Lt. Pfaff's WW I Experience Much Like My Grandfather and Great Uncle's

The last two posts I wrote about Claude Pfaff and his World War I experience.  He had his training at Camp Jackson near Columbia, South Carolina, as did my grandfather, William Graham Hood.  And like Mr. Pfaff, my grandfather never had to ship off to France.  Also, my grandfather was honorably discharged at Camp Sevier.

My Great Uncle, David Mabury Prince was a lieutenant, but trained at Camp Sevier and went overseas.

Find out about my grandfather and great uncle by clicking the David Prince and William G. Hood labels.

Small World.  --Cooter

Memorial Day 2017: David M. Prince

DAVID M. PRINCE

A member of the Goldsboro Rifles, 30th Infantry Division, "Old Hickory Division."  Went to France with the AEF and fought in the trenches.  He was hurt by poison gas, but survived and returned home to Goldsboro, North Carolina.

He lost his life a short time later saving a child from a flooded river and received the Carnegie Medal.

David M. Prince was my great uncle.

Spanish-American War Memorial Dedicated in Goldsboro, NC-- Part 5: The Goldsboro Rifles

The Goldsboro Rifles were a company of volunteers for the Confederacy in the Civil War from the local area.  They were disbanded after Lee's surrender at Appomattox, but reestablished in the 1870s.  It was a company of soldiers and eventually T.H. Bain became their commanding officer with the rank of captain.

When war with Spain broke out in 1898, the U.S. government called for volunteers and many members of the Goldsboro Rifles answered the call.  Diseases in tropical camps claimed as many of the American troops as bullets on the battlefield.

Bain made his request to honor his fallen men in the local newspaper, but nothing ever came of it...until now.

My Great Uncle David M. Prince, whom I wrote about last week, was a member of the Goldsboro Rifles during World War I.

A Big Thanks to Logan Tillman.  --Cooter

World War I's Lt. David M. Prince-- Part 3: His Uniform and Helmet

The Wayne County Museum has David Prince's helmet worn by him in World War I.  The type of helmet was designed in 1917.  German troops called these helmets"salatschussel" meaning salad bowl, which they did resemble.

The logo on it is hand painted with three "Xs," standing for the 30th Division.  If the logo is rotated by turning the helmet, you can read "OH", standing for "Old Hickory," Lt. Prince's division's nickname.

There is also a military coat worn by him during his service along the Mexican border near El Paso, Texas, for six months beginning July 1916.  You can still see the outline of his sergeant's stripes on the sleeves.

--Cooter

World War I's Lt. David M. Prince-- Part 1: Officer Training and World War I

I was in the Wayne County Museum earlier this week and there is a display of a picture, uniform top coat, helmet and his Carnegie Medal.

Lt. Prince was my great uncle.

Lt. David M. Prince, Co. I, 119th Infantry.  Born in Halifax, N.C., August 7, 1896 to David and Minnie Prince.  As a child he moved to Goldsboro.

In May 1915, he joined the North Carolina National Guard and was assigned to Co. E, 2nd N.C. Infantry Regiment and made a sergeant with Lt. Zeno Hollowell.

He went to officer training at Camp Stanley near San Antonio, Texas and rejoined the regiment as a second lieutenant in Company I at Camp Servier, S.C., before deployment to France in May 1918 during World War I.

World War I's Lt. David M. Prince-- Part 2: Died Saving a Young Boy's Life

Lt. Prince returned to the United States in April 1919 and worked as a salesman for Smith Hardware in Goldsboro, N.C..

A few months later, he drowned in a flooded field near the junction of the Little and Neuse rivers near Goldsboro on July 26, 1919.  He was trying to rescue Jefferson Merritt, age 12,  Mr. Prince held the boy's head above the rampaging waters and saved him, but drowned in the process.

David Prince was posthumously awarded the Carnegie Medal for Heroism.

He is buried next to his parents at Goldsboro's Willow Dale Cemetery.

Letter From My Great Uncle David Prince in World War I Camp-- Part 2

I haven't forgotten that watch case yet, as you just keep on waiting _?___ if nothing happens you should have it.

Now if I get killed in France I want you to have the "Liberty Bonds" which I have bought.  It will come to $200.00.  I also will my other money which I will get in case I get killed, but don't think I will, for I will surely come back all safe-- and sound.

I want to see you finish High School and then go to College and finish.  If I had gone to school and studied I would be an officer instead of an enlisted man.

What do you want me to give you for a Christmas present?  How is that little "Grantham man" getting along?

Tell Gertrude and Annie Mae, I said write to me sometimes, and be sure that you write me real soon.

Give this note to Papa.

With lots of love to you all, your brother, David.

A Letter from My Great Uncle David Prince in World War I Camp-- Part 1

I also came across a letter from my Great Uncle David Prince to his sister Julia (my Great Aunt).

At Camp
Tuesday Night

Dear "Little Sister"

Your much appreciated letter was received a few days ago, and I sure did enjoy reading your letter, and would have answered it sooner but we are kept very busy.

I sure would like to see you-all. but guess I will not have the opportunity to go home now.  We are all quarantined  and can't even go to town, and spend our money.

Yesterday was payday, and most all of the boys were happy altho they couldn't go totown, to spend their money.