01/29/2026
How "Saving military history one soldier at a time" comes together. In this case it starts with a photo of a WWI soldier. Picked up at a local estate sale in our area. No name or idea about the photo. Looking at the bottom of the photo marked in the original paper frame was the name of the photography studio "Aubrey"and the town Walnut Springs.
It just happens to be a very small town in our area named Walnut Springs, Texas. The next step was to take a chance and search the cemetery at Walnut Springs on find a grave. After many hours of searching and narrowing down the WWI soldiers, I found a photo that had been added of a very wary 18-19 year old young man. A man that had been through the war battle hardened and aged. I compared my photo of the young man to the war aged man. Believe it or not it was a match.
Let me introduce you to
Pvt.Adolphus T "Dot" Ownbey
E Company 144th Infantry
36th Infantry Division
1887-1953
The 144th Infantry Regiment (4th Texas) served in the 36th "Lone Star" Division during WWI, arriving in France in 1918. In October, it joined the Fourth French Army for the Meuse-Argonne Offensive, relieving the 2nd Infantry Division. It endured heavy artillery, gas, and machine-gun fire, aiding the advance to the Aisne River.
Key WWI Details for the 144th Infantry Regiment
Division: Part of the 72nd Brigade, 36th Infantry Division.
Combat Action: Participated in the Champagne-Marne sector (Meuse-Argonne Offensive) from roughly October 7–26, 1918.
Action Summary: The regiment "sideslipped" to relieve the left brigade of the U.S. 2nd Division, advancing against German forces during a general retreat, reaching the Aisne River by October 12.
Post-War: Served as a reserve unit in France until the Armistice and was demobilized in June 1919 at Camp Bowie, Fort Worth, Texas.
Insignia: The unit's coat of arms features a wavy bend for Mexican Border service and special markings representing the Champagne region of France.
After the war, the regiment was reorganized and continued as part of the Texas National Guard, later serving in WWII.
More to come in the future! Stay tuned and never forget our Military!