Joseph J. Roth

World War I

Joseph Roth was born on March 28, 1893 near Roselle, IA to Joseph and Sophia (Kann) Roth. His father died of an accidental shotgun blast when he was three years old and his mother was pregnant with his youngest sister.

He was engaged in farming between Templeton and Roselle until he was inducted into the US Army on July 26, 1918 along with several other Templeton and Carroll County boys. He was assigned serial number 4006917. These inductees were sent to Camp Gordon, GA via Camp Dodge, IA. After completion of their initial training, Joseph and others were assigned to September Automatic Replacement Draft #5. These 250 troops were to be sent to Europe and distributed to various units that were in need of replacements. Joseph’s unit was sent to Camp Merritt, NJ in early September for transit to Europe.

September Automatic Replacement Draft #5 was put aboard the USS Mercury at Hoboken, NJ and set sail on September 9, 1918. This voyage was destined to be one that was heavily affected by the Spanish flu that was circling the globe. The ship experienced a number of U-boat sightings and resulting course changes. By the time the ship arrived in Brest, France on September 21, 1918, many soldiers were sick including two Templeton boys who died after arrival in France.

Once in France, Joseph was assigned to Company G, 23rd Infantry Regiment of the 2nd Infantry Division. During October, the 23rd Infantry was a part of the Meuse-Argonne offensive and was attached to the French 4th Army. The city of Rheims was freed. The 23rd Infantry was then returned to the US 1st Army and attacked in the Argonne Forest on November 3. That attack accomplished one of the most astounding feats of the war. The 23rd moved forward with their German-speaking soldiers at the point. They convinced the German troops that they were also German. They then formed a line behind the German lines isolating the German troops. After five days and nights of continuous fighting, the 23rd was ordered to halt. The Armistice was signed shortly thereafter.

Joseph and his unit followed the retreating German troops back to Germany crossing through Belgium and Luxembourg. It entered Germany and, on December 13, 1918, crossed the Rhine River at Remagen. By December 20, the 23rd Infantry moved into permanent billets at Vallendar, Germany. For its performance while attached to the French Army, the regiment was awarded the French Fourragere.

Occupation duties continued until the Regiment boarded the “America” at Brest, France on July 13, 1919. It arrived at Hoboken, NJ on July 22, 1919 and the Regiment participated in the 2nd Division parade in New York City. Joseph was returned to Camp Dodge and was discharged on August 14, 1919.

He returned to Templeton and was engaged in farming until retirement in 1948. He never married. He moved to Carroll and lived there until spending his final days in Manning. He died in Manning on October 3, 1977 at age 84.