Photo: Banner Blevins after basic training in 1917
Age at Enlistment: 26
Length of Service: 1917-1919
State: North Carolina
Rank: Pvt
Unit: Army, 115th Machine Gun Bn, “North Carolina Brigade”, 30th Infantry Division
Service Record: Enlisted in Co. B of the 115th Machine Gun Battalion on 18 Sep 1917; demobilized on 2 Apr 1919 at South Carolina; His registration identifies him as medium build, slender, light hair, blue eyes. He is listed as a farmer employed in Jefferson, Ashe Co., NC, single.
In 1929 he was admitted to the National Home for Disabled Soldiers for a short time (Mar-May 1929) for “mental undetermined” but was likely a bout of PTSD
WWI – 30th Infantry Division: (source: NewRiverNotes.com)
Thirtieth Division (National Guard)
Insignia, a monogram in blue of the letters “O” and “H”, standing for “Old Hickory,” the nickname of Andrew Jackson. The cross bar of the “H” contains the triple “XXX,” the Roman numerals for thirty. The whole is on a maroon background. Organized at Camp Sevier, S.C., in October, 1917.
First units sailed for overseas on May 7, 1918, and the last units landed at Calais, France, on June 24, 1918. The division was ordered to the Eperlecques training area (Pas-de-Calais) and remained there until July 4th, when it was ordered into Belgium under command of the 2d British Corps and placed in support of the 33d and 49th British divisions. Division headquarters was located at Watou and it was here that this division received its first training in the line. On Aug. 17th the division took over the Canal sector extending from the southern outskirts of Ypres to Voormezelle and from Aug. 31st to Sept. 1st engaged in the battle before Mt. Kemmel. The division was then withdrawn and placed in reserve until Sept. 17th, when it was again sent into the line with division headquarters at Herissart. On Sept. 22d the division was placed under command of the 4th British Army and took over the Beaurevoir sector the following day. Participated in the battle of Bellincourt Sept. 29th- 30th, which resulted in the breaking of the Hindenburg line. On Oct. 4th the division took over the line near Montbrehain where it attacked on four successive days making an advance of over 17,000 yards. On Oct. 17th participated in the Battle of La Selle river, and remained in the attack until Oct. 20th. The division was withdrawn to the Heilly training area immediately after the battle, where it was located at the signing of the armistice. On Nov. 24th the division was ordered to the Le Mans area preparatory to returning to the United States. The Divisional Artillery was not present for operations with the division, but was in active operations in the Toul sector, St. Mihiel offensive, Meuse-Argonne offensive and the Woevre sector.
This division captured from the enemy the following; 3,848 prisoners, 81 pieces of artillery and 426 machine guns. It made a total advance of twenty-nine and a half kilometers against resistance. Battle deaths, 1,652; wounded 9,429; number taken prisoners, 6 officers and 71 men. Distinguished Service Crosses awarded, 177.
Commanding generals: Maj.Gen. John F. Morrison, from organization to Nov. 20, 1917; Maj. Gen. C. P. Townsley, Nov. 20 to Dec. 17, 1917; Maj. Gen. Geo. W. Read, April 27 to Aug. 10, 1918; Maj. Gen. Edw. M. Lewis, Aug. 10 to Nov. 11, 1918.
The units composing the division were as follows: 59th, 60th Inf. Brigs., 117th, 118th, 119th, 120th Inf. Regts., 114th, 115th Machine Gun BN., 55th Arty. Brig., 113th, 114th, 115th, Arty. Regts., 105th Trench Mortar Battery, 113th Div. Machine Gun Bn., 105th Engr. Regt. And Train, 105th Fld. Sig. Bn., 105th Train Hqs. And M.P., 105th Supply Train, 105th Amm. Train, 105th Sanitary Train (117th, 118th, 119th, 120th Amb. Cos. And Field Hospitals).
Read more on the 30th Infantry Div history:
Survived War: Yes
Cemetery / Burial: Mount Rose Cemetery, Glade Spring, Washington Co., VA
Soldier Info: Born in Ashe Co., NC in 1891; Died Glade Spring, Washington Co., VA in 1972
Relationship to Author: 1st cousin 4x
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