A Davenport Greek went "Over There" to support his two brothers in the Greek army.

Manuel S. Christodoulon was born on the Greek Island of Samos in August 1887 and came to the United States about 1912. Upon arrival he joined two of his brothers, Cheriokas and Nick, at the Portland Cement Company in Davenport, California. Christodoulon, who was described as being stout in stature, five feet seven inches in height and with brown hair and brown eyes. He worked as a "hoist- man" at the cement quarry.

When the US entered World War I, he told friends that he wanted to support his adopted country and in March of 1918 volunteered for the draft. Christodoulon was further motivated to enlist in order to assist two other brothers serving in the Greek army fighting the Turkish allies of Germany. He was first sent to Camp Ord on March 31, 1918, and later assigned to the 361st Infantry Regiment of the 91st Infantry Division at Camp Lewis, Washington.

In the summer of 1918 he accompanied the 361st Regiment when it departed for France. In September Christodoulon's regiment encountered the enemy for the first time at St. Mihiel and following that engagement, he wrote friends in Davenport telling of "having the Germans on the run," and commenting on how he enjoyed army life.

The life of Manuel Christodoulon came to an end on October 10, 1918. His unit had just taken the line to participate in the Meuse-Argonne offensive against an entrenched Germans machine gun position when his regiment attacked. During the attack, Private Manuel Christodoulon was killed in action. Following the battle, his remains were interred at the Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery at Romagne, France.

(CAG; WWIDR; ABMC; SCSf November 29, 1918 1:5; SCSn November 30, 1918 5:2; WIKI, 91st Infantry Division)