EDITOR’S NOTE: This is part 2 of a two-part series on the Turbotville Community Hall Celebration.

TURBOTVILLE — “I’m honored to have been invited here tonight, and thank the Lord for the effort of the community of Turbotville to preserve local WWI names as a memorial for those who follow. It is imperative that we too might know and especially remember the members from you Turbotville Community,” said Muncy native Carl Bieber of Virginia.  

 In 1922, the halls dedication honored 33 local WWI veterans. “We are here again to honor those men. It is right to do so, for Romans 13:7 reminds us to give honor to whom honor is due.”

 Then referring o Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address, the speaker reiterated this passage; “The world will little note nor long remember what we say here. Lincoln was so wrong, but probably very true about what we say and do this night – (June 9, 2022). But we will know, we will remember, your children will remembers. All red-blooded Americans will remember. We will know that we cared, and took time to say thank you.”

 Carl came to speak of his uncle William Wilbur Bieber, who name appears on the hall’s memorial plaque. The nephew said, “He was always Uncle Bill to us, the sixth child of Stephen Peter and Hannah ‘Rebecca’ Lockard Bieber.” The soldiers birth occurred somewhere on the Northumberland County side of the Muncy Hills. At age 21, he enlisted for service, was inducted into the Army at Milton, and trained at Ft. Meade, MD.

 The new recruit was a member of Company M, 314th Infantry, 79th Division. Of the twelve week training required, Bieber’s unit received six weeks stateside with the final six weeks in France. On July 8, 1918, the 314th set sail from Hoboken, NJ. They boarded a captured German luxury liner retrofitted as a troop transport ship renamed the Leviathan.

 Carl’s research revealed that when his American troops arrived, Gen. John (Blackjack) Pershing saluted the French Commander and said, “Lafayette, we are here.” America was paying a Revolutionary War debt to France.

 The American Expeditionary Forces (A.E.F.) numbered approximately 600,000 men. A company was made up of 150-200 soldiers whose motto was “Fortitude and Courage,” with “Doughboys” their nickname.

 Bieber’s division engaged the enemy in the hard-fought battle and victory of Meuse Argonne where our subject received a minor shrapnel wound. The 47 days of intense fighting, from late September to November 1918 when the Armistice was signed. Biebers company was twice sent to the front, the influx of fresh troops made the difference. 

By wars end, the 314th had penetrated farther east beyond the Meuse River than anyone, captured four cities and aided in capturing many more. Therefore, their losses were more than any other division. Obliged to winter over in France, on May 15, 1919, Bieber’s division boarded the USS Princess Matiokathey, arriving for discharge at Fr. Dix, NJ.

 In 1934, the government made it possible for WWI veterans to receive compensation for their service. These files reveal that Bieber was given $200, also receiving “Bonus Bill Money” promised them. The soldiers monthly active duty pay had been $30, valued today as being $560. Also noted in his file was that he’d been a wagon driver, temporarily assigned to the units Supply Company.

Home from the war

Nephew Carl, the event speaker continued, “Uncle Bill came home to family and friends, bought a farm near Muncy on Glade Run Road, wedded Mary Ellen ‘Ellie’ Dimm, and lived a simple life on their small farm. He enjoyed deer hunting and going to the Dewart Livestock Auction with my father. In 1946, they sold the farm and moved to 56 Railroad Street in Hughesville. For about 10 years, Uncle Bill worked for the borough from which he retired. The veteran died  June 30, 1978 at age 82. Ellie had proceeded him in death.

 As the couple had no children, it was heart-warming to see how many family members rallied and came to the Turbotville event in support of their veteran. When the speaker invited them to stand, 20 relatives and seven spouses responded. The audience gave them a generous applause.