Great Uncle-WW1 Veteran-2nd Infantry Division.

[RANDALL 1953]

My Great Uncle immigrated to the USA in 1913 from Belarus. During the first world war he joined the 2nd Infantry Division and fought in France where he was gassed by the Germans and survived to be 70 years old. The only thing that I can remember him telling me is how much he hated the German machine guns. Any ideas on how I can find more information about him. Somewhere I have a photo of him in uniform. If I can find it I will add it to this.

[Edelweisse]

What was his name?  Maybe we can assist in your search

[RANDALL 1953]

Thank you, I appreciate that. His name was Vasil Bilmuk or sometimes spelled Billamuk.

[Edelweisse]

Wasil is listed on ship manifest 

[RANDALL 1953]

Thanks very much, I guess that is all the information I can get as the records for US soldiers in WW1 were destroyed by a fire at the national archives.

[postmanusnac]

12 hours ago, RANDALL 1953 said:

Thanks very much, I guess that is all the information I can get as the records for US soldiers in WW1 were destroyed by a fire at the national archives.

So you know he shows up in the muster reports and the ship manifest as Wasil Welimuk (same as 1920 census).

 

He enlisted August 1, 1917.  He left the US on September 7, 1917 and arrived in France on the 20th.

 

He would serve and return to the US with Co. B, 23rd Infantry Regiment.

 

[RANDALL 1953]

postmanusnac, Thank you so very much for the information, I would never believe that I would get info on him. He was a quiet person and never really talked about the war or his time in the service with others but did answer questions when I asked him.. He also was single and never married..

[postmanusnac]

You’re welcome.  Here is his record in the VA Master Index.

[bertmedals]

He is listed in the Connecticut Service Records for WW1 under Suffield, CT (Volume III, page 2597).  Attached PDF is his entry.  His service number (49874) yielded only one document -- incoming passenger roster for his return from France, below.

Dennis

 

Welimuk_Connecticut Servicemen 1917-1920 Vol 3_Pg 2597.pdf

[shortsix]

Naturalization papers -

 

WWII draft card -

[RANDALL 1953]

My deepest thanks to all who helped with this. It was very gratifying to see this. God bless you all.