ROBB CENTRE NEWS GEORGE S. ROBB CENTRE FOR THE STUDY OF THE GREAT WAR AT PARK UNIVERSITY MONTHLY NEWSLETTER
Statement on Social Justice The purest characterization of social justice resides in the belief of fairness and impartiality between the individual and society. Though social justice commonly examines a multiplicity of societal factions (e.g., geographical, economic, sociological, political, and cultural) within a framework of just versus unjust, the George S. Robb Centre for the Study of the Great War at Park University repeatedly uncovers the unrelenting malice of sociological-cultural racism and antisemitism of the early twentieth-century, which is tied to a longer history.
abandon their recent freedom from stereotyping for survival in the Jim Crow South or ‘Uncivilized’ West, where contributions to the War and larger society lacked credence in the eyes of their neighbors. However, there remains a national obligation to ensure that all who served are judged not only by their character, but also by their actions. Regardless of the final outcome—the potential nomination and awarding of the Medal of Honor—the George S. Robb Centre’s greatest responsibility is to tell the stories of veterans who have been ignored, diminished, and cheated by their military service for over a century. Our fight for social justice on behalf of these men stands on the ideal that their strains for fairness— no matter how harsh or painful to recount—deserve examination in the most candid light. As a nation, we are strengthened and healed by addressing these slights to our
Tasked with the profound charge of narrating the lives and
veterans' memories and their families. Allowing a historical
actions of servicemembers of African American, Asian
narrative to remain that exaggerates the good and ignores the
American, Hispanic American, Jewish American, and Native
bad is no longer acceptable; we can be better today and in the
American background, the Robb Centre Team regularly
future for having taken action. Therefore, the Robb Centre
observes acts of bigotry and deceitfulness. On or off the
Team is committed to giving a voice to those who were not
battlefield, those who proved they could break from their race’s
allowed one and amplifying those who were punished for
stereotyped inferiorities were paraded for the masses as
using it.
exemplars—diminishing their value as individuals and diversity in language, culture, and religion—and expected to conform to
The George S. Robb Centre for the Study of the Great War at
the expectancies fostered upon them by white elitists. Several
Park University is honored to be the home of the Valor Medals
of our servicemembers, upon returning home, were able to use
Review Project, in which the valorous actions of minority
their military achievements to their advantage in disregarding
servicemembers will receive the attention--and ideally, the
determined roles they historically portrayed in society.
highest military honor--they deserve.
Regrettably, the remainder of our veterans were forced to
SEPTEMBER 2020, VOLUME 1
PAGE 1
National Hispanic Heritage Month
Meuse-Argonne Campaign
BY ASHLYN WEBER
BY JOSHUA WESTON
Established under Public Law 90-498 in 1968 as National
The Meuse-Argonne Offensive, developed by the Allied
Hispanic Heritage Week, President Lyndon B. Johnson and his
commanders in Fall of 1918, established a final forced shift
Congress wished to convey an appreciation and draw of
of momentum after a series of losses in the summer’s
national attention to Hispanic American citizens and their
counteroffensives between the joined American, French,
generations of impact on American culture. Nearly twenty
and British forces against Germany. The ultimate goal
years later, said Public Law was amended under 100-402 to
involved breaking the heavy German defensive Stellung’s
create a “31-day period (of observance) beginning on
(positions) stretching along the entire Western Front,
September 15th and ending on October 15th”, extending the
commonly known as the Hindenburg Line.
potential for not only regional and state-wide celebrations of Hispanic Americans, but creating a greater opportunity for
The offensive was planned in three phases. The first,
national tributes of impactful individuals of every field. The
beginning on 26 September, produced mixed results;
annual month of recognition has since garnered regular
various units of the Allied forces had great success in their
ceremonial proclamations-ranging from Representatives, Senators, and Presidents, to Foundations and Historical Societies, and to our youngest minds through educational programs implemented in classrooms around the country. We, the George S. Robb Centre Team at Park University, are extremely proud to be working on such a diverse and rich group of Hispanic American veterans who qualify for research under the Valor Medals Review. It is too often we find gaping holes in historic studies lacking credit to Hispanic servicemembers, most notably in the finding that Medal of Honor recipient David Barkley Cantu concealed his Mexican heritage to avoid being placed in a segregated unit; as of 1989, making him the only recognized Hispanic Medal of Honor receiver of World War I. Representing the United States Army, Navy, and Marine Corps, our servicemembers stand in every corner of the country and beyond-from Mexico to Puerto Rico to Massachusetts, we are beyond grateful to the families and research groups who have assisted in our task. Though our research is far from over, we are honored to have been given the opportunity to recognize those who have not been given proper acknowledgement, over 100 years post-action, of their service. We wish all a safe and healthy Hispanic Heritage Month!
