Peter C. Goetzinger

World War I

Peter Goetzinger was born near Roselle on October 21, 1892 to Nicholas and Elizabeth (Friedman) Goetzinger. His father was a German immigrant. Peter was the seventh of ten children in the family.

Peter enlisted in the US Army on March 8, 1918 as a carpenter. He was sent to Kelly Field near San Antonio, TX for initial training. Kelly Field was a facility primarily concerned with the newly developing aircraft applications to warfare. Peter was assigned to Balloon Detachment #8 of the Aviation Section Signal Corps.

Peter’s unit was transported to Newport News, VA and, on April 22, 1918, the unit sailed for Europe aboard the US liner “Siboney.” This was the first voyage for this vessel after being refitted as a troop ship. Sometime after sailing, the ship’s rudder jammed which caused two other troop ships to collide. Repairs were able to be made and the Siboney joined the destroyer escort mid-ocean. The ship arrived in Brest, France on May 6, 1918.

Once in France, Detachment #8 became the 2nd Balloon Company and a part of the 2nd Balloon Squadron. This was one of the first balloon units formed. More than 100 balloon units would be created during World War 1. Each company operated one balloon which was even then manufactured by Goodyear.

The 2nd Balloon Company was involved in seven different campaigns before the end of the war. The Balloon companies conducted intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR). The balloons would rise to an altitude of 3,000 to 5,000 feet with an observer. This would allow vision of enemy formations, vision over hills and other information to determine enemy movements and intentions. The balloons were filled with hydrogen and were often the target of enemy aircraft.

After the war came to an end in November, 1918, Peter’s company was assigned to the Army of Occupation in the Rhineland from December until May, 1919. The unit sailed for the US from Marseille, France on June 7, 1919 aboard the French liner “Patria.” The ship arrived in New York City on June 22, 1919. After a layover at Camp Mills on Long Island the unit was discharged.

Peter returned to Templeton and worked as a laborer/carpenter in several locations around the Midwest. He married Marie Bawek in July, 1920. He died at the Veterans Hospital in Excelsior Springs, MO on August 27, 1932 at age 39.