Pvt. Charles Auberger of Wantage died of pneumonia while serving in World War I. (Photo courtesy of Tom Sisco)
Part three of three
During the past two weeks in this column, we recognized the ultimate sacrifice of McAfee’s Ray Sisco during the Battle of the Bulge in World War II.
In discussion with Tom Sisco about his relative, he mentioned another relative who had died while in service.
This was Pvt. Charles Auberger, and he served during World War I.
Auberger lived in Wantage and was a “wagoner” in the Army. He died of pneumonia in France. He was in Supply Company 311 for the infantry.
The Sussex chapter of the American Legion is named after him.
During the years, the duties of soldiers have changed along with the changes in technology. At one time, horses were the means of transportation. They needed much care and feeding, and important occupations were those of the cavalry support men.
As we know, the days of horse-drawn cannon and caissons have passed along with telegraphers and flag signalmen. Today’s military occupational specialty (MOS) include ones in fuel, electric, automotive, computer and aviation.
A wagoner was one who kept his wagon and animals in good condition and was responsible for getting the load carried by the wagon to its designated destination at the appropriate time.
He was responsible for the team of horses or mules. Immediately after reveille, the wagoner should feed grain to his team, brush off and harness them, and examine their feet by tapping with a hammer to check if the shoes are tight.
He should water the team and examine the harnesses and make sure his wagon is properly numbered and identified. If problems, he would contact the unit’s saddler.
Holding the front reins in the left hand and the whip in the right, a wagoner needs to know how to load and drive the wagon, how to brake, and know how to draw or pull a stalled wagon and get animals to start once stopped.
As this history column tries to recognize what has happened in the past and monitor the passage of time, changes in what a soldier may do is an often-undescribed part of our changing world.
A soldier’s occupational role is a reflection of the technology and ways of the current world.
A skill that I learned as a youth, telegraphy, is practically unknown these days as technology has advanced and is focused on other methods and skills.
Conditions and structure have changed since our citizens and soldiers journeyed from log cabin or brick home to the campgrounds and barracks; from the French & Indian War effort of hiking through the rough landscape trees of upstate New York to Fort Ticonderoga and now to the Hesco bastions of today’s compounds of a tactical operations center in the sands of Syria.
Yes, conditions and skills have changed. But something that hasn’t during the years that our nation has existed is that our soldiers stand stoutly to secure our freedom, support our allies, competently utilize our technology and put their lives in danger in defense of the United States of America.
Bill Truran, Sussex County’s historian, may be contacted at billt1425@gmail.com