Lucius Frank Bagley

Lucius Frank Bagley was born on July 19, 1881.  He enlisted in the National Naval Volunteers on April 3, 1917, and was discharged on April 4, 1920.  Lucius passed away on March 23, 1953.

The April 14, 1932, edition of The Hilton Record reported on the “Happenings of the Past” and that fifteen years earlier, Lucius, a resident of Greece (New York) was named the first volunteer “from the vicinity” to enter service.  President Woodrow Wilson asked Congress to declare war on April 2, 1917, and Lucius enlisted the very next day.

On April 4th, the Senate voted and approved President Wilson’s request followed by the House of Representatives on April 6th.  With the full backing of Congress, the United States entered World War I on April 7, 1917.  It is interesting to note that Lucius was not the first volunteer from the vicinity, having enlisted three days before the official declaration of war by Congress.

 

**NOTE: A draft registration card was required for all men between the ages of 21 to 30 whether they were currently serving in the Armed Forces or not. Lucius was thirty-five years old and serving in the United States Navy on June 5th of 1917, the date of the first draft registration. A registration from World War I for Lucius was not located. For the header image of this web page his World War II draft card, showing his signature, was used in its place.