PFC Robert Owen Yearwood
United States Army, World War I
Company C, 142ND Machine Gun Battalion, 39th Division
December 23, 2025 - The early life of Robert Owen Yearwood is a bit of a mystery as there are no records or census reports that tell us who his parents were and exactly when and where he was born. The earliest document, his World War I draft registration completed in 1917 shows he was born in Center [Shelby County], Texas on October 12, 1894. A year later his World War I military record lists his birth as October 12, 1896, in Center. Twenty-four years later his World War II draft registration card lists his date of birth as October 13, 1898 and, birthplace as Beaumont, Texas. Finally at life’s end, his obituary states he was born in Shreveport, Louisiana.
We pick up his life on June 5, 1917 when he completes his World War I Draft Registration at Precinct 1, Boyce, Louisiana. The United States had entered the World War just two months prior and this was the required registration date for all men ages 21 to 30. His completed card (Form 1) noted: age as 22; date of birth as October 12, 1894 in Center, Texas; natural-born citizen; employed as a boilermaker helper for the Texas and Pacific Railway in Boyce; single; Caucasian; one-year prior military service with the Texas National Guard Infantry; and no exemption to the draft was claimed. Physically he was described as tall, medium build with gray eyes, dark hair, and not bald.
Receiving his draft notice almost a year later, Robert took the oath of enlistment in Alexandria, Louisiana on May 29, 1918, and became US Army Private Yearwood, serial # 1608924. He and the other inductees of the day were then entrained to Camp Beauregard, near Pineville, Louisiana to begin basic training. Following basic Robert was assigned to Company C, 142 Machine Gun Battalion, 78 Infantry Brigade, 39 Division, that had been organized at Camp Beauregard in September 1917. After weeks of training Robert and the 142 boarded the US Navy Transport, USS Rijndam at Hoboken, New Jersey, and set sail for the war in France on August 22, 1918. For emergency notification, he listed his sister Miss Clara Yearwood, 501 Park Avenue, Marshall, Texas as his next of kin.
Upon arrival approximately eleven days later, the division was sent to the St. Florent Area southwest of Bourges where it was designated as a replacement division leaving the 39 skeletonized. Robert was then reassigned to Company D of the 148 Machine Gun Battalion, 82 Infantry Brigade, 41 Division which had been in France since late 1917. With his new unit, Private First Class Yearwood saw combat in the Meuse-Argonne Offensive that began on September 26 and ended on November 11, 1918, with the signing of the armistice that ended the war. Following the end of hostilities, the 41 Division was assigned Army of Occupation duties in Germany.
On Sunday, February 9, 1919, the long-awaited day finally arrived. Robert and the 148 boarded the US Navy Cruiser, USS Montana at Brest, France, and began the journey home to the United States. One can only imagine the joy and relief that filled the air that day from the 1,401 troops aboard. The Times Union newspaper, Brooklyn, New York, dated February 24, 1919 reported. “Experiencing rough weather that put many a brave lad down on his back with seasickness, the United States cruisers Montana and Kansas docked at Hoboken yesterday. The Montana was two days overdue after two days of rough sailing.” Thankfully all ended well and Robert’s sister Clara did not have to be notified. Following disembarkation, the soldiers were transported to nearby Camp Merritt to begin discharge processing. On March 15, 1919 after ten months of military service, PFC Robert Yearwood was honorably discharged and awarded the World War I Victory Medal.
Following the war, Robert returned to Marshall, Texas where his sister Clara lived, and began employment with the Texas and Pacific railway that ran between Marshall and Boyce, Louisiana. In Boyce, he met Miss Annie Morgan and they were married soon afterward. The Weekly Town Talk, Alexandria, Louisiana, April 23rd, 1921 published in part. “On April 11, 1921, at 7 p.m. in Marshall, Texas, the wedding of Mr. R. O. Yearwood and Miss Annie Morgan was quietly solemnized at the Methodist Episcopal parsonage, J. A. Carruth officiating. Miss Morgan is a very attractive and popular young lady of Boyce, La., and loved by all who know her, and is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. B. M. Morgan who have resided in Boyce for many years. The groom is a well-known young man of Marshall, Texas who is employed with the Texas and Pacific railway. The sister of the groom, Miss Clara Yearwood, acted as maid of honor. Mr. Fred A. Harrell, of Alexandria, was best man. It was quite an exciting romance for the bride and groom to make their get-away from their many friends who now wish them much happiness and success.”
They made their home in Boyce and Robert continued his employment with the railroad as an engineer. In 1936 they moved to Shreveport and purchased a home at 3121 Hollywood Avenue. There are no known children born to the marriage and Robert later retired from the railroad. He died at the age of 72. His obituary which was published in the Shreveport Journal, Shreveport, Louisiana, January 29, 1970 stated in part. “Robert O. Yearwood, 3121 Hollywood Ave., died at 12:20 a.m. today at his home after a long illness. Mr. Yearwood was chairman, secretary, and treasurer of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers, Local 219 for fourteen years. He was a member of the Cedar Grove Methodist Church, El Karubah Shrine and, a 32 Degree Mason. He was an Army veteran of World War I. Survivors include his wife, Mrs. Annie Morgan Yearwood; one sister, Mrs. Clara Coleman of Oakland, Calif., and a number of nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held Friday at Osborn Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. John Winn, pastor of Cedar Grove Methodist Church, officiating. Burial will be in the Forest Park West. There will be Masonic graveside rites as the cemetery.” His wife Annie joined him there in 1992 at the age of 97. Day is done, God is nigh.
Sources:
(1): Registration State: Louisiana; Registration County: Rapides County
(2): "Texas, World War I Records, 1917-1920," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QSQ-G9MN-ZSNT-G?cc=2202707&wc=334G-RM9%3A1560656702%2C1561328001 : 26 March 2015), Enlisted men > Wright, John S-Zynda, John W, 1917-1920 > image 1315 of 3106; Texas Military Forces Museum, Austin.
(3): The National Archives at College Park; College Park, Maryland; Record Group Title: Records of the Office of the Quartermaster General, 1774-1985; Record Group Number: 92; Roll or Box Number: 553
(4): Brief Histories of Divisions, US Army 1917-1918.
(5): The National Archives at College Park; College Park, Maryland; Record Group Title: Records of the Office of the Quartermaster General, 1774-1985; Record Group Number: 92; Roll or Box Number: 211
(6): Year: 1940; Census Place: Caddo, Louisiana; Roll: m-t0627-01388; Page: 2B; Enumeration District: 9-88C
