Page title showing a yellowed grungy background with a logo which reads "From Trenches to Triumph U.S.A." The logo is circular in shape with a red, white and blue upper border and a red, yellow and blue lower border. Below the logo is text in navy blue which reads "The Salvation Army in World War I"
Black and white photograph of a woman wearing a WWI style uniform with cloth hat. She is seated at a desk and is writing on papers..
Commander Evangeline Booth
Black and white photograph of an older man with mustache wearing a WWI style military uniform. The man is seated in a chair with pieces of paper on his lap and a pen in his right hand. Trees can be seen in the background.
Lt. Colonel William Barker
Color photo of a fabric patch. The background fabric is black. Two circles are embroidered with gold tread. Inside the two circles is red text embroidered in red thread that reads "The Salvation Army U S A." Over the circles is more text positioned horizontally, embroidered in gold tread, it reads "War Service."
The Salvation Army War Service patch, c. 1917-1919. This rare patch was worn by Salvation Army personnel serving the troops on the front lines. The patches were worn regularly on the cloth overseas cap and sometimes on other pieces of clothing. Gift of Pamela Feack in memory of Floyd O. "Pa" and Samantha Minerva "Minnie, Ma" Saunders Burdick, Cecil May Burdick Goodwin, Grace Belle Burdick Yates, and Fern Ann Goodwin Feack

From Trenches …

The United States entered World War I on April 6, 1917, three years after the war had begun in Europe. In response, Salvation Army USA National Commander Evangeline Booth wrote to President Woodrow Wilson offering to provide humanitarian aid to the military. Her offer was rejected.

Persisting, Booth sent Lt. Colonel William Barker to meet with Joseph Tumulty, Secretary to the President. When Barker arrived, Tumulty was meeting with a prominent attorney who had been set free from alcohol abuse and was converted through The Salvation Army. After Barker stated his case, the attorney supported him and urged the Secretary to accept the help.

Barker then traveled to France, where he met with General John J. Pershing, commander of the US forces. Also having been helped by The Salvation Army, Pershing granted Barker and The Salvation Army open access.

Barker sent a message to Booth: “SEND OVER SOME LASSIES.”

 

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