George J. Maguolo: The Architect Turned Soldier

Corporal George Maguolo, n.d.

The George J. Maguolo Collection, located at the Missouri History Museum is slated for digitization this year. It includes correspondence from Maguolo to his parents, brothers, and sister that is often illustrated; programs; brochures; photos; and a sketchbook of drawings Maguolo completed while serving in France.

The son of Italian immigrants, Maguolo studied architecture at Washington University in St. Louis before entering the Army in November of 1917. Corporal Maguolo served in France with Company A, 29th Engineers as part of the General Headquarters staff until 1919. George was not the only Maguolo to serve during WWI, his older brother, Sergeant America Maguolo, was in the 138th Infantry, 35th Division, and his younger brother, Louis, was a member of the Students Army Training Corp at Washington University. Louis joined the Army in October 1918, right before the war ended so he never made it to France.

The collection was selected for digitization because of Maguolo’s very unique war experience. As a draftsman and cartographer, he spent very little time on the front lines and had several opportunities to travel and study his craft. As a student of architecture, he was impressed with French architecture. In fact, Maguolo used most of his free time visiting and sketching French buildings. The highlight of his service was when the Army sent him to art school right outside of Paris at the end of the war. 



Sketch of building in Chaumont, France, May 4, 1918

Maguolo’s letters contain detailed descriptions of army life and he often included sketches with his correspondence.  Maguolo kept a running tally of the letters he sent home, and encouraged his family to save his letters. The collection contains more than 80 letters. 



Letter Maguolo wrote to his parents on November 27, 1917


In his early letters, Maguolo was very anxious to get to France and participate in the war. He was in training at Camp Devens in Ayers, Massachusetts from November 25, 1917, to January 1918. Maguolo was attached to the 419th Depot Detachment, 25th Engineers. Below is an excerpt from a letter in which he described camp life:

"Camp Devens Dear Folks - Arrived in Camp Monday morning and finally joined my company This is certainly a big place – many wooden barracks cover this territory which is said to be 14 square miles. At the time over 40,000 men are in training and many divisions are represented – Infantry, Artillery, Cavalry, Ambulance, Engineers etc. Each are at practice at there particular branche. The camp is laid out like a town in squares with its paved streets and electric lighting. Everything is to be seen during the day – dispatch carriers on motorcycle. heavy artillery motor cars, ambulances, stretcher bearers, quartermaster trucks, cavalry...."

Once overseas, Maguolo quickly adapted to his new life. Luckily, he was stationed with a good friend, Ray Herbert, also a native of St. Louis. Maguolo often referred to the many hours he and Herbert spent sketching French buildings in his letters. In March 1918, Maguolo was sent to train with the French Army near the front lines. He was selected partly because he spoke French fluently. Maguolo spent a month learning a special cartography technique, and he was expected to train his peers upon his return to headquarters.  In the letter below, Maguolo described the Frenchmen who trained him:

Letter Maguolo wrote to his parents on March 21 1918

"....Am writing this letter from about the same place I wrote the last letter, many changes have come for the good and I am very happy. Here in the comfortable “studio” barracks,. Am I not fortunate to fall in with a half dozen artists and sculptors? Am in the French Army now you know and live and talk French. They are a very fine and educated class and we live here like a family. Am mastering the work rapidly and shall probably be sent back to the American Army before many more weeks, There is but two of us here so you see we are an isolated “kaki” among the French blue...."

It was during his training with the French Army that Maguolo actually experienced the horrors of war for the first time. However, due to censorship, he wasn’t able to elaborate on his training or experience on the front lines. It wasn't until the war was over that he shared with his family that he had been gassed during this period. In fact, Maguolo believed that the gas was what caused him to be hospitalized with pleurisy in August 1918. He became ill shortly after he returned from a furlough in which he visited Paris, Carcassone and Toulouse, France. Below is a sketch from a letter he
wrote while in Base Hospital #15 which was the first of several hospitals he was assigned to while recuperating.

Sketch of Maguolo from a letter he wrote to his parents on August 14, 1918 

Once the war ended, Maguolo, like most soldiers, was anxious to return home. However, he quickly realized that it would be several months before that would happen. Maguolo began to consider ways to use his remaining time in France so that the monotony would not overwhelm him. Maguolo contemplated being discharged overseas so that he could continue his education, a furlough to Italy in which he could visit his relatives or an opportunity to attend an Army Art school in France.

Maguolo wrote several letters home complaining about the “Propaganda” spread by the U.S. Government about what was really going on “Over There.” Below is the cover page for one such letter which included several newspaper clippings to support his argument.



Letter Maguolo wrote to his parents in the spring of 1919

Maguolo's attitude quickly changed when he received a three day furlough and was able to visit his brother, America, who was also stationed in France. In March 1919, one of Maguolo's plans came to fruition and he was sent to the American Expeditionary Forces Art Training Center Bellevue, France (near Paris). He attended the school from March to June 1919. In his letters, Maguolo described the subjects he was studying, the classes he was taking, and excursions to Paris and other cities. 

Letter of Acceptance to the American Expeditionary Force Training Center dated March 7, 1919

Maguolo finally returned to the U.S. on July 15, 1919. His last letter was written August 17, 1920. He returned to St. Louis, completed his studies at Washington University, and then began his career as an architect in Detroit, Michigan and later New York, New York. In 1946 Maguolo co-founded the Maguolo and Quick Architects-Engineers firm, in St. Louis, Missouri.  He died in St. Louis on Jan 4, 1975.

Sources:

George J. Maguolo Collection, Missouri History Museum Library and Research Center, St. Louis, MO.

Report of the American E. F. art training center Bellevue Seine-et-Oise March-June 1919
http://openlibrary.org/works/OL10721491W/Report_of_the_American_E._F._art_training_center_Bellevue_Seine-et-Oise_March-June_1919