Texas; 1ST Ambulance Company, Michigan; 1ST Ambulance Company, New Jersey; 1ST Ambulance Company, Tennessee; 1ST Ambulance Company, Oklahoma; 1ST Field Hospital Company, District of Columbia; 1ST Field Hospital Company, Nebraska; 1ST Field Hospital Company, Colorado; 1ST Field Hospital Company, Oregon. The 'Rainbow' Division would be assembled at Camp Mills, Mineola, Long Island (New York) under the command of Major General William A. Mann.

On 3 Sept. 1917 the 150TH MG Battalion departed Camp Douglas, Wisconsin bound for Camp Mills to assemble with the rest of the 42D Division. The Battalion was carried on two trains, the first section pulled out at 3:50 p.m. with the Battalion HQ's and Company C, an hour later Companies A and B departed on the second train. The only stop was at Meadville, Pa., the soldiers detrained and took a twenty-minute hike while the trains ice and water were replenished.

On 5 Sept. the 150TH MG Battalion arrived at Camp Mills. The first section arrived at 11:20 a.m. and the second section at 4:15 p.m.

On 13 Sept. the last unit (160TH Infantry from Iowa) of the 42D Division arrived at Camp Mills making the formation of that Division complete. A different source suggested that the 1ST Michigan Ambulance Company was the last unit to arrive, also on 13 Sept.

On 18 Oct. 1917 the 150TH MG Battalion pulled out of New York Harbor, bound for France. The convoy carried 28,000 men and was escorted by the battleship U.S.S. Seattle and two torpedo boat destroyers.

On 7 Nov. 1917 news reached Wisconsin that the 'Rainbow' Division had reached France. The exact date of their arrival was not specified in the newspaper (due to wartime restrictions); it was probably between 30 Oct. and 1 Nov.

On 26 Mar. 1918 a fourth company, Company D, was added to the 150TH Machine Gun Battalion. Company A, 149TH Machine Gun Battalion, also of the 42D 'Rainbow' Division, was transferred and redesignated to become Company D, 150TH MG Bn. Company D was originally Company I, 4TH Pennsylvania Infantry, from Reading, Pennsylvania.

On 15 Jul. 1918, PFC William L. Brockman was KIA and was posthumously bestowed with the Distinguished Service Cross for his heroism near Auberive, France, on that day. Assigned to Co. A, 150TH MG BN, he was from Appleton, WI. You can read his citation here.

On 15 Jul. 1918, PVT Willis P. Snyder performed deeds near Reims, France, for which he was subsequently bestowed with the Distinguished Service Cross and the Croix de Guerre. Assigned to Co. D, 150TH MG BN, he was from Reading, PA. You can read his citations here.

PVT Snyder later described the day’s events in his own words: "We were pretty far out in front of the rest of the bunch. Our two guns were well placed, so as to command the two communication trenches. We hadn't been told the first line trenches had been abandoned but thought the French were still there. By morning we were all nearly crazy with the awful bombardment. It was broad daylight when they came and there seemed to be thousands of them coming through the bushes. At first we thought they were 'Frogs,' for most of them wore French uniforms. Suddenly Corporal Smith, who commanded our gun, said: 'My God! they're Boche.' He jumped on the gun and fired perhaps two belts when he was hit in the brain and dropped. I took the gun and fired like mad. I couldn't very well miss them, they were so close. I remember Karausta come running up to me, telling me that Epler and Burkey had been killed and the other gun taken, then all of a sudden the Boche were on top of me. I lit out at them and they at me. A coupled of them were tearing at my pack. They tell me I tried to pull Karausta's body along but I don't remember anything more until I was back in the reserve trenches."

On 28 Jul. 1918, PVT Tony Cramp was KIA and was posthumously bestowed with the Distinguished Service Cross for his heroism near Villers-sur-Fere, France, on that day. Assigned to Co. B, 150TH MG BN, he was from Fond du Lac, WI. You can read his citation here.

On 28 Jul. 1918, CPL Elmer C. Grabinski was KIA and was posthumously bestowed with the Distinguished Service Cross for his heroism between Sergy and Villers-sur-Fere, France, on that day. Assigned to Co. B, 150TH MG BN, he was born in Miller, SC, and entered the service from Fond du Lac, WI. You can read his citation here.

