Grouping to Purdue Univ. Volunteer, US Army Ambulance Section 598

[BEAST]

When the US entered the war, its combat forces were not ready to be shipped overseas. However France desperately needed manpower and a call for volunteers was made across our college campuses. In the same vein as the American Field Service, many of these universities were called upon to furnish ambulance sections to be assigned to the French Army. One difference between these units and the AFS, these sections were part of the US Army, but assigned to French Divisions

 

Purdue University, in West Lafayette, Indiana responded with two complete ambulance sections forming the Purdue Ambulance Corps. Once organized on active duty, they were renamed US Army Ambulance Section (USAAS) 559 and US Army Section 598.

 

These two sections were made up of students and local townspeople. The group shown in this thread was worn by Clarance Nalley, a local citizen who served as a cook for USAAS 598 which served in France There are a few items in this group from his cousin Arthur Nalley as well. USAAS 559 served well in Italy.

 

From John Smucker's The History of the United States Army Ambulance Service:

 

"Assembled on the campus of Purdue University, at West Lafayette, Indiana, this Section was ordered to the concentration camp at the Fairgrounds, Allentown, Pa., on June 21, 1917. On arrival, they were assigned to the sheep barns. The commanders are listed as Lt. James Foley, Lt. C. C. Elliott, and Lt. C. C. Battershell, the last named being a former member of the American Field Service. The section took part in many of the extra-curricular activities, inside and outside of the camp grounds. They had a "go" at trench warfare at Guth Station, and returned to better but just as cold barracks at Camp Crane.

Section 598 became a part of Major Metcalfe's contingent and sailed on the S.S. Carmania, January 9, 1918. They landed in Liverpool, and worked their way through Winchester to Southampton, to Le Havre, and then to a base camp. Their original assignment was with the 59th French Infantry Division, and records show they also served the famous 33rd French Division."

 

The entire section was awarded the Croix de Guerre, 25 individual Croix de Guerre, one Legion of Honor, One Medaille Militaire and one US Army DSC.

 

This is a very large group, so please keep checking back as I will be adding items over time. To give you an idea, here is a tub full of most of the non-uniform items.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[BEAST]

This is a photo showing many of his items. In this photo you can see his cooks apron and hat.

 

 

 

[BEAST]

A better look at his coat with bullion SSI and cook's rank.

 

 

[BEAST]

Cook's hat and campaign hat worn by Nalley:

[BEAST]

Flag used on the ambulance or also at the Poste de Secours

 

[BEAST]

A pair of Nalley's socks and some souvenirs

 

 

:

 

 

[BEAST]

Medals awarded to Nalley:

 

WWI Victory Medal

 

 

[BEAST]

French Medaille Inter alliee

 

French Medaille Commemorative

 

 

[BEAST]

USAAC medal

As there are two of these, I am guessing that one belonged to Arthur also.

 

USAAC Memorial Medal

 

[BEAST]

USAACS Reunion ribbon

 

USAACS Reunion medal

 

 

[BEAST]

Croix de Guerre that I believe was awarded to Arthur

 

[BEAST]

Dog tags worn by Clarence

 

[BEAST]

This group is so complete, while it may not have the kitchen sink, it does have medical mess ware:

[BEAST]

For my last photo of the day, I'll leave you with a close-up of his SSI. IF you like photos and documents, please stay tuned!

 

 

 

 

 

[Terry K.]

Wonderful grouping and to think the guys were about an hour from me.

[BEAST]

Thanks Terry. It's interesting to me how little you hear about US Army Ambulance Service. As mentioned before, Purdue formed two sections, while Indiana University formed one also. Many if not all of the AFS sections were reformed as USAAS. Also, much of the key leadership positions within the USAAS sections were held by former AFS members. SSU 598 was led by C. C. (Charles Chester) Battershell who had served with AFS sections 13 and 31.

[USAFnav]

Beast, thanks for posting these, very interesting. I really like the cook's rank and hat, and that USAAS memorial medal.

Pete

Purdue, class of 1984

[trenchbuff]

Beautiful group! Really hard to find ambulance groups so complete and this one has all the little items that make it really exceptional. Thanks for sharing it with us.

[BEAST]

There is probably over a hundred photos, including some original negatives with the group.

 

 

Here is a photo of Cook Nalley

 

 

 

 

 

[BEAST]

ALso from his photo album is this image of the Poste de Secours at La Ferte Milon. Notice the Red Cross flag. Similar in size to the one in this group?

 

[1SG_1st_Cav]

Awesome pieces of history. Thanks for collecting, preserving, and sharing it with us!