Clark County Veterans
"Smokey's Gang"
Albert H. "Smokey" POKALLUS (1899-1971)
Photo taken in 1921 (contributed by Carol)
1. Pokallus, "Smokey" Albert H.
2.
3.
4.
5. Ryder
6.
7. Wedeking?
8.
Can anyone identify the others, probably from the Colby, Marathon/Clark Co.WI area? One may be a WEIDENHOFT from Colby, WI.
On Saturday 7 April 1917 Albert H.POKALLUS of Colby,WI enlisted as a private in Co."A" 2nd Wisconsin infantry Wisconsin National Guard Unit of Marshfield along with Francis FIRNSTAHL, Richard FIRNSTAHL,Henry A LEIMIN, Tracey GREENE, Billy & Fred PACHOLKE and Jack LEY all of Colby.
The enlistment was for three years active service and three years on the reserve list. After a medical examination by Dr. POTTER of Marshfield the men were told to go home and await orders.
On 19 Apr 1917 there waw a huge patrotic demonstration held at the Colby Opera House. On Stage besides the speakers were the "boys of 61" Albert POKALLUS and the seven other recruits.
28 July 1917 Albert was transfered to Co. "K" 6th Regiment (a newly formed Regiment). The commanding officer of the new Regiment was Captain William MITTELSTEADT.
10 Sep 1917 Co. "K" was at Camp Douglas. 24 Sep 1917 Albert's official records show that he was discharged from the Wisconsin National Guards and transferred to Co. "F" 107th Supply Train, 32nd Division, although, Company "K" remained together till their arrival at Camp MacArthur, TX.
