"The Old Man" of the 103rd; The Biography of Frank M. Hume
Houlton, ME: The Aroostook Print Shop, 1940. Presumed First Edition, First printing. Wraps. [12], 148, [2] pages. Photo of Col. Hume. Ex-library with few markings.Cover worn and had become separated from spine and reglued in place. Brigadier General Frank M. Hume (January 7, 1867 – June 6, 1939) was the commanding officer of the 103rd Infantry, 26th Division during World War I. Hume was involved in the Spanish–American War and World War I. He earned the Army Distinguished Service Medal for his service, as well as the Croix de Guerre. Hume served in the National Guard, and was commissioned in the 2nd Maine Infantry on April 2, 1894. Hume returned to Bridgewater and formed his own army. He was able to secure recognition from the state of Maine. The outfit was designated Company L, National Guard of the State of Maine. He continued to gradually earn promotions throughout his service with the Maine militia. He was commissioned major on June 7, 1894. Hume enlisted in the 2nd Maine Infantry for the Spanish–American War. During the war, Hume was Captain of Battery B, 1st Battalion, Heavy Artillery Maine Volunteers from June 20 to March 31, 1899. In 1903, Hume was commissioned lieutenant colonel. Seven years later, he was commissioned colonel. Hume commanded the 2nd Maine Infantry on the Mexican Border from June 19 to October 25, 1916. . During World War I, Colonel Hume commanded the 103rd Infantry, which was formed by joining the 2nd Maine Infantry and the old 1st New Hampshire Infantry. He served from September 25, 1917 to April 7, 1919. During the Chemin des Dames engagement, Hume suffered from "shell concussion" and lost hearing in one ear. In all, nearly two hundred people and organizations were contacted for material for this biography. Wherever possible, two or more people have verified the accuracy of incidents mentioned throughout the book. Hume was removed from command of his regiment on charges so absurd that they could not be substantiated, so they were forced to return his command. He served his country in three was, was retired as a Brigadier-General, the highest ranking peace-time officer of the State of Maine. The 103rd Infantry Regiment was an infantry regiment of the United States Army that served in combat in the American Civil War, World War I, and World War II. It was an Army National Guard regiment from the states making up New England, but most of its soldiers came from Maine. It was a part of the 26th Infantry Division and the 43rd Infantry Division. The 103rd regiment fought in numerous battles before its deactivation after the Second World War. The 2nd Maine was recalled into Federal Service on 18 June 1916, and served along the Mexico–United States border in Texas to guard against hostile raids. On 13 April 1917, elements of the 1st New Hampshire Volunteer Infantry were merged into the 2nd Maine to create the 103rd Infantry Regiment. The new regiment was placed in the 52nd Infantry Brigade (alongside the 104th Infantry Regiment) as part of the 26th Infantry Division, the "Yankee Division." The regiment served on the Western Front and was one of the first National Guard units in combat during the war. The 103rd served in the Champagne-Marne campaign where they had their first real taste of fighting, and went on to fight gallantly in the Aisne-Marne. The bloodied New Englanders continued the fight at the Battle of Saint-Mihiel, and in the momentous Meuse-Argonne Offensive, the largest and bloodiest operation of the war for the American Expeditionary Forces. Condition: Fair.
Keywords: 103rd Infantry, 26th Division, Frank Hume, American Expeditionary Forces, St.-Mihiel, Saint-Mihiel, Campagne-Marne, Aisne-Marne, Yankee Division, Meuse-Argonne, Chemin des Dames, United States Army, Mexican Border, WWI
[Book #82264]
Price: $175.00