Among the 351st Field Artillery was George C. Stanton of 427 Taylor St., New Castle. George graduated from New Castle High in 1916, a member of the Adelphic Literary Society and Debating Team with dreams of attending Lincoln University. He was employed at the time of entry by the Pennsylvania Railroad in Sharon.
In August 1918, George wrote home telling of his life in the war, an example that “colored” troops could successfully handle artillery:
“This is the first-time colored men of the United States have ever attempted artillery, because it was formerly the general belief that they did not have the mechanical knowledge necessary to compete with the tasks which they would have to master. Perhaps that was so, but since then we have so far advanced that there is absolutely no reason under the sun that any thing anyone else can do should be impossible for us… There are men in this regiment from all walks of life. From waiters and day laborers up to men of the highest professions Doctors, lawyers, professors of art, literature and languages. There are few men who do not have at least a passable education and absolutely none who are illiterate. This is a picked regiment of carefully chosen men as far as possible every possible precaution to safe guard health is taken.”