Military Monday - The Steinbrecher Brothers in World War I

My grandfather and his brothers contributed to the American Cause during World War I. 

They were the children of John William Steinbrecher who immigrated from Russia in 1892.

My grandfather was:
John Steinbrecher, born 22 June 1894 at Wauseon, OH.  He enlisted in the Army on 24 June 1918 as a Private in the 336th Infantry.  He was honorably discharged at Camp Sherman, OH on 9 December 1918.

John Steinbrecher in 1918

His older brother Henry Steinbrecher was born 10 September 1890 at Saratov, Russia.  He enlisted in the Army at Wauseon, OH on 2 October 1917.  Prior to going overseas he married Rosa Kaiser on 24 March 1918 at Fulton Co., OH.  He was part of the American Expeditionary Forces beginning 6 June 1918, first joining Compay A 329 Infantry until 29 July 1918, then Company B 38 Infantry.  The 38th Infantry fought in the Second Battle of the Marne, one of the turning points of the war in Europe.  He died of wounds on 17 October 1918 in France.

Henry and Rosa (Kaiser) Steinbrecher in 1918

His younger brother Lorenz Louis Steinbrecher was born 18 September 1898 at Fulton Co., OH.  He was living in Hammond, IN but joined the Army at Defiance, OH on the same date his older brother died.  He was at the Student's Army Training Corps at the College at Defiance until his honorable discharge on 20 December 1918. 

The Students Army Training Corps was a program started by the U.S. War Department during WWI that was designed to use existing colleges and universities to train new military personnel.  In addition to the usual college courses, there was daily instruction in military procedure.

An ad from The Herald of Gospel Liberty, published by Defiance College

Their oldest brother was William Steinbrecher, born 13 August 1882 in Russia.   He registered for the draft on 12 September 1918 while living at Lenawee Co., MI.  He was 36 years old and was not called upon to serve.

Their youngest brother was Arthur E. Steinbrecher, born 25 May 1906 at Wauseon, OH.  He was only 12 years old when the Great War ended.