Don

Additional Information/Corrections: Born Domenico Antonio Fuscà, in Vazzano, Italy, May 8, 1891, Tony, as he was known growing up, came to America in September 1898 with his mother Marianna and two brothers - Giuseppe and Francesco on the SS Alesia.
World War I Service Sgt, Medical Detachment of the 12th and later the 10th Machine Gun Battalion, 4th Infantry Division. Wounded in battle by poison gas September 27, 1918 in the battle of the Meuse Argonne - Septsarges Woods, France.
Photos from boot Camp - Gettysburg, PA July - December 1917
Training Camp Gettysburg, PA
Policing around the grounds, Gettysburg, PA

Donald Anthony Fusia's World War I Journal Transcribed by Ed Fusia Jr and Tom Fusia Jr Don enlisted July 28,1917, while attending medical school at the University of Pittsburgh. He was first sent to training camp in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania from July - December, 1917. Then to Camp Greene, Charlotte, NC, from December 1917 to May, 1918 where he was assigned to the the 4th Infantry Division. He shipped out to France, May 6, 1918 and served in the Medical Detachment of the 10th Machine Gun Battalion. After the war the 4th Division was part of the occupation army in Germany and later he attended the University of Montpellier medical school in France. He returned home and was discharged July 30,1919 at Fort Dix, NJ. His journal picks up soon after he arrived in boot camp in Gettysburg. [The beginning section of his journal is damaged and unreadable] had a chunk of bread and bologna, the name for breakfast. Aug 2 - Arrived at Gettysburg and was one of thirteen chosen to go with the camp hospital. We pitched tent and fixed bunks for the night. Aug 3 - Didnt have much to do other than policing around the grounds. Aug 4 After policing around one of the wards we drilled for about ten minutes. Meals were poor due to the lack of accommodations. Over three hundred were fed wherever they were being accommodated. Aug 5 This being Sunday, it was my day off and we did but little work. We took a walk around town. Aug 6 After policing we were thoroughly and were given a lecture on first aid. Aug 7 Policing around the recruiting office. Aug 8 Was asked to go to the TB Examination Ward where I clerked for Dr West. Aug 19 Had a small fight with a Jew by the name of Julius Cauffman, a yellow cur. Aug 22 - Anxiously awaiting a letter from those I considered friends at home. Especially one letter from Bill Rachin to whom I loaned $10.00 while he was in Gettysburg with Joe. Like a cheat and a black guard heard nothing from him. Sept. 2, 1917 - Sunday went to York to visit the Heilachers (sp) Had dinner and besides a very pleasant auto ride and the pleasure of sitting beside Addie. Altho engaged I could see that she still liked me. It seemed that someone told her that I was engaged and that lead to her engagement. While in York I called on Elenor Hyatt. Sept. 3, 1917 - Went to Emmitsburg in the evening and saw Chic Sellers and Sammy Annan. Brief review of our trip across the Atlantic With the 12^th M.G.Bn M.D. Batt. Commander Maj. Garber, Med. Det. Com. Lt. L.F. Boyd. Left America from N. Y. harbor May 6, 1918 . SS Aquitania. Trip was rather quite (sp). No sub.m. sighted. Landed at Liverpool , E. May 15. Boarded a train immediately after landing and arrived at Dover about 4 A. M. May 16. Spent one day and night in Dover . Dover is characterized by its old buildings and narrow streets. Was impressed with the number of old women frequenting the bars along with men or alone. Left Dover May 17, & crossed the channel to Calais FR an English and American rest camp. In Calais I had a wonderful time frequenting the saloons and attempting to have a jolly good time with the French girls. Became somewhat acquainted with Mad. Hilda Roosen & Jennie Roosen, promising them a card from our next camp. Left Calais and traveled south towards our training camp. Part of the way we rode on a train, but part of it by foot. The days being hot, without the least bit of breeze blowing made hiking rather cumbersome & difficult. We walked for five hrs, in full pace. Several of the men fell out. Night of the 19 we camped by the roadside & slept in our pup tents. During the night about 10:00 P.M. Jerry sent his aeroplanes. Several bombs were dropped, with death dealing crash. One of our men Sgt. Gehr Co. B killed ___ from our camp. Morning of May 20 Transferred to 10^th M.G.Bn May 9, 1918 14 ___ St. Jean Ourley Took to the trenches July 18, 1918 Left the trenches July 24, 1918 Rest in a town by name of Vir( c ) ley Briefs: 1^st night in trenches, we had one slightly injured by flying piece of shell 2^nd night, couple of cases of gas 3^rd little activity 4^th caught in a barrage fire in the center of wheat field, results, 1 killed, 1 seriously injured, death followed soon. 6 slightly wounded. Aug 5, 1918 Kept on the move for 3 days finally arrived at a town ------ which was recently occupied evacuated by the boche. Took positions back of an