WW2: Nephew George William served with US Marines in WW2
Spouse Comments: Ramona Elizabeth Milligan 1897 Missouri. DEATH 15 DECEMBER 1982 • Portland
Children: Barbara A Blinco (1926-), Charles Stanley Blinco (1929 -2008)
Photo from 1942 High school YearbookPhoto from 1947 Washington High School Yearbook
1900 Census Portland Ward 8, Multnomah, Oregon
William Blenco 42
Francis Blenco 39
Lizzie Blenco 13
Eva Blenco 10
Charles Blenco 8
Loyal Blenco 6
Harry Blenco 3
1910 Census Portland Ward 7, Multnomah, Oregon
William Blinco 51
Francis Blinco 49
Eva Blinco 20
Charles Blinco 18
Loyd Blinco 15
Harry Blinco 13
Member of the Portland Rowing Club pre-war
1st Engineers
1st Infantry Division
WW1
Blinco Charles Wesley, 1891, Portland, Oregon, Private, 154405, Company A 116th Engineers, 41st Divsion. 1st Engineers, 1st Division
1917
3rd Jul. Enlisted in the 1st Oregon Engineers, the 1st Engineers being part of the 1st Infantry Division.
Part of Oregon Enlistment records
20 Aug. The First Separate Battalion, Oregon Engineers, was mustered into the Federal Service at Camp Withycombe, Oregon.
19 September. The 116th Engineers was formed at Camp Greene, N. C., pursuant to G. O. 2, Hq. 41st Div., dated September 19, 1917, with the First Separate Battalion, Oregon Engineers, under command of Major Herbert A. Brandon, and the Second Battalion, Second Idaho Infantry, under command of Major Dewitt P. Olson. Colonel Meriweather L. Walker, Corps of Engineers, was given the command.
10 Decembe,r St. Nazaire, France. The regiment proceeded immediately to a rest camp at the same place, the cold weather preventing any extensive training. It was at this station, three days after arrival, that, although equipped and trained as a pioneer organization, it became designated as a training replacement regiment. At the same time orders were received to send 850 men to the 1st and 2nd Engineers, and before leaving this station the Atlantic Transport Service was supplied with approximately 350 men and two officers. Note this is the time most likely Charles became a member of the 1st Engineers.
1918
26th Feb. The 1st Battalion was detached from the regiment, then engaged in training with its division in its training area on February 26, 1918,. and on the following day, to supplement the 1st Engineers, joined the 1st Division in the Ansauville subsector, north of Toul, occupied jointly with the French. The battalion there received front-line training similar to that given to the 1st Engineers until May 9, when it rejoined its regiment with the 2nd Division.1
12th Apr. Charles reported slightly wounded on 6 May 1918.
May 6th 1918 The Morning Oregonian newspaper report Charles slightly wounded
This passage from the report of Chief Engineer, Army Engineers suggests this may have happened 12th April 1918. “As a result of a British request following the enemy offensive of March 21st, 1918, the regiment was returned to the British Expeditionary Forces. Attached to the First Army, British Expeditionary Forces, from April to May 10th, 1918, it served as Corps troops of the Seventeenth British Corps, engaging in the construction of reserve field defences throughout the strong enemy pressure of that period. A detail of the unit engaged in trench and entanglement construction on the 12th of April suffered 18 casualties from enemy artillery fire as 2 killed and 16 wounded.”2
Note: the 17th Corps part of the 1st British Army holding the Arras sector in the German Spring Offensive
28th Apr.-30th May. The Battle for Cantigny. The Germans had pushed to within 40 miles of Paris. In reaction to this thrust, the 1st Div. moved into the Picardy Sector to bolster the exhausted French First Army. To the Division’s front lay the small village of Cantigny, situated on the high ground overlooking a forested countryside. It was the 28th Infantry, who attacked the town, and within 45 minutes captured it along with 250 German soldiers, thus earning the special designation “Lions of Cantigny” for the regiment. The first American victory of the war was a First Division victory. With the attack apparently successful, US troops consolidated their hold and prepared for the coming German counter-attacks. German artillery fire against the new American positions increased by noon and enemy artillery and machine-gun fire into what was now a shallow US salient in the German line became intense. Several German counter-attacks were met with withering American rifles, machine gun and artillery fire and were driven off, but not without inflicting a rising number of American casualties. Reserves were committed to bolster the line. By May 30, the new American position was sufficiently secured and the 16th Infantry Regiment relieved the 28th. The fight had caused the First Division 1,067 casualties – killed, wounded, missing and gassed. One hundred and fifty men from “D” Company, 1st Engineers, participated in the attack.2
27th Apr-7th Jul. Cantigny Sector at times.2
18th Jul. Soissons Operations. With the build-up of AEF forces in France, the French High command decided to use French and the First and Second Divisions of the AEF to attack Soissons. The 1st Engineers were very actively involved in this combat. As a result of the deep advance (3 miles) of the AEF on July 18, the situation of the German troops in the salient became most precarious and orders for a gradual withdrawal were issued by the German High Command that night.
