Abstract of Military Service for Luther Wade Pilcher
World War, 1914-1918
Veterans--Florida
The abstract of World War I military service for Luther Wade Pilcher (1898-1918). The document includes Pilcher’s surname, Christian name, Army serial number, whether White or Colored, home address, place of enlistment, place of birth, date of birth, organizations served in, with dates of assignments and transfers, grades, with date of appointment, engagement, wounds or injuries received in action, dates served overseas, date of discharge, and remarks.<br /><br /> Pilcher was born in Dothan, Alabama, on January 1, 1898, to Richard and Della Pilcher. The second of five children, the family moved to Noma, Florida, in 1910. Luther's last known residence was in Chipley, Florida. Pilcher enlisted in the United States Marine Corps on May 4, 1915, and served in Haiti and Cuba from 1915-1917. After the United States entered World War I, the 5th Marine Regiment was activated in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Pilcher and his regiment left for France in August of 1917, arriving on the 22nd. The 5th was among the first of the American Expeditionary Forces to arrive in Europe. Pilcher and his regiment took part in the Battle of Belleau Wood in June of 1918. On June 6th, the bloodiest day of the battle, Pilcher was killed in action. He posthumously received the Distinguished Service Cross, the Navy Cross, and the French Fourragere for his service and sacrifice. He is buried in the Aisne-Marne American Cemetery at Plot B Row 10 Grave 68 in Belleau, France.<br /><br /> In 2017, the University of Central Florida was one of three universities selected to launch the National Cemetery Administration’s <a href="https://vlp.cah.ucf.edu/">Veterans Legacy Program Project</a>. The program engaged a team of scholars to make the life stories of veterans buried in the Florida National Cemetery available to the public. The project engages UCF students in research and writing and fosters collaboration between students, faculty and local Central Florida schools to produce interactive curriculum for k-12 students. The corresponding website exhibit uses RICHES Mosaic Interface to create a digital archive of related data. The public can use the project-developed augmented-reality app at more than 100 gravesites at the Florida National Cemetery, where they can access the UCF student-authored biographies of veterans.
The Florida Department of Military Affairs
Digital reproduction of original typewritten abstract of military service, 1925.
The Florida Department of Military Affairs
Pilcher, Luther Wade
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Document
Birmingham, Alabama
Luther Wade Pilcher
World War, 1914-1918
Veterans--Florida
Dressed in his United States Marine uniform, Luther Wade Pilcher (1898-1918) poses on a chair in front of a backdrop of the United States Capitol. On his left breast is a rifle expert marksmanship badge. His rank at the time of the photo, corporal, is denoted by the three faint lines on his right arm. He would later be promoted to sergeant.<br /><br /> Pilcher was born in Dothan, Alabama, on January 1, 1898, to Richard and Della Pilcher. The second of five children, the family moved to Noma, Florida, in 1910. Luther's last known residence was in Chipley, Florida. Pilcher enlisted in the United States Marine Corps on May 4, 1915, and served in Haiti and Cuba from 1915-1917. After the United States entered World War I, the 5th Marine Regiment was activated in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Pilcher and his regiment left for France in August of 1917, arriving on the 22nd. The 5th was among the first of the American Expeditionary Forces to arrive in Europe. Pilcher and his regiment took part in the Battle of Belleau Wood in June of 1918. On June 6th, the bloodiest day of the battle, Pilcher was killed in action. He posthumously received the Distinguished Service Cross, the Navy Cross, and the French Fourragere for his service and sacrifice. He is buried in the Aisne-Marne American Cemetery at Plot B Row 10 Grave 68 in Belleau, France.<br /><br /> In 2017, the University of Central Florida was one of three universities selected to launch the National Cemetery Administration’s <a href="https://vlp.cah.ucf.edu/">Veterans Legacy Program Project</a>. The program continues, engaging a team of scholars to make the life stories of veterans buried in national cemeteries available to the public. The project engages UCF students in research and writing and fosters collaboration between students, faculty and local Central Florida schools to produce interactive curriculum for k-12 students. The corresponding website exhibit uses RICHES Mosaic Interface to create a digital archive of related data. The public can use the project-developed augmented-reality app at more than 100 headstones at four national cemeteries, two in Florida (Florida National Cemetery and St. Augustine National Cemetery) and two in France (American Battle Monuments Commission cemeteries at Aisne-Marne and the Meuse-Argonne), where they can access the UCF student-authored biographies of veterans.
