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| | CORP. VICTOR C. PIASKOWSKI
Serial No. 2,983,379
308 Dawson St., Alpena, Mich.
Inducted from 17th Ward, Detroit, June 25, 1918. Piaskowski was a graduate of the Ferris Institute and previous to entering the service was practicing pharmacy.
At the receiving station it was customary to ply the new recruit with a series of questions, one being, “Which branch of the service do you prefer?” Piaskowski specified the Medical Corps. However, at this particular time representatives of Uncle Sam required that the complement of strength for the 85th Division be made up entirely of new recruits, and of exceptional material at that. Accordingly, Vic, as he was familiarly called, was assigned to Battery B.
The group Vic belonged to were an ambitious lot, and began their military careers all expecting to be corporals. Piaskowski frankly and emphatically announced his wish in that direction and was willing to work to attain his goal, as evidenced by his determination to learn military tactics. He procured a small book on gunnery and devoted the few and precious moments allowed for recreation to study of it. In his corner, poring over military tactics, he introduced a small degree of the Ferris Institute atmosphere into the un-academic surroundings of the camp.
At Coetquidan the training of the Battery was intensified, and a reorganization was made, Number 1 man being considered Acting Corporal. This gave him his first step forward in the matter of promotion. Captain appointed Vic Number 1 man in group of Cannoneers. His close study of gunnery, combined with natural quick decision and fixity of purpose, qualified him for appointment as gunner, which carried with it the much desired rank of Corporal. This promotion came to him at Coetquidan. He had made application to be sent to Officers’ Training School. The Captain appreciating the fact that the Battery would lose a good man, was reluctant to recommend him, but finally did recommend him for Training School. He was a tireless worker, as well as accurate in his work, especially on target range, being able to shoot a moving target.
He was ill at Puvenelles and also at Montauville. At the latter place, for several days, he slept in trench on a comfortable pile of stones to the soothing sound of shells passing constantly overhead and exploding near by.
He was given leave to Aix Les Bains.
Piaskowoki was recommended to Sergeancy and should have returned to America with a higher rank than Corporal. The Battery never had a full quota of non-coms; promotions were not overindulged in, in consequence of the Colonel not feeling favorably toward our unit. |