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, 3rd Battalion, 319th Infantry, 160th Brigade, 80th 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.
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Mike, I’m one of the 80th Division historians who’s working on a new book about their actions in ww1. I’ll include your ancestor’s story. If you give me a jpeg of him without writing, I’ll include in book. Maj. Schreckengost (ret)
Thanks Gary, I’ll send you one.
Hello Gary Schreckengost, I am looking for any documents or testimonies concerning the small village of imécourt where the 80 th Division fought. Could you help me with my research? Cordially
My name is Stephen P Hoskins. My great uncle Lt Stephen Paul Hoskins, was commander of Co L who was killed at Imecourt, FR 11/2/1918 and he died in same battle w Russell Stewart. I was in Imecourt this summer and found your great uncles picture on the wall in town hall. My great uncle worked for Westinghouse in Pittsburgh, volunteered, trained at Camp Lee, was on Zeelandia and was in FR 5 mos and was buried w Russell and is now in Meuse-Argonne Cemetery. I’m in process of putting together a family book about Lt SPH and I have some excellent sources saved from my great grandmother that include over a 100 letters from SPH written between Oct 1917 through Oct 20, 1918’ and I have some actual letters from fellow soldiers of Co L who wrote about his service and death. Your work and research about your great uncle is excellent and if interested I may have some items that provide greater insight to Russell bc he travelled a very similar path and would bet they knew each other.
Hi Steve,
Wow, thanks very much for writing. It’s nice to make contact with a relative of of Lt. Hoskins, albeit under sad circumstances. I am very interested in reading those letters and seeing anything else you have. There is a good chance our great uncles were near each other that fateful day. I’ll e-mail you.