Frank J. Lutwitze

World War I

Frank Lutwitze was born on January 19, 1896 near Templeton to Anton and Johanna (known as Hannah) (Kramer) Lutwitze. In 1898, the family moved to the Arcadia area and later to Dedham. Frank enlisted in the US Army on September 21, 1917 making him an early inductee. He was assigned serial number 2188395.

Frank was assigned to Company F, 312th Ammunition Train of the 87th Infantry Division. This division was being formed at Camp Pike, Arkansas and Frank was sent there for training. The division was initially assigned 40,000 troops but during the next year many troops were transferred to other units. Unit strength was replaced by a large number of draftees from New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Training continued until the unit was deemed ready for service in August, 1918.

Frank’s unit was transported to board ship for Europe. They boarded the troop ship “Waimana” in Montreal, Canada and sailed on August 25, 1918. They arrived in France in mid-September and were assigned as laborers for the Services of Supply, American Expeditionary Forces. Their mission was to provide seaport and receiving services, storage and issuing supplies to combat units. Frank’s unit handled thousands of tons of supplies during its tour of duty in France. Supply activities continued after the end of the war on November 11, 1918 as hundreds of thousands of American troops were still in Europe.

On February 19, 1919, the 312th Ammunition Train unit sailed from Bordeaux, France aboard the “Sierra” landing in New York harbor. Frank had been with this unit for 18 months and was involved in training the many soldiers that were processed through. As a result, he had attained the rank of sergeant. The unit was sent to Camp Dix, NJ and Frank was sent on to Camp Dodge on March 18, 1919. He was discharged on March 30, 1919.

Frank married Anna Dentlinger in Arcadia on August 30, 1921 and the couple immediately moved to Dedham where Frank had been employed by the Dedham Grain Elevator since his discharge. He remained employed there until 1935 when they purchased a farm south of Templeton. Anna Lutwitze passed away in 1958 but Frank continued to farm until 1966. He then retired to Manning where he passed away on March 28, 1985 at age 89.