old wall. In the course of digging in we were received by the enemies artillery. No damage done, although shells came pretty close. In the early morning of Aug 5 it rained and dig outs were well wet, with the _____ such is the life of a soldier. Aug - we were relieved from the line Relieved Aug. 11, 1918 went back 8 K. and encamped in a woods back of fire Aug. 12 - Jerry dropped a bomb at the edge of the wood we were encamped Aug 14 - I was recommended for 1^st LT.M.C. Sept 11 - Started back for the front Sept 12 - Activities started Reserve at St Michiel salient Sept 25 - Over the top north of Verdun. Pierced the enemy lines for 10K. [Note: He was wounded by poison gas on September 27 and was treated in the field hospital from the 27th to the 30th. Then returned to duty.] Oct. 19, 1918 - Relieved from Verdun front, back to rest at Euville, close to commerce Oct. 29 - Given a seven day leave at Monto-Dore All along the line French were out to cheer us yelling "guere fine!" Could it be possible that I in the wave of good cheer I cheered also, but alas we arrived at Eurville where our battalion was located in the morning of Nov. 10 just in time to move into the front with them. The boche were undecided about the armistice so we were called ___ on to strike in case they didnt. Nov. 11, 1918 - Held in great suspense pending the cessation of hostilities. At 11:00 A. M. silence predominated. Not a gun was fired. Could it be possible. Hostilities suspended. Its all most incredible. Oh! Joy. What happiness. I should go mad with joy. Oh great God thou art good. Thou art noble. Help me to follow the path of righteousness and do thou will. Bless all the noble heroes who gave Thou will be done on earth as in heaven. Amen Nov. 12 - Woods waiting for orders to move back Nov. 13 - Back to Eurville Nov.21 - Left Eurville in pursuit of the German Konville. Nov.22 - went to Jarnry Nov.30 - went to Metz Dec.2 - moved to Dec.3 - Went to Schorder Dec.4 - Moved to Altmuth Dec.5 Dec.6 Very Dec 7 Moved to Horelcheld (?) Dec 8 Dec 9 Moved to Hasselbackh Dec 10 Riesnetsburg Vernerburg Dec 15 Moved to Adenau a rather larger town. Arrived here about 10:00 AM but couldnt find billets due to conflicting orders. We finally located in the courthouse. Adenau to Bad Betrich This is a beautiful little town of possibly a thousand inhabitants. Thousands of tourists from all over the world visit this for its beauty and situation. Dec 21 From Bad Betrich I was sent to Kempus in charge of the Bs sanitation. Kempus is a village inhabited by farmers. The sanitary conditions of this place were anything but good. At this place I spent my Xmas. I cant say that it was a pleasant or merry one but never the less I lived through with additional knowledge. With my little knowledge of German, I learned from the lady with whom I was staying that their Xmas was spent almost the same as ours. But later I found out different. I was out late Xmas eve, or late from the standpoint of lateness as it is here, to bed at six and up at six. The children were usually put to bed soon after their supper which consisted of bread and butter I returned to the house about 8:00 PM that night. I was surprised to find that the children were making merry around many platters of cookies, apples and the like besides baby dolls, drums and horns and the likes. Right there and then I discovered the difference. Well I thought since the children were making happy, Ill sit around and watch. So I sat but I did not long before I started to feel very uncomfortable. A bell rang outside and the children started to get excited. They flocked around the table and started to sing and play. Then the door opened and a tornado struck. There on the floor lay all sorts of things. Now here is the difference between ours and the Germans. They believe in giving the presents Xmas eve and on Xmas or Krichmachtogen (?),the Xmas tree. After the children had received all that was coming to them which was because they were sent to bed and preparations were made to decorate the tree. To do I believe they called each of their relations (The rest is damaged and unreadable) List of Correspondence Mr J A Greer 1240 Swissvale Ave Wilkinsburg , Pa Mrs Jos A Greer 1622 Swissvalw Ave 3^rd Apt Wilkinsburg , Pa Miss Klara McDonald 1201 Swissvale Ave Wilkinsburg , Pa Miss Mabel P Ferguson 1205 Franklin Ave Wilkinsburg , Pa Elmar Fusca Fourth Street Braddock , Pa Miss Elizabeth Fusia 676 Fourth Avenue Braddock Pa Mr Phillip Hench 5524 Kentucky Ave Pittsburgh Pa Miss Elizabeth Lehr Haddonfield New Jersey Miss Aileen Larson Lewisburg Pa c/o Womens College CCline Lossolles LTurne Franque POC Retrilcen 133 Wyoming St Johnstown Pa Miss Carrie Muller Highland Falls New York Dick Jones San Antonio Texas Kelly Field Aviation Sector Madam Gabriel Lecolle 11 Rue Gambetta Ligny, Leine Atharne Madam Herbert 12 Place de la Cometerre 12 Troyes dube Paul Craigo 1510 Elm St Wilkinsburg Pa M. Farillaians Anton 68 R. A. P. 29 Ballerie Sp 102 Wm. E. Betts 156 ...