Captain Gerry B. Dudley
World War I
Captain Gerry B. Dudley opened his medical
practice in Charleston, Illinois in 1906. Even though Captain
Dudley remained a prominent, well loved family physician and
community member, he decided to answer the patriotic call in 1917,
by voluntarily enlisting in the United States Army. Despite
Captain Dudley's age, his good physical condition and quick wit
enabled him to become a captain.
After his acceptance, Captain Dudley participated in military training from August-December 1917, at Fort Riley, Kansas. In addition to the physical training, soldiers also learned various military etiquette. Captain Dudley's voyage across the Atlantic began by train on December 17, 1917 from Kansas. Finally, his ship left from Halifax on December 28, 1917 and did not arrive in Europe until January 8, 1918.
At the beginning of his service in France, Captain Dudley worked in America's first evacuation hospital, Evacuation Hospital No. 1. Although not on the front lines or a base hospital, this station remained close enough to the dangerous fighting. Captain Dudley was a part of the St. Miheil Defensive Sector during the St. Miheil offensive on September 12-16, 1918. However, his experiences at this location ended soon after the offensive.
In late September 1918, Captain Dudley's relocation to the 165th Infantry (the famous Rainbow Division) as a doctor on the front lines, marked another pivotal point in his military career. Similar to the St. Miheil offensive, Captain Dudley's particpation in the Meuse-Argonne offensive (September 26, 1918-November 11, 1918) reveals his committment and heroic efforts.
After the war ended, Captain Dudley became part of the Army of Occupation in Germany until his voyage home in April 1919. Although officially receiving an honorable discharge on May 30, 1919, Captain Dudley's partiotic duties did not end. He resumed his fulfilling civilian life with his family and assisted as an examining physician during World War II, which awarded him further military recognition. Overall, Captain Dudley's profound medical knowledge, voluntary service in World War I, his several medals, and his help during World War II illustrates his deep dedication and unique experience.
Click Below to obtain further insight into Captain Dudley's experiences.
Created by Christa Christensen, Historical Administration, Eastern Illinois University, 2001