Pvt. George LaBare 6th Machine Gun Btn.

[zk4298militaria]

I know you have seen this already but a substantial bit more has come to light, here is the proper write up about Mr. LaBare

[zk4298militaria]

 

George LaBare was born December 22 1896, 6th of 9 children to parents August and Augusta LaBare and one of 2 LaBare kids to serve in World War 1. George grew up on a farm just outside of Ludlow, Kentucky. He would enlist in the Marine Corps April 10th 1917, less than a week after the US declared war on Germany. Receiving basic training at Paris Island South Carolina before being shipped overseas in June of 1917. George would first be attached to 15th Machine Gun Co A, 6th Machine Gun Battalion, 4th Marine Brigade under the famous 2nd Division.
He would first see combat April 1st 1918 near Verdun, where the Marines suffered their first heavy losses of the war. George was placed on a Hotchkiss 1914 Machine Gun team.

George would be wounded for the first time July 18th 1818 while supporting elements of the 9th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Division assaulting Clancy Ravine near Vierzy, France.
His second wound would come via German machine gun bullet on October 8th while supporting the 141st Infantry Regiment 36th Division during the Battle of Blanc Mont Ridge, the outcome of which would drive the Germans out of the Champagne region of France.

George would see combat during some of the most famous engagements of the First World War, including Belleau Wood, Chateau Thierry, St Michel, Muse Argonne, and Asine. The 6th Machine Gun Battlion would end the war with 124 killed, 508 wounded, and 9 men missing.
With the war coming to a close and the AEF settling in for occupation duty George was reassigned to the 97th Composite Company 6th Marine Regiment also known as “Pershing’s Own” this unit was made up of some of the most decorated and combat test men of the war and paraded around France. It is the patch of the 97th on his uniform.

Finally returning to Kentucky from overseas in 1919 George married his sweetheart Julia Shephard and went back to work on the farm. Leaving the farm he found work in the shipbuilding industry, this job taking him to Pearl Harbor Territory of Hawaii working as a ShipFitter for the navy.

George would be thrust back into the action on December 7th 1941 during the attack on Pearl Harbor. He and his colleagues would receive a commendation from the Navy for their service during the rescue and recovery efforts in the days following the attack.

George would give up working for the navy in 43 and return home to Kentucky. I really wish I had more to say about the last 30 years of his life but he passed away in 1980.

 

The extra things that have come to light after the garage sale include his dog tag, paperwork, and a pair of photos. There’s a couple more navy department papers I need to scan but here’s the Dec 7th Commendation along with his wwi discharge.

 

Thanks for reading! -Zach

[Dirk]

Very nice grouping and an excellent write up…congrats to a great addition to your collection!

[warguy]

Very nice grouping once again and the research is filling in nicely. Just a clarification, it was the 3rd Composite Battalion formed in May of 1919 that was “Pershing’s own” a blend of Marines and Army soldiers put in place for special assignments, special events, etc. The Marines were chosen from various companies across both the fifth and sixth Marine Regiments, usually the Marines that saw the most action, were the most decorated or those WIA. Your Marine once again seems to perfectly fit that criteria, and I hope your research bears out the fact he was assigned to this prestigious unit. Again, very likely as his patch seems to reflect it. Good luck, very nice historic grouping once again. 

[katieony]

Great group!

[Brian Dentino]

Fantastic group and awesome write up.  Very nice to have a great WWI uniform in your collection.

[Paulruss]

Spectacular !

[Collector .45]

Fantastic grouping! It's always nice to see anything from the 6th. MG!

 

- Henry

[manayunkman]

Love this group!

[aerialbridge]

Congrats on the Newsweek story!   And it's a good shot in the arm for the hobby and preservation.   When the article popped up on my news feed the other day,  I says to myself,  "I think I've seen that before."   And sure enough, it was here first.  

 

https://www.newsweek.com/man-yard-sale-buys-wwi-uniform-discovers-remarkable-story-10896938

[Lind007]

Great group!