WORLD WAR I VETERAN

Bertram Casteel was born August 21, 1889 in Boone, Boone Co., Iowa to George Washington and Rebecca (Johnson) Cassteel. He was five foot three inches tall and had a medium complexion.

MILITARY RECORD:
Enlisted September 6, 1917 at Port Orchard, Washington, and was assigned to Headquarters Company, 361st Infantry. Discharged as a private first class on April 27, 1919 at Camp Lewis, Washington; character excellent; honorable discharge with no pension. His discharge papers read in part: "Honorably Discharged from the military service of the United States by reason of Muster Out Telegram A. G. O. Nov 16, 1918" dated 27 April 1919. He was entitled to travel pay to Port Orchard, Wash., was paid a bonus of $60.00 for total pay of $93.04. He had served as a Corporal from Jan 25, 1918 to Aug 1, 1918. He participated in the following "Battles, engagements, skirmishes, expeditions": A.E.F. July 16, 1918 to April 2, 1919; St. Mihiel Sep 11 to Sep 13, 1918; Meuse-Argonne Sep 26 to Oct 12, 1918; Lys-Scheldt Oct 31 to Nov 11, 1918. His vocation was laborer and he received no wounds. (Family history says he was gassed during service in WWI) Pension later awarded on Certificate No. 257276.

Bertram had lived continuously in the State of Washington since April 1916. He was not married and his nearest relative was his sister, Mrs. Mabel Wistrom of Seattle. He had lived at several different locations in Bremerton, WA prior to his admittance to the Veterans Home.

On April 16, 1940 he made application for admission to the Washington Veterans Home at Retsil. His application was approved on April 24, 1940 and he entered the Veterans Home on May 13, 1940. After some problems with alcohol, he was discharged in November 1941. He was re-admitted to the Veterans Home on April 5, 1943, and died the next day. He was buried in the Home Cemetery.