SECTION 502

The Second of the famous Stoneman's fellowship units, this group was formed at Philadelphia's Cooper Battalion Hall and was an early arrival at the Fairgrounds in Allentown, Pa., on June 5, 1917. Their commander was Lt. Donald Hathaway. Section 2, which later was to become 502, became a part of Major Metcalfe's contingent which went over to France on January 9, 1918.

This Section had taken an active part in many hikes and spent some time at Guth Station. Their contingent was the third to leave the camp and sailed on the Cunard liner Carmania, going first to Liverpool on Jan. 23, 1918. They spent some time in England before going to St. Nazaire, where they assembled their ambulances. The Section was assigned to serve American divisions while they were working with the French Army.

Their record shows that they first served with the 42nd U.S. Division, the 2nd Division and the 28th Division, all working as part of the French Army operation in the defensive at the Aisne River Sector from May 25 to June 5, 1918. The Section then moved to serve the 26th U.S. Div. and the 79th Div. at Chateau-Thierry June 5 to July 9, 1918. They received a 2nd Div. citation here.

Then they were in the thick of the action in the Aisne-Marne offensive from July 18 to August 6, 1918. It was during this engagement that the Section lost some men, killed and wounded. They went into a rest period for several weeks for car repairs and personnel replacements.

Section 502 was then involved in the Meuse-Argonne offensive, September 26 to October 1, 1918, and in the Woevre Sector offensive, Oct. 8 to 18. The record does not give the army or division identification, but we assume their work was with the American troops.

Their casualties numbered 3 killed and 16 wounded (including gas cases).

The Section was included in the orders of Major General John A. LeJeun, USMC, Commanding, 2nd Division, France, October 11, 1918, as follows:

"Your heroism and the heroism of our comrades who died in battle will live in history forever, and will be emulated by the young men of our country for generations to come."

"To be able to say when this war is finished, 'I served with the 2nd Division at the Battle of Blanc Mont Ridge' will be the highest honor that can come to any man."

1918 - Actual photograph of an SSU 502 Ambulance loading
wounded at a front line company aid station. The "502" can
be easily seen on the side of the ambulance. The vehicle serial
number is obscured by the road dust and mud.