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: