tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5751220465315554061.post8200685375670603431..comments2024-02-28T13:55:37.847-08:00Comments on My Ancestor's Name: They Served with Honor: The 809th Pioneer Infantry---"Quiet Heroes of the Brawny Arm"Angela Y. Walton-Rajihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12987860835348165902noreply@blogger.comBlogger27125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5751220465315554061.post-53637385025098528932017-06-01T18:43:08.048-07:002017-06-01T18:43:08.048-07:00Greetings, Ms. Angela Y. Walton-Raji, Thank you so...Greetings, Ms. Angela Y. Walton-Raji, Thank you so much for all the work that you have done for the world by bringing our hidden history to light. I met you during the activities for the Smithsonian Institution's book and exhibit ,entitled: "indiVisible": African-Native American Lives in the Americas. At the time that i had helped supply Oral History information to Dr. Kevin Mulroy for my families story , I didn't realize that my grandfather Pompey Bruner Fixico had also served in the 809th Pioneer Inf. unit in Co H. .The reason this information had gone unknown was because he was born to a a Mikasuki Seminole Mother Dinah Fixico Dawes Rolls #900. However , he was the son of Caesar Bruner the Oklahoma Seminole Band Leader. When Pompey's mother passed around 1902, he was given a guardian until he became a bit older. However, his life now came under the influence of the Bruner family. Therefore when he went to War with his Bruner brothers and cousins he went as Pompey Bruner. He was on the U.S. Grant that took them to France and 10 months later he was on the U.S. Sierra, that brought the suvivors back home. In 1925, at the height of the Ku Klux Klan's activity in Oklahoma he was unarmed when he was gunned down in Wewoka, Oklahoma, in front of witnesses. There were two doctors present but the wouldn't treat him, so he died of his wounds. Even though 4 witnesses testified the Judge ruled that there was no evidence that a crime had been commited. Honor and Respect, Seminole Maroon Descendant and Activist, Phil "Pompey" Bruner FixicoPhilhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16989484327321689202noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5751220465315554061.post-32455162963390286232017-01-14T03:55:45.588-08:002017-01-14T03:55:45.588-08:00My Great Grand Uncle Claude Lynch of Oklahoma has ...My Great Grand Uncle Claude Lynch of Oklahoma has this on his headstone<br /><br />PFC HQ Co. 809 Pioneer Infantry WWI<br /><br />I have no information on him, he was brother to my Great Grandmother Cynthia Lynch. Thank you for preserving this historyTexasJackhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07763389470995050478noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5751220465315554061.post-30333508834432660332016-02-07T19:38:02.476-08:002016-02-07T19:38:02.476-08:00I found this site looking up an old WWI grave here...I found this site looking up an old WWI grave here in Columbia, MO. The grave is for a man named Harry E. Coleman, Pvt HQ CO 809th Pioneer Inf. No one remembers him, his grave is always empty, I try to walk around that cemetery sometimes, there are quite a few ww1 and ww2 graves. I'm assuming he was born here or else they wouldn't have buried him here. Good to know a little about what he might have went through. Nice post, thanks for the information. Luciferhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10177620478050880586noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5751220465315554061.post-6032653516537667892014-11-25T07:06:31.981-08:002014-11-25T07:06:31.981-08:00Thank you for this amazing history. In researchin...Thank you for this amazing history. In researching my own grandfather may I include Corporal Benjamin Schubert Baber Sr. 809 Pioneer Infantry, Sailed overseas Sept. 23, 1918. Died of bronchopneumonia Oct. 10, 1918, St Nazaire France, buried Wabash, Indiana. Wabash Wall of Honor. Benitamc3https://www.blogger.com/profile/17414043709843344873noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5751220465315554061.post-83231430927143705602014-07-24T08:11:25.601-07:002014-07-24T08:11:25.601-07:00THIS IS SOME FINE WORK AND A NICE WRITEUP.
