Erwin Russell Bleckley was a United States Army aviator during World War I, and posthumous recipient of the Medal of Honor, killed in action on October 6, 1918, near the "lost battalion". Bleckley entered service as a member of the Kansas National Guard, was commissioned as an artillery officer, then volunteered for aviation training and duty. His was one of the four Medals of Honor awarded to members of the Air Service in World War I.
Erwin R. Bleckley
Erwin Bleckley after joining the Kansas National Guard
Second Lt. Erwin R. Bleckley, a U.S. Army Air Service observer
Lt. Erwin Bleckley exhibit at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force
Lost Battalion (World War I)
The Lost Battalion is the name given to the nine companies of the US 77th Division, roughly 554 men, isolated by German forces during World War I after an American attack in the Argonne Forest in October 1918. Roughly 197 were killed in action and approximately 150 missing or taken prisoner before the 194 remaining men were rescued. They were led by Major Charles W. Whittlesey. On 2 October, the 77th division launched an attack into the Argonne, under the belief that French forces were supporting their left flank and two American units including the 92nd Infantry Division were supporting their right. Within the 77th sector, some units, including Whittlesey's 308th Infantry, were making significant headway. Unknown to Whittlesey's unit, the units to their left and right had been stalled. Without this knowledge, the units that would become known as the Lost Battalion moved beyond the rest of the Allied line and found themselves surrounded by German forces. For the next six days, suffering heavy losses, the men of the Lost Battalion and the American units desperate to relieve them would fight an intense battle in the Argonne Forest.
Monument to the Lost Battalion in the Argonne Forest, France
Members of the "Lost Battalion" in late October 1918 near Apremont.
General Robert Alexander studying reconnaissance data with his aides near Varennes-en-Argonne in October 1918.
Major Whittlesey (right) talking to Major Kenny, 307th Infantry, after the battle. Kenny's 3rd battalion took part in the relief attempts for the "Lost Battalion".