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Remembering WWI in Norfolk

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This is a contributing entry for Remembering WWI in Norfolk and only appears as part of that tour.Learn More.
This location is now the parking lot next to The First Baptist Church. It is now the Brambleton Lot. It is right across the street from the Norfolk Scope. It is also just down the street from Chrysler Hall The address use to be the address of James Coleman.

James Coleman was born November 15th 1897. He was born in Charlotte North Carolina to Samuel Coleman and Laure Simmone. He was a Baptist and he was married to Leona Hart in Charlotte North Carolina. He had a 7th grade education. He was a porter before he entered the service where he worked for Southern Express Co.

Before he entered the service he lived at 100 N. Johnson St. Charlotte North Carolina. After the war he lived at 366 E. Bute St. Norfolk Virginia. He was inducted into the service on March 29th 1918 in Charlotte North Carolina as a Private in the Machine Gun Battalion of the National Army. He was originally assigned to the 15th Co. 4th Battalion 155th Depot Brigade at Camp Grant, Illinois. He was trained at Camp Grant from March 29th 1918 to June 9th 1918.

He was transferred to the 350th Machine Battalion at Camp Upton New York on June 12, 1918. He embarked Mineola. L.I. New York on the USS Vidock on June 28th 1918 and arrived at Brest France on July 20th 1918. From Brest he went to Nance and from there he went to Belmont and then to St. Die, France. He was stationed in Belmont, France for three months. He first went into action on December 29th 1918 in the Argonne-Forest.

The engagements that he participated in where the St. Die Sector, Argonne Forest, Marbase, A.E.F. from June 10th 1918 to March 6, 1919. He arrived at Mineola L.I. on March 1st 1919. He was discharged from service at Camp Lee Virginia on March 18th 1919 as a Private. His occupation after the war was as a Clerk at the Post Office. He was indifferent towards military service.

He said about the effects on him of his overseas experience that it “Increased efficiency and education improved”. On his experience and its effect on his religious beliefs he said it “Increased faith and caused renewed determination to dedicate life to God”. About the fighting he said, “Brought face to face with death was surprised to find that I experienced no fear”. About the effect on his state of mind he said, “Practically no change expect to increase interest in Government affairs”.
.Sargent Memorial Collection Slover Libery 235 East Plume Street  Norfolk, VA 23510