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Reen, Edwin (AMEXFORCE WWI), Pfc.
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Contact Info
Home Town Mount Pleasant, Mich.
Last Address Riverside Cemetery, Mount Pleasant, Isabella County, MI Plot: Block D, Lot 017, Space 2.
Date of Passing Oct 04, 1964
Wall/Plot Coordinates Plot: Block D, Lot 017, Space 2.
Edwin Ray Reen Service No. 2043890
Private, US Army, WWI
Michigan Company E, 26 Infantry AMEXFORCE First World War Battle Streamer from the Great War
Edwin Ray Reen: born 20 June, 1888, died 13 December, 1964, age 76.
Edwin Reen was born in Freemont Township, Isabella County Michigan. He was a WWI Veteran of (Michigan) Company E, 26 Infantry.
26th Infantry Regiment, BLUE SPADERS, World War I
After returning to the same location for another tour of duty (a habit the Blue Spaders would keep for the entire century), the regiment fought off Mexican bandits and settled disputes in the Indian Territory until it was selected as one of only four Regular Army infantry regiments deemed fit for immediate combat to form the first American Expeditionary Division in June 1917. This expeditionary division would later be renamed the First Division and thus began the regiment's long association with the "Big Red One".
As part of the first American soldiers to arrive in France, the regiment immediately left for the front. Along with its sister regiments of the division, it earned more campaign streamers than any other regiments during World War I. However, they came at a terrible cost. Over 900 Blue Spaders lost their lives in a six-month period. At Soissons alone, the regimental commander, executive officer, two of three battalion commanders and the regimental sergeant major were killed in action; sixty-two officers were killed or wounded; and out of 3,100 Blue Spaders that started the attack, over 1,500 had been killed or wounded. But the battle was won and this turned the tide for the Allies at a crucial period during the summer of 1918. By war's end, the soldiers earned seven battle streamers and two foreign awards. Following a brief occupation duty in Germany, the regiment returned to the United States and served as a part of a smaller peacetime Army.
First World War Unit Decorations:
French Croix de Guerre with Palm, World War I, Streamer embroidered AISNE-MARNE
French Croix de Guerre with Palm, World War I, Streamer embroidered MEUSE-ARGONNE
EDWIN REEN, Private, "E" Company, 26th Infantry: Campaign clasps.
St. Mihiel Offensive, between September 12 and September 16, 1918.
Meuse-Argonne Offensive, between September 26 and November 11, 1918.
Other Comments:
Mich., Co. "E", 26th Infantry, Amexforce, France, WWI
The official name of the Americans in France was "AMEXFORCE".
Edwin Ray Reen (and Anna Mae Totten) my grandparents
Their Daughter: Joan Reen (Dennis W. Loomis, US Army WWII) my mother and father
Their Son: Steven D. Loomis (US Navy, 1969-1973; Viet-Nam Veteran)
