*** Many thanks to Mr. & Mrs. Alan Larsen, who provided the excellent headstone photos.***
Alfred was the son of Norwegian immigrants, Hans & Jensine Erlandson.
He served his country during World War I in the United States Marine Corps, 6th Regiment, 96th Company, 2nd Division, Rank: Corporal. He enlisted on 20 Jun 1917.
"For gallantry in action against the enemy", the citation accompanying the Silver Star medal awarded to Alfred Erlandson and James Carter reads: "The two men above named assisted in the capture of a town on the 6th of June, after being wounded, and displayed remarkable energy and courage against superior numbers of the enemy. They engaged in street fighting and were of material assistance in driving out the enemy. OMAR BUNDY, Major General, USA, Commanding".
The event took place at the town of Bouresches, during the "Battle of Belleau Wood". During the battle, Erlandson had been exposed to mustard gas, as well as being shot in the right shoulder.
After recovering from his wounds, he re-joined his unit on 13 Jul 1918, and received promotion to Corporal on 8 Aug 1918. He was killed in action on the Champagne (western) front, and buried about 100 yards NE of the crossroads at Somme-Py. His body was later removed to the United States for re-burial.
Most of this information was generously provided by Lenny Moore, whose grandfather served in the same unit as Alfred Erlandson. Lenny has done extensive research on the subject.
Alfred was the son of Norwegian immigrants, Hans & Jensine Erlandson.
He served his country during World War I in the United States Marine Corps, 6th Regiment, 96th Company, 2nd Division, Rank: Corporal. He enlisted on 20 Jun 1917.
"For gallantry in action against the enemy", the citation accompanying the Silver Star medal awarded to Alfred Erlandson and James Carter reads: "The two men above named assisted in the capture of a town on the 6th of June, after being wounded, and displayed remarkable energy and courage against superior numbers of the enemy. They engaged in street fighting and were of material assistance in driving out the enemy. OMAR BUNDY, Major General, USA, Commanding".
The event took place at the town of Bouresches, during the "Battle of Belleau Wood". During the battle, Erlandson had been exposed to mustard gas, as well as being shot in the right shoulder.
After recovering from his wounds, he re-joined his unit on 13 Jul 1918, and received promotion to Corporal on 8 Aug 1918. He was killed in action on the Champagne (western) front, and buried about 100 yards NE of the crossroads at Somme-Py. His body was later removed to the United States for re-burial.
Most of this information was generously provided by Lenny Moore, whose grandfather served in the same unit as Alfred Erlandson. Lenny has done extensive research on the subject.
*** Many thanks to Mr. & Mrs. Alan Larsen, who provided the excellent headstone photos.***
Alfred was the son of Norwegian immigrants, Hans & Jensine Erlandson.
He served his country during World War I in the United States Marine Corps, 6th Regiment, 96th Company, 2nd Division, Rank: Corporal. He enlisted on 20 Jun 1917.
"For gallantry in action against the enemy", the citation accompanying the Silver Star medal awarded to Alfred Erlandson and James Carter reads: "The two men above named assisted in the capture of a town on the 6th of June, after being wounded, and displayed remarkable energy and courage against superior numbers of the enemy. They engaged in street fighting and were of material assistance in driving out the enemy. OMAR BUNDY, Major General, USA, Commanding".
The event took place at the town of Bouresches, during the "Battle of Belleau Wood". During the battle, Erlandson had been exposed to mustard gas, as well as being shot in the right shoulder.
After recovering from his wounds, he re-joined his unit on 13 Jul 1918, and received promotion to Corporal on 8 Aug 1918. He was killed in action on the Champagne (western) front, and buried about 100 yards NE of the crossroads at Somme-Py. His body was later removed to the United States for re-burial.
Most of this information was generously provided by Lenny Moore, whose grandfather served in the same unit as Alfred Erlandson. Lenny has done extensive research on the subject.
Alfred was the son of Norwegian immigrants, Hans & Jensine Erlandson.
He served his country during World War I in the United States Marine Corps, 6th Regiment, 96th Company, 2nd Division, Rank: Corporal. He enlisted on 20 Jun 1917.
"For gallantry in action against the enemy", the citation accompanying the Silver Star medal awarded to Alfred Erlandson and James Carter reads: "The two men above named assisted in the capture of a town on the 6th of June, after being wounded, and displayed remarkable energy and courage against superior numbers of the enemy. They engaged in street fighting and were of material assistance in driving out the enemy. OMAR BUNDY, Major General, USA, Commanding".
The event took place at the town of Bouresches, during the "Battle of Belleau Wood". During the battle, Erlandson had been exposed to mustard gas, as well as being shot in the right shoulder.
After recovering from his wounds, he re-joined his unit on 13 Jul 1918, and received promotion to Corporal on 8 Aug 1918. He was killed in action on the Champagne (western) front, and buried about 100 yards NE of the crossroads at Somme-Py. His body was later removed to the United States for re-burial.
Most of this information was generously provided by Lenny Moore, whose grandfather served in the same unit as Alfred Erlandson. Lenny has done extensive research on the subject.
Inscription
MICHIGAN
CORP.
6 REGT. U.S.M.C.
OCT 3, 1918
Gravesite Details
War Dept. Application for Headstone dated 31 Oct 1935, states he was killed in action and his body returned. Headstone delivered to Allen Erlandson, Calumet, Michigan.
