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Story
September 1, 1943
The Northwest Enterprise
Seattle, King County, Washington
What is this article about?
WWI veteran Cpl. Thomas Robinson, gassed in France in 1918, finally receives his Purple Heart award after 19 years, traced by the War Department while working as a Pullman porter, at Camp Lee, Va. in 1938.
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After 19 Years Pullman
Porter Gets Purple Cross
Camp Lee, Va. - In a Veterans' hospital in 1938, Cpl. Thomas Robinson, now of Company D, 11th Quartermaster Training Regiment, was informed by a doctor that a Purple Heart award was being held for him by the War Department in Washington.
Robinson roved the country with the Pullman Car Company after his discharge which prevented the Government catching up with him to pin on his decoration won in France with the 92nd Division.
Inducted into the service at his native Chicago, he was sent to France from Camp Upton, Long Island, N. Y. Among the battles in which he saw action were Metz and Meuse-Argonne.
It was at the front in 1918 that Robinson realized that he had been gassed. He was moved back from hospital to hospital, finally reaching a base where he spent many months. After recovering he left this hospital without permission in an endeavor to reach his outfit. Awaking in a hotel near Paris he inquired what the shouting was for which he heard outside. "The war is over," someone said.
Robinson returned to the states in 1919. He left Chicago immediately after his return to America leaving no address, a fact which required the War Department 19 years to trace him.
Porter Gets Purple Cross
Camp Lee, Va. - In a Veterans' hospital in 1938, Cpl. Thomas Robinson, now of Company D, 11th Quartermaster Training Regiment, was informed by a doctor that a Purple Heart award was being held for him by the War Department in Washington.
Robinson roved the country with the Pullman Car Company after his discharge which prevented the Government catching up with him to pin on his decoration won in France with the 92nd Division.
Inducted into the service at his native Chicago, he was sent to France from Camp Upton, Long Island, N. Y. Among the battles in which he saw action were Metz and Meuse-Argonne.
It was at the front in 1918 that Robinson realized that he had been gassed. He was moved back from hospital to hospital, finally reaching a base where he spent many months. After recovering he left this hospital without permission in an endeavor to reach his outfit. Awaking in a hotel near Paris he inquired what the shouting was for which he heard outside. "The war is over," someone said.
Robinson returned to the states in 1919. He left Chicago immediately after his return to America leaving no address, a fact which required the War Department 19 years to trace him.
What sub-type of article is it?
Biography
Personal Triumph
What themes does it cover?
Triumph
Recovery
What keywords are associated?
Purple Heart
Wwi Veteran
Pullman Porter
Gassed In France
Delayed Award
What entities or persons were involved?
Thomas Robinson
Where did it happen?
Camp Lee, Va.; France; Chicago
Story Details
Key Persons
Thomas Robinson
Location
Camp Lee, Va.; France; Chicago
Event Date
1918; 1938
Story Details
Thomas Robinson, a Chicago native inducted into WWI service, fought in France with the 92nd Division, was gassed in 1918, recovered, and learned of the armistice in Paris. After returning in 1919, he worked as a Pullman porter, evading contact until 1938 when informed of his held Purple Heart at a Veterans' hospital in Camp Lee, Va.