Schrantz, Ward Collection
This collection consists of the memoirs of Ward Loren Schrantz of Carthage, Missouri. He began his military service in 1909 as a member of Company A, 2nd Missouri National Guard. Schrantz and the 2nd Missouri National Guard, guarded the Mexican border in support of the Punitive Expedition from 1916 to 1917. When the United States went to war, Schrantz was elected captain of a company in the Carthage Light Guard. After being federalized, Schrantz’s company became Company A, 128th Machine Gun Battalion, 35th Division where he continued to serve as captain. The 128th Machine Gun Battalion saw action during the St. Mihiel and Meuse-Argonne offensives. This is the first of five memoirs by Schrantz, documenting his early military service. It provides detailed information of his service on the Mexican Border, as well as his experiences serving as captain of the 128th Machine Gun Battalion.