On 28 Jul. 1918, SGT Anthony N. Halfmann was KIA and was posthumously bestowed with the Distinguished Service Cross for his heroism near Villers-sur-Fere, France, on that day. Assigned to Co. B, 150TH MG BN, he was from Fond du Lac, WI. You can read his citation here.

 

 

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150TH Machine Gun Battalion Battle Participation

From Battle Participation of Organizations of the American Expeditionary Forces in France, Belgium and Italy - 1917-1918.

 

Luneville sector, Lorraine, France, 21 February-23 March, 1918.
Baccarat sector, Lorraine, France, 31 March-21 June, 1918.
Esperance-Souain sector, Champagne, France, 4 July-14 July, 1918.
Champagne-Marne defensive, France, 15 July-17 July, 1918.
Aisne-Marne offensive, France, 25 July-3 August, 1918.
St. Mihiel offensive, France, 12 September-16 September, 1918.
Essey and Pannes sector, Woevre, France, 17 September-30 September 1918.
Meuse-Argonne offensive, France, 12 October-31 October, 1918.
Meuse-Argonne offensive, France, 5 November-10 November, 1918.

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150TH Machine Gun Battalion

Roll of Honor

(The Soldiers who died)

This list is not complete.

PVT Charles Arnold

Reading, Pa.; Co. D.; severely wounded 16 Oct. 1918, died shortly later.

PFC Waldo Balthazor

19, Fond du Lac, Wis.; served on all fronts with 'Rainbow' Div.; DW 26 Oct. 1918.

PVT Leon E. Bennett

24, Waukesha, Wis.; overseas; DD (influenza) 12 Oct. 1918.

PVT John W. Boehler

21, Appleton, Wis.; Co. A; WNG; Mexican Border; served on all fronts with 42D Div.; DW 29 Oct. 1918.

MEC Alvin Bohlman

21, Fond du Lac, Wis.; Defensive Sector; DW 28 March 1918.

PVT John E. Bonacher

Co. D.

CPL Floyd Bowers

Reading, Pa.; Co. D; KIA 27 July 1918.

PFC Nelson A. Bowers

Reading, Pa.; Co. D; D (drowned) 25 July 1918.

PVT Arthur W. Boyd

Oshkosh, Wis.; Co. C; KIA 12 Sept. 1918 in St. Mihiel Sector

PFC Walter Briel

Reading, Pa.; Co. D; KIA 27 July 1918.

PVT William L. Brockman

24, Married, Appleton, Wis.; Co. A; WNG; Auberive, Champagne, Marne, Defensive Sector; KIA 15 July 1918.

PVT Charles Brown

25, Middle Inlet, Wis.; Overseas; DD (pneumonia) 29 March 1918.

PVT Pearson L. Brown

Campbellsport, Wis.; WNG; DD (acidosis, after being gassed) 29 March 1918.

PVT William M. Brown

27, Shiocton, Wis.; WNG; Auberive; KIA 15 July 1918.

SGT Elmer W. Bullis

45, Married, Oshkosh, Wis.; Co. C; WNG; Champagne, Marne, Aisne-Marne, Defensive Sector; DW 3 Aug. 1918.

PVT Tony Cramp

35, Fond du Lac, Wis.; Co. B; KIA 28 July 1918 near Villers-sur-Fere, France. Posthumously decorated for distinguished service.

PVT Desire J. DeGrave

22, Oconto, Wis.; Co. C; KIA 27 July 1918.

PVT Charles Devins

26, Beloit, Wis.; Champagne-Marne, Aisne-Marne, Defensive Sector; KIA 28 July 1918.

SGT Albert C. Dreier

28, North Fond du Lac, Wis.; WNG, Mexican Border; Argonne; KIA 15 Oct. 1918.

PVT Alvin P. Epler

Mohnton, Pa.; Co. D; KIA 15 July 1918.

PVT Paul Fauck

25, Oshkosh, Wis.; Co. C; Overseas; D (accident) 3 June 1918.

PFC Milton H. Folk

Reading, Pa.; Co. D, DD.

CPL William F. Gehring

Hanover, Pa.; Co. A, 149th MGBN; KIA 8 Mar. 1918.

PVT Elmer C. Grabinski

29, Fond du Lac, Wis.; Co. B; KIA 28 July 1918 between Sergy and Villers-sur-Fere, France. Posthumously decorated for distinguished service.

Stable SGT Kurt Graf

27, Black Wolf, Wis.; Co. C; WNG; Aisne-Marne, Defensive Sector; KIA 28 July 1918.

