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Allen Melancthon Sumner, Jr. First Encounter
Allen Melancthon Sumner, was a WW1 veteran. He served in the Marine Corps as a Captain. In the beginning he was stationed to the Marine Barracks of the Naval Academy. He was appointed to go to Cuba with the Regiment of the Marines in hand. During his time there, Sumner was tasked on with the responsibility of serving on the USS Prairie. -
Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand
The Archduke of Austria, Franz Ferdinand and his wife Sophie were assassinated during their visit to Sarajevo, Bosnia. They were shot by a Bosnian Serbian nationalist that was apart of a group that plotted against the Duke. This group didn't like Ferdinand's plan for the annexation which angered them about the territory they believed belonged to them and caused them to attack his welcoming parade by the people of Sarajevo. The assassination caused a lead of events that started World War 1. -
World War 1 Begins
On July 28th, 1914, a month after the Duke's assassination the first World War begun. World War 1 made it's first debut, when Austria-Hungary started war with Serbia causing nations to pick their sides. Through the dispute, the Central Powers fought against the Allied Powers in a long drafted war. As territory was destroyed and taken it caused the war to grow bigger and more wars were breaking out throughout time. The war's purpose was to end all wars in the world so peace can be sought. -
German's Sink The Lusitania
A year since World War 1 broke out and made it's way through Europe, a German U-boat destroyed and sank the Lusitania, a British ship that was making it's way back to England from the U.S. More than 1,100 died of the attack, along with more than 120 Americans that were on-board. When the people found out about Germany's foul play, it caused many to turn on them including many nations. This act also caused for the United Stated to officially enter the war and for them to declare war on Germany. -
Italy Declares War
Although Italy had a neutral stance on the war and was apart of the Triple Alliance, they sided with the Allies to take on Austria-Hungary. Trying to receive benefits from the war Italy had to pick through their options of the sides, they soon chose the Allies because of what they'd get in the Treaty of London. Italy got what they wanted, having control of the border they share with Austria. Italy would receive a lot of territory and resources. They fought 11 battles, and lost 615,000 troops. -
Battle of Somme
The Battle of Somme, was one of the largest battles of the World War. The battle lasted as long as 4 months next to the Somme River in France. This was one of the bloodiest military battles in history. On the first day the British lost 57,000 troops. The battle was fought between the French and British on one side with the German Army on the other. -
The End Of The Battle Of Somme
After a long and gruesome 4 month war, the Battle of Somme ends. After the battle both the Allies and Central Powers lost more than 1.5 million soldiers. At the end, the British lost 420,000, France with 200,000, and Germany with 465,000 casualties. The battle ended once British Commander in Chief, Douglas Haig calls a halt to the war. The Germans division faced the improved Britain's as they took them down with their high tech weapons. -
Sumner Returns To War
Through his first encounter in the war 1909-1914, Allen Melancthon Sumner, was called back into the war in 1917, of almost 7 years of being retired. He was recalled in April and was immediately ordered to start serving active duty back on the Marine Barracks, Quantico, in July. He was promoted to Captain after coming back to war and took charge. -
From New York to France
December 14 to December 31st, 1917, Allen Melancthon Sumner Jr. sailed his way from New York on the DeKalb and as he arrived in St. Nazaire, which is a ship commune that is in France. He began training in the Vosges his time there since he showed up. He was in the front of the line Mont-sur-la-Cote on the Verdun Front. This followed after he was assigned to the 81st company when the Machine Gun Battalion was founded. -
United States Declares War On The Germans
After losing more than 120 American citizens on the Lusitania, a British ship that was attacked by the German's, the United States finally declared war when the U.S. senate voted 82 to 6. After many key events leading up to the decision like the Zimmerman Telegraph, Pres. Woodrow Wilson took it up with Congress to fight Germany and later on it was accepted. Many U.S. troops came to France to start training. When the battle ended 2 million soldiers served and only 50,000 had lost their lives. -
United States Joins World War 1
In 1917, America enters the World War. The United States House of Representatives took a vote by 373 against 50 to enter the war with Germany as it's main focus after the attacking of the Lusitania. The United States joined the side of the allies to defeat Germany. With four years of a bloody war, America's highly supplied and determined forces helped turn the war right around and also a victory for the Allies. -
Sumner Moves Up
In his time back into the war as Captain, Allen Melancthon Sumner, took over for the former Major Waller's position when he was moved to a different division. Sumner also had a role of involvement when he took action at Belleau Wood, when Major Cole was injured and couldn't perform his duties, someone else took charge and when he died not a week later, Sumner took command of the front that was not being controlled. -
The Death Of Allen Melancthon Sumner, Jr.
A month later of taking control of the right front, devastation hit when Allen Melancthon Sumner died in combat on July 19, 1918 at the age of 36. He was killed near Vierzy, France, while he was supervising a platoon during an attack against German military. He was given 2 Croix de Guirre with Gilt Star and 3 Silver Star Citations during his time. He is buried in the American Cemetery at Belleau. -
World War 1 Ends
November 11, 1918, the Great War officially ends. World War 1 left 9 million casualties and 21 million soldiers wounded and many died with the cause of sickness and diseases. The Allies and Central Powers stop fighting once each side signed an armistice agreement to stop the war. World War 1 was a very famous war because of the blood lost, destruction, and affect it caused to many. -
Treaty Of Versailles Signed
World War 1 officially ends with the signing of Treaty of Versailles. With negotiations made by both sides, Germany is responsible to pay for the destruction caused in the war. Germany signed the treaty under a protest and the U.S. has no responsibility towards the deal. Although the terms of the peace treaty forced terms on the German's and it laid out the steps for the 2nd World War.
