Frank X. Fraas Collection

Frank Fraas
2002.50.13

Frank Fraas, a resident of Kansas City, Missouri, served as part of the 129th Field Artillery, 35th Division during World War I.  Fraas enlisted in May of 1917 and served overseas from May 20, 1918 through October 7, 1918.  Fraas died on October 7, 1918 from wounds received in action.  In the summer of 1931, Agnes Fraas, Frank’s mother, traveled to France as part of the Gold Star Mothers Pilgrimage to visit the grave of her son.  This collection includes correspondence sent from Frank and various soldiers to the Fraas family during the war, and a series of documents related to Agnes Fraas’ journey to France as a Gold Star Mother.

Frank Fraas was inducted into service in Independence, Missouri on May 23, 1917.  Frank was a part of Battery C, 129th Field Artillery, 35th Division, which trained at Camp Doniphan, Oklahoma, before being sent to Camp Mills, New York, and then overseas to France.  Fraas described life at Camp Doniphan in a letter to his sister on December 8, 1917:

“...Well we sure had a night of it last night.  Ill bet it was ever bit of 160 degrees below zero or it wasent nothing we had the stove red hot, but almost froze at that, dident have any drill yesterday afternoon on account of the cold, and when we went to the stables this morning the horses were so stiff - with cold that they could not walk tell you it shure was cold. Well I have lost 3 teeth in this horrible war.  I was a fool for letting them full my teeth, makes me sick everytime I think about it two of them at last could have been crowned, they dont do anything but pull and fill in the army, thos that cant be filled they yank them out talk about hurt they could not have done worse is they had used pick and shovel on me.  Would take out some insurance but you know I have made an alotement of $20 that leaves 10 beans which is all I have to live on for a hole month.  Have been on kitchen police today had to fight to get off in time to go to Church this morning, one man has to wait table and wash dishes, for his section each day, their are 19 men in my section, that is K.P. or kitchen police, some job too...Sure was a shame the fruit had to get smashed still I had so much to eat I was sick all the next day.  Dont you belive soldiers were fed better than they would have been it at home, believe me nothing is as good as what you get at dear old home sweet home.  Tell Madie thanks for the kiss you can give her one for me and tell her to be a nice little bad girl becaus Xmas will soon be here.  Why dont you keep the broom behind the front door ready to slam old Sleet when he comes growling around.  Will close From your brother Frank.”

Albert and Frank Fraas
2002.50.16

After he arrived in France, Frank sent two letters to his family and described his life overseas.

“[July 14, 1918]  Dear Folks:  Somewhere in France again haveing left our happy home at Andard am at a French training camp near the town of [censor mark] more distant from the front than we were at our last stop.  We have barracks here, and it is good that we have as it has rained every since we arrived here, this is quite a large camp is on the top of a high hill.  Receaved two letters yesterday and get at least one almost every time the mail comes so keep on wrighting dont be afraid about them not getting here, I suppose you have heard from me by this time.  You are not far off in expecting us home by next winter for they dope it dont over here to end some time this winter heres hopeing that proves to be a fact.  Today the 14th is France independence day sure had some time the 4th we were in Andard then had a regular picknick the regement was all togeather at a Chateau about 3 miles out in the country, had all sorts of atheletic contests the forenoon and a ball game after dinner and the band gave a concert at Andard in the evening.  Mama send me a picture of yourself Am glad to hear of you all getting along so nice and that you are all well I am feeling fine, finer every day, wishing you all good luck I remain.  Frank Fraas Btry C 129th F.A.”

Frank died from wounds received in action in combination with Labor Pneumonia.  Frank was wounded at Charpentry, France during the Meuse-Argonne Offensive on September 29th, 1918.  In a letter to a close family friend named Dorothy, a fellow soldier described how Frank was wounded:

Letter From Frank to Dorothy,
dated December 2, 1918

“Claire Cote, Verdun, [December] 2, 1918  Dear Dorothy:  Your letter of [November] 4th received today and will try to answer to the best of my knowledge.  The day we heard of Frank’s death was a sad day for me and the whole outfit as Frankie was liked by all of us especially by his own section for he was cool headed and never lost his head a moment under the most trying of circumstances, and we had many of them.  As it was so unexpected, his death was felt more than the boys that passed before.  I am sure glad and thank God that the war ended before [ms illegible: 3 wds] as it is a horrible experience, a hard life full of innumerable risks and causes many heartaches and sorrow such as ours.  The afternoon Frank was wounded will be long remember by all of us as it was a hard tight finish fight against Germany’s best men the Prussian Guard and Austrian [Uhlan].  I came back from the Post of command where I was telephoning for the Captain and met Frank at supper about 4 or 4 30 PM he asked how things were going and I told him “rotten” which they were at that time.  It was reported the Doughboys were falling back and I told Frank to clean his pistol and gave him some extra bullets.  We talked along of Al joining the Navy and various other things, and he left to man his piece.  As we started firing we drew the Uhlans’ fire in a few moments one shell hit the first piece killing two boys instantly The next one hit behind the 2nd piece wounded Frank, Reddick, Ford, and Sell, shell-shocked Tuesdale and Selbert.  They were all rushed over to the dressing station about 200 feet away fro 1st sid and wait an ambulance.  Frank was hit while reaching for a shell wounding his right arm alight flesh wound, and his left buttocks.  This was the worst.  His buttock was cut in 3 or 4 places.  I went over right after he was dressed and took his coffee and cigarettes and he was feeling pretty good then except for a pillow and I put my sweater under his head.  I talked to him for 36 or 40 Minutes and they took him back to the base.  He promised to write soon as he could set up.  That was the last we could learn of him or any of the others as they were sent way back and we never left the front.  The news of his death was the first we heard of him and we didn’t believe it then as many rumors are fake but we got the officials report a couple of days afterwards and realized the truth.  I will give you just what I have on my notes taken from the report.  Frank was injured at Charpenty France, [September] 29th, 5:15 PM taken to base Hospital 417 Dijon France, died [October] 7th, 1:50 AM, cause Labor Pneumonia in Lower left lob.  Buried in grave #37 Annex, Polygone (AA) Municipal Cemetery, Dijon, Catr’d’01., France.”

In July of 1931, Agnes Fraas traveled to France as part of the Gold Star Mothers Pilgrimage to visit the grave of her son Frank Fraas.  Included in this collection are a series of records and correspondence that document her trip to France.

Agnes Fraas at Frank Fraas' Grave
2002.50.12

Agnes Fraas - Passport

 

Gold Star Mothers - Lunch in France
2002.50.7

 

Agnes Fraas beside German Tank
2002.50.8

For more information about Gold Star Mothers, check out our post from May 2013.


Sources:

Fraas, Frank X. Jr. (Mrs. Agnes Fraas), 1917-1931. 2002.50. National World War I Museum, Kansas City, MO.