Briefing Document: The Life and Service of Bernice Leon Coles

Date: October 26, 2023

Subject: Analysis of the life and military service of Bernice Leon Coles, based on provided excerpts.

1. Introduction:

This document summarizes key biographical information and military service details of Bernice Leon Coles, a young man from Texas who served in the U.S. Army during World War I. The information is derived from a provided text excerpt detailing his life and military experiences.

2. Biographical Information:

Full Name: Bernice Leon Coles

Birthdate and Place: January 20, 1894, in Richland Springs, San Saba County, Texas.

Family:Parents: Cobby T. and Samantha E. Coles. His mother passed away in 1902.

He was raised in San Saba County and lived with his family during his childhood. The 1900 and 1910 censuses confirm his residence, although his mother was not present in the 1910 census.

Physical Description: Tall and slender with brown hair and blue eyes, likely with a tan complexion from farm work.

Residence and Occupation (pre-military): As of June 5, 1917, Bernice was a farm laborer working for Mr. Arnold Stoker in Breckenridge, Stephens County, Texas. He had moved to the Breckenridge area with his father sometime between 1910 and 1917.

3. Military Service:

Draft and Training: Bernice was drafted into the U.S. Army on April 26, 1918, in Breckenridge, Texas. He was sent to Camp Travis in San Antonio for boot camp.

Training Units:Initially assigned to the 32nd Company 8th Training Battalion 165th Depot Brigade at Camp Travis (April 28, 1918).

Later assigned to Company E, 359th Infantry Regiment, 90th Infantry Division (May 12, 1918).

Deployment to Europe:Moved to Camp Mills, New York, then to Hoboken, New Jersey.

Departed for England on June 20, 1918, arriving after an 11-day voyage.

Quickly moved to France, where his company spent six weeks in training near Rouvres, France.

Combat Experience:His division moved to the Toul area on August 19, 1918.

The 90th Division relieved the 1st Division in the Villers-en-Haye sector north of Toul (completed on August 24, 1918).

Participated in the St. Mihiel operation (September 12-16, 1918).

Served in the Puvenelle sector until October 10, 1918.

Participated in the Meuse-Argonne operations (October 13 to November 11, 1918).

4. Death and Burial:

Date of Death: Bernice was killed in action on the battlefield during the Meuse-Argonne operations on November 5, 1918.

Initial Burial: He was initially buried in a temporary grave in France.

Repatriation:His remains were repatriated to the United States by the Graves Registration Service (GRS) of the US Army, which is noted to have done an "awesome job during and after the battles of WW1."

His remains were transported on the USAT Wheaton from Antwerp, Belgium, on August 6, 1921, arriving in Hoboken, New Jersey, on August 22, 1921.

He was transported by train to Richland Springs, Texas, arriving on September 24, 1921.

Final Burial: Bernice L. Coles was laid to rest in the Richland Springs Cemetery, San Saba County, Texas.

5. Key Quotes:

"Bernice was tall and slender with brown hair and blue eyes, and probably a very tan complexion from all of the farm work." (Description of his physical appearance)

"The GRS did an awesome job during and after the battles of WW1." (Note on the service provided by the Graves Registration Service).

6. Conclusion:

Bernice Leon Coles’ life was marked by his agricultural work in rural Texas and his service in the U.S. Army during World War I. He experienced rapid movement and intense combat during the latter stages of the war before ultimately losing his life in the Meuse-Argonne offensive. His story is one of many young Americans who served and sacrificed during the conflict, ultimately returning home after the war. The attention to detail by the Army to return him to his hometown is an example of the dedication of the Graves Registration Service.

This briefing provides a foundation for further research and analysis into his life and service.