First to Serve - Yankee Division

What does Lowell's response to the Civil War and Lowell's response to the Great War have in common?  Again, we were the first to respond to the call because we had active National Guard troops at the ready.

The 26th Yankee Division was organized August 13, 1917 by Major General Clarence R. Edwards.  It was organized by combining National Guard troops from all over New England.  It was the first division to arrive in France and the first to fight as the United States army not integrated into a French unit.

Source:  The Boston Globe, April 26, 1919 Souvenir Edition p2.

Yankee Division belt buckle 

Yankee Division Soldiers attributed to Lowell

 who paid the ultimate sacrifice

Pvt. Joseph Blanchard,  Supply Company, 102d Infantry, died of disease at Fort Devens April 13, 1918.
Corp. Bernard L Boisvert, 101st Engineer Train, killed in action October 27, 1918.
Pvt. Walter Bruce, Co M, 101st Infantry, died of wounds June 1918.
Pvt. Charles A. Buk, Headquarters Company,101st Infantry, killed in action June 1918.
Pvt. Philip Chalifoux, Co M, 101st Infantry, killed in action July 10, 1918.
Pvt. John Connolly,  Co M, 101st Infantry, killed in action November 1918.
Capt. Lorne L. Cupples, 102 Field Artillery, died of wounds October 1918.
Pvt. John (Stanley) Dzadolonis, Co G, 104th Infantry, died by accident in France May 1918.
Corp. George Garner, Co L, 102d Infantry, died in Lowell of wounds December 1918.
Pvt. Ralph G. Hurd,  Co G, 104th Infantry,  died of accident in France February 1918.
1st Lieut. Paul E.  Kittredge, 101st Infantry, killed in action November 1918.
Sgt. Frank Lyons, Co M, 101st Infantry, killed in action July 15, 1918.
Pvt. Elias F Macheros, Co A, 101st Infantry, killed in action October 23, 1918.
Corp. Thomas M. Mann, Co M, 101st Infantry, killed in action October 22, 1918.
Pvt. Walter Marr, Co I, 102d Infantry, killed in action July 22, 1918.
Pvt. Manuel Martin,Co G, 104th Infantry,  killed in action April 1918.
Sgt. John T. McDermott , Co M, 101st Infantry, killed in action.
Pvt. Arthur McOsker, Co M, 101st Infantry, killed in action July 16, 1918.
Pvt. Francis M. McOsker, Co M, 101st Infantry, killed in action July 13, 1918.
Pvt. Athanasios Michaelopoulas, Co I, 103d Infantry, died of wounds, July 12, 1918.
Pvt. Edward A. Nelson, , 101st Infantry, died of wounds November 1918.
Corp. George R. Quessy, Battery F,102d Field Artillery.
Pvt. Thomas J. Quirk, Co G; 104th Infantry, died of pneumonia in France February 1918.
Pvt. Murien Rodain, Co G, 104th Infantry, killed in action July 20, 1918.
Pvt. Charles Roy, 104th Infantry, killed in action June 1918.
Corp. Gerald F. Silk, Battery F, 102d Field Artillery, died of wounds July 18, 1918.
Pvt. Peter Silva, Co G, 104th Infantry, killed in action April 1918.
Corp. Daniel M. Tully,  Co F, 101st Infantry, killed in action October 23, 1918.
Corp. Samuel F. Tully,, Co 1, 101st Infantry, killed in action.
John M. Warren, Headquarters Company, 101st Infantry, killed in action July 22, 1918.
Pvt. Joseph Worthy, Co M, 101st Infantry, killed in action July 1918.


Many of the above men are honored here in Lowell with squares or parks.  As you drive around New England see if you find any other tributes to the Yankee Division.  Here are some that I know of:

• Route 128/95 beltway around Boston is the Yankee Division Highway
• Logan Airport is named for General Edward Lawrence Logan of the Yankee Division
• Camp Edwards on Cape Cod is named for YD Commander Maj. Gen. Clarence R. Edwards
• Clarence R. Edwards Middle School, Boston, MA