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| | PVT. LOUIS G. COFFMAN
Serial No. 2,981,587
Manton, Mich.
Inducted June 25, 1918. After going through the experiences of the Receiving Station and other ropes of the army at Camp Custer, Private Coffman suffered from effects of the numerous serums, and his first days in the service were spent in the base hospital. Coming from the hospital the day before we entrained for Camp Mills, he was put on light duty until after we reached France. At Camp Coetquidan he was again taken sick, being confined in a hospital for some little time. In spite of this handicap, in the intermittent periods of fair health, he willingly performed the duties of a private. He could speak French and at many times would act as interpreter for the boys. He came to be able to adapt himself more readily to his surrounding on that account.
When the Combat Train left the Puvenelle Woods to join the Battery at Montauville for their march into the Tautecourt position, the corporals and section chiefs checked up and found Coffman and Disotell missing, and none of the other men could account for them. When the Combat Train, under command of Lieut. Hazelwood, moved out of the Euvezin Woods these two stragglers came running up the road breathlessly and excited without packs. Lieut. Hazelwood, thinking they had deserted, said in an angry voice: “Where in hell have you two been?” They were so pleased to get back with the outfit that they did not take time to answer but joined in the march. It was usual for soldiers to grumble and curse, but there was no grumbling from Coffman and Disotell. They willingly groomed horses under shellfire the remainder of the time we were in the fighting lines. The facts of the incident were, that these two men were so exhausted they did not hear the counter order to move, which came in the night, and were left behind.
As he had to be given his duty on account of his health, he was assigned to the Y. M. C. A., where he helped the boys to chocolate and other little benefits found in the huts. |