advance, while others made no ground and took heavy losses. One of the most punishing of advancements during this phase included the Battle of Blanc Mont Ridge; due to its strategic significance as the highest point in the Champagne region, the Allied commanders knew the loss in territory would leave Germany with no easily defendable positions and strongholds, many of which they had held since the first Battle of the Marne in 1914.[1] The second phase, beginning on 4 October, consisted of providing replacements and relief for the initial assaulting units whilst continuing to instigate isolated hits. The third and final phase, beginning 28 October, saw the clearing of remaining enemy units, such as in the Argonne Forest, and pursuing the German army during its retreat. Conducted on notoriously deadly ground, the conditions of the Offensive were often uneven and riddled with open valleys, steep cliffs, and hills from which the Germans could observe up to 80 percent of the Allied advance without the need for the available reconnaissance balloons and aircraft. As a result, the Germans could easily conduct accurate and deadly machine-gun and artillery fire on the attacking units [2]; from the heights of the Meuse River to the dense Argonne Forest, no Allied unit would easily march into German territory without heavy loss and exhaustion. Nevertheless, the Allies prevailed, and the Meuse-Argonne lasted until the signing of the armistice at 11:00 A.M. on 11 November 1918. [1] Meirion Harries and Susie Harries. The Last Days of Innocence: America at War, 1917-1918. (New York: Vintage Books, 1998), 349. [2] Edward G. Lengel. A Companion to the Meuse-Argonne Campaign. (Chichester: Wiley-Blackwell, 2014), 64.
SEPTEMBER 2020, VOLUME 1
PAGE 2
Research Corner
Battle of Saint Mihiel
BY GRACE WINEINGER
BY LOGAN WEIST
When I began this project as a high school senior, a little less
The American First Army, from 16-19 September 1918,
than a year ago, I had no idea that it would have such a
fought against Army Group Gallwitz , commanded by
profound effect on my life. My role in the project is to review
General Max von Gallwitz southeast of Verdun in a sector of
servicemember's files that we receive from the National
the front known as Saint Mihiel. The battle saw the first
Archives and then use that information to build their family
major independent American offensive of the Great War.
trees, with the intention of finding a living relative who can
General John J. Pershing had generally resisted British and
confirm our research. To some, that task may sound
French attempts to feed American troops into the frontline
mundane or repetitive, but it is quite the opposite. Each
as soon as they were available, instead preferring to
service member is unique, and I have the honor to learn their
concentrate American forces in a single army.
story through these documents. When you spend hours analyzing someone's life, a compulsive desire comes over you
Pershing committed the 344th and 345th Battalions with
to do everything you can to help them. Though I will never
144 Renault FT-17 light tanks while the French 1st Assault
meet these men, or likely their families, I feel like I know them
Artillery Brigade with 275 Renault FT-17's, Schneider CA1
personally; it is a responsibility I don’t take lightly. Every
and Saint-Chamond tanks were supported by the II French
member of the team at the George S. Robb Center can speak
Colonial Corps, IV Corps (1st, 2nd, and 89th Infantry
to the emotional weight that this project carries. The
Divisions) and V Corps (4th, 15th, and 26th) assaulted the
elation that consumes me when we hear back from a family
West face of the salient. Outnumbered and caught by
member who is excited and willing to assist us has no
surprise, the German position collapsed. Records indicate
comparison. Unfortunately, that euphoric feeling has a much
that within a day-and-a-half, American forces had captured
more somber counterpart. Early on at my time with the Robb Center I was handed a completely flat file. It is not uncommon to have limited
approximately 13,000 German prisoners and 466 German guns. German forces had 5,000 killed or wounded, while the Americans suffered 7,000 casualties.
