Stories of the Fallen - JOHN GORCZYNSKI - Rochester, NY

   US Army Private John Gorczynski entered the service In Rochester, New York on April 3, 1918. His tour of duty ended with his death from wounds received in action at Thiaucourt, Limey Sector, France, on September 23, 1918.
Jan Gorczynski was born in Poltusk, Penkowo, Russia, on May 4, 1894. As an 18 year old he arrived in New York City harbor on Sep- tember 22, 1912, aboard the SS Kaiserin Victoria Augusta. According to the ship’s manifest Jan’s destination was 135 Syke Street, Rochester, New York, the home of his uncle Gregorz Gorczynski.
   At the time of his registration for the 1917 Draft, John was employed at the Genesee Metal Co. on Shearer Street in Rochester. John’s residence was 135 Syke Street, as a boarder, with his Uncle Gregory, his Aunt Felicia and several young cousins. After the war, Gregory, Felicia, and their family lived at 228 Weyl Street. Their daughter Genevieve married Stanley Koreszko and they continued to live in the Polish American neighborhood at the Weyl Street address.
   Upon his induction into the US Army, on April 3, 1918, Pvt. John Gorczynski was immediately assigned to Company 12 of the 153rd Depot Brigade at Camp Dix for training. Training was completed on May 8, 1918, he was assigned to Company E 310th Infantry 78th Di- vision. He sailed back to Europe from New York City harbor aboard the “Beltana” on May 19, 2018. On September 22,1918, Pvt. John Gorczynski was wounded in action at Thiaucourt.  

Captain Raymond L. Thompson, Regimental Operations and Intelligence Officer, says : 

"The recollection of that night march will live long in the minds of all. Rain fell continuously, transforming the roads into a sea of mud, churned into a plastic mass by the transport which preceded us. Through the black night struggled the long columns of soldiers with their water-soaked packs. Blankets and shoes and all body-clothing were saturated with water, yet fires were forbidden lest the flare by night or smoke by day attract the  alert Hun observation planes. Of hot food of course there was none."  

“The march northward continued the night of September 6th, with three days’ rest at Gironcourt. September10, they were on again, amid great hardships, in mud and rain and the discomforts of hunger, part of the way lying rain-soaked in trucks, via Chatenois, Neufchateau and Toul, to the Bois de la Cote-en-Haye.  Gone were the ‘glory,’ the bands and the flags; now they were merely a regiment of tired, wet men, trying to keep warm. They were approaching the front, and were in the grip and confusion of war.  From a hilltop they saw the terriffic artillery display which opened the St. Mihiel Drive. The 310th Infantry, as part of the 78th Division, was being sent in to the St. Mihiel salient to relieve the Sixth Regiment of Marines.  Officially the St. Mihiel Offensive ended at midnight, September 16, 1918. The 310th Infantry, desperately fatigued, stumbled on through chaos after the troops ahead, until they reached Thiaucourt in the Limey Sector, where they relieved the Marines, September 17, 1918, and took over the frontlines.  Here they were exposed on three sides and were badly cut up by enemy shell and machine gun fire from September 17 to October 5, 1918.” 

(Central Library of Rochester and Monroe County · Historic Monographs Collection World  War Service Record, Volume I, Pages 84-86. ) 

And this is where Polish-American US Army Pvt. John Gorczynski fell…

Private, U. S. Army, John Gorczynski died on September 23, 1918 at Evacuation Hospital Number 12 in France. Private John Gorczynski is buried in the St. Mihiel American Cemetery, Plot A Row 1 Grave 6, Thiaucourt, France.

Stories of the Fallen - John Valentine Koslowski, Jr.

John V. Kosloski, Jr. served in World War 1 in the United States Army. The enlistment was in November 1917, and the service was completed October 1918.

John Valentine Kosloski, Jr. entered the service in Elmira, New York on November 23, 1917, at the age of 26 as a Private in the United States Army.

On Jan. 2, 1918, he was promoted to Bugler, a communications position relied on to command troop movement. He embarked overseas on April 6, 1918 and on September 2, 1918 he was promoted to Corporal. Engaged in action at the Marne; Verdun; Belleau Wood; Meuse-Argonne. Killed in action, October 1, 1918, in the Argonne Forest.

His story began In 1884, when John Valentine and Anastazja Nowaczyk Kosloski emigrated from German Poland with three young children, Anthony, Martin, and Maria, and settled in Elmira, New York. It is in Elmira, Chemung County, New York, where John Valentine, Jr. and his twin sister Frances, were born on February 14, 1891. They were the 6th and 7th children in a family of nine. By 1915, John’s brother, Andrew and his wife, Stella had relocated to 224 Durnan Street, Rochester, New York. Before the war, John was living with them and working for the National Clothing Company in Rochester.

His final resting place is in St. Peter and Paul Cemetery in Elmira NY

Stories of the Fallen - WALTER GOLBA - Army - Rochester NY

WALTER  lived at 1065 Hudson Avenue, Rochester, N. Y. Walter Golba was born in Russian Partitioned Poland.He came to the United States when he was 16 years old in 1915. and within 4 years he died for our country.

Entered the service at Roches ter, N. Y., September 13, 1917, at the age of 21 years, as a Private in the Regular Army, and was sent to Camp Syracuse, Syracuse, N. Y., being assigned to Company L, 30th Infantry; transferred to Company B, 9th Machine Gun Battalion, December 1, 1917; and to Company L, 30th Infantry, February 19, 1918.

Embarked over seas, April 2, 1918. Promoted to Private, 1st Class, April 26, 1918. He was engaged in action at the Marne and le Charmel. Killed in action, in the Aisne-Marne Offensive, July 25, 1918. Buried in France.  P186 Monroe County Service Record.

Stories of the Fallen - Orie J. Taylert  Rochester, NY    

Orie J. Taylert served in World War 1 in the United States Army.  The enlistment was in July 1917 and the service was completed July 1918.

Orie J. Taylert was born in Rochester, N. Y, October 16, 1893. His father’s family immigrated in 1886 from Prussian Poland. His parents, Roman and Mary Magdalen Hoff Taylert, were married in Holy Redeemer Church on Hudson Avenue in 1891.  Orie graduated from Holy Redeemer School. Before the World War, he was traveling manager for the Star Wall Paper Company of Elmira, N. Y. 

Entered the service at Rochester, NY, July 16, 1917, in the Regular Army, at the age of 23 years, as a Private, being assigned to 2nd Recruit Company, General Service Infantry; transferred to Company K, 9th Infantry, July 26th, 1917.  He was trained at Fort Slocum, N.Y;  and Camp Syracuse, N. Y.   Promoted to Corporal. Embarked over seas, September 18, 1917. Upon his arrival in France he took a six weeks' course in training school and was then classed as a sniper and an expert with the bayonet. Promoted to Sergeant.  Engaged in action at Marie Louise;  Verdun; Marne; and Soissons.  He was gassed twice.  Killed in action, July 18, 1918, near Chateau-Thierry. US Army Sgt. Orie J. Taylert is buried at Oisne-Aisne American Cemetery, Seringes-et-Nesles, France.