I am a...THIS IS SOME FINE WORK AND A NICE WRITEUP.<br /><br />I am an historian and author. I am speaking on Fort Snelling National Cemetery in the fall. I previously published a book on World War Two veterans interred in Fort Snelling. <br /><br />I have a long list of men of the World War One Pioneer Infantry, who are buried in Fort Snelling. And very few photos. I am seeking photos of men from the Upper Midwest who served in the 809. There were many. <br /><br />steve@freedomhistory.com<br />steve chicoinehttp://www.freedomhistory.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5751220465315554061.post-22267664861677281782014-05-30T12:35:25.133-07:002014-05-30T12:35:25.133-07:00I am a volunteer at historic Oakdale Memorial Gard...I am a volunteer at historic Oakdale Memorial Gardens in Davenport, Iowa. I came across a military stone for Carl Logan Marshall. The unit designation was 809 Pioneer Infantry. This was the first result when I searched for the unit on Google.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01658288207507058910noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5751220465315554061.post-59423351956257799972014-05-24T20:17:06.690-07:002014-05-24T20:17:06.690-07:00Thank you so much, because of you I know more abou...Thank you so much, because of you I know more about the unit my grandfather served inCharyl Archey(Byrd)https://www.blogger.com/profile/01781809362608583407noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5751220465315554061.post-6313125842113837532014-02-25T05:42:44.610-08:002014-02-25T05:42:44.610-08:00Thank you so much for posting this story. Cobie S...Thank you so much for posting this story. Cobie Sides was my Great Grandfather. I never got a chance to meet him, but am so very greatful you posted this blog and a picture of him. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5751220465315554061.post-25543319689292200232013-12-21T06:27:48.222-08:002013-12-21T06:27:48.222-08:00My relative served along side your grandfather. Hi...My relative served along side your grandfather. His name is Sam Carson of Paducah Kentucky. He was Honorably discharged. He died in 1962 and is buried with a headstone with his rank and 809 Pioneer Infantry embossed on it. William Carsonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5751220465315554061.post-49166973565745363222012-10-11T09:42:28.602-07:002012-10-11T09:42:28.602-07:00I would like to add two other titles to the first ...I would like to add two other titles to the first book I mentioned. WILLING PATRIOTS. MEN OF COLOR IN FIRST WORLD WAR, and TORCHBEARERS OF DEMOCRACY. AFRICAN AMERICAN SOLDIERS IN WORLD WAR 1 ERA by Chad Louis Williams.Sheppardnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5751220465315554061.post-10495076607065749662012-10-06T11:30:48.628-07:002012-10-06T11:30:48.628-07:00Hello, I discovered this very interesting blog aft...Hello, I discovered this very interesting blog after searching for info about the 809th Pioneer infantry. My grandfather served with this unit in Europe during WWI. You might take a look at a book titled TWO COLORED WOMEN WITH THE AMERICAN EXPEDITIONARY FORCES (published 1920) by Addie W. Hunton and Kathryn M. Johnson.Their book shows photos of some memebers of the 809th, and also discusses some of them by name. You can read the entire book online at www.archive.orgAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5751220465315554061.post-35395547106798452412012-01-25T06:40:56.424-08:002012-01-25T06:40:56.424-08:00Hello Ana,
Thanks for visiting the blog. Since W...Hello Ana,<br /> Thanks for visiting the blog. Since World War I took place more than 95 years ago, it would be hard to find someone who would necessarily know of anyone who personally knew your ancestor. <br /><br />It is possible anyone who was in the 809th knew him. My grandfather may have known him, as they were in France at the same time, traveled on the same ship and had similar experiences. Also my grandfather may have been drafted from the same place as they were from the same region of the county--he was from Oklahoma and your ancestor was from <br />Texas, so perhaps they went through training together.<br /><br />However, unless one has an ancestor who left something in writing or photos, and specifically mentioned your ancestor, it would be very difficult to tell almost a century later who knew whom.<br /><br />Perhaps cousins, aunts, uncles or others may have an image for you. <br /><br />Best wishes as you continue your search.<br />-Angela-Angela Y. Walton-Rajihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12987860835348165902noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5751220465315554061.post-27808222317148975112012-01-24T20:53:02.663-08:002012-01-24T20:53:02.663-08:00Dear Mr. Walton,
I am looking for stories or photo...Dear Mr. Walton,<br />I am looking for stories or photos or information about anyone who may have known my great uncle, Elijah Edwards, also a member of the 809th who died in France on 18 October 1918. His draft registration card indicates he lived in Carthage TX and his name is engraved on a memorial there.<br />Sincerely,<br />Ana Edwards<br />Richmond VARosewood in Virginiahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13178803728488503248noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5751220465315554061.post-83931863986956121492010-05-20T09:31:44.542-07:002010-05-20T09:31:44.542-07:00Hello Craig,
