Joseph J. Engelman

Camp Upton, Long Island, NY.; France
  • Military specialty: R/R Construction Engineer
  • Awards: Unknown

b. 13 Sep 1897, d. 29 Mar 1986.  Joseph J. Engelman was born to Alexander and Catherine (Evans) Engelman in St. James, MN. He attended school in St. James and Minneapolis where he completed one year of high school.  Sometime before 1917, he  moved to Westbrook, MN where he worked for the Chicago Northwestern Railroad as a clerk.

On 2 Apr 1918, Joseph enlisted in the U.S. Army and was assigned to the 52nd Engineers, 77th Division, at Camp Upton, Long Island, NY.   Engelman’s unit left for Brest, France, on 3 Aug 1918, where he was stationed at Camp J.J. Hill, Periquenx, Division Headquarters.  While in France, he was involved in building and repairing the railroads for the American Expeditionary Forces (AEF).  His engineer unit was placed in the active sectors at Vesle and Meuse-Argonne.  After the armistice was signed on 11 Nov 1918, he was reassigned to the Food Administration officers and traveled extensively through France, Italy and Austria.  On 3 Aug 1919, his unit returned to the U.S. at NY., and he was honorably discharged with the rank of corporal in Aug, 1919.

After returning from France, he  resumed his old job at the Westbrook Depot and worked there until his retirement in 1969.  Joseph was an original member of the American Legion Post #152 and was its first secretary.  He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus & American Legion of St. James.

On 22 Aug 1955, he married Alyce Marie Hill; they had no children.

Buried at Ft. Snelling National Cemetery, Hennepin Co., MN.

 

 

 

  • Obituary: Yes