OH021 Fritz Metzger Oral History

Authors

Fuller Mark

Collection Title

Jackson Purchase Oral History Project - World War I

Series Number

OH021

Interviewee

Metzger, Fritz

Interviewer

Fuller, Mark

Date Interviewed

December 3rd, 1982

Processed by

Sheree Wise

Date Processed

February 2nd, 2010

Description

1 sound disc (40 minutes)

Abstract

Fritz Metzger discusses his World War I experiences. He was twenty one years old when he was drafted into an infantry unit of the 2nd Division of the United States Army. He trained at Camp Taylor in Louisville, Kentucky and later at Camp Pike in Little Rock, Arkansas. Metzger recollects the living conditions and moral of American troops on the Western Front and describes his combat experiences. He mentions contact with German troops and serving in the occupational forces in Germany when the war concluded. He offers details on the reaction of people of the signing of the Armistice. Metzger also explains why he thought the war was just, some of the benefits he received from the war and key incidents which stood out most in his mind during the war, including the battle at Belleau Wood.

Biographical/Historical Note

Fritz Metzger was a resident of Paducah, Kentucky before he was drafted into the war. He trained first at Camp Taylor in Louisville, Kentucky then on to Camp Pike in Little Rock, Arkansas. He was ordered overseas and landed in Brest, France. He was sent to the front lines at Vallendar, Germany. He saw combat at the Battle at Belleau Wood. Metzger returned to Paducah after he received his discharge and worked for his father in the meat business.

General Information

No user access to original recordings. Use audio user copies, digital derivatives, transcripts, and/or tape indexes. This collection may be protected from unauthorized copying by the Copyright Law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code). Permission for reproduction must be requested from Murray State University.

Subject Headings/Descriptors

Paducah, Kentucky

Camp Taylor, Kentucky

Louisville, Kentucky

Camp Pike, Arkansas

Little Rock, Arkansas

Brest, France

Vallendar, Germany

Battle at Belleau Wood

Recommended Citation

Mark, Fuller, "OH021 Fritz Metzger Oral History" (2025). World War I. 21.
https://digitalcommons.murraystate.edu/oh-wwi/21