John Charles Lafferty was born October 2nd 1895 in Ramelton, Ireland. He immigrated to the United States on October 23rd 1911, and settled in Pittsburgh, PA with his family. John entered the US Army on July 18th 1918, and was assigned to Company B of the 54th Pioneer Infantry Regiment. The unit sailed to Brest, France on August 19th aboard the Italian ship SS Duca d'Aosta, and landed on September 12th. The 54th spent a short time bivouacked in port, then traveled by rail car to the French commune of Fleury. They entered the combat zone in September, and began experiencing German artillery fire on the 25th. The 54th Pioneer Regiment was primarily tasked with bridge and road repair during the "big push" of allied forces. Review of the unit history explains that the roads were heavily cratered by German shells during the Meuse-Argonne Offensive, and that supplies were needed all along the front line. John thankfully survived the conflict, and returned to the US on June 26 1919 aboard the USS Artemis. He was honorably discharged as a Corporal on July 1st 1919, and applied for Naturalization to become an American on September 10th 1919. He proudly indicates his service with the US Army on this paperwork. His service number was 3349612. John had 2 daughters, Mary and Eleanor, but unfortunately lost his wife Helen in 1926. John died 4 years later in 1930 of a lung infection.
John Charles Lafferty was born October 2nd 1895 in Ramelton, Ireland. He immigrated to the United States on October 23rd 1911, and settled in Pittsburgh, PA with his family. John entered the US Army on July 18th 1918, and was assigned to Company B of the 54th Pioneer Infantry Regiment. The unit sailed to Brest, France on August 19th aboard the Italian ship SS Duca d'Aosta, and landed on September 12th. The 54th spent a short time bivouacked in port, then traveled by rail car to the French commune of Fleury. They entered the combat zone in September, and began experiencing German artillery fire on the 25th. The 54th Pioneer Regiment was primarily tasked with bridge and road repair during the "big push" of allied forces. Review of the unit history explains that the roads were heavily cratered by German shells during the Meuse-Argonne Offensive, and that supplies were needed all along the front line. John thankfully survived the conflict, and returned to the US on June 26 1919 aboard the USS Artemis. He was honorably discharged as a Corporal on July 1st 1919, and applied for Naturalization to become an American on September 10th 1919. He proudly indicates his service with the US Army on this paperwork. His service number was 3349612. John had 2 daughters, Mary and Eleanor, but unfortunately lost his wife Helen in 1926. John died 4 years later in 1930 of a lung infection.
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