20th/21st Jul. The ‘A’ Company (that Charles was with) moved up to the position of ‘D’ and T’ companies as Division Reserves. Casualties amongst the Engineers 263 men and 7 Officers. 2 Fortunately for Charles his company was in Division reserve during this combat and suffered comparatively few casualties.
August – Pont-A-Mousson Sector Engaged primarily in the construction of a new defensive position for the secondary defence .2
12th – 16th Sept. The Battle of St. Mihiel. It was planned to use the entire 1st Regiment on engineering work at the start of the attack. The First Battalion was given the task of making up, transporting and erecting foot-bridges for the advancing infantry and heavy bridges for three crossings for the artillery. The attack was very successful, …….The men carrying the bridge material forward had heavy loads and carried them long distances, keeping pace with the infantry units.2 Casualties were light at 37 men.
Troops of ‘B’ Company, 1st Engineers Regiment, American 1st Division entering, with colours flying, shell-torn Nonsard on return from the frontline, 13 September 1918. source IWM Q 48177
Note:The 1st Engineers were detached from the 1st Division and placed with the III Corps between 28th Sept-2nd Oct.
7th -9th Oct. Battle of Meuse Argonne. On October 8th, 1918 the 1st Engineers with great courage and determination captured Hill 269, Bois-de-Moncy, together with many prisoners and machine guns, and successfully held it against strong enemy counter-attacks.2
Hill 269, in the Bois de Moncy. Elements of the 1st, 32nd and 91st Divisions fought on this hill at various times between October 5 and 9. The crest was captured on October 8 by the 1st Engineers, a part of the 1st Division. Map Library of Congress.
1st Dec. The Regiment marched from Luxemburg into Germany, on December 14th, the Rhine was crossed. And took up an Army of Occupation role.2
1919
11 April. Departs on USS Santa Teresa from Bordeaux to the USA.
USS Santa Teresa served in both World Wars as a troopship
Name: Charles Blinco
Departure Date: 11 Apr 1919
Departure Place: Bordeaux, France
Arrival Date: 23 Apr 1919
Arrival Place: Hoboken, New Jersey
Address: 581 E 10 St
Residence Place: Portland Ore
Mother: Francis A Blinco
Ship: SANTA TERESA
Military Unit: CO A 1 ENG
Rank: Private
Service Number: 154405
The Morning Oregonian 7 May 1919 reports on the return of a Hospital Train from the War. Onboard is Charles as next cutting attest
7th May. Returned home to Portland as reported by local newspaper and this was on a hospital train. It’s not known whether Charles was sick or wounded.
23rd May. Charles was discharged.
Sources
Historical report of the Chief Engineer United States. Army. A.E.F., 1917-1920. Engineer Dept.
116th Engineers History
Clarence R. Huebner: An American Military Story of Achievement – Thesis University of North Texas.
Stars and Stripes Magazine 29th Nov. 1918 ‘Cantigny’
American Armies and Battlefields in Europe, Library of Congress 1938.
U.S., Army Transport Service, Passenger Lists, 1910-1939
Medals
The Victory, Purple Heart, Verdun, Oregon State Service and Army of Occupation medals.
Charles would have been awarded the US Victory medal with probably the Aisne, St Mihiel, Champagne-Marne, Meuse-Argonne and Defensive clasps. France awarded all Foreign forces who served in France at the battle for Meuse- Argonne the Verdun Medal. Charles was also awarded the Oregon War Medal for his service.
He was also eligible for the Purple Heart and would have got one if he applied in 1932 when it was created and retroactive to WW1.
Finally, as a member of the Army of Occupation, a medal was awarded.
