By Cpl. Joseph Paglieri (center in photo)
July 1985
Summary
Joseph Paglieri’s memoir as told to his daughter Betty in 1985, recounts his experiences as an engineer with the A.E.F. during World War I, from enlistment before the U.S. declared war in 1917 to his service in France and eventual return home in 1919. He describes his early training, grueling marches, encounters with commanding officers, and moments of both humor and hardship. Stationed in Alsace-Lorraine and later the Meuse-Argonne front, he witnessed the brutal realities of war, from deadly machine-gun fire to relentless artillery bombardments. The Armistice in November 1918 spared his division from a major assault on Metz, after which he spent months in France before sailing back to the U.S. His reflections honor the true heroes of the war—those who fought in the trenches—and provide a vivid, firsthand perspective of a soldier’s life during WWI.
Introduction
You went to a lot of trouble to get some facts on World War I, and I feel compelled to give you some of my impressions of the war years and effort, such as it was.
In architecture, there is a right view, a left view, a front view, a rear view, and a sky view. Sometimes they have a worm's eye view. So, I propose to give you a worm’s eye view of World War I from my standpoint or as I saw it.
Enlistment and Early Days
I enlisted on March 26 or 27, 1917 (I forgot the exact date), a week before war was declared. President Wilson called Congress into session, and it took about a week before they declared war on April 6. In the meantime, Company F of the 5th N.J. Infantry was called to active duty. I decided to join the National Guard stationed in Englewood, which later became Company F of the 104th Engineers, 29th Division.
Our company reached Paterson ahead of some stragglers, of which I was one. We joined the rest of the company at the Paterson Armory, where we had our first notable experience—sleeping on the floor with only one blanket. Two soldiers would sleep together, using one blanket below and one above for warmth.
One soldier was known for walking in his sleep. One morning he woke up downstairs in the latrine, bewildered as to how he got there.
Guard Duty and Training
We were assigned to guard duty along pipelines, railroads, and bridges, though our effectiveness was questionable due to our inexperience. One memorable incident occurred when I was stationed at a small brick enclosure along a water line in Little Falls, NJ. It was there that I met your mother. Her family wondered why I had volunteered to fight in a distant land.
One night, while on duty alone, I sat inside the structure to write a letter. Unfortunately, the Sergeant of the Guard arrived at that moment to check on my alertness. Startled, I jumped to attention with my rifle, nearly scaring him. Luckily, he did not report me. Had I been in the German Army, I might have faced a firing squad for such negligence.
Another night, while on guard at a railroad bridge over the Passaic River, I encountered a drunk Polish man who refused to stop when challenged. Eventually, I managed to detain him until the sergeant arrived. Strangely, instead of being questioned, he was simply put on a trolley and sent away.
Training at Camp McClellan, Alabama
We marched from Paterson to Pompton Lakes, an experience that left my feet aching. Our training at Pompton lasted about three months, mainly consisting of drills. Eventually, we were sent to Camp McClellan in Anniston, Alabama, where we cleared fields, cut trees, and dug latrine pits by hand.
At Anniston, I trained in machine gun assembly, but I never saw a machine gun in combat. My training seemed pointless, as our unit was constantly on the attack, negating the need for machine gun crews.
Deployment to France
In June 1918, we sailed from Hoboken, NJ, to France aboard fast transport ships, Northern Pacific and Great Northern. Unlike slower convoys, we traveled alone, armed with naval guns. There were moments of excitement when the deck guns fired at suspected submarines, though it was unclear whether they were real threats or just practice.
Upon arrival in France, we were stationed near Belfort in Alsace-Lorraine. The front was quiet, but we engaged in night supply runs, road repairs, and barbed wire placement. We later moved to the Meuse-Argonne sector, where the fighting was more intense.
Experiences at the Front
While stationed near Verdun, I witnessed the horrors of war. I saw a man from A Company killed by machine gun fire, his chest riddled with bullets. At Samineux, we maintained roads to facilitate troop movements and evacuations. Casualties streamed through nearby dressing stations, some with severe wounds, barely clinging to life.
One day, I was assigned to pace out four kilometers for a road survey under artillery fire. Our captain decided to turn back at 3.5 km, but I insisted on finishing. As I advanced, friendly shells landed dangerously close, scattering soldiers. Realizing the risk, I rejoined the captain.
The Armistice and Aftermath
On November 11, 1918, we were preparing to move toward Metz when we received news of the Armistice. Relief swept through our ranks, knowing we had avoided a brutal battle.
We were then stationed in Bondefontaine for months before finally heading home via St. Nazaire. During the voyage, the Army and Navy held boxing matches. An Army engineer confidently declared he would win, only to be knocked out in seconds by a Navy champion, much to the amusement of the sailors.
Upon arriving in the U.S., I was discharged from Camp Dix. I visited Sgt. Poland’s family in Trenton, where I spoke of his leadership. Unfortunately, he died in a railroad accident on his way home, making him a casualty of war in an unexpected way.
Reflections on War
The real heroes were those in the trenches, facing enemy fire and enduring unimaginable hardships. Many were fortunate to survive with minor wounds, while others lived with permanent disabilities. Looking back, I see the war as a unique experience, one that I will never forget.
Postscript
While we were billeted in Haute-Saone, President Wilson arrived in Europe for the Peace Conference. His efforts to create lasting peace ultimately failed, as war resumed in 1939.
The 29th Division returned to Europe on D-Day, suffering heavy losses on Omaha Beach and engaging in another bloody campaign in 1944.
Statistics on the 29th Division in WWI
Time in the war zone: 82 days
13 days in training
46 days in battle sectors
23 days in active combat
Casualties and Prisoners:
2,187 prisoners captured
68 men taken prisoner
1,053 killed
4,517 wounded
Troop Movements:
Arrived in France: June 1918
Departed France: March 1919
Key Locations: Brest, Vannes, Rennes, Meuse-Argonne, Verdun, Metz, St. Nazaire
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This memoir provides a detailed, personal account of one soldier’s journey through World War I, filled with moments of hardship, camaraderie, and resilience.
This blog has been faciliated by AI. The original typed version is attached below.
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