Pitt Football Head Coach Leads Machine Guns

Coach Joe Duff served with my grandfather in the 313th Machine Gun Battalion, 80th Division, during World War I.  Although Duff was drafted into the Army as a private, he was truly destined to lead men. Unfortunately, like so many brilliant young men of their time, his life was cut short in the killing fields of the Meusue-Argonne.  

Duff was a 1912 graduate of Princeton University.  He enjoyed a stellar career playing varsity football for Princeton and was voted a 1911 All-American.  In 1913 the Pittsburgh Press reported him to be the “best guard in football history.” Duff played nearly every position on the Princeton football team except quarterback.    After graduation he was asked to stay on at Princeton to serve as an assistant football coach.  The following year he received an offer to become head football coach at the University of Pittsburgh.  Duff delivered two winning seasons for Pitt in 1913 and 1914. Following the 1914 season, Pitt found an opportunity to hire legendary coach Glenn Scobey "Pop" Warner, who would bring Pitt a National Championship in 1915.  That same year Duff obtained his Law Degree from the University of Pittsburgh and started work in his brother’s law firm in Pittsburgh.

Coach Joe Duff, "The Owl" 1915

It’s unclear why Duff was not commissioned an officer before his entry into the Army.  At the time of the national draft registration, Duff was already a college graduate. He enlisted in the Military Training Association, and was situated at the Reserve Officers Training Camp at Fort Niagara in June 1917.  At the end of his training at Fort Niagara, NY he was not assigned to a specialized unit as many of the other candidates listed on the roster.  It’s possible his later role as an attorney for the Justice Department delayed his commission as he was tasked with assisting in the prosecution of men who were at the time attempting to evade the draft.

His role as a government attorney, however, would not keep him from being drafted.  Duff was inducted into the Army in March 1918 and sent to Camp Lee VA to join the 313^th Machine Gun Battalion that sailed for France in May 1918. During his time with the battalion, he would be promoted to a Corporal and then a Sergeant.  His commission as a 2nd Lieutenant came on September 30, 1918, just as the Meusue-Argonne offensive was beginning in France.  This promotion would transfer him out of the 313^th M.G.B.  His new commission tasked him with leading a machine gun company in the 32nd Division, 125th Infantry.  

After only ten days of receiving his commission, Joseph Miller Duff Jr. was killed at the age of 29 while fighting in Gesnes-en-Argonne. His body would be buried in a temporary grave site in Dur-sur-Meuse, France.  His brother, Captain George M Duff, a Chaplain in the 305th Infantry, also serving in France, sent a telegram back home to his father Rev. Joseph M. Duff Sr. advising the family of the death of their son.  Local papers reported the death of the Pitt coach and former football star who was beloved by so many. Duff’s body was returned to the United States and is buried in the Chartiers Cemetery in Carnegie PA.

 

 

His brother James H. Duff (1883-1969) would later become a prominent figure in Pennsylvania politics and served as the 34th Governor of Pennsylvania from 1947-1951 and also a United States Senator from Pennsylvania 1951-1957.  

Distinguished Member of the 313th

Alexander MacWilliam, Sr. was born in Edinburg, Scotland in 1891.  He enlisted in the Army while living in Erie, Pennsylvania.  He served in the 313th Machine Gun Battalion, 80th Division.  MacWilliam was awarded the second highest military honor, the Distinguished Service Cross.

Alexander MacWilliam Sr 

In order to understand the events that led to MacWilliam's actions, it is important to remember that these men were subject to absolute brutal conditions in terms of an enemy defense as well as evidence of poor planning on the part of his superiors.  The entire First Army was to attack on October 4th, 1918 during the ongoing offensive of the Meuse-Argonne.  The 80th Division was just part of the an overall strategy to capture the German strong hold known as the Heights of Cunel.

Field Order No. 22 directed the 80th Division to attack on October 4th. When looking at the Google map to the right, you can see a large patch of woods just to the right of the road marked "D15" known as Les Ogons. Maps and orders of the time referred to this as "Bois des Ogons." The 80th Division had to advance through these "bois" or "woods"    To the south is the village of Nantillois.  The Cunel objective is to the north. 

Germans maintained a strong defensive line in these woods consisting of artillery, multiple machine gun nests and barbed wire.  The woods could not be taken in previous attempts made by the 79th and 4th Divisions.  Senior officers scouting the objective advised that "artillery fire had to be put down on the flanks of the woods or a frontal attack would be useless."

The Division command ordered the 313th Machine Gun Battalion to support the attacking battalions of the 317th and 318th Infantry.  Company B was  ordered to be attached to the 3rd Battalion of the 318th Infantry. MacWilliam was in Company B. The remaining companies of the machine gun battalion would cover the flanks of the attacking Brigade.  The map below shows the line held by the 80th Division on October 4th, 1918. It was in this sector that MacWilliam distinguished himself. 

The official citation presented to Alex MacWilliam reads:

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to First Sergeant Alexander MacWilliam (ASN: 1815486), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company B, 313th Machine-Gun Battalion, 80th Division, A.E.F., near Nantillois, France, October 4 - 5, 1918. Concealing the fact that he was severely wounded, Sergeant MacWilliam remained on duty until the afternoon of the following day. While in this condition he went to the aid of a wounded comrade and brought him to a place of safety, his route being subjected to a concentrated artillery bombardment.

