Garneau, Joseph

Garneau was the son of Theodore Garneau of Cadillac (Mich.). He trained in Camp Custer (Mich.), while serving as a Private in Company D, 340th Infantry, Telegraph Battalion in 1918. His unit was then sent to Archangel (Russia) where he became part of Company A, 339th Infantry (Polar Bears). Garneau served in Archangel from Oct. 1918 to June 1919. In early April 1919 Garneau underwent an operation for piles. The back of both of his legs were severely burned on a hot water bottle following the surgery, which prolonged his recovery. He returned to the U.S. on a hospital ship, the Kalyan, which arrived in N.J. on June 26, 1919. By then, the rest of his unit had already returned to the U.S. After the war, Garneau lived in his father's house. He later married Della (1900-1998). He had at least two brothers, Fred and Ted, and probably two sisters. The Clarke Historical Library has numerous books and other manuscripts documenting the Polar Bears.