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Archduke Francis Ferdinand is Assassinated
On June 28th, 1914, in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina the Archduke Franz Ferdinand was shot and killed. Ferdinand was the heir to the throne of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. It took 2 shots to take down the heir to the thrown, the suspect apprehended was a 19 year-old Bosnian-Serb who claimed to be a part of the Black Hand organization. They later found out that there were six contributors all armed with pistols, bombs, and a capsule of cyanide incase things went south. -
Austria-Hungary Declares War on Serbia, Thus Beginning World War I
One month after the Archduke was assassinated, Austria-Hungary gained support from its ally Germany to build a military. They presented Serbia with an ultimatum that said Serbia had to suppress all anti-Austria-Hungary propaganda. Austria-Hungary also demanded that they be allowed to conduct their own investigation into the assassination of the Archduke. Serbia excepted all demands except for one, which led Austria to continue building its army for battle. Russia helped Serbia build its army. -
Allied Forces Stop the German Advance into France
In September 1914, Germany started to go into battle in Paris, this was known as "The Battle of the Marne". Luckily, the Allied Forces, France, and the United Kingdom stepped in and stopped Germany's advances. This battle lasted a total of eight days, spanning from September 5th to September 12th. 67,000 German soldiers died in this battle, along with 37,000 Allied soldiers. -
The United States Declares War on Germany
On April 2nd, 1917, President Woodrow Wilson asked a special joint session of Congress to declare war against the German Empire. The Senate's resolution passed 82-6. The House of Representatives resolution passed 373-50. On April sixth Congress responded with a declaration of war on Germany. -
Archibald S. Alsop joins the Yale Mobile Hospital Unit in France
On June 1st, 1917, Archibald S. Alsop joined the Yale Mobile Hospital Unit 39. Unit 39 was the first of its kind in the American Expeditionary Forces. They traveled through the war and helped soldiers throughout battles such as the Battle of the Marne. As apart of the Mobile Hospital Unit, Archibald served in the Army for 3 years. -
Archibald Alsop's Experiences Were Published in the Local Newspaper
A local newspaper published an article about Archibald's letters to his sister Jessie Alsop. In these letters, Archie talked about his experiences in the military, what it's like living in Europe, and much more. Archie didn't just send letters back to give updates for his sister, but also advice for incoming soldiers. He wrote that soldiers should buy their own meat before boarding the transport ships because the military doesn't supply any. -
Archibald and his Mobile Hospital Unit Worked on Victims Within Sight of German Forces
In April 1918, Archibald and his unit of medics served in the Battle of the Marne. They worked in the trenches and helped over 20 victims. While in the trenches, they were in sight of the German armies, and they risked it all to help wounded soldiers. Thanks to Archibald's efforts, soldiers got to go home to their families. -
The Battle of Amiens
During the Battle of Amiens, truckloads of soldiers were being wounded. Archibald Alsop's Medical Unit admitted 145 victims during the first 24 hours. This was the most soldiers admitted in 24 hours by anyone in the war. This effort from Unit 39 helped the Canadian and Allied troops win the battle of Germany. -
Allied Troops Begin the Attack at Meuse-Argonne
Meuse-Argonne was a part of the last offensive effort of the Allied forces that stretched along the entire Western Front. It was fought for a total of 47 days, stretching from September 26, 1918, to November 11, 1918. There were 26,000 deceased soldiers in this battle and a total of 120,000 casualties. The outcome of this battle led to the Allied powers ending the war with the Treaty of Versailles. -
Germany Signs the Armistice at Compiègne
The armistice signed at Le Francport near Compiègne ended fighting on land, sea, and air in World War I between the Allies and their last opponent, Germany. Following the directions of the armistice, Germany evacuated occupied territory in both France and Belgium. The American and British troops also moved into Germany as an occupying army to make sure they didn't make any more advances. The Germans were outraged by the stipulations of the armistice, but the Allies made sure they followed it. -
Archibald Continued to Serve in Recovery Units
After World War 1 ended, Archibald Alsop continued to serve in the recovery units and tending to recover soldiers. He continued to do this until he was discharged from the Army in 1919. This wasn't an honorable discharge or a dishonorable discharge, he was simply discharged from the military. Archie reached the rank of sergeant and saved countless lives in this war, that is why I picked him as my veteran.