After the War
1930 Census Portland, Multnomah, Oregon
East 17 St., Portland
Charles W Blinco 38 salesman Brick Manufacturer
Ramona E Blinco 33
Barbara A Blinco 3
Charles S Blinco 1
Death 1939
Name: Charles Blinco Death Date: 22 Jul 1939, Death Place: Portland, Spouse: Ramona, Certificate: 2266
Cemetery: Lincoln Memorial Park Portland, Multnomah County, Oregon,
GALLERY
July 1917 application for National Guard
US Draft Card
4th Aug. Departed Washington Barracks and the Regiment entrained at the railroad yards in Washington for the trip to Hoboken. 7th Aug. Embarkation was immediately commenced on the U. S. Transport “Finland”. 20th Aug. Landed at St. Nazaire August 20, 1917, disembarked and proceeded, by marching, to Camp No. 1, some distance outside of the city of St. Nazaire. There were 35 officers and 1104 men of the First Engineers on the “Finland” on arrival in France. SS Finland (American Passenger Steamship, 1902) Underway in a U.S. harbor, prior to World War I. After service as an Army-chartered transport in 1917, this ship was acquired by the Navy on 24 April 1918 and placed in commission as USS Finland two days later. She was decommissioned and returned to the Army on 15 November 1919. At some point during or shortly after her Navy service she was assigned the registry ID # 4543. U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.SS_Finland_underway_in_harbor_before_1917
The Division, less its artillery, was assembled in the First (Gondrecourt) training area. this photo US soldiers detrain at Gondrecourt 1917.
Baggage belonging to the 1st Infantry Division arrives at cantonments near St. Nazaire, June 27, 1917
US Engineers – Often took up the role of combat troops as the war was very fluid . This photo taken Jan 1918 actually shows 11th Engineers
A photograph of Charles unit in France? U.S. Army engineers use horses and trucks while building a road in France. Efficient transportation of troops and supplies was vital to the war effort. (OSA, Oregon Defense Council Records, Publications and Ephemera, Box 8, Folder 1)
Soldiers of the 1st Division, wait for their laundry delousing in Gisors, France, April 9, 1918. [Courtesy: Robert R. McCormick Research Center, First Division Museum]
This map of the Western Front gets a bit closer and also shows Seicheprey and Cantigny. The areas in color were areas newly conquered by the Germans from March, 1918 to July, 1918. Source : American Expeditionary Force Maps – AEF – WWI – World War I www.usaww1.comThis map of the Western Front gets a bit closer and also shows Seicheprey and Cantigny. The areas in color were areas newly conquered by the Germans from March, 1918 to July, 1918. Source : American Expeditionary Force Maps – AEF – WWI – World War I www.usaww1.com
Map 1st division sector at St Mihiel, note Seicheprey lower right. “They worked on the roads from ESSEY to ST. BAUSSANT and from ST. BAUSSANT to SEICHEPREY. All of the roads needed an enor- mous amount of work to fix them up so that transportation could be moved and for the re- mainder of September 12, all night September 12- 13 and until ihe afternoon of September 13, com- panies “A”, “B’ and “C” worked continuously and put forth a spleridid effort to set roads that could he used.” Historical report of the Chief Engineer United States. Army. A.E.F., 1917-1920. Engineer Dept.
Blue Spaders training in preparation for the Battle of Cantigny in Breteuil, France, with French tank maneuvers, May 11, 1918 Apr.-May. The Battle for Cantigny. The Germans had pushed to within 40 miles of Paris. In reaction to this thrust, the 1st Div. moved into the Picardy Sector to bolster the exhausted French First Army. To the Division’s front lay the small village of Cantigny, situated on the high ground overlooking a forested countryside. It was the 28th Infantry, who attacked the town, and within 45 minutes captured it along with 250 German soldiers, thus earning the special designation “Lions of Cantigny” for the regiment. The first American victory of the war was a First Division victory. With the attack apparently successful, US troops consolidated their hold and prepared for the coming German counter attacks. German artillery fire against the new American positions increased by noon and enemy artillery and machinegun fire into what was now a shallow US salient in the German line became intense. Several German counter-attacks were met with withering American rifle, machinegun and artillery fire and were driven off, but not without inflicting a rising number of American casualties. Reserves were committed to bolster the line. By May 30, the new American position was sufficiently secured and the 16th Infantry Regiment relieved the 28th. The fight had caused the First Division 1,067 casualties – killed, wounded, missing and gassed. Among them was Charles W Blinco, sources suggest One hundred and fifty men from “D” Company, 1st Engineers, participated in the attack.2 6th May. Charles reported slightly wounded on 6 May 1918 Source :Morning Oregonian newspaper, The Ogden standard and also reported in New York Times This passage from report of Chief Engineer, Army Engineers suggests this happened 12 April 1918. However, as a result of a British request following the enemy offensive of March 21, 1918, the regiment was returned to the British Expeditionary Forces. Attached to the First Army, British Expeditionary Forces, from April to May 10, 1918, it served as Corps troops of the Seventeenth British Corps, engaging in the construction of reserve field defences through out the strong enemy pressure of that period. A detail of the unit engaged in trench and entanglement construction on the 12th of April suffered 18 casualties from enemy artillery fire as 2 killed and 16 wounded.
