Edward J. Reicher

World War I

Edward “Brownie” Reicher was born in Templeton on November 16, 1891 to Frank and Josephine (Bohnenkamp) Reicher both of whom had been born in eastern Iowa. Frank Reicher died in 1906.

Brownie was inducted into the US Army on June 28, 1918 and was sent to Camp Dodge near Des Moines for initial training. He was assigned serial number 3680428. At the completion of this training, he was assigned to Company E, 351st Infantry Regiment of the 88th Infantry Division. Brownie’s specific job was in demolition. Training continued at Camp Dodge until early August when it was determined the Division was ready for transit to Europe.

Brownie’s unit was transported to Camp Mills, NY on Long Island. On August 15, 1918, they boarded the “Scotian” in New York harbor and sailed for Europe. The ship arrived in Liverpool, England on August 28, 1918 and then continued on to Cherbourg, France. After additional training by the French 38th Division, the 88th Division was to enter the line to relieve the American 29th Division. However, it was determined the 88th Division did not have all necessary equipment (e.g. gas masks). This was rectified and the Division entered combat on October 12 in the Haute-Alsace sector in the northeast corner of France.

The 351st Regiment was one of the first to occupy the trenches. On October 18th, the Germans conducted a night raid on the 351st Regiment in Schonholz Woods. It was a foggy night and likely confusing for the newly deployed troops. The 351st held and the raid was repulsed. Brownie and his unit made additional advances over the next week until they were relieved by the 352nd Regiment on October 27th. The Germans made another attempt to break the line on October 31st but were again turned back. Thereafter, the Germans adopted a defensive posture and the American troops were able to penetrate the German line frequently until hostilities ended on November 11, 1918.

After the Armistice, the 88th Division became part of the Army of Occupation and moved to northern France. In addition to security activities, the Division continued a rigorous training schedule. In May, the Division moved to St. Nazaire for transit back to the United States. Brownie’s unit boarded the “Mercury” on May 20, 1919 to sail across the Atlantic. They arrived at Newport News, VA on May 31, 1919.

The unit returned to Camp Dodge. On June 7, 1919, Brownie was discharged as a private first class. He returned to Templeton and worked as a cement contractor. In 1922, he became a policeman in Templeton and on January 16, 1923, he married Coletta Greteman. He continued as a Templeton policeman until 1942 and represented law enforcement during the Prohibition days. In 1942, he joined the Carroll police force. In 1950, he was named Chief of Police in Carroll and continued in that position until his death on September 14, 1955 at age 63.