Name: Thomas Edward Meuse Rank: Private Service Number: Unknown Service: Company F, 102nd Infantry Regiment, 26th Division, US Army, American Expeditionary Forces Date of Birth: January 21, 1893 Place of Birth: Gloucester, Essex County, Massachusetts Date of Enlistment: August 21, 1916 Place of Enlistment: Massachusetts Age at Enlistment: 23 Address at Enlistment: Reading, East Boston, Massachusetts Date of Death: August 21, 1918 Age: 25 Cemetery: Suresnes American Cemetery and Memorial, Épieds, Département de l'Aisne, Picardie, France Grave: Plot B, Row 5, Grave 40 Thomas Edward Meuse was the son of Sylvester Meuse (1866–1927) and Mary Elizabeth (Lefevre/LeFave) Meuse Dakin (1871–1937). Both of Thomas’ parents were born in Yarmouth County, Nova Scotia. His mother was born in Eel Brook and his father was also born in Tusket. Thomas had six siblings: Margaret L. Meuse (1895–1896), Calvin Henry Meuse (1897–1936), Frederick Albert Meuse (1900–1971), Frances Genevieve Meuse Mahoney (1904–1966), Elizabeth Lauretta Meuse (1905–1995), and Irene Alice Meuse (1906–1906). His brother Calvin H. Meuse served as a Corporal with the Headquarters Troop of the 26th Division and his brother Frederick served as a Gun Pointer aboard a transport. Prior to World War I, a young Thomas enlisted with Troop B of the 1st Squadron Cavalry of the US Army and served on the US American-Mexican border (circa 1916-1917). He later transferred to Company A of the 6th Infantry Regiment, and subsequently transferred to the 102nd Infantry Regiment with the merger of the units and served in Company F of the 102nd. Thomas served in the US Army during World War I as a Private in the 102nd Infantry Regiment, 26th Infantry Division. The 102nd Infantry Regiment’s motto was, ‘Stand Forth’ and the 26th Division was also known as the ‘Yankee’ Division due to its Connecticut history and New Englander composition. The 102nd was stationed at the Neufchateau, Vosges Training Area during the fall and winter of 1917 as part of the 26th Division, which included the 101st, 103rd and 104th Infantry Regiments. They were then deployed in March 1918 to the Chemin des Dames area where the men had their first experience with defensive and offensive operations and with poison gas. Next, they were deployed in April 1918 to the Toul Sector in the American sector near the Beaumont Zone. They fought at Seicheprey. They were then deployed to the Chateau Thierry area in July 1918 and were involved in the battles of the Champagne-Marne, Aisne-Marne and the Second Battle of the Marne (July 15 – August 6, 1918). Private Thomas Edward Muise died of wounds on August 21, 1918, and was interred at the Suresnes American Cemetery in Picardie, France. He died during the Ypres-Lys Campaign (August 19 - November 11, 1918). Originally a WWI cemetery, the Suresnes American Cemetery and Memorial just outside Paris within view of the Eiffel Tower. It now shelters the remains of US dead of both wars. The 7.5-acre cemetery contains the remains of 1,559 Americans who died in World War I and 23 unknown dead of World War II. Bronze tablets on the walls of the chapel record the names of 974 World War I missing. After the war, Thomas’ mother traveled to France as a participant in the World War I Mother’s Pilgrimage to the Suresnes American Cemetery, and Thomas’ grave, in 1929. Nova Scotia-born William Albanie Comeau also served from Massachusetts in the 26th Yankee Division.

Sources: American Battle Monuments Commission – Thomas E Meuse American Battle Monuments Commission – Suresnes American Cemetery and Memorial findagrave American War Memorials Overseas US War Memorials

102d Infantry, advancing toward Bouresches Woods during actual action. Shells were bursting beyond brow of hill. Torcy, France, July 17, 1918. (US Official photo)

102d Infantry, advancing toward Bouresches Woods during actual action. Shells were bursting beyond brow of hill. Torcy, France, July 17, 1918. (US Official photo)