I am not sure why folks have overloo...Hello Craig,<br /><br />I am not sure why folks have overlooked what took place in WWI. There has been a small amount, but the books have never come forth, as they have for other veterans. I wonder if there was a scarcity of black historians who came into their element as scholars in the generation that followed, and thus never paid much attention to that War and it's effect. Note also that participation in the War was such a major issue among black scholars of the day--the goal was so strong to prove to America that black men were loyal and would serve--yet so little has been written about their story since that time.Angela Y. Walton-Rajihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12987860835348165902noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5751220465315554061.post-30461856358575652482010-05-19T20:52:27.339-07:002010-05-19T20:52:27.339-07:00This was a great piece--great photos, too. You poi...This was a great piece--great photos, too. You point out that not much is written about blacks in World War I, which is the same as my observation. Why do you suppose that even African-American historians have overlooked this topic?Craig Mansonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06567686559055003349noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5751220465315554061.post-57936823684235929432010-05-19T16:59:34.426-07:002010-05-19T16:59:34.426-07:00I hope that someday someone might crop up who is c...I hope that someday someone might crop up who is connected to one of those men. I have wondered for years what do do with those photos and once I started blogging---I finally had a platform to share them. Hopefully a descendant of one of those men might someday see an image that is familiar. Thanks for visiting the blog!Angela Y. Walton-Rajihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12987860835348165902noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5751220465315554061.post-48474934094524920652010-05-19T15:04:12.505-07:002010-05-19T15:04:12.505-07:00Wonderful post, I love that you had all those phot...Wonderful post, I love that you had all those photos WITH names! Would be really neat if family of some of these other service men found your blog.Carolhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11754623831815018924noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5751220465315554061.post-60871945806955258372010-05-19T05:52:34.054-07:002010-05-19T05:52:34.054-07:00Angela,
I salute you and the 809th Infantry. Wha...Angela,<br /><br />I salute you and the 809th Infantry. What an inspiring story and pictures of the experience they endured. Thank you for sharing and keeping their memory alive.Jhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06267244364261080142noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5751220465315554061.post-64957434390154572222010-05-08T14:45:50.628-07:002010-05-08T14:45:50.628-07:00Thank you Terrence! I appreciate having this plat...Thank you Terrence! I appreciate having this platform to share his history and am delighted that others also enjoyed reading about the 809th Pioneer Infantry.Angela Y. Walton-Rajihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12987860835348165902noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5751220465315554061.post-9599753445762475952010-05-08T14:22:57.368-07:002010-05-08T14:22:57.368-07:00This is great Angela thank you for sharing the sto...This is great Angela thank you for sharing the story of your grandfather.Terrence Garnetthttp://tgarnett.posterous.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5751220465315554061.post-80445417676370331562010-04-30T09:21:16.877-07:002010-04-30T09:21:16.877-07:00What a wonderful story, Angela! There is so much ...What a wonderful story, Angela! There is so much history, both black and white, and just everyday history that would go un-noticed and un-recorded if it were not for family historians like you.<br /><br />Thank you for sharing this!Sherry - Family Tree Writerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08771660350904508670noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5751220465315554061.post-60948318038666053682010-04-29T20:06:09.883-07:002010-04-29T20:06:09.883-07:00Thanks Mavis and Greta. I am grateful that Grandpa...Thanks Mavis and Greta. I am grateful that Grandpa Sam survived the War and made it home, but there were so many lives lost due to that influenza outbreak. I guess that is what was expected this year, but it did not happen. But thankfully in spite of it all, the young men that made it back home and they were men all of whom we can be proud.<br />-Angela-Angela Y. Walton-Rajihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12987860835348165902noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5751220465315554061.post-33187381557034105692010-04-28T18:51:42.453-07:002010-04-28T18:51:42.453-07:00It is so wonderful that your grandfather had these...It is so wonderful that your grandfather had these pictures of his comrades and that they had their names on them. The information about the influenza epidemic is also very interesting; I have read a good deal about the epidemic and its beginnings and early spread, especially among men at military installations. It is so sad that the war and the epidemic combined to take away so many young men. Great article!Greta Koehlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05429623811794360612noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5751220465315554061.post-20257374386055005052010-04-28T18:35:10.224-07:002010-04-28T18:35:10.224-07:00Angela, Thanks so much for providing information o...Angela, Thanks so much for providing information of some of the black soldiers, your grandfather being one of them, of WWI. We are all proud of the contribution he and other like him made to the cause.Mavishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10241988882011440597noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5751220465315554061.post-17228993658212489262010-04-28T06:56:31.591-07:002010-04-28T06:56:31.591-07:00Thanks Luckie and Amy for your remarks. So little...Thanks Luckie and Amy for your remarks. So little is said of the black soldiers in the first World War and though the army was segregated they served proundly nevertheless. I am just so happy that this theme allowed me to present my grandfather and his army buddies to the world. I have looked at these photos for years and years and wondered about them and their lives and who they were. I now have the opportunity to present them to the world, and you have given me occasion to share them. Thank you both!Angela Y. Walton-Rajihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12987860835348165902noreply@blogger.com