Charles P. Fuhrman

Sgt. Charles P. Fuhrman

Sgt. Charles P. Fuhrman died in a base hospital on November 18, 1918 as a result of wounds received during battle on August 30, 1918.

Sgt. Fuhrman was a part of the Second Battle of Marne that began on July 15, 1918 and finished on September 16, 1918. This was considered to be the turning point of the war as the battle became the Allies first victorious offensive of 1918. Sgt. Fuhrman was a member of Company A, 128th Infantry of the 32nd Infantry Division of Wisconsin and Michigan. The 32nd was the first division to pierce the German's Hindenburg Line. The division adopted the Red Arrow shoulder patch with a line through the middle to signify the division's tenacity in crossing through enemy lines, thus becoming known as the Red Arrow Division. The French gave them the nickname Les Terribles in regard for their fortitude in advancing over terrain previous units could not get through.

 On August 18, 1918, the 32nd Division participated in Phase III of the battle. They succeeded in capturing the ruins of the village of Juvigny and in advancing some two and a half miles in five days of constant battle. The division historian referred to this period as "five days of hell on earth."

Sgt. Fuhrman was wounded in the left leg on August 30. First aid was rendered by Rudolph Lindenberg from Lime Ridge who had arrived in Europe on March 4, 1918. He had been slightly wounded 2 days earlier. After tending to Fuhrman's wound, he placed him in the shelter of an abandoned tank, out of range of rifle fire. However, a short time later, the German's put over an artillery barrage that resulted in additional wounds to Sgt. Furhman. He was transferred to a base hospital where he died 3 days before the end of the war.

During the August 21, 1921 meeting of the American Legion in Reedsburg, the Legion members chose to name their post in honor of Sgt. Charles P. Furhman.