Memorial Day Tribute

This is a Memorial Day tribute to Pfc. Russell T. Stewart, my mother’s uncle, who was killed in action in the woods northwest of Imécourt, France early on the morning of November 2, 1918. He served in Company M, 3^rd Battalion, 319^th Infantry, 160^th Brigade, 80^th Division. The Division earned the motto, “Only Moves Forward,” having fought in all three phases of the Meuse-Argonne Offensive, from September through November, 1918.

The video begins with the only known photograph of Russell, taken at Camp Lee, near Petersburg, Virginia, probably in the spring of 1918. The remainder recounts his final 22 hours. Early on November 1, his unit attacked from the area near St. Georges northward towards Imécourt. That village was liberated by noon and Russell took cover just north of it, where he and his unit repulsed numerous enemy counterattacks all afternoon and into the night. In the early morning hours of November 2, he was ordered to attack westward. This was a decisive battle that precipitated the enemy retreat from the area, and allowed two other Divisions to continue their advance.

About this video: An actual photograph taken November 1, shows troops taking cover north of Imécourt. It was taken where Russell was, while he was there. Special thanks to François for discovering the artifacts on the stump. He found actual Browning Automatic Rifle clips that Russell would have used. François also took the video segment in the woods last autumn in the general area where Russell fell. Finally, François’ son Louis visits Russell’s grave at the Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery and Memorial near Romagne-sous-Montfaucon.