Briefing Document: Alexander S. Halpain – A WWI Soldier's Story

Date: October 26, 2023

Subject: Biographical Summary and Military Service of Alexander S. Halpain

Sources: Excerpts from "Pasted Text"

Overview: This document provides a detailed overview of the life and military service of Mr. Alexander S. Halpain, a young man from Texas who served and died in World War I. It traces his life from his birth and upbringing to his enlistment in the Marines, his deployment to France, and his ultimate sacrifice.

Key Details:

Personal Background:

Full Name: Alexander S. Halpain

Race/Gender: Single White Male

Birthdate: February 28, 1893

Birthplace: Eastland, Eastland County, Texas

Family: Born to William M. and Nancy L. Halpain. He had siblings, though their names are not specified. His mother passed away in 1904. By the 1910 census, he was living with his father and two sisters in Hamilton, Hamilton County.

Physical Description: Tall and stout build, with dark brown hair, brown eyes, and likely a tan complexion.

Residence: He lived in Hamilton, Hamilton County, Texas.

Military Enlistment:

Enlistment Date: June 9, 1917

Enlistment Location: Fort Worth, Texas

Branch: United States Marine Corps

Reason: Enlisted in the Marines for service in WWI.

Initial Deployment: Immediately left for boot camp at Port Royal, South Carolina.

Military Service:

Training: After boot camp, he was transferred to the 80th Company, Quantico, Virginia, for training with the 2nd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment.

Deployment to France: Departed from Hoboken, New Jersey, on February 12, 1918, aboard a transport ship. The voyage took eleven days.

Unit Affiliation: The Marines were integrated with the Army to form the 2nd Division, while still retaining their Marine Corps unit designations.

Initial Deployment in France: The 2nd Division trained with Army 2nd Division headquarters at Bourmont, Haute-Marne, from February 26, 1918, to March 16, 1918.

Combat Engagement: The 2nd Division entered the Verdun and Toul sectors with headquarters at Sommedieu where they were involved in constant patrolling and repelling enemy raids.

Chateau-Thierry: Moved into the Chateau-Thierry sector around May 31, 1918.

Fatal Action: "Went forward about June 1, 1918, to meet a strong enemy attack... The attack of June 3d and 4th was halted June 4th on the line west of Chateau-Thierry. Private Halpain was killed in action during the attack of June 3, 1918."

Death and Burial:

Date of Death: June 3, 1918

Circumstances: Killed in action during an enemy attack west of Chateau-Thierry.

Notification: His father was notified of his death.

Initial Burial: Initially buried in a temporary grave in France.

Repatriation: "Alexander's remains were loaded onto the USAT Somme in Antwerp, Belgium and departed on June 23, 1921 and arrived in Hoboken New Jersey on July 5, 1921. Then shipped July 29, 1921 by train to Dallas, Texas arriving August 2, 1921."

Final Resting Place: Laid to rest in Grove Hill Memorial Park Cemetery in Dallas, Dallas County, Texas.

Post-Mortem Note: Survived by his father. The Graves Registration Service (GRS) of the US Army was responsible for handling his remains for repatriation, and are credited for doing an "awesome job."

Key Themes and Important Ideas:

Individual Sacrifice: The text highlights the personal cost of war, exemplified by the tragic death of Alexander S. Halpain.

The Journey of a Soldier: It outlines his journey from enlistment in Texas to his service and death in France, showcasing the mobilization process during WWI.

Family Impact: The mention of his father as next of kin and his survival after Alexander's death highlights the deep emotional impact of war on families.

The Logistics of War: The details of his deployment, unit transfers, and eventual repatriation of remains underscore the logistical complexities of a large-scale conflict like World War I.

The GRS Effort: The text specifically calls out the work done by the Graves Registration Service to manage the burials and return of fallen service members.

Conclusion:

The text provides a poignant and detailed account of the life and military service of Alexander S. Halpain. His story is a powerful reminder of the human cost of war and the sacrifices made by individuals and their families during World War I.

This briefing document encapsulates the most important details from the given text and serves as a comprehensive overview of Alexander S. Halpain's journey.