07/16/2026
Though the United States declared war on Germany April 6, 1917 the country needed to grow its Army, train brand new soldiers, ship them to France, and equip them. It took time to get the American Expeditionary Force ready to fight on the front but by the summer of 1918 they were ready. The 30th Infantry Regiment arrived in March 1918, along with First Lieutenant Frank Marston. By June 24th of that year Lieutenant Marston had seen combat, led troops on the front, but the regiment moved him out of his company and transferred him to regimental staff, where he commanded the personnel office. In mid-July the regiment recognized his personnel office was too close to the front.
On the morning of July 15, 1918 Germany launched its final offensive of the war against French and American forces, starting the Second Battle of the Marne. Most offensives began with an artillery barrage. While German guns fired newly promoted Captain Frank Marston led the withdrawal of his personnel office. Unfortunately a German shell exploded over their position and Captain Marston was fatally wounded by the resulting shrapnel.
This is the letter sent from Colonel Perry, Frank Marston’s commanding officer, in 1919 informing Sallie Marston of the circumstances surrounding her son’s sacrifice.
Letter courtesy the University of West Florida Archives and Northwest Florida History Center.
