Branch Army
Enlistment September 21, 1917
Departure June 20, 1918, at Brooklyn, New York, on the SS Anselm
Unit Company 5, Camp Pike, Arkansas, June Automatic Replacement Draft Infantry
Service Number 2107094
Discharge September 24, 1919
Departure August 22, 1919, at Brest, France
Arrival September 4, 1919, at Hoboken, New Jersey, on the U.S.S. Liberator (ID-3134)
Residence Manning
Unit Company K, 28th Infantry
Rank Private
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Manning Monitor article
Wooster and Schroeder, Manning's WWI Veterans It was noted, during the Veterans Day celebration, that only two veterans who served during World War I from Manning are still living. They are Charles Wooster, Sr. and Otto Schroeder, both residents of the Manning Plaza. These men have not talked about their war experiences often. It is interesting to visit Charlie's room at the plaza where his bulletin board and wall reflect some of the honors he has received because of his service in WWI. Wooster was awarded the "Croix De Juerre" the highest honor given to a foreigner by the French government for service to France. He was also chosen after WWI to serve in General Pershing's elite honor guard. |
He was engaged in farming with his father before entering the U.S. Army in the fall of 1917 during WW I. He spent most of his service in France and Germany, and was one of the first American soldiers to step on German soil after the Armistice. He was awarded the Croix de Guerre, the highest honor given to a foreigner by the France government. Before being discharged in September of 1919 he served on the elite honor guard for General Pershing.
October 1, 1919, he married Anna Elizabeth Fossel. Three children were born to this union: Richard, Betty, and Charles, Jr. He farmed and raised purebred Hereford cattle on his farm south of Manning. In 1983, he and his wife moved to the Manning Plaza Nursing Home; Ann died there in 1984. He continued to make his home at the Plaza where he died April 19, 1991, at age 98 years, 11 months, and 18 days.
Besides his wife, he was preceded in death by his parents; by a grandson, James Thomson; and by an infant brother. Survivors include his children, Richard Wooster (Vivian) of rural Manning; Betty (Clyde) Thomson of rural Manilla; and Charles Wooster, Jr. (Joanne) of rural Manilla; eight grandchildren; and 17 great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were held April 22, 1991, at Ohde Funeral Home in Manning with Pastor Hank Jensen, and Pastor Robert Molby, officiating. Casketbearers were Jon Wooster, David Wooster, Phillip Stracke, Paul Wooster, Dale Summers, and Bryan Troyer. Military Honors by American Legion Post 614, Irwin. Burial was in the Oak Hill Cemetery in Irwin. Ohde Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.