On This Day 22-JUL 1918, We Honor a Fallen Hero
Vogt, Robert A. (August) was born 9-DEC 1895 and lived in Portege des Sioux. His father was William Vogt (1858-1931) and his mother was Louise Barbara Antoinette Colonius (1863-1936). They married on 26-APR 1881 at St. Peter Catholic Church in St. Charles. Robert had 16 siblings. His parents had 16 children in 26 years. They were: Frances Cecilia, William Mathias, Joseph Tobias, Christopher Aloysius, Leo Henry, Emma Barbara, Josephine Frances, Antoinette Rose, William Ignacius, Robert August, Bertilda Magdalen, Florence Mary, Hermina Louisa, Carl Stanislaus, Hortense Clara, and Christina Loretta.
Three of the siblings did not survive childhood.
Robert worked on the family farm living in Portage des Sioux. Robert entered service 8-OCT-1917. His draft card says he was nearsighted. Robert was a PVT US Army 38th Infantry Regiment, Company M. He departed Hoboken NJ. on 30-MAR 1918 aboard the Abraham Lincoln bound for France. The 38th Infantry Regiment repelled the German attack near Mézy, France, across the Marne River in July 1918. This defense checked the Germans’ assault and made an Allied offensive possible, thus earning 3rd Infantry Division’s nickname “Rock of the Marne.” Robert August Vogt was killed in action on 22-JUL 1918 in Aisne, Picardie, France.
He was initially buried in Commune of Jaulgonne, Aisne France. In MAR-1940 Robert was brought home and reburied in St. Francis Parish in Machens, MO.
Robert is honored and remembered at the St. Charles County Veterans Museum.