Joseph J. Koch Collection

Joseph J. Koch

The Joseph J. Koch Collection is one of the most unique reviewed by Missouri Over There Staff. Through a variety of photographs and documents, it tells the story of Koch’s service with the Missouri National Guard in the Punitive Expedition and World War I.

Joseph J. Koch was born in Clifton, Kansas on September 10, 1883. He joined the Missouri National Guard after graduation from St. Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas in 1904. Koch was commissioned a 1st Lieutenant on May 20, 1913, and as a captain he took command of Company M, 1st Missouri Infantry in February 1915. When the Mexican bandit Pancho Villa threatened the American southwest in 1916, Koch and the Missouri National Guard were deployed to the Texas border. America entered World War I shortly after the Guard returned from border duty. Koch was promoted to major and took command of the 3rd Battalion, 137th Infantry Regiment, 35th Division. Koch was seriously wounded on September 26, 1918, the opening day of the Meuse-Argonne Offensive. Koch returned to active duty in July 1920 and attended the Command and General Staff School at Fort Leavenworth from 1926-1927. He retired from the army in 1931 and died on May 31, 1938. Major Koch is buried in Saint Marys Cemetery in Clifton, Kansas.

Sand Storm in Laredo, Texas

American Soldiers

The photographs in the Koch Collection are of particular interest. From dusty camps along the Mexican border, to German and Austrian soldiers, and Russian prisoners of war, the photographs provide a unique visual record of World War I.

Austrian Artillery

Russian Prisoners of War

German Soldiers

Koch’s post-war training at Fort Leavenworth represents the increasing professionalization of the military during this time period. Significantly, his collection includes a number of army training manuals, an important resource for researchers interested in the development of the modern American army.

The Joseph Koch Collection is located at the Museum of Missouri Military History in Jefferson City and will be included in Missouri Over There.

Sources: 

Missouri State Archives: Soldiers” Records: War of 1812---World War I: http://www.sos.mo.gov/Records/Archives/ArchivesDb/soldiers/Detail.aspx?id=A71928&conflict=World%20War%20I

United States Army Combined Arms Center: http://usacac.army.mil/cac2/cgsc/carl/resources/archival/koch/koch.pdf

Find A Grave: http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=108462101