Pass, GOLD STAR MOTHERS PILGRIMAGE, Mother of Pfc. Russell Bitzer, AEF, KIA, July 30, 1918

Rare genuine interwar period Gold Star Mothers Pilgrimage 'identity card', issued by the US authorities to some Jessie M. Bitzer, the mother of a 'Sammy' who lost his life in the Great War.

This type of pass was issued to the mothers and widows of American servicemen who had died in France, in order to facilitate their trip in this country.

Printed in French (obverse) and English (reverse).

Very good overall condition.

Dimensions: about 3.95in x 5.50in.

Jessie M. Bitzer, who travelled to France in the spring of 1931, was the mother of Private First Class Russell Edgar Bitzer.

The latter, who was born on May 16, 1897 in Kingston, Ohio, joined the National Guard prior to being promoted to the rank of Private First Class on September 5, 1917. He went on to serve with Company H, 166th Infantry Regiment, 42nd Infantry Division and deployed to Europe, where he participated in the action in Champagne, Marne and Aisne areas. He was killed in action on July 30, 1918 in Château-Thierry, Aisne, France; his name is visible on the Tablets of Missing at the Aisne-Marne American Cemetery and Memorial at Belleau.

https://fr.findagrave.com/memorial/55949593/russell-e-bitzer

Illustration documents not mentioned above are available in digital format only.