South Dakota Won’t Forget Sacrifices of WWI Medical Officers

(October 1918: Medical Trench on Western Front)

 by Duke Doering

    Near Bois de Bantheville, France the 147th Field Artillery fought farther into the country as the World War 1 battle with Germany was nearing an end.  It was at this time that two officers in the 147th Field Artillery were recognized, not only by their unit, but by the allied soldiers who saw them in action.

    Two South Dakota National Guard medical officers, Capt. Edward W. Jones, of the 1st Battalion and Capt. Roy F. Sackett of the 2nd Battalion were written about by their peers.  Of Capt. Jones one of the Division officers wrote, “In tribute to our little medical man,” he said, “The danger was never too great for him to go to the aid of the man needing him. Prompted by duty alone and never protecting himself he risked his life time and time again and deserved a cross or a crown, but I presume he never got either.”

    On August 18, 1918 Capt. Sackett and four enlisted men from the 147th Field Artillery Medical Section had been gassed near Courville, France.  Those enlisted members were Pvt. Clarence King, Pvt. Harlan Johnson, Pvt. 1st Class Walter Morgans, and Sgt. Oliver Nelson.

    From June 8, 1918 until August 21, 1918 the 147th Field Artillery remained on the front.  During that period one officer and seven enlisted men were killed, two officers and 20 enlisted wounded, and eight officers and 49 enlisted men were gassed.

    Captain Eugene Foster received mustard gas and was hospitalized for a month.

      The loss in horses was appalling.  Battery D alone, between August 1st and August 25th, lost 14 horses to shellfire, and 30 more were evacuated because of wounds.  Protective masks were issued for horses.

     Information provided by  Master Sgt. (ret.) James Morgans, Battery B, 147th Field Artillery, who submitted the written records of the his father, Pvt. 1st Class Walter H. Morgans.