10" Very high quality wooden judges hammer, given to Martin J. Cunniff, for his faithful service as President of the veterans organization, 1937, 38, & 39. These men were serious hero's. Much is written on the web & there is a memorial cabin at Fort Meade Maryland.
Organized as part of the 79th Division A.E.F. (American Expeditionary Force) - World War I The United States in World War I, the men of the 314th were trained at Camp Meade (later renamed Fort George G. Meade in 1929), Maryland. Arriving at the camp in September, 1917, the unit completed training and sailed to France aboard the USS Leviathan in July, 1918. Upon arrival at Brest, France, they continued training until September 1918, then took part in the Meuse Argonne Offensive. Capturing the town of Malancourt on September 26, 1918, they assisted the 313th Infantry on the following day in the capture of the town of Montfaucon-d'Argonne. Montfaucon was a heavily defended area and observation post of the German army. Of the four Infantry regiments of the 79th Division involved in the offensive, the 314th was hardest-hit. It took several days to account for all the missing personnel and bring the regiment up 50 percent manning.
The 79th Division was relieved on September 30 and transferred to the Troyon sector. While there, they assumed a variety of duties, including holding the front. They shared the trenches with the 313th, 315th, and 316th Infantry Regiments. During this time, they were harassed with mustard gas, shelling, and enemy trench and air raids but held the line.
At the end of October, the 79th Division was again ordered to move to participate in the third phase of the Meuse Argonne Offensive. On November 1, 1918, the 314th advanced. By November 9, they captured the towns of Crepion, Waville, and Moirey. The following day the unit captured Buisson Chaumont, Hill 328. On November 11, the 314th advanced against Cote de Romagne and stopped firing at 11 a.m., at the time of the Armistice. By the end day, the 314th had made the greatest advance into German lines east of the Meuse River.
The regiment continued training, passed a review by General Pershing, and shipped home on May 15, 1919, aboard the USS Princess Matoika. Arriving at Hoboken, New Jersey on May 26, 1919, they were discharged from service at Camp Dix, New Jersey. |
