Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1919-02-06
SIX YEARS PUT
IN AS FIGHTER
Corporal Garry Gegenheimer Goes
From Philippines to France
as Z. s. Soldier.
FOUGHT sAvAGEs AND HUNS
Mixes Up in Battles Against MorOs,
Looks the Mexicans Over, and
Goes After Germans.

Be introduced to Corporal Harry
Gegenheimer, 23-year-old son of the
late Fred Gegenheimer of this city,
six years in the service and a vet
eran Of three army campaigns.
AS a member of Company H,
Twenty-third United States infan-
try, he was sent to the Philippine
islands shortly after his enlistment
at Jefferson barracks, April 81.
1913. Against the savage Moros he
served for three years. participating
in battles against the wild tribes
men who refused to recognize the
sovereignty Of America.
In 1916, when it looked as though
war with Mexico was inevitable.
Corporal Gegenheimer was one of
those recalled from the Philippines
for service there. He was a mem
Der of the troop that Pershing led
over a hundred miles into the wilds
Of Mexico in pursuit Of the bandit
Villa. He was one of the foremost
in venting his disgust when orders
came to the little force from Wash
ington to withdraw.
Then, as the United States trem-
bled on the edge of the bloody vor-
tex in which all Of Europe swirled,
Corporal Gegenheimer, giving ear
10 the ominous rumbling as Mars
beckoned with mailed hand, took
hope and remained in the army.
When Uncle Sam stripped for &C
ton Corporal Gegenheimer follow
ed General Pershing to France on
the second convoy.
AS a member of the famous Sec
ond division he was rushed with
his comrades to Nerdun, to the
Marine, and to Chateau Thierry. At
each point the hitherto unbeaten
and onrushing Hun hordes were
halted in their advance.
Corporal Gegenheimer was zone
of those hencefOrth immortals in
American history who faced. those
grey waves as they came on, ap-
parently as without number as the
waves of the sea; he was one of
those Yanks who backed not a step,
as. giving voice tn the famous
French battle-cry at Verdun. They
shall not pass" they stood firm.
Falls Before Gas.
The tide of battle turned. Out
fought, the flower OF the German
army was forced back, slowly and
surely. beaten by the indOmitable
men of that great, free people
whom they had Knocked and ridi-
culed Corporal Geganheimer was
one of the foremost in the victor
ious ranks of khaki Then, on the
outskirts of Chateau Thierry, he
fell. a victim of the poison vapors
of the foe. This was in June. 1918.
Active service terminated for
Gegenh elmer. He had received a
heavy dose Of the gas, and under
the care OF American doctors and
nurses he struggled to regain his
health After nearly a year he was
successful to such an extent, that
on Jan. "a, 1919, he received his
honorable disability discharge.
Just about a week ago, after
an absence OF many years. IA
months of which time had been
spent in France, Corporal Gegen-
heimer returned to the city of his
birth, and within two hours was at
tired from head to toe in civilian
clothes for the first time in six
years,
Says It's Great
Gee, it's sure a grand and glo-
riOus feelin'," exclaimed Gegen-
heimer, surveying his new raiment
as he talked to an Argus reporter
The army is all right as long as
there is scrapping," he added, re-
fleCtiyely.
I enlisted when I thought trou-
BILE with Japan was coming" said
Corporal Gegenheimer. q lied
three years on my age to get in,
and the army records show me now
as 26 years old. But trouble with
the Japs failed TO come and l was
sent to the Philippines"
In this city Gegenheimer visited
at the home Of a friend. f. Edward. !
1885 Twenty-ninth street. He left |
Rock Island today for Chicago, |
where he will enroll as a student at
Chicago university.