WWIS0009082-A

Mr. Sprach was inducted in September 1917, in one of the first large group inductions following the implementation of Selective Service in June. He was assigned for basic training to Camp Sherman, Ohio, where he joined the 309th Engineer Regiment of the 84th Division, AEF. He transferred to an Indiana unit, the 151st Infantry Regiment, training at Camp Shelby, Mississippi, almost immediately. He sailed with the monthly Camp Shelby replacement draft from New York on 11 June 1918 aboard the SS Grampian. Initially assigned to the 116th Engineers of the 41st Division, he was transferred to the 314th Engineers, 89th Division, when the 41st was reconfigured as the 1st Depot Division and its personnel dispersed as fillers. He remained with the 89th "Midwest/Rolling W" Division for the remainder of term of service. As such, he participated in the St-Mihiel, Meuse-Argonne, and Lorraine 1918 campaigns as well as service with the Army of Occupation. He returned to the US aboard USS Montana (ACR-13), a Tennessee-class armored cruiser, sailing from Brest on 11 May and docking at New York POE on 19 May 1919.