Finding Your Roots

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Voiceover

Herman Lear saw active combat in one of the most brutal battles of World War I. In 1917, when he was 24 years old, he enlisted. And ultimately, was one of more than a million Americans in France, engaged in what is known as the Meuse-Argonne Offensive. Lasting 47 days, it was the bloodiest fight on foreign soil in United States history. With almost 120,000 casualities, including more than 26,000 deaths. And Herman Lear was right in the middle of the action. We found the report describing the activities of his battalion. -

Voiceover

The detachment of the 307th Field Signal Battalion has performed excellent service during the offensive under conditions of at times great danger. I never knew this. I'm astounded. I mean, I'll be thinking about this whatever forever is for me. But it's a completely different aspect of your father than you knew. Oh, my god, yes. I'm finding out now, oh you, Skip Gates, oh what have you done to me? (laughter)