Company C, 517th Engineer Service Battalion (Forestry)
Written by 1st Sgt. Gartner's grandson, Charles Richard Gardner:
My grandfather, Charles Wilhelm Gartner, participated in the World War. Here is what I've discovered about him and the War. This was his birth name and he does not change it to Charles William Gardner until 1919 when he returned from the War and France. When his first son is born, he adds Sr. to the end of his name.
He was born May 1, 1892 in New York City, NY. But, in November 1895, at 3 years of age, his parents pack up and with him return to Germany for a better life. His father dies and his mother re-marries into a family of boys and girls. So Grandpa is a step-son to his step-brothers and sisters. Grandpa grows up in Germany, but never forgot he was an American first. After graduating Heidelburg University with an Engineering degree, he (age 19) gets on a ship to return to the USA (thinking that he’ll never come back).
The World War starts in July 28, 1914. USA declares war on the Axis Powers in April 6, 1917. June 5, 1917, Grandpa is working for the Automatic Sprinkler Co. of America. They have sent him to Atlanta, Georgia where he is living. His job is "Sprinkler Engineer." He lives in the Atlanta YMCA. He works in the Caudler Building, Atlanta Branch. He is single, 25 years of age, of medium height, medium build, gray eyes, and black hair.
June 5, 1917, he fills out a Draft Registration Card (#756). A year later (April 27, 1918 - it is unclear on whether he is drafted or volunteers) is inducted in Atlanta, Georgia, joins the Army Engineer Corps and is a member of the United States National Army (USNA). Now Private Charles W. Gartner, from April to May 1918 is assigned to the "157 Depot Brigade," Camp Gordon, Ga. Camp Gordon was southwest of Augusta, Ga. The current site is the DeKalb Peachtree Airport.
In May 22, 1918 he is promoted to Corporal. From May to Oct 1918 he is assigned to C Company (later renamed 11th) of the 517th Engineer Service Battalion, in France. Within this webpage are fascinating stories on the 517th battalion companies: 9th, 10th, & 11th. June 15th, 1918, he is promoted to Sergeant (see his photo and his friends).
Once inside the battalion, Grandpa became a member of the "11th Engineer Service Company (Forestry)" and went with them into the Argonne woods during the Meuse-Argonne Offensive, Sept 26-30, 1918
On May 2, 1919 he is promoted to company First Sergeant (1SG). During the Meuse-Argonne Offensive Grandpa was nearby and our forces used mustard gas against the Germans in the opening attack. He told me that he was gassed and it damaged his eyes so that later in life required him to wear glasses. It is not impossible for this to happen. Often there were accidents at the artillery batteries, wind changed directions, and Mustard Gas lingers a long time. For the rest of his life his eyes burned and teared continually.
The World War ends Nov. 11, 1918. He and the company continued to serve in France from Nov. 1918, into the next year, to July 11, 1919. So he's there after the War, helping to rebuild France.
Eight days later, on July 19, 1919, he returned back to New York City, NY, USA and is honorably discharged that Fall (Army Discharged Papers, Form # 724-1 A.G.O., Nov. 22, 1919). He returned back to work for the Automatic Sprinkle Co. of America, in New York City, NY. And he changes his German name to a more Americanized version, becoming: Charles William Gardner.
