Company B, 307th Infantry / Its history, honor roll, company roster, Sept., 1917, May, 1919

The
Burke Kelly
Post

That spirit of dominant Americanism with which the war was fought seems in these times of peace to be best reflected by the American Legion.

Appreciating this, those members of Company B, 307th Infantry, who regarded with favor the idea of a post-bellum organization applied to the American Legion for a charter. One was granted and they were admitted as the Burke-Kelly Post No. 172.

The name was selected in honor of the memory of two of their comrades: Sergeant Frank W. Burke, killed by a high explosive shell on the line of the Vesle, August 23d, 1918, and Corporal John E. Kelly, killed by a high explosive shell during the battle of Merval, September 8th, 1918.

This publication of the History of Company B was made possible by the members of the Burke-Kelly Post under the following officers:

President
William F. Howard

Vice-Presidents
John A. Ross
Arthur J. Hamblen
Alfred Heller

Secretary
A. James DiMaggio

Treasurer
Thomas F. Twyford

Corresponding Secretary
Julius Klausner, Jr.

Executive Committee
Donald M. Wallach
Fred A. Gleiforst
Ralph U. Brett

They were watched, and high they burned, by those who more than all else represented to us the concrete reason for which we served.

None of us but felt that we were fighting for our Country; but all of us knew that we were fighting for our Home.

Our Home Folks,—our Mothers and our Fathers, our Sisters and our Wives and our Sweethearts and our Friends—all banded together so that we, while never losing the thought of Home, were also not to lose its touch.

Those tenders of the fireside whom we knew as the "Family Unit" were organized as the Company B Family Unit and were affiliated with the 307th Regimental Family Unit. They formed on our embarkation for overseas, and by virtue of a succession of meetings under the active and enthusiastic leadership of Mrs. William Vanamee and Miss Virginia Fuller they became welded into a body that accomplished immeasurable benefit not only for our physical but also for our spiritual welfare.

The socks, the cigarettes, the wristlets and the soap were needs of vast import, but our knowledge that those behind us were marshaled just as we were was more warming than wristlets, more comforting than cigarettes.

The officers during the early period were Miss Virginia Fuller, President; Miss Helen Pritchard, Secretary; Mrs. W. B. Wise, Treasurer. The meetings were held in a barren loft at 6 East 30th Street, New York City. Here the ideas were conceived, the plans formulated, and the policies acted upon, that were so far-reaching and effective.

Tho first drawn together for the good of Company B, their own sufferings served to consolidate their interests and to strengthen their purpose.

As notice after notice issued from Washington advising as to losses in battle by death and by wounds, the need for common consolation became most urgent and a noble response came from those who were in a position to give comfort. These were trying days, days of mental agony, days of longing and hoping and praying.

In September one of our own men, Sergeant George A. Klein, Jr., who had been returned to the United States as an instructor, appeared at a meeting and gave word, mostly welcome, some sad, to the news-hungry relatives.

These various activities were recorded in a small four-page bulletin published for and distributed to us overseas.

And then the Armistice. Relief from the tension of the meetings was given by the final let-up of the war and soon the time came when much thought was given to filling those "9x4x3" boxes of Christmas cheer.

The date of our return was flashed across the waters during the early part of April and immediately wheels were set in motion to prepare for it.

Their welcome took the form of a reception and dance. For the first time, and the only time, Company B and the Family Unit were together. And as a token of their affection and regard they presented to each of us a silver signet ring bearing our Divisional insignia—Liberty, together with the Company and Regimental designation. Inside the ring they had placed as their wish: "May God Protect You."

Guests of especial honor were the two McIntyre sisters, who were so active overseas with the Salvation Army and who for so long a time had been identified with our Division, having for a while been assigned to our own Regiment.

Thus culminated the activities of the Family Unit of Company B. But just as we have decided upon a continuation of our organization—the same in substance, if not in form,—so the Unit decided to serve as the Auxiliary to the Burke-Kelly Post, American Legion.

The Auxiliary meetings are held in the rooms adjoining those of the Burke-Kelly Post, at the 77th Division Club. The original board of officers includes Mrs. A. J. Hamblen, President; Miss Virginia Fuller, Miss Sarah Kelly, and Mrs. William Charles, Vice-Presidents; Miss Anna Charles, Secretary, and Mrs. W. B. Wise, Treasurer.

And their banner is still held aloft. A new name, but the old purpose.