PVT Henry Gratton

32, Fond du Lac, Wis.; Overseas; DD (pneumonia after being gassed) 1 Apr. 1918.

CPL Guy R. Gross

24, Fond du Lac, Wis.; WNG; Luneville Sector, Baccarat, Esperance, Champagne, Marne, St. Mihiel, Argonne-Meuse; KIA 15 Oct. 1918.

PVT William Hageman

22, Appleton, Wis.; Co. A; Auberive; DW 17 July 1918.

SGT Anthony N. Halfman

25, Fond du Lac, Wis.; Co. B; WNG; Toul, Champagne, Ourcq, Villiers sur Fere; KIA 28 July 1918 near Villers-sur-Fere, France. Posthumously decorated for distinguished service.

PFC Floyd Heckman

Reading, Pa.; Co. D, DD.

SGT William B. Heiss

20, Appleton, Wis.; Auberive, Fere en Tardenois; KIA 30  July 1918.

PVT Roy Hickman

Co. D; KIA 15 July 1918 (gassed).

PVT Adolph Hissinger

Reading, Pa.; Co. D; KIA 27 July 1918.

PVT John M. Houston

Co. D; KIA 15 July 1918.

SGT Herman O. Jahnke

25, Appleton, Wis.; Co. A; Auberive, Fere en Tardenois, St. Mihiel; DD (pneumonia) 11 Oct. 1918.

PVT August G. Jeske

26, Milwaukee, Wis.; St. Mihiel, USS Bonzancy, Dept. of Ardennes; KIA 14 Oct. 1918.

SGT Everette O. Johnston

27, Appleton, Wis.; Co. A; Fere en Tardenois Sector; KIA 29 July 1918.

PVT Achileffs Karausta

Tyrone, Pa.; Co. D; KIA 15 July 1918.

PVT Harry A. Keltz

Latrobe, Pa.; Co. D.

PVT Arthur Koehne

22, Kaukauna, Wis.; Co. A; Auberive, Fere en Tardenois, St. Mihiel; KIA 14 Oct. 1918.

PVT Arthur Kositzke

Appleton, Wis.; KIA 16 July 1918.

PVT Robert Kotouch

Greensburg, Pa.; Co. A, 149TH MGBN; KIA at 1030 hours on 8 Mar. 1918 by a shell fragment.

Cook William J. Lang

31, Appleton, Wis.; Co. A; WNG; battle before Auberive; KIA 22 July 1918.

PVT Albert O. Lange

25, Fond du Lac, Wis.; WNG; Mexican Border; served on all fronts with 42D Div.; W 22 March; KIA 15 Oct. 1918.

PVT Herwitt Leonard

Co. D; KIA at about 0800 hours on 14 Oct. 1918.

PFC Joseph Lorenz

23, Oshkosh, Wis.; WNG; Co. C; DW 21 Nov. 1918.

SGT Paul H. Ludwig

Reading, Pa.; Co. A, 149TH MGBN; KIA 8 Mar. 1918.

PVT Nicholas Mand

28, Oshkosh, Wis.; Co. C; WNG; KIA 2 Aug. 1918.

SGT James M. Mangan

27, Fond du Lac, Wis.; Lorraine, Champagne, Chateau Thierry, St. Mihiel, Verdun; DW 15 Oct. 1918.

PVT Guy Martorella

Co. D.

PVT Walter H. Mathieu

20, Kewaskum, Wis.; WNG; DD (pneumonia); 18 July 1918.

PVT Stanley E. Mitman

Co. D.

PVT Otto Neuendorf

31, Fond du Lac, Wis.; served on all fronts with 42D Div. till death; KIA 28 July 1918.

PVT Carl Norenberg

32, Married, Appleton, Wis.; Co. A; WNG; Auberive; KIA 15 July 1918.

SGT Frank Obersteiner

22, Oshkosh, Wis.; Co. C; WNG; W 15 July; KIA 22 Oct. 1918.

PVT Ross Overdorf

Reading, Pa.; Co. D; KIA 27 July 1918.

SGT Robert C. Pattison

Carlisle, England; Co. D; wounded 14 Oct. 1918, later died.

SGT William Pechman

26, Oshkosh, Wis.; Co. C; WNG; Champagne, Chateau Thierry, St. Mihiel, Meuse-Argonne; DW 24 Oct. 1918.

