36th Brigade, C.A.C.
The 36th Brigade was organized in June of 1918 at Ft. DuPont, Deleware. In August of 1918 the Brigade moved to Camp Merritt, New Jersey for final preparations before sailing to Europe. Later in August the Brigade sailed from Port of Embarkation, Hoboken, New Jersey. The Brigade was Commanded by Colonel Knowlton, C.A.C. While in France the 36th Brigade was stationed at O&T Center No. 1 (Operations and Training), Libourne, France, as were the 3 regiments of Artillery that were under the command of the 36th Artillery Brigade.
The 36th Brigade was made up of the following 3 regiments of Artillery; 68th Artillery, C.A.C. equipped with the 6-inch Seacoast guns; 69th Artillery, C.A.C. equipped with the 5-inch Seacoast guns; 63rd Artillery, C.A.C. equipped with the 8-inch british Howitzers. Each regiment consisted of 6 Batteries with 4 guns per battery, 24 guns total in a Regiment. Each regiment of artillery was designed to operate on its own or together with other regiments. The 36th brigade was the command unit to the 3 regiments and served as Army Artillery.
Although the 36th Brigade was fully trained, equipped, and ready to take its place in the line, the Armistice was signed before the Brigade was able to see active service.
The Brigade returned to the States in March of 1919 and went to Camp Mills, New York where it was demobilized.
Brigade Muster
As I find names of men who served in the 36th Brigade I will add them here with what I know of each. If you know additional facts about these men or others who served in the 36th Brigade, Coast Artillery Corps, please e-mail them to: Joe Hartwell
Sgt. Ben R. McElveen, HQ Co. Service No. 611175
Lee Lesslie shared with me about his grandfather, Ben R. McElveen who was in Headquarters Company of the 36th Brigade, C.A.C. At the time Ben enlisted into the Army he lived in Lynchburg, South Carolina. Ben enlisted into the Regular Army at the Columbus Barracks, Columbus, Ohio on 18 January 1915 at the age of 21 years, 10 months. Pvt. McElveen was assigned to the 2nd Co., C.A.C. Coast Defenses of the Patomac until 1 June 1918. He was advanced to Pvt. 1cl on 6 July 1916 and again advanced to Corporal while in France with the 36th Brigade on 22 August 1918. Cpl. McElveen was assigned to the HQ Co., 36th Brigade, C.A.C. and served with that unit until 2 March 1919 when he was transferred to the 1st Co. Ft. Hunt, Virginia. His last grade was Sergeant and was Honorable Discharged from the Army on 18 August 1920. Ben R. McElveen died 8 April 1982.
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