Steven Clement Dooley is Awarded a Purple Heart!

Steven Clement Dooley’s World War I draft registration may not be found, but I believe we are in possession of ample evidence of his military service. I am speaking of his Purple Heart. The Purple Heart is awarded to the brave members of the United States Armed Services who are wounded in war at the hands of the enemy. The Purple Heart is a combat decoration.

“COLUMBIA GIVES TO HER SON THE ACCOLADE OF THE NEW CHIVALRY OF HUMANITY”

This poster acknowledges Steven Clement Dooley’s service during the First World War confirming that he was in the 131st Infantry and the wagon supply company.

“Steve C. Dooley, Wag. Sup. Co., 131^st Infantry SERVED WITH HONOR IN THE WORLD WAR AND WAS WOUNDED IN ACTION.”

Steven C. Dooley’s service record included the following battles:

July 4, 1918                 Battle of Hamel and Vaire Woods

                                    The 131 and 132 Infantry regiments brigaded with Australian troops.

August 9, 1918            Battle at Chippilly Ridge and the Gressaire Woods

                                    Fought with the 58^th British Division in difficult terrain.

September 1918 -

October 21, 1918        The 131 Infantry took part in the opening of the Meuse-Argonne offensive. During this period of time, Steven C. Dooley was constantly subjected to heavy artillery and machine gun fire. This is where he earned his Purple Heart. Sadly the German military bombarded the U.S. troops with mustard gas.

October 26, 1918        The 131 Infantry drove the enemy from St. Hilaire and Marcheville and occupied Butgneville and Riaville.

November 11, 1918    The World War ends!

The World Beckons

The Dooley brothers Joseph, William, and David were drafted into military service when the United States entered The World War. A search of the World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918 on Ancestry.com produced draft registration cards for Joseph, William and David Dooley. Stephen’s World War I draft registration card was not located though I did see his World War II draft registration.

Whenever this occurs I begin searching records using spelling variations of the first and surname. I searched for Stephen, Steven,  Steve and Ste*n paired with surname variations of Dooley,  Duley, D*ly, and D*ley.  Eventually I resorted to reversing the name order. I searched Dooley as the first name and Stephen the surname. Despite all my strategies, I had no luck in locating Stephen Dooley’s World War I draft registration card.

He may have enlisted! Or maybe his records were simply lost! Whatever the case, I have enough documentation sitting on my desk proving his military service during The World War.

Stephen Clement Dooley served in The Thirty-Third Division also known as the Prairie Division. The Prairie Division was made up of men from the Illinois State National Guard. Hmmm . . . maybe Stephen’s records are located with the Illinois National Guard! I have a new place to search!

I was initially skeptical of his being in this division. The division’s insignia was a circle with a yellow plus sign in the center. Insignias were usually worn on the sleeve. Stephen’s sleeve lacked that insignia. I shared this with my husband and he immediately produced it. It was never sewn onto the sleeve!