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July 2023
Nearly 100 Congressional staffers and interns answered the call on July 11 to attend a briefing about the Hello Girls Congressional Gold Medal Act of 2023 in the Rayburn House Office Building. The Standing Room Only attendees heard compelling presentations on why America’s First Women Soldiers deserve the recognition of the Congressional Gold Medal 100 years after their essential military service in World War I. Speakers included (facing camera, left to right): James Theres, Writer-Director of the award-winning documentary “The Hello Girls”; Phyllis Wilson, President of the Military Women’s Memorial; Catherine Bourgin, granddaughter of Hello Girl Marie Edmee LeRoux; Dr. Allison S. Finkelstein, Senior Historian at Arlington National Cemetery; and Daniel Dayton, Executive Director of the United States World War I Centennial Commission.
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Hello Girls Congressional Gold Medal Campaign Climbed Capitol Hill In July
The campaign for the 2023 legislation introduced in both House and Senate chambers of Congress to award a Congressional Gold Medal to the WWI U.S. Army Signal Corps telephone operators, known as "The Hello Girls," shifted into higher gear this month. A July 11 presentation on Capitol Hill for Congressional Staffers and interns explained the high importance of passing the two measures during the 118th Congress. Enthusiasm for the legislation was evident among the attendees.
But Congress will be going on recess for August and early September. During this recess period, you can help us keep and build momentum for this effort by reaching out to your Senators and Representatives while they are in their state offices, and telling them that you support this legislation which honors the brave American women who made tactical communications work for U.S. and French military forces on the front lines of World War I, but were denied veterans status and benefits after the war.
Click here for our toolbox that makes the process of reaching out to your Representative and Senators very straightforward. Please get in touch with your Senators and Representative during the Recess, and tell them that you want them to support the Hello Girls Congressional Gold Medal legislation in the 118th Congress. When their nation called in 1918, the Hello Girls answered -- please answer their call in 2023!
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Jari Villanueva Appointed Executive Director Of The Doughboy Foundation
The Doughboy Foundation, which supports programs, projects and activities that educate the public about America’s participation in World War I, is pleased to announce the appointment of Jari Villanueva as the new Executive Director. Jari retired from the United States Air Force where he served for 23 years with the Air Force Band in Washington DC. He was the Director of Military Funeral Honors for the State of Maryland from 2008-2017 and served as an officer in the Maryland Defense Force, the state militia. Since 2012, Villanueva has headed Taps for Veterans, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing live buglers for military funerals. He also founded Taps Across America, an annual event where thousands of participants sound Taps on Memorial Day during the National Moment of Remembrance. Click here to read more about Jari, and the great experience he brings to his new role at the Doughboy Foundation starting in September.
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The National World War I Memorial: “An Important Addition To Our Inventory Of Monuments And Is Long Overdue”
On July 6, 2023, Daily Taps at the National World War I Memorial in Washington, DC was sounded in honor of World War I veteran Sgt. Dan Mahon, 306th Field Artillery/77th Division.
Daniel R. Mahon, MAJ, USAF BSC (Ret.) sponsored the Taps ceremony in honor of his grandfather, who was in the 306th Field Artillery, 77th Div., constituted largely from New York City's/Manhattan immigrant populations. The 306th was equipped with French 155mm howitzers, which generally put them some distance from the frontline trenches but nonetheless close enough to provide fire support and as a result, were the frequent target of German counter battery fire. Sgt. Mahon was awarded a Silver Star for action at Chery- Chartreuve in 1918.
As an interesting side note: the 306th Field Artillery has a place in music history. John Philip Sousa's Field Artillery March was written at the request of Lieutenant George Friedlander, of the 306th FA in 1917. The chorus of that march became the Army Song still sung today.
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The Daily Taps program of the Doughboy Foundation provides a unique opportunity to dedicate a livestreamed sounding of Taps in honor of a special person of your choice while supporting the important work of the Doughboy Foundation. Choose a day, or even establish this honor in perpetuity. Click here for more information on how to honor a loved veteran with the sounding of Taps.
The generation that fought World War I is now gone, but their legacy of bravery continues to live on. One of those figures was Private Marcelino Serna of El Paso, one of the most highly decorated men of the war. As an immigrant, he fought with uncommon bravery to defend his new home. In 1917, the United States entered World War I and initiated the first draft since the Civil War. Federal officials stopped Serna in Colorado and asked his draft status. In spite of his status as a Mexican citizen, Serna, like so many other immigrants, volunteered to fight for his new country. Click here to read Serna's whole story, and find out how this immigrant became "The most decorated man in the U. S. Army."
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In World War I, an all-Black regiment from Harlem earned a reputation for battlefield ferocity but left behind another legacy in Europe — jazz. In July, Livingstone College Band Director Anthony Jones joined a group in Paris to pay homage to the regiment that became known as the Harlem Hellfighters. “It’s something else,” Jones said. The regiment, formally known as the 369th, and its band, the 369th Regimental Army Band, led by James Reese Europe, created a feverish European love for jazz. Click here to read the entire article, and learn how the 369th Experience Band recreates the sounds of its namesake.
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The Old Man and War: Ernest Hemingway’s Wartime Service in World War I And Beyond
A man is only missing if he is forgotten.
Our Doughboy MIA this month is Private Samuel J. Hochfelder of Company L/106th Infantry Regiment/27th Division.
Hochfelder was born in January, 1899 to Louis and Rose Hochfelder, Hungarian immigrants. He was one of five children and was born in the Bronx, New York. Following America's declaration of war, Samuel joined the army on June 7th, 1917 and was first assigned to the 23rd Infantry Regiment, New York National Guard. The 23rd was later federalized as the 106th Infantry. With them he went to France aboard the USS President Lincoln on May 10th, 1918.
In France the 27th Division was one of two divisions brigaded with the British as the US 2nd Corps, fighting in the British sector. The 106th first moved into the lines on June 25th, 1918 in Belgium, distinguishing itself in combat. On September 1st, 1918, the 106th Infantry was engaged in heavy action in the midst of the Ypres-Lys Offensive. About 10:00 am that morning, in the midst of a heavy artillery barrage, Hochfelder was hit directly by an artillery shell and was reported "mutilated beyond recognition". His comrades had no time to bury him properly and thus his remains were pulled into a nearby shell hole. Unfortunately his grave was never found.
Want to help solve the case of Private Samuel Hochfelder? Click here to make a tax-deductible donation to our non-profit organization today. YOU can be part of the recovery efforts!
Remember: A man is only missing if he is forgotten.
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Merchandise from the Official Doughboy Foundation WWI Store
- Classic white relaxed golf cap
- Low profile six panel unstructured
- Standard pre-curved visor
- Washed chino twill
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Submitted by: Danielle Murray {Great Grand Niece}
Corporal Anthony Finocchio born around June 19, 1892. Corporal Anthony Finocchio served in World War 1 with the United States Army. The enlistment was in 1917 and the service was completed in 1918.
Story of Service
Corporal Anthony Finocchio was a member of Company F 316th Infantry AEF, 79th Division.
He was my maternal Grandmother's Uncle. There is an excerpt in the History of Company F 316th Infantry AEF, 79th Division that describes him "to a T".
While in a dugout, a German shell hit the trench. He was knocked to the ground, in the mud. "He wiped the mud off his leggings (he was the neatest soldier in the regiment), shrugged and smiled. Just then another round of shelling hit the dugout, destroying the roof and killing him and others." This was November 8th,1928 - 3 days before Armistice was signed.
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