World War I Army Victory Medal Group

WORLD WAR I VICTORY MEDAL GROUP

United States Army Sergeant Major Emmons Walker Leroy (Service #3329842) was born in Waldo, Wisconsin on April 12, 1893.

Emmons enlisted as a Private in the Wisconsin National Guard in 1915. Private LeRoy served on the Mounted Orderly section. On June 22nd 1916 Private LeRoy along with Wisconsin 2nd Battalion, 2nd Division, Mounted Orderlies & Hospital Corps, Co. G mobilized to Texas along the Mexican Border in front of a crowd of 10,000. The 2nd Wisconsin guarded towns and infrastructure, improved fortifications and manned listening posts along the Rio Grande. They also participated in mock battles to hone tactics. One such engagement had 14,000 troops march against New Braunfels with 4,000 troops in defense. When the exercise was over, troops had expended more than 80,000 rounds of blank ammunition in what the Milwaukee Journal described as a “magnificent spectacle.” The National Guard’s presence and activity brought further Mexican raids to a stop. For his service on the Mexican Border Private Leroy was Issued the Wisconsin State Mexican Border Service Medal, Mexican Border State Duty Badge, & Mexican Border Company/Regiment "Lords Prayer" Badge.

Emmons moved to San Antonio, Texas in 1917 following his Wisconsin Federal Service. As a civilian Emmons worked as a adding machine inspector for the Burroughs Adding Machine Company at the San Antonia State Bank building.

Emmons registered for the World War I Draft in 1917, and he enlisted in the Army as a Private on May 28th 1918 in the 86th Infantry Division, Headquarters, Company A, 331st Machine Gun Battalion as a Bugler.

May 28, 1918

Private LeRoy sailed for European Battlefields from New York aboard the Auxillary Cruiser R.M.S. Empress of Asia on September 9th 1918. Arriving in Liverpool, England on September 21st 1918.

September 30, 1918

Private LeRoy was transferred to the 3rd Division, Headquarters, 9th Machine Gun Battalion in late September. LeRoy was field promoted to Battalion Sergeant Major as the Meuse Argonne Offensive started on September 26th 1918, the 3rd Division relieved the 79th Division on the Front Lines. For 27 Days the Sergeant Major and the 3rd Division remained at the front line, during this period they advanced seven kilometers against organized defenses, encountering stronger resistance in the taking of Bois de Cunel, and hill 299. The 3rd Division was relieved by the 5th Division on October 27th 1918 and they proceeded to the Tannois rest area.

October 1918

GENERAL ORDERS No. 26
The Commanding General desires to record in the General Orders of the 3rd Division his appreciation of the part taken by the 9th Machine Gun Battalion in the recent operation in which this Division participated, and in which the enemy was checked; and of the splendid determination and courage, and disregard of all danger on the part of every officer and man of the Battalion. Every Company of the Battalion was in action and not a gun crew but what had to withstand terrific hostile bombardment; all did their utmost to coordinate and make effective the teamwork for the Division. The conduct of these self-sacrificing and brave men and that of their fallen comrades who made the supreme sacrifice has established a standard of service and prestige and an example of calmnes, decision and unhesitating devotion to duty which all in the division should strive to emulate and preserve. This order will be read to all organizations at the first assembly formation after its receipt.

After the armistice the division was assigned to the Army of Occupation, they marched into Germany via the Remish and Schengon Bridges. The the 3rd marched along the Rhine River arriving at the Coblenz bridgehead and Headquarters at Andersonach, Germany where it remained until the 3rd Division sailed for home from Brest, France aboard the Transport ship U.S.S. Agamemnon on August 10th 1919. Arriving in Hoboken, New Jersey on August 19th 1919. Sergeant Major Leroy was Honorable Discharged from the Army on September 3rd 1919. For his service in the Great War, he was Issued this Victory Medal which he smartly had engraved with his service information.

Emmons moved to back to Wisconsin in the 1920’s and he worked as an electrician. Emmons got married and moved to Alhambra, California in the 1930’s, and he owned his own Radio Shop. He registered for the World War II draft in 1942. He remained in Alhambra, CA the rest of his life. Emmons was a registered Republican, an active Freemason and he was very involved with his local lodge.

United States Army Sergeant Major Emmons Walker Leroy passed away on November 2nd 1987. He is buried at the Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Glendale, California.

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