SOLDIERS: Prior to World War I, Bradford was selected as home to three important units newly formed under a restructuring of the U.S. Army.
The old Pennsylvania 16th and 8th Regiments joined together to form the current 112th Infantry Regiment, making Co. C, 112th Infantry, which still serves today at Lewis Run.
At the same time two other important units that fought in WW I were fielded by Bradford Guardsmen.
The 112th Machine Gun Company was formed July 15, 1917, and commanded by Capt. Edgar L. Rhone, of Edna Avenue, Bradford. This unit provided direct machine gun support to the regiment with the new weapons that changed warfare forever.
The 112th Sanitary Detachment was formed on the same day and commanded by Maj. William C. Hogan, 9 Chautauqua Place, Bradford. These soldiers had special skills in sanitation, bacteriology and other sciences related to preventive medicine. Thus began the expansion of medical services, a predecessor to the current Army Medical Corps.
Both units were historically significant and played vital roles in The Great War. A review of the five-volume history of the 28th Infantry Division in WW I shows the specifics of their service.
Soldiers would backfill units from other parts of the state and country to full strength. At their core they would remain commanded and manned by Bradford soldiers. All played an important role in WW I.
Some local notables are: In the Sanitation Detachment- Pvt. John H. Scott and Pvt. Roy C. Goodrich of Bradford were missing in action. In the machine gun company- Bugler Arther Gillotti and Sgt. John E. Hasbrouck, both of Kane, were wounded. Pvt. 1st Class Clarence F. Minnich, Duke Center and Pvt. Cecil L. Reynolds, Smethport were wounded. Pvt. Steve Sanker of Lewis Run was killed in action.
