BIOGRAPHIES:  STELMER, Casper S, Cedar Lake Township, Barron County, WI

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This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by:  
Vic Gulickson <vic@indy.net>  7 January 2002	
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Casper Stelmachowski, better known as Casper S. Stelmer, veteran of the
World War and held for a time as a prisoner in German camps, was born in
Milwaukee, Wis., on Feb. 11, 1895, the son of Thomas and Agnes
Stelmachowski, natives of Poland, who came to America in 1888 and located
at Milwaukee, both being now deceased. He now lives in Cedar Lake Township.
He was inducted into the United States service on Feb. 14, 1917, and
trained at Jefferson Barracks, Missouri, with Company No. 15. From there he
was transferred to Nogales, Ariz. He joined the 18th Infantry, Company C,
and sailed from Hoboken, N. J., April, 1917, with that organization. He did
trench duty in different sectors, and went over the top for the first time
on the Toul-Ansauville front, May 28, 1918. July 17, on the Ansauville
front, he again went over the top and advanced steadily under heavy fire
until July 21, when he was captured by the Germans. Some of his comrades
were shot in attempting to escape. After four months and thirteen days he
was released. He returned to the United States and was discharged at Camp
Taylor, Ky., on March 31, 1920. The 18th Infantry was decorated by the
French for bravery and cited. The decoration was a silver star bearing the
inscription "G. 0. 5." Each member of the regiment, including, of course,
our subject, wears a copy of this silver star.

--Taken from: History of Barron Co., Wisconsin, H. C. Cooper, Jr., & Co.,
1922, pp. 358-359.