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Bugler Howard Munder

Howard Munder: “Over There” with the 28th Infantry Division
Soldiers from the 28th Infantry Division, also known as the Keystone Division, in France.

Born and raised in Pennsylvania, Bugler Howard Webster Munder enlisted in the Naval Coast Defense Reserve (NCDR) on April 16, 1917, ten days after the United States declared war on Germany and entered World War I.

The 19 year old Philadelphian and former Boy Scout was ready for action, but NCDR, a new organization that did not even have bases or barracks yet, was not. Eventually, the waiting became too much for Munder. He requested a release from NCDR so he could join the Pennsylvania National Guard. The Navy granted his request, and he enlisted in Company G, 1st Infantry, PA National Guard on June 27, 1917.

Along with thousands of other Pennsylvanians, Munder shipped out to Camp Hancock, Georgia, where various separate National Guard units were forged into the soon-to-be renowned 28th Infantry Division (ID). From there, Munder and company deployed to France as part of the 109th Infantry Regiment of the 28th ID.

Throughout his enlistment, Munder was a prolific letter writer and corresponded extensively with his parents. His letters provide a unique insight into the life of a Soldier during World War I and the challenges Soldiers faced as they prepared for war and met the enemy on the field of battle.

After the war, Howard’s letters were compiled and transcribed by William Bell Clark, believed to be the same William Bell Clark from Mechanicsburg, PA, who served as the secretary for the Pennsylvania War History Commission from 1919 to 1921. The transcribed letters are now part of the archival collection at the U.S. Army Heritage and Education Center.

We are pleased to present these letters below, each posted in chronological order on the 100th anniversary of the day each letter was written, to commemorate the service of Bugler Munder and all the men and women who served during World War I.

Research Intern: Arden Staples, Dickinson College
Project Intern: Zach Fisher, Carlisle High School

 
31 August, 1918
27 August, 1918 (B)
27 August, 1918 (A)
26 August, 1918
20 August, 1918
19 August, 1918
13 August, 1918
August 10, 1918
August 6, 1918
August 1, 1918
July 25, 1918
July 20, 1918
July 18, 1918
July 13, 1918
July 10, 2018
July 2, 1918
July 2, 1918
June 27, 1918
June 21, 1918
June 17, 1918
June 5, 1918
June 2, 1918
May 30, 1918
May 26, 1918
May 19, 1918
April 30, 1918
April 29, 1918
April 26, 1918
April 25, 1918 (B)
April 25, 1918 (A)
April 24, 1918
April 20, 1918
April 19, 1918
April 18, 1918
April 14, 1918
April 14, 1918
April 12, 1918
April 10, 1918
April 7, 1918
April 6, 1918
April 3, 1918
April 2, 1918
March 31, 1918
March 28, 1918
March 24, 1918
March 22, 1918
March 19, 1918
March 18, 1918
March 15, 1918
March 12, 1918
March 7, 2018
March 5, 1918
March 3, 2018
March 1, 2018
February 28, 1918
February 25, 1918
February 24, 1918
February 22, 1918
February 20, 1918
February 17, 1918
February 16, 1918
February 16, 1918
February 14, 1918
February 12, 1918
February 11, 1918
February 9, 1918
February 7, 1918
February 5, 1918
February 3, 1918
February 1, 1918
January 29, 1918
January 27, 1918
January 24, 1918
January 22, 1918
January 20, 1918
January 17, 1918
January 14, 1918
January 12, 1918
January 9, 1918
January 7, 1918
January 4, 1918
January 2, 1918
December 20, 1917
December 18, 1917
December 16, 1917
December 15, 1917
December 11, 1917
December 9, 1917
December 5, 1917
December 4, 1917
December 2, 1917
November 29, 1917 – Thanksgiving Day
November 27, 1917
November 25, 1917
November 21, 1917
November 20, 1917
November 18, 1917
November 16, 1917
November 13, 1917
November 12, 1917
November 11, 1917
November 8, 1917
November 5, 1917
November 4, 1917
November 1, 1917
October 29, 1917
October 27, 1917
October 24, 1917
October 23, 1917
October 22, 1917
October 21, 1917
October 21, 1917
October 18, 1917
October 17, 1917
October 14, 1917
October 12, 1917
October 9, 1917
October 7, 1917
October 4, 1917
October 2, 1917
September 30, 1917
September 29, 1917
September 27, 1917
September 25, 1917
September 24, 1917
September 20, 1917
Munder Letter, Sept. 18, 1917
Munder Letter, Sept. 15, 1917
Undated Message 2
Undated Message 1

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