Edward A. Stangl

World War I

Edward Stangl was born on February 18, 1896, near Templeton. His parents were August and Augusta (Henkenius) Stangl. August Stangl came to Carroll County from eastern Iowa in 1887. In 1889, he purchased a farm near Templeton. His first wife died in 1891 and he married Augusta in 1892.

Edward grew up on the family farm and was inducted into the US Army on April 29, 1918. He was assigned serial number 2856798. Edward was sent to Camp Dodge near Des Moines for initial training. He was assigned to Company C, 350th Infantry Regiment of the 88th Infantry Division. During this time, soldiers were often transferred to other units making filling the 88th Division difficult. Edward was transferred to Company C, 315th Engineer Battalion of the 90th Infantry Division. This unit was training at Camp Travis, TX near San Antonio.

By the end of May, 1918, the 90th Division was ordered to Europe to join the fighting. For reasons unknown, Edward was not included in this movement. He was again transferred to Company A, 19th Battalion of the US Guards. The US Guards were authorized by Congress in 1917. Their purpose was to provide internal security and territorial defense within the borders of the US similar to the Home Guard in Great Britain during World War II. The structure of these units was to be very similar to a regular military organization.

Initially, the individuals assigned to the US Guards were to be over the age of 30 and those with minor physical issues that would otherwise render them unfit for military service. Why Edward was assigned to this unit is unknown. There were 43 such battalions formed around the country. The 19th Battalion that Edward was assigned to was based in San Antonio.

Edward served with this unit for the remainder of the war. After the Armistice was declared on November 11, 1918, the US Guard units were deactivated. He was discharged on December 31, 1918, and returned to the family farm in Templeton. During September, 1920, Edward married Eva Moylan of Coon Rapids. Subsequently, Edward was a mason employed in Coon Rapids. In the 1930’s, they moved to Atlantic where he was employed as a meat cutter. In 1945, he moved to a new meat cutting job in Harlan. Edward died of a heart attack in Harlan on February 23, 1955, at age 59. He was buried in Harlan Cemetery.