Finishing some half-read books while watching KR quilt. I would very much recommend The Great Bridge - a classic David McCullough filled with the story of building the New York-Brooklyn Bridge from 1869-1883. But, all you family members, please find and read To the Limit of Endurance by Peter Owen. My maternal grandfather, Robert Earl Boyer, was a U.S. Marine in WWI. He served in the 78th Company, 2nd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment (or the 2\6), which battalion was in the middle of the heaviest fighting by the American Expeditionary Force from June 1918 until the Armistice in November 1918. This book is about his Company (about 250 men) and the larger 2nd Battalion (around 1000 men in all) from their training at Quantico, until they came home in 1919. The unit suffered 180% casualties during that period (the dead and wounded were replaced during the period). All but a handful of the original 250 in the 78th were killed, wounded, or incapacitated by mustard gas. One of the handful was Robert Earl.
5 comments:
Nice.... I'm going to have to read "To the limit of endurance". Do you have access to any letters or diaries?
Rod
Mike.
Should be noted that Grandpa Boyer is sporting an "Expert" marksmanship badge. This is the highest level of proficiency that can be achieved with a rifle.
Rod
A little more info...
Qualification
# Week two is referred to as qualification week. The recruits are issued 50 rounds of ammunition and fire from 200, 300 and 500 meters. Each round is worth up to five points based on where the round strikes the target. The maximum point value that can be scored is 250 points. Based on the final score, a marksmanship badge is awarded to each Marine. The minimum score to qualify is 190 points. Any recruit that is not able to achieve this minimum score will be kept in this training phase until they can qualify or they are dropped from recruit training permanently. A score of 190 to 205 is awarded a Marksman Badge, a score of 206 to 219 will earn you a Sharpshooter Badge and a score of 220 to 250 will earn you the highly prized Expert Marksman Badge.
Hello,
Came across your site while searching for WW1 6th Marine Regiment information. Do you by chance have any other items,documents,photos, etc. of your maternal grandfather? Looking for copies of panoramic photo of the 78th Company. Thanks,
Frank
I may have some research info on your grandfather as well as other info for your interest.
Frank
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