PFC Frank Phillips

29, Oshkosh, Wis.; Co. C; WNG; KIA 29 July 1918.

PVT Harvey V. Pierre

19, Appleton, Wis.; Co. A; trenches, Auberive; KIA 15 July 1918.

PVT Samuel Plis

Co. D; KIA 27 July 1918.

SGT Richard Procknow

21, Oshkosh, Wis.; Co. C; WNG; KIA 30 July 1918.

PVT Walter S. Reynolds

Beaver Falls, Pa.; Co. A, 149TH MGBN; DOW 12 Feb. 1918 (accidentally wounded by a ricochet during machine gun training on 11 Feb.).

PFC Guy L. Rice

25, Gleason, Wis.; Army of Occupation; Overseas; DD (tuberculosis) 31 July 1919.

PVT Charles L. Roehl

34, Fond du Lac, Wis.; WNG; U.S.; DD (pneumonia) 3 Apr. 1918.

PVT Herbert J. Ryan

19, Brillion, Wis.; WNG; Fere en Tardenois; KIA 5 Nov. 1918.

PVT William G. Schaffelke

24, Appleton, Wis.; Co. A; WNG; KIA 15 July 1918.

PVT (Cook) Bryant D. Silvey

Co. D; KIA 12 Sept. 1918. “Cook Silvey, who had begged to come along and see some real action, was shot through the right lung and died.”

PVT William Sisco

Fond du Lac, Wis.; WNG; KIA 1 Oct. 1918.

PVT Harold Smith

20, Oshkosh, Wis.; Co. C; WNG; DW 29 July 1918.

CPL Harvey Smith

Co. D; KIA 15 July 1918.

PVT Otto Spaedtke

19, Oshkosh, Wis.; Co. C; WNG; DW 30 July 1918.

PVT Edward C. Steckbauer

24, Oshkosh, Wis.; Co. C; WNG; KIA 30 July 1918.

PFC Harvey Stich

22, Oshkosh, Wis.; Co. C; Champagne, Chateau Thierry, St. Mihiel, Argonne-Meuse; DD (pneumonia) 27 Dec. 1918.

PFC Louis Suess

29, Oshkosh, Wis.; Co. C; WNG; KIA 30 July 1918.

PVT Robert Thill

20, Oakfield, Wis.; WNG; DD (pneumonia, after being gassed) 29 March 1918.

CPL Walter Thorne

21, Oshkosh, Wis.; Co. C; WNG; KIA 30 July 1918.

PVT George William Walsh

25, Gillett, Wis.; KIA 16 Oct. 1918.

CPL John C. Washbush

22, Fond du Lac, Wis.; Luneville, Baccarat, Esperance, Champagne, Marne, St. Mihiel; KIA 29 July 1918.

CPL Roy W. Watson

36, Fond du Lac, Wis.; DW 22 July 1918.

PVT Alfred J. Weber

30, Schleisingerville, Wis.; Overseas; DD (pneumonia); 16 Dec. 1918.

PFC Edward J. Weinfurter

23, Appleton, Wis.; Co. A; all fronts, including Fere en Tardenois; W 18 July 1918; DW.

MEC Raymond C. Weiss

Fond du Lac, Wis.; Co. A; served on all fronts but Toul Sector with 42D Div.; KIA 5 Nov. 1918.

Clerk Albert Welling

27, Fond du Lac, Wis.; Lorraine, Champagne, Chateau Thierry, St. Mihiel, Verdun, Ardennes; DW 16 Oct. 1918.

PFC Edward C. Wyro

22, Kaukauna, Wis.; KIA 14 Oct. 1918.

CPL Herbert Yeich

Reading, Pa.; Co. D; KIA 29 July 1918.

PVT Leonard M. Zenz

22, Stephenson, Wis., WNG; W 21 March; KIA 28 July 1918.

Wagoner Edward Zindler

26, Oshkosh, Wis.; Co. C; WNG; Champagne (Suippes); KIA 15 July 1918.


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Bibliography:

The Appleton Evening Crescent.  Newspaper articles from 1917.
Battle Participation of Organizations of the American Expeditionary Forces in France, Belgium and Italy - 1917-1918.  Washington: Government Printing Office, 1920.
Gregory, John G.  Wisconsin's Gold Star List.  Madison: State Historical Society of Wisconsin, 1925.
Nolan, J. Bennett.  Our Boys in the Great War.  Reading: Historical Society of Berks Counts, n.d.

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