WILLIAM C. MANSUR SR. -- WWI PAGE

Born Sauk City, MN - 7/25/1895
lived great portion of his life in Elk River, MN
Died Elk River, MN - 2/5/1985 - 89 YEARS
Buried Orno cemetery, Elk River, MN
(where he was cartaker in his retirement)

Forever in our Hearts

New --
PBS has been airing a special called:
"World War I Battle of Belleau Wood Centennial"
click here to see the PBS American Artifacts special

Also see more about the sites mentioned in the film by visting the American Battle Mounuments Commission.

click here to see the ABMC Belleau Wood Memorial

 
 

           
William Charles Mansur Sr. in uniform sometime after World War I (sometime after 1925)
The middle medal is the purple heart. Not sure of the story but involved mustard gas which caused hospitalization.
Note on back: WC Mansur will always come back for more "so look out Japs"
Ex Sgt. Hard Boiled Mansur (with two Hard Boiled sons, carry on)

click here for pictures on William C. Mansur Sr.'s uniform

 
 


William enlisted at age 21 and was discharged at age 24. Two years and three months of service.
click here to see the full "Soldier's Record of Service
 
 
WORLD WAR I
World War I started on July 28th 1914 and ended November 11th 1918
The United States entered the war in April of 1917
The British had cut off ocean supply lines from the Germans and in turn the Germans started an agressive Atlantic Ocean submarine campaign to cutoff all ocean supply lines, hopefully ending the war before the United States could enter the war to aid the Allied forces.
This failed, the United States created the "Select Service Act" and by summer of 1918 was sending 10,000 fresh soldiers to France every day.
click here to see the full "World War I" story on Wikipedia
 
 


RMS Carpathia
In early September of 1917, William C. Mansur (a member of Company "D" of the 2nd Engineers) would board the Carpathia and sail to Scotland with the 2nd Engineers.
The total number of enlisted men on the ship in the 2nd Engrs. was 1090.
To complete the regiment, 400 men were added from the 116th Engineers with Mitch Ryder's (of 2nd-division.com) grandfathter on another ship.
The 2nd Division was created. The first division created on foreign soil.

Also per Mitch Ryder of 2nd-Division.com
The 2nd Engineers arrived at Glasgow, Scotland on October 2, 1917. It is interesting to note that when the Carpathia sailed the 2nd Engineers were a forestry regiment. They weren't intended to go to the front. The 2nd Division was formed at Bourmont on October 26 and the 2nd Engineers found a new occupation!

The Carpathia maiden voyage was 1903, it rescued survivors of the RMS Titanic on April 15th 1912 and was sunk by a German U-55 submarine west of Fastnet, Ireland on July 17th of 1918.
click here to see more on the "RMS Carpathia" story on Wikipedia


 
 



 
 


click here for:
the official 2nd Division web page (by Mitch Ryder)
and the chronology of the 2nd Engineers of the 2nd Division.

 
 



This book has all you would want to know about the Second Engineers and their campaign including how they built bridges.
Click here to see the entire book with search for Mansur

Cited for gallantry in action against the enemy in the Champagne Sector
St Etienne, France
Cpl. William C. Mansur (Company D)
page 149 and 150

Cpl. William C. Mansur was listed as participating in:

 
EW
(Verdun Sector)

May 16th, 1918 to May 30th, 1918

 
Chateau Thierry

June 1st, 1918 to July 1st, 1918


Chateau Thierry


World War 1 Mustard Gas Attack

 
Grandson William N. Mansur emailed Mitch Ryder of "2nd-Division.com" with the question:
"When was William C. Mansur injured by a German mustard gas attack?:
Well, as luck would have it, I have the date. June 13, 1918.
He was acknowledged for this on the Rhine River shortly before they returned to the US.
I notice this page states that he was wounded. Most entries like this say a man was gassed, if that was the case. I can't say for sure.
It is possible that some entries say wounded when a man was gassed.
On June 13 my grandfather's entry says he was gassed and that was indeed the case for him.

William C. Mansur is listed in all engagements EXCEPT:

Soissons
July 18th 1918 to July 22nd 1918

Marbache Sector
July 23rd 1918 to August 16th, 1918
.. this was a rest area near Nancy, France.

 
We now know that William C. Mansur Jr. was gassed on June 13, 1918, he was hospitalized, then joined his Company "D" sometime during their rest period before:

Corporal William C. Mansur wounded (gassed) June 13, 1918 near Bois De Belleau


 
St Miheil
"St Mihiel Offensive"

August 17th, 1918 to October 2nd, 1918

 
Also, in The Official History of The Second Engineers, William was given a Silver Star Citation for something at St. Etienne. There is no date for that one.

Blanc Mont
"Blanc Mont Ridge in Champagne"

 
Attigny -
 
Argone
"Meuse-Arone Offensive (Champagne)"

November 1st to November 11th, 1918

 
Rhine
after the Armistice
"March to the Rhine" and Engers

Nov 12th, 1918 to return to states.

 

The 2nd Engineers of the 2nd Division building a "Pontoon Bridge" over the Rhine River in Germany
May 25th 1919

click here for 16 pictures of building the "Pontoon Bridge" in 58 1/2 minutes

 
 


The 2nd Engineers, The Fighting Engineer Regiment of the 2nd Division, Engers Germany April 1919
This picture hung in his bedroom for all of his life. It is with his grandson William Neil Mansur.

 
 

 
William (Bill) can be seen in the lower right hand corner of the large picture.

 
 

The Building behind this regiment still stands today!
The Schloss Engers is a 4 star hotel
Built in 1760 it was a baroque castle on the banks of the Rhine River.
Thank you Google Maps, I found this in less than five minutes.

click here for more pictures and info of "The Schloss Engers" castle and hotel

 
 


 
 


Mr Chas. Mansur
Elk River
Minnesota
USA

May 1, 1919
Engers, Germany
Dear Father and Mother
I think it a good day to write you a letter as it is raining out today.
I wrote Lottie (Aunt Charlotte Jane Mansur), a letter a few days ago. I suppose you are looking for me home soon but I hear we were going the first of July so ???.
I'm in charge of the Knights of Columbus club room. That's the best job I have had since I been in the army.
We have candy, cigarettes and tobacco in the K.C every thing is free for the soldiers.
I saw Mike(his lifelong friend Mike Auspos from Elk River) yesterday he is going on a three day ?? to Neuwied.
Suppose Chas. page 2 is glad school will soon be over.
I sent you ??? Indian Magazine that is printed in the the ?? of division.
Theres some pretty good dope in it about the division.
What is ??? doing this ???.
Will make this letter short as I can not think of much to write with love to all
From Your Son - Wm

 
 


Hard Boiled Mansur and his two Hard Boiled Sons!!

 
 


click here for the book "House of Mansur"
by Mary Rebecca Ellis
Printers
The Hugh Stephens Press
September, 1926
Jefferson City, Mo.

 
 
 
 

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Contact Bill today
cell:1-715-498-4564    bill@billmansur.com