The accounts of that day reported heavy fighting and what may be viewed as haste decisions that led to multiple casualties suffered by the 80th Division. By the end of the day, the Bois des Ogons would remain German. The Operations report that followed an evaluation of the attack stated that "Orders for Corps attack on 4th October 1918 were not issued in time to permit proper reconnaissance or instruction of subordinate commanders. Casualties from flanking machine gun fire and violent artillery fire from the front and right flank were severe."

The detailed events of this one day of fighting by the 313th Machine Guns Battalion may be recounted in a later blog, but I wanted to highlight the date during the war that Alex MacWilliam made a name for himself in the eyes of his men.

MacWilliam was treated for his wounds and remained with the 313th Machine Gun Battalion. He was soon promoted to Second Lieutenant.  Upon returning to the United States, the City of Erie Pennsylvania prepared to receive their heroes. Mayor Miles B. Kitts wrote this letter to MacWilliam in anticipation of their arrival. 

Mayor Miles B Kitts 1919 letter to Alexander MacWilliam, 313th Machine Gun Battalion

After the war, it was recommended to MacWilliam that the cold northern climate would be difficult on his health due to the condition of his lungs as a result of the gas attacks he suffered while in France. At the urging of his doctor, who was investing in property located in Florida, MacWilliam moved to Vero Beach to supervise the construction of a golf course at Riomar. MacWilliam continued to make a name for himself and would become the Mayor of Vero Beach in 1927.  His political ambitions did not stop there. MacWilliam again distinguished himself by serving in the Florida State House of Representatives.  

Battalion Reunions

My grandfather, Andrew A Capets, is standing in the back row directly under the number 55. He was only about 5'2" in height. This photo was taken in September 1975. It would be the last reunion my grandfather attended. He passed away less that a year later (May 1976).

I had this photo on line under the fold3.com website and was contacted by someone who also had a grandfather in this unit - Jim Agostine saw this photo and sent me a note. I emailed him back and asked, "where is your grandfather in the photo?" The response was "The man standing next to the man under the 55, by the American flag, is my grandfather. Luigi Agostini."   I had the feeling this was not a coincidence.

The 1975 photo above was in an envelope addressed to my grandfather with a return address for Leroy E. Welk, 9th Street, Erie PA. Mr. Welk was also a member of the 313th MGB. Other men in this photo (front row, third from the left, Clifford MacPherson).

I am grateful to Jim Agostine for sharing with me a copy of this 1938 reunion photo.

The photos from 1945 and 1969 show the men standing outside the Peach Street Club. The club was located at the present day "King's Rook Club" on Peach Street, Erie PA.

In this 1969 photo it is not hard to find Andrew Capets in the back row, far right, second from the right.

This 1945 reunion photo below was sent to me from Andy Specht who had a great grandfather in the battalion - Charles Vermeire. Andy sent me a few photos of Charles Vermeire in uniform that I will add here in the future. Thanks Andy - Semper Fi.  

Joe Wykoff of www.historyandmemorabilia.org had this 1941 picnic reunion photo below on his site, as well as other "period" photos of the unit that you should also check out if you have a family connection to the 313th Machine Gun Battalion.
This reunion photo does not allow you to zoom in to see the faces well enough to identify the members. Chris Knecht Sr pointed out on Joe's Facebook post that Stephen Schemeck is in the front row, 6th from the right.  Another person that stands out to me is in the center of the photo, back row, Lt. Otto Leinhauser. Leinhauser was one of the tallest members in this unit.

If you notice the ribbons the men are wearing in the 1945 photo above, they were name tags and ribbons generally given out at the reunions. My grandfather had several ribbons that were passed down to me. Here is an example from the 50th reunion:

Two more reunion photos (1944 and 1950) shared with me by Chris Knecht Sr appear below:

Searching for stories about the 313th Machine Gun Battalion

I am interested in hearing from anyone that may have had a relative (father, grandfather, uncle, etc.) who served in the 313th Machine Gun Battalion during World War I.  This unit was part of the 80th Division A.E.F. also known as the Blue Ridge Division.

The 313th MGB trained at Camp Lee before heading to France. They arrived in Fance in June 1918 at Brodeaux. They served in places like Picadry, St. Mihiel, and the Meuse-Argonne.

My grandfather, Andrew Capets, was in "C Company" of the 313th MGB. I am in the process of collecting stories, diaries, journals, photos, or any artifacts that will help tell the story of ALL these men.  As we approach the 100th anniversary of the events that led these men into war, I hope to be able to share my findings with other families or anyone interested in learing about the events of that time. 

A large contingency of these men came from Erie PA during the organization of the unit.  After the war, the men created a social club on Peach Street in Erie, Pennsylvania called the 313th Machine Gun Battalion Club.

I have heard from a few family members already and plan to share their information for all see. Thank you for your interest in our military history and your interest in the service of the men of the 313th M.G.B.

Andrew Capets