Digital reproduction of original sepia photograph.
The Pilcher Family
Pilcher, Luther Wade
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Marine Corps Base Quantico, Quantico, Virginia
Three Killed on Local List of Casualties
World War II, 1939-1945
Army
Veterans--Florida
An article published in <em>The Wilkes-Barre Record</em> announcing the death of three servicemen during World War II. One notable servicemen cited in the article is Major Jack Cameron Heist (1919-1944). Maj. Heist was born to Henry S. Heist and Christina Heist on November 6, 1919, in Eustis, Florida. He received his commission on May 29, 1941, to serve in World War II. Maj. Heist was an Ammunition Officer for the XIX Corps. He died during his service in an ambush on September 2, 1944, near Thiant, France. He is currently buried at the Epinal American Cemetery and Memorial in Dinozé, France. Maj. Heist is one of 85 Florida residents interned at Epinal.
Digital reproduction of original newspaper article: "<a href="https://www.newspapers.com/clip/4441134/the_wilkesbarre_record/" target="_blank">Three Killed on Local List of Casualties</a>." <em>The Wilkes-Barre Record</em>, September 20, 1944, page 3. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/4441134/the_wilkesbarre_record/.
<a href="http://www.newsherald.com/" target="_blank"><em>The Wilkes-Barre Record</em></a>
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Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania
Thiant, France
5 Local Servicemen Are Reported Dead
World War II, 1939-1945
Army
Veterans--Florida
An article published in <em>The Wilkes-Barre Record</em> announcing the death of five servicemen, the missing reports of two servicemen, and the wounded status of three servicemen during World War II. One notable servicemen cited in the article is Major Jack Cameron Heist (1919-1944). Maj. Heist was born to Henry S. Heist and Christina Heist on November 6, 1919, in Eustis, Florida. He received his commission on May 29, 1941, to serve in World War II. Maj. Heist was an Ammunition Officer for the XIX Corps. He died during his service in an ambush on September 2, 1944, near Thiant, France. He is currently buried at the Epinal American Cemetery and Memorial in Dinozé, France. Maj. Heist is one of 85 Florida residents interned at Epinal.
Digital reproduction of original newspaper article: "<a href="https://www.newspapers.com/clip/4441055/the_wilkesbarre_record/" target="_blank">5 Local Servicemen Are Reported Dead</a>." <em>The Wilkes-Barre Record</em>, September 21, 1944, page 8. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/4441055/the_wilkesbarre_record/.
<a href="http://www.newsherald.com/" target="_blank"><em>The Wilkes-Barre Record</em></a>
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Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania
Thiant, France
Oral History of Sharon L. Ekern
Veterans--Florida
Marine Corps
An oral history interview of Sharon Ekern, who served in the U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) from 1981 to1990 and now works at the University of Central Florida (UCF) with the Student Development and Enrollment Service. This interview was conducted by Roy McKinney at UCF on November 13, 2014. Interview topics include Ekern's family life, her education, enlistment in the Marines, boot camp, advanced training, her first duty station, the San Diego Recruit Depot, Parris Island, the Cold War, being assigned to Orlando, serving as a female Marine, the Tailhook Scandal, Camp Smith, her awards and medals, life after service, her employment at UCF, and being an expert markswoman.
Ekern, Sharon L.
McKinney, Roy
<a href="http://stars.library.ucf.edu/veteransoralhistories/324/" target="_blank">Ekern, Sharon L.</a> Interviewed by Roy McKinney. Audio/video record available. <a href="http://digital.library.ucf.edu/cdm/landingpage/collection/VET" target="_blank">UCF Community Veterans History Project</a>, RICHES of Central Florida, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida.
<a href="http://riches.cah.ucf.edu/" target="_blank">RICHES of Central Florida</a>
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Moving Image
Albany, Georgia
Camp H. M. Smith, Aiea, Hawaii
Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, Jacksonville, North Carolina
Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, San Diego, California
Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, Port Royal, South Carolina
University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida