Brigadier General Thomas H Loy
Thomas Harkins Loy was born on February 23rd, 1869 in Elkhart, Indiana to Henry Loy and Barbara Harkins. He was the sixth out of an eventual seven children who were fortunate enough to attend school locally. After becoming old enough, he moved from Indiana to Aurora, Missouri to join two of his older brothers, Daniel and Samuel, in 1895. Shortly after, he married Effie Loy on December 11, 1895. Thomas used his education to become superintendent of the county waterworks and later fire chief. The first telephone in Aurora connected his office with the pumping station at Verona, and was used to ask for higher pressure during fires. He was also regarded as one of the finest bicycle riders in the district and he and Jim Dustman were champions of the town and won many medals. He specialized in sprints and short distances while Dustman was the distance leader. They built and maintained a quarter mile track in Aurora for use in matches that drew large crowds. Once, just to see if they could do it, Loy and Dustman rode 600 miles in just nine days, and were held up for two days by bad weather and muddy roads. The two made the run in the Oklahoma land rush when the former Indian territory was opened to homesteaders but did not stay long enough to get farms. Although he was well off in his civilian job, when Thomas heard about the organization of the 2nd Infantry, Missouri National Guard in Lawrence Country, he decided to enlist on May 11th as a Private, but was quickly promoted to Sergeant by year's end, and then commissioned as a Lieutenant on July 9th, 1907. As he took on more duties, he was advanced to Captain in 1908 and took on the duties of Adjutant of HQ Company, 2nd Infantry.
Mexican Border
On June 18th, 1916, President Woodrow Wilson ordered the mobilization of the entire National Guard due to the increasing tensions between the US, Mexico, and Mexican rebels which had attacked US towns and civilians along the border. Loy was promoted to Major and placed in charge of the 2nd Battalion, 2nd Missouri Infantry as it was federalized on June 28th, 1916. On July 6th, the regiment shipped out for Laredo, Texas and began patrol duty spanning one hundred and forty five miles of the Rio Grande River. Major Loy’s battalion was stationed at Dolores and Perone’s Ranch and by the time they returned home on December 28th, had thankfully not experienced much action.
Mexican Border
On June 18th, 1916, President Woodrow Wilson ordered the mobilization of the entire National Guard due to the increasing tensions between the US, Mexico, and Mexican rebels which had attacked US towns and civilians along the border. Loy was promoted to Major and placed in charge of the 2nd Battalion, 2nd Missouri Infantry as it was federalized on June 28th, 1916. On July 6th, the regiment shipped out for Laredo, Texas and began patrol duty spanning one hundred and forty five miles of the Rio Grande River. Major Loy’s battalion was stationed at Dolores and Perone’s Ranch and by the time they returned home on December 28th, had thankfully not experienced much action.
WW1
While they mustered out in January 1917, that did not last long. The Great War raging overseas spilled over a few months later, causing the United States to declare war on the Axis powers and start building up their Army. The 2nd Infantry was federalized again on August 8th and moved to Camp Doniphan the following month, where Major Loy’s 2nd Battalion was redesignated as the 129th Machine Gun Battalion, 35th Infantry Division on October 1st with him in command. The next months were spent training and gaining new troops for the battalion in preparation for a possible overseas movement. That order was given in April of 1918, and Major Loy left the US aboard the SS Leicestershire on May 3rd. When they arrived in France, they were provided with gas and trench warfare training by the British and French who they would be working with. After their preparation for battle, the 35th Division moved out to the Vosges mountains for duty on the defensive line there beginning on July 8th. The 129th MG Battalion mainly provided covering fire and repelling trench raids during their two month stay in this sector gaining valuable experience needed in their next battles. Majoy Loy and the 35th Division were pulled from the sector on September 2nd to participate in the massive all-american St. Mihiel offensive meant to crack the German lines and capture the city of Metz. After a giant artillery barrage on September 12th, the attack kicked off in a three pronged assault with the 35th Division in reserve. Advance was quicker and incredibly more successful than originally anticipated since the US forces caught the Germans in the middle of a withdrawal, capturing all objectives by the 15th. Afterwards, Major Loy’s battalion was recalled from the sector to participate in the Meuse-Argonne offensive in a few weeks. |
Meuse-Argonne
The 35th Infantry Division arrived in the sector on the 21st and got into position for their section of attack. Five days later, the offensive was preceded with the thunderous roar of $180 Million Dollars worth of artillery shells which rained down on the German positions for three hours prior to the infantry assault, which kicked off at 5:30 AM. The 129th Machine Gun Battalion and the 35th Division ran into serious trouble after advancing near Cheppy from strong German resistance. Sensing trouble at the front, Major Loy took initiative in his first citation of the war. |
“On the morning of September 26th, 1918, near Cheppy, France, in the face of intense machine gun and artillery fire, made a personal reconnaissance for machine gun positions and so skillfully placed the guns of his command, and by his absolute disregard of personal safety so instilled courage and confidence into men serving them, that to him belongs a large share of the credit for the reduction of this strongly defended locality”
The following day, the 129th Machine Gun Battalion renewed their attack and captured Baulny, Hill 218 and Charpentry.
Sept. 27: I am in a very interesting place in a little draw about 6 miles behind where the German lines were yesterday. Our brigade, as attacking line, routed them out of the trenches…we took about 1200 prisoners. This morning the other brigade passed through our lines that we held during the night, and were to push on. We were to follow in reserve today, but…we have been under terrible shell fire all day and had quite a loss. The officer in charge of the front line sent a message to me for machine gun help, saying he couldn’t find the other battalion. I am sending him some help.
I had a bunch of mules killed and several men hurt and killed. Nearly got it myself; was badly shocked and knocked out a while…when I got back to my battalion after being knocked out in a terrible bombardment, I found they all thought I had been killed…I am just getting over it and we are going to advance. My bunch certainly did some work (today) and I suppose we will get some credit for it. This is hell in the first stage, but if we keep our nerve we will win.
The air is full of shells and airplanes right now. We started to advance, but shelling is so heavy and our losses so great that we had to stop. It is now five o’clock.
Due to their continued pushes and heavy casualties, the 35th Infantry Division began to run out of ammunition. The Germans sensed this weakness and launched a counterattack on their line which initially broke through, but a desperate effort by the 110th Engineers, 128th MG Battalion and artillery support barely repelled the assault before disaster. It was during this action that Major Loy received his second citation.
"On the afternoon of September 29th, near Baulny, France, learning of an enemy counter-attack on the positions north of Baulny, he gathered together a force of men of various organizations near Charpentry and led them up to the firing line, establishing them in position. This action had a great moral effect on the men in the front lines, enabling them more easily to repulse the enemy attack.”
Sept. 30, 4 PM: Well, I am further in than when I wrote the first part of this letter, but these five days have surely been hell in all its stages. On the first day, the 26th, we made good gain, but it has been a slow drag since. I don’t suppose there has been any stiffer resistance any place along the entire line than we had. We have had a great loss, not so many dead, but a great many wounded. Over half my officers are out, many gas cases and many wounded. Lieut. Dickinson was killed yesterday, also Lieut. Corder. I suppose I have over 200 men killed or wounded. D company only has one officer left…I have also heard that Herman Cummings was killed the day before yesterday.
It is almost a miracle that any of us have gone through without being wounded. We have had all kinds of gas shot into us, with a hail of heavy shells and machine gun fire. For three days our dead have lain on the field, but today the burial companies are taking care of them. We have lain out five nights without blankets and it rains nearly every night. We hear that another division will relieve us tonight. We need it. Our men are all worn out.
We are not trying very hard to take prisoners, it is easier to kill them. That sounds uncivilized, but when you find fellows killed all around you, then you lose any feeling for the Boche…I feel like the good Lord has been with me. My horse was shot and I don’t know how I escaped. Right now the earth is shaking with heavy gunfire and shells are bursting everywhere. Will write more if I get through.
The Germans had taken such a heavy toll on the 35th Division during their attack in the Meuse-Argonne that they were relieved early due to losses, with the 129th MG Battalion returning on October 4th.
October 4: “Our division has been relieved by the first division and we are moving back to reorganize and get a check on our men. I find that out of 731 men I took into battle, I now have with me 492, leaving 293 killed, wounded and missing, which considering the terrible six days we were fighting, is very reasonable. I am sure we can account for fully five times that many Boche.
It is sad to think of the many fine boys who are killed or wounded, but I am proud of every one of them. My battalion now has a reputation in our army that we can justly be proud of. I lost much property and animals, but it could not be helped. I don’t know why we did not lose everything and all our men.
I have written most of these notes under difficulties and with only half my senses when I began…50% of my officers are killed or wounded. We lost a number of Colonels and Majors and it will take some time to reorganize.
The American Army has the nerviest lot of men on earth. I had one sergeant who captured a battery of 77 millimeter guns with the aid of one private…I caught a lot of Boche in one little valley and made it so hot for them that they all surrendered in a body, besides many that were buried right there.”
As the battalion rested, Loy was offered the rank of Colonel due to his heroism displayed in the Argonne, but he refused so he could stay with his battalion when they reentered the line in the Sommedieue Sector on October 15th to relieve the French. Unlike their daring assault in September, this sector was monotonous trench warfare, and the 35th Division refrained from trench raids and instead focused on penetrating enemy lines with small patrols and shelling the enemy.
Oct 30: “We are still at the front. Just now, one of my companies is in the line…The boche are making it a desperate effort to hold here, but they are gradually having to give it up and it is a slow and steady gain that were are making…This old city of Verdun is certainly a wreck….now there is not a civilian here. Everything is ruined.”
Majoy Loy remained here with his battalion until the Armistice was signed, ending the Great War on November 11th, 1918 and his men’s combat service. After brief bivouacs in France, they left on the Antigone on April 14th, arriving back in the US on the 27th, and Loy was discharged from federal service on May 22nd, but he chose to remain in the Missouri National Guard with his rank. In his civilian life, he became secretary of the Aurora Chamber of Commerce and later was employed by the State Highway Department and the Empire District Electric company in right of way acquisition work. In the National Guard, he commanded their Anti Aircraft Regiment in 1920 and became the first commander of the 203rd Coastal Artillery where he was promoted to Colonel in 1921. He held that position until his retirement on February 23rd, 1933 when he was promoted to Brigadier General. He sadly passed away in Aurora, MO on May 5th, 1961 at the old age of 92.
The following day, the 129th Machine Gun Battalion renewed their attack and captured Baulny, Hill 218 and Charpentry.
Sept. 27: I am in a very interesting place in a little draw about 6 miles behind where the German lines were yesterday. Our brigade, as attacking line, routed them out of the trenches…we took about 1200 prisoners. This morning the other brigade passed through our lines that we held during the night, and were to push on. We were to follow in reserve today, but…we have been under terrible shell fire all day and had quite a loss. The officer in charge of the front line sent a message to me for machine gun help, saying he couldn’t find the other battalion. I am sending him some help.
I had a bunch of mules killed and several men hurt and killed. Nearly got it myself; was badly shocked and knocked out a while…when I got back to my battalion after being knocked out in a terrible bombardment, I found they all thought I had been killed…I am just getting over it and we are going to advance. My bunch certainly did some work (today) and I suppose we will get some credit for it. This is hell in the first stage, but if we keep our nerve we will win.
The air is full of shells and airplanes right now. We started to advance, but shelling is so heavy and our losses so great that we had to stop. It is now five o’clock.
Due to their continued pushes and heavy casualties, the 35th Infantry Division began to run out of ammunition. The Germans sensed this weakness and launched a counterattack on their line which initially broke through, but a desperate effort by the 110th Engineers, 128th MG Battalion and artillery support barely repelled the assault before disaster. It was during this action that Major Loy received his second citation.
"On the afternoon of September 29th, near Baulny, France, learning of an enemy counter-attack on the positions north of Baulny, he gathered together a force of men of various organizations near Charpentry and led them up to the firing line, establishing them in position. This action had a great moral effect on the men in the front lines, enabling them more easily to repulse the enemy attack.”
Sept. 30, 4 PM: Well, I am further in than when I wrote the first part of this letter, but these five days have surely been hell in all its stages. On the first day, the 26th, we made good gain, but it has been a slow drag since. I don’t suppose there has been any stiffer resistance any place along the entire line than we had. We have had a great loss, not so many dead, but a great many wounded. Over half my officers are out, many gas cases and many wounded. Lieut. Dickinson was killed yesterday, also Lieut. Corder. I suppose I have over 200 men killed or wounded. D company only has one officer left…I have also heard that Herman Cummings was killed the day before yesterday.
It is almost a miracle that any of us have gone through without being wounded. We have had all kinds of gas shot into us, with a hail of heavy shells and machine gun fire. For three days our dead have lain on the field, but today the burial companies are taking care of them. We have lain out five nights without blankets and it rains nearly every night. We hear that another division will relieve us tonight. We need it. Our men are all worn out.
We are not trying very hard to take prisoners, it is easier to kill them. That sounds uncivilized, but when you find fellows killed all around you, then you lose any feeling for the Boche…I feel like the good Lord has been with me. My horse was shot and I don’t know how I escaped. Right now the earth is shaking with heavy gunfire and shells are bursting everywhere. Will write more if I get through.
The Germans had taken such a heavy toll on the 35th Division during their attack in the Meuse-Argonne that they were relieved early due to losses, with the 129th MG Battalion returning on October 4th.
October 4: “Our division has been relieved by the first division and we are moving back to reorganize and get a check on our men. I find that out of 731 men I took into battle, I now have with me 492, leaving 293 killed, wounded and missing, which considering the terrible six days we were fighting, is very reasonable. I am sure we can account for fully five times that many Boche.
It is sad to think of the many fine boys who are killed or wounded, but I am proud of every one of them. My battalion now has a reputation in our army that we can justly be proud of. I lost much property and animals, but it could not be helped. I don’t know why we did not lose everything and all our men.
I have written most of these notes under difficulties and with only half my senses when I began…50% of my officers are killed or wounded. We lost a number of Colonels and Majors and it will take some time to reorganize.
The American Army has the nerviest lot of men on earth. I had one sergeant who captured a battery of 77 millimeter guns with the aid of one private…I caught a lot of Boche in one little valley and made it so hot for them that they all surrendered in a body, besides many that were buried right there.”
As the battalion rested, Loy was offered the rank of Colonel due to his heroism displayed in the Argonne, but he refused so he could stay with his battalion when they reentered the line in the Sommedieue Sector on October 15th to relieve the French. Unlike their daring assault in September, this sector was monotonous trench warfare, and the 35th Division refrained from trench raids and instead focused on penetrating enemy lines with small patrols and shelling the enemy.
Oct 30: “We are still at the front. Just now, one of my companies is in the line…The boche are making it a desperate effort to hold here, but they are gradually having to give it up and it is a slow and steady gain that were are making…This old city of Verdun is certainly a wreck….now there is not a civilian here. Everything is ruined.”
Majoy Loy remained here with his battalion until the Armistice was signed, ending the Great War on November 11th, 1918 and his men’s combat service. After brief bivouacs in France, they left on the Antigone on April 14th, arriving back in the US on the 27th, and Loy was discharged from federal service on May 22nd, but he chose to remain in the Missouri National Guard with his rank. In his civilian life, he became secretary of the Aurora Chamber of Commerce and later was employed by the State Highway Department and the Empire District Electric company in right of way acquisition work. In the National Guard, he commanded their Anti Aircraft Regiment in 1920 and became the first commander of the 203rd Coastal Artillery where he was promoted to Colonel in 1921. He held that position until his retirement on February 23rd, 1933 when he was promoted to Brigadier General. He sadly passed away in Aurora, MO on May 5th, 1961 at the old age of 92.