documents for servicemembers, but this file looked empty. I opened it to see two records- a draft card, and an internment report. All I knew of this man was his name, a birthday that may or may not be correct, and the gruesome description of his body post-mortem. I only got halfway through the report before tears started streaming down my face. The imagery that was produced from the document was horrid, but the real pain came from knowing that there was no way I would be able to find this individual's family. I spent hours searching Ancestry, local archives, and the internet in hopes of finding a breadcrumb to go off of but I found nothing. This man gave the ultimate sacrifice for his country and yet there was nothing we could do to repay him. The pain I felt from reading this service member's file pales in comparison to the pain he must have felt while serving. That is why this project is so important. We are telling the stories of those who never had the opportunity to tell it themselves. These men are true American heroes who were betrayed by their circumstances. I am so fortunate to have had the opportunity to help tell their stories, one person at a time.
The United States First Army secured its first major victory and proved to Britain and France that the American forces were capable of fighting German forces independently and not under British or French command. Military historian Edward G Lengel noted that "By the end of the St. Mihiel offensive . . . it was felt at last that the American units then on the front had developed into trained combat organizations."
SEPTEMBER 2020, VOLUME 1
PAGE 3
Centre Updates
Sponsorship Opportunities
In Fall of 2019, Grace Wineinger joined the Robb Centre Staff as an intern, seeking to explore the history and research fields. Now, almost 10 months later, Grace has become an integral member of the genealogical research team; not only has she displayed much humility and determination in the face of our too-often frustrating task, she has reunited dozens of descendants with the memory of a Veteran who will be honored for his service, often for the first time in over 100
Research Investors
The George S. Robb Centre for the Study of the Great War invites research investors to join the Valor Medals Review effort to properly recognize our servicemembers. While the research is supported by legislation (S. 1218/H.R. 2249) signed within the National Defense Authorization Act on December 20, 2019, no federal appropriations are funding the project.
years. The Robb Centre Team (especially the Associate Director) would like to express its greatest thanks and appreciation for Grace and her continued faith in this Project. Over the summer, Logan Weist joined the Robb Centre Staff as an intern from Loras College, Dubuque, Iowa. Logan is completing his Bachelor of Arts degree in History. He assisted on a number of projects related to the 92nd Infantry Division. The Robb Centre Team expresses deepest appreciation for
To discuss investing in the project, please contact: Nathan Marticke, chief advancement officer
Logan joining us over the summer. Best of luck to Logan
Park University
during his senior year.
816-584-6844 nathan.marticke@park.edu
MOVED AND SETTLED IN -- Eleven months following the
Give Today! advancing.park.edu/valormedals
historic move of the Park House (1845), the George S. Robb Centre has moved from the academic underground. The
Strategic Partners
Robb Centre Team appreciates all the support and assistance
Partners are critical to advancing the mission of the Valor
from Park University staff. Photographs of the new Robb
Medals Review. Endorsements, research support or other
Centre are available for viewing on our Facebook page.
non-financial support of the successful completion of the
VIRTUAL TOUR OF THE GEORGE S. ROBB CENTRE -- Due to
Valor Medals Review is invited.
limited access to the Parkville Campus and that the Centre is
To discuss becoming a strategic partner, please contact:
restricted space, the Robb Centre Team, with the assistance of
Dr. Timothy Westcott, Director, George S. Robb Centre for
Blake Miller, Digital Storytelling Coordinator, have produced a virtual tour of the Centre which will be forthcoming on our YouTube Channel.
the Study of the Great War, Park University 816-584-6364 tim.westcott@park.edu
Centre Staff
Contact Us
Dr. Timothy Westcott Director Email: tim.westcott@park.edu
Website: https://gsr.park.edu
Ms. Ashlyn Weber Associate Director Mr. Joshua Weston Senior Military Analyst
SEPTEMBER 2020, VOLUME 1
Facebook: George S Robb Centre for the Study of the Great War LinkedIn: George S Robb Centre at Park University YouTube Channel: George S Robb Centre Twitter: @CentreRobb
PAGE 4