One hundred stories of the Great War, as seen through American eyes.  Two months after the armistice, Secretary of War Newton Baker asked General John J. Pershing for stories about the war that could be used in Liberty Loan efforts.  The country was still paying for the war effort, and the army of occupation.

Pershing and his staff responded with a list of 100 names.  It is not a perfect list; as one website mentions, the list was put together in a hurry in January 1919.  There are at least two names that probably should be on it, but aren’t–Alvin York and Eddie Rickenbacker.  As the site indicates, the list actually has 101 names, not 100.

For the complete list, try this website:  http://www.worldwar1.com/dbc/p100.htm

Of the 101, there are at least three with a Kansas connection, all Medal of Honor recipients:

-PFC Harold I Johnston, 356th Infantry.  After volunteering, successfully swam River Meuse to reconnoiter the enemy’s position.  http://www.kansasww1.org/medal-of-honor-harold-i-johnston/

-Capt. George H. Mallon, 132nd Infantry.  Led the elimination of 11 machine guns, a howitzer battery, an anti-aircraft gun, and over 100 prisoners.  http://www.kansasww1.org/medal-of-honor-george-h-mallon/

-1st Lt. George S. Robb, 369th Infantry.  Stayed on front line despite severe wounds; later took command of company when he was again wounded and the commander killed and led successful advance beyond village of Sechault.  http://www.kansasww1.org/medal-of-honor-george-seanor-robb/

Blair Tarr is the Museum Curator of the Kansas State Historical Society. He oversees the three-dimensional collections of the Society, but has special interests in the Civil War, Wichita-made Valentine diners, and Leavenworth's Abernathy Furniture. In the last few years he has also done a lot of cramming on The Great War. He is a past president of the Kansas Museums Association and the Civil War Round Tables of both Kansas City and Eastern Kansas. He is currently a board member of the Heritage League of Greater Kansas City.