February 26, 1918 – Full diary entry:

“Nora, Ruth, Helen + Dad saw me off via G.W. for Camp Dodge. Nora cried.

Arrived at camp 11 p.m.

Assigned to 349 Infantry Co I.

Slept fairly well.”

I’m guessing Robert got to Iowa via the Chicago Great Western Railway.

Camp Dodge was one of sixteen new regional training sites built after the US declared war. It had existed since 1909 as a training site for the Iowa Militia but underwent an extraordinary transformation between June and November 1917. Definitely worth visiting the link to see more pictures, learn about the camp and what Robert’s first days might have been like.

I have to also give a plug for The U.S. Center for Military History, which has an amazing collection of photos and information on Camp Dodge. The photos below only scratch the surface.

Robert was assigned to Company I of the 349th Infantry Regiment of the 88th Infantry Division.

Where was Robert today? See the timeline.