World War I
The Yanks Are Coming
Capt. Charles Butler's autobiographical fiction of the American Expeditionary Forces in France and Germany, published for the centennial of the Armistice.
November 1918 witnessed the end of the War to End All Wars. Americans justifiably celebrated the Armistice that brought peace after one of the deadliest conflicts in human history. In the centennial year, the Jacksonport Historical Society commemorated the Great War with The Yanks Are Coming, by Capt. Charles Butler.
Charles Butler (1890–1982) was born and raised in Jacksonport. While a junior at Ripon College, he volunteered for officers’ training and was a lieutenant when he went overseas in the American Expeditionary Forces. After serving in France, he was sent to Germany in the Army of Occupation and was promoted to captain. He received two Silver Star Citations, the Purple Heart, the Distinguished Service Cross, and the French Regimental Fourragère. Upon his return to the U.S., he completed an Ed.D. at Columbia University and embarked on a career as an educator and author.
Like many veterans of horrific wars, Charles did not talk much about his military service. Some forty-five years after his return from Europe, he wrote his memories from that time in the form of autobiographical fiction.
Both World War I books are also available at Other Worlds Books & More (3rd Ave., Sturgeon Bay), Door County Coffee & Tea Co. (Hwy 42, Carlsville), and Fish Creek Bookshop & Gallery (Top of the Hill Shops, Fish Creek).