Do you have a grandfather or some other relative who served in World War I? Do you want to learn more about him while he served in that war? Our state Digital Archives has a new program that can help you do that. 

The World War I Service Statement Cards, which were recently indexed by Washington Historical Records Project volunteers, are now available and searchable online at Digital Archives. The U.S. War Department had originals of the cards, and copies were provided to the Washington State Auditor many years ago. 

Information contained in the records includes full name, serial number, race, place inducted, place of birth, unit assignments, ranks attained, engagements fought in, wounds received, dates served overseas, date of demobilization, and degree of disability (if any). Volunteer Sam Cagle has provided added value to the records with a glossary that fully identifies the many military abbreviations used in the records.

From the time I was a little kid, I knew that my paternal grandfather, Nick Zylstra, served in the U.S. Army during World War I, but I really didn’t know anything more about that period of his life. Now I do, thanks to the DA’s new program.

When I typed in my grandfather’s name, I learned that he entered training camp at Fort Lawton (an Army fort located in Seattle’s Magnolia neighborhood) on December 14, 1917, and then was sent to the School for Bakers & Cooks at was then called Camp Lewis on January 29, 1918. He then was assigned to various Bakery Companies until he was discharged on January 21, 1919. Now I know why he was a decent cook!  

To search on a veteran’s name, go here. For more information on the World War I Service Statement Cards and related records, contact the Washington State Archives at (360) 586-1492 or visit its Web site here.