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| | SERGT. RAY F. KEBBE
Serial No. 2,983,491
North Detroit, Mich.
Ray Kebbe was inducted at Custer, June 25, 1918, and was assigned to Battery B, 328th Field Artillery. He suffered greatly from bad feet in the enforced “hikes,” which is part of the preliminary training of every soldier, and for which he had to qualify to go overseas. Kebbe was forced to fall out on some of these marches from sheer pain and finally was ordered to the infirmary for examination of his feet by commanding officer. At the infirmary Major Hewitt told him that one leg was shorter than the other by a quarter of an inch, and that he was not able to go overseas. Kebbe took this very much to heart but stayed with the outfit and insisted that they take him overseas.
He exhibited such skill as an automobile and truck driver that he was sent to the Motor Truck Driving School. Qualified with high marks. Was able to put trucks through all the army tricks, such as driving through a zig-zagged staked road. He could go down an incline of 45 degrees. He was also the quickest man in the Battery in adjusting gas mask. Army requirement 5 to 6 seconds, Kebbe qualified in 3 seconds.
At last the Battery was ordered overseas, and to Kebbe’s joy he was informed he could go along. At the embarkation camp, during a forced hike from Camp Mills to Hempstead, he was unable to sustain the tramp and had to fall out and was returned to camp in a passing automobile.
He attracted attention of officers in charge by his ability to keep track of baggage—quick perception and good memory, as well as a certain de—
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gree of executive ability, made him valuable. He was always willing to give a hand without orders to the erection of whatever was undertaken, particularly the elaborate muslin-paraffined tents provided in England.
After the arrival of the Battery in France, Kebbe was put on the Baggage Detail and did his work so well, notably in the advance from Messac to LeBain, that he personally attracted the attention of the Colonel.
Finally he was sent to the Mechanical School to study mechanics in connection with the guns, but this did not appeal to him as much as the care and responsibility of a collection of trusts calling for efforts in group formation. He was discovered to have a very intimate knowledge of horses; in fact, he and the Colonel were the only two men in the regiment who understood the care of these animals. Kebbe was detailed as Stable Orderly and attended Veterinary classes for instruction and was finally made Regimental Veterinarian.
In the meantime Kebbe (Corporal Kebbe now) had invented a delousing station, which he set up at Les Forges, Department of the Sarthe, which met with the approval of Major Hewitt, Regimental Medical Major. It was purely original in its idea but practicable, and the officers were glad to avail themselves of its merciful ministrations.
He came near being one of the casualties of Battery B. We took a sacrifice position at Tautecourt Farm, near Thiacourt, and Sergt. Kebbe was in charge of the horses. Sergt. Young and he were standing close to one of the battery wagons when a shell burst some five feet from them, scattering the shrapnel on the wagon cover and all around them. The shelter of the wagon saved them.
Few members of the army won their stripes against more obstacles than did Sergt. Kebbe. Physical defects he had, which he could have creditably used to be sent hack home, and remained honorably in America, but he simply refused to acknowledge their existence in order to get across.
Kebbe had no shining gifts to offer the Army of Freedom, so he proceeded to do anything at a time of need and do it well. His promotion to Sergeant was worthily won. |