8th Jul. Soissons Operations. The 1st Engineers very actively involved in combat. 20th/21st Jul. Charles ‘A’ Company moved up to the position of ‘D’ and T’ companies as Division Reserves. ‘B’ Company was ordered to advance in the attack in the second wave as support for ‘C Company, 16th Infantry. They advanced as far as the railroad and were there all day. The 1st Brigade had advanced farther than the 2nd Brigade which was on the left. ‘B’ Company formed the left flank during the day and the night. Two officers were wounded here and 62 men were killed and wounded. Casualties amongst the Engineers 263 men and 7 Officers. 2 Fortunately for Charles his company was in Division reserve during this combat and suffered comparatively few casualties.
Postcards of Gondrecourt-le-Château (Meuse)
12th – 16th Sept. The Battle of St. Mihiel. It was planned to use the entire 1st Regiment on engineering work at the start of the attack. The First Battalion was given the task of making up, transporting and erecting foot-bridges for the advancing infantry and heavy bridges for three crossings for the artillery. The attack was very successful, …….The men carrying the bridge material forward had heavy loads and carried them long distances, keeping pace with the infantry units.2 Casualties were light at 37 men. American troops moving forward into the St.-Mihiel salient – September US National Archives
Meuse-Argonne ruined church being used as a an American field hospital. While Charles returned on a hospital train in May 1919 its not known whether from illness or perhaps wounds from this the last major combat action of the war for the 1st Engineers.
Traffic congestion in the Argonne 1918 The US forces poured immense resources forward to overrun the German’s as this photo attests Photo – http://www.history.army.mil/
St Mihiel 1918 “They worked on the roads from ESSEY to ST. BAUSSANT and from ST. BAUSSANT to SEICHEPREY. All of the roads needed an enor- mous amount of work to fix them up so that transportation could be moved and for the re- mainder of September 12, all night September 12- 13 and until ihe afternoon of September 13, com- panies “A”, “B’ and “C” worked continuously and put forth a spleridid effort to set roads that could he used.” Historical report of the Chief Engineer United States. Army. A.E.F., 1917-1920. Engineer Dept. Seicheprey main street, 1918 (Michelin Guide des Champs des Batailles, Le Saillant de St. Mihiel, Clermont-Ferrand, 1919)
12th Apr. Charles reported slightly wounded on 6 May 1918 The morning Oregonian newspaper, “The Ogden Standard” (also reported in New York Time). This passage from report of Chief Engineer, Army Engineers suggests this may have happened 12th April 1918. “As a result of a British request following the enemy offensive of March 21, 1918, the regiment was returned to the British Expeditionary Forces. Attached to the First Army, British Expeditionary Forces, from April to May 10, 1918, it served as Corps troops of the Seventeenth British Corps, engaging in the construction of reserve field defences through out the strong enemy pressure of that period. A detail of the unit engaged in trench and entanglement construction on the 12th of April suffered 18 casualties from enemy artillery fire as 2 killed and 16 wounded.”
A bridge getting the attention Engineers trying to make it good again. 12th – 16th Sept. The Battle of St. Mihiel. It was planned to use the entire 1st Regiment on engineering work at the start of the attack. The First Battalion was given the task of making up, transporting and erecting foot-bridges for the advancing infantry and heavy bridges for three crossings for the artillery. The attack was very successful, …….The men carrying the bridge material forward had heavy loads and carried them long distances, keeping pace with the infantry units.
Meuse-Argonne Americans run for cover in heat of battle
12th – 16th Sept. The Battle of St. Mihiel. It was planned to use the entire 1st Regiment on engineering work at the start of the attack. The First Battalion was given the task of making up, transporting and erecting foot-bridges for the advancing infantry and heavy bridges for three crossings for the artillery. The attack was very successful, …….The men carrying the bridge material forward had heavy loads and carried them long distances, keeping pace with the infantry units.2 Casualties were light at 37 men.
