Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-09-29
J. JARDEN GUENTHER
On PhiladeIphia's War Work

"pHILADELrHlA did more war work
i during 1014-1910 than any other city
and county in the United States, asserted
J. Jarden Gucuthcr. secretary of the Phlla-
dclphia war history committee. today. In
support Of his statement Mr.. Guenther
added:
For not quite year the Philadelphia
war history committee, under the chairman
ship of John Frederick Lewis, has been COM
piing the records of activities in Philadel-
pha or directed from this city during the
entire period of tho world war, and the ma
tcrial already in hand is proof positive that
our city led the nation.
I'VE read with pride the story of our men
and women in service. but We did not always
know how the industries of the city kept the
army and navy-and the Allies-supplicd
with the Sinews of war.
There arc several reasons why this city
should be- interested in the collection of its
records and should provide for their proper
preservation for immediate reference and
future research. In the first place. tho city
owes it to the men and women who served
and particularly to those who paid the Su
prcmc sacrifice In tho second place. we
should be proud of the achievements of our
city and finally. the information is now
readily available but it will soon be scat
tered.
"Whcn we consider wartime activities we
naturally think first of the men and women
who served in the army. navy and marine
corps. Were we to attempt review of
their work we should find space far too lin
tied, but it is of interest to know that in
practically every branch of the service at
home and abroad the men and women from
this city played a notable part.
Record of Our Divisions
Some Of our National Guard units which
niul,th l,,i,;,
were sworn into federal service for provost
guard duty even before the declaration Of
war The division served on what may be
termed six frontS-thr Marne, Ourq NCSlc,
st. Mihicl. Argonnc and Thiaucourt, July l
to November II, 1918. The records Of the
War Department show that more than
- 900 men saw service with this division,
so great were the casualties and 50 frequent
the rPpIacements.
"In the Seventy ninth Division. composed
of National Army men. Phiadclphans
served, especially in the lJSth Infantry lri-
gadc, the 315th Infantry Of which was
known as 'PhiIadelphia's Own The story
of these National Army men from PhiIadrl-
phia shows the way in which American men.
when given work to do, hniSh II III Ii thor
ough and complete way.
"Four base hospitals were organized in
Philadelphia Base No. 10, at the Pcnnsy-
vania Hospital Base No. 20, at the ln-
vcrsity Hospital Base No. "a. at the Epis-
copal Hospital, and Base No. 3S, AT the
Jefferson Medical College. Naval Base Hos
pital No 3 was organized at the Methodist
Fpiscopal Hospital and Mobile Hospital
init 4 was organized and equipped by the
Presbyterian Hospital.
with League Island Navy Yard at our
southern gates. Philadelphia has always sent
with due regularity it's quota of men into the
navy Under war conditions. of course. Il
much larger number of men we're enlisted
and recruiting for the United States Naval
Reserve resulted in an enlistment of more
than 80 .O00 men. Of which number at least
20 900 were from the city proper.
''The story of League Island itself and of
the Fourth naval district is one of remark
able achievement and signal success.
Women Played Active Part
"Whcn the Devil Dogs turned the tide
at Bcleau Wood and Chateau -Thicrry there
were Phiadelphians In the forefront of each
charge. When the Navy Department sent
it's destroyCrs and other ships to convoy the
troops there were Philadelphia men on
board.
AS stated before, Philadelphians were
found because Of enlistment. draft or re-
placrmout in practically all divisions of the
4. T.. +. and in every branch of the service
at home and abroad.
The first woman ever enlisted in the
United States navy was a Philadelphan,
Miss Loretta Walsh, and during the war
Imsosss-sL thousand other women were enlisted as