Julius Warren Toelken

Julius Warren Toelken’s Personal Narrative was derived from information found in public records, military personnel files, and local/state historical association materials. Please note that the Robb Centre never fully closes the book on our servicemembers; as new information becomes available, narratives will be updated to appropriately represent the life story of each veteran.

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Military Honor(s):

Distinguished Service Cross

Citation: The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Julius W. Toelken, Second Lieutenant, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action near Bouresches, France, July 20, 1918. When the advance of his platoon was checked by enemy machine-gun fire Second Lieutenant Toelken crawled forward alone to a position from which he could fire and killed three of the machine-gun crew, after which, with his platoon, he captured the gun and turned it on the foe.

Silver Star Medal

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Life & Service

  • Birth: 13 April 1897, Suffield, CT, United States
  • Place of Residence:
  • Race/Ethnicity: Jewish American
  • Death: 1 July 1955 Augusta, GA, United States
  • Branch: Army
  • Military Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Company:
  • Infantry Regiment: 104th
  • Division: 26th
Personal Narrative
Early Life (Pre-War): Includes general parent information, sibling information, education Toggle Accordion

Julius Warren Toelken was born on 13 April 1897 in Suffield, Hartford, Connecticut to Julius Toelken (1867-1957) and Alice Naomi Platt (1880-1944). He was the second of six children, Alfred Earl (1899-1980), Hazel Henrietta (1902-1902), Lilly May (1905-1990), Clarence Edward (1907-1985), and John Richard (1911-1991).

Julius Toelken was born in Bremen, Germany, and arrived in the United States between 1871-1873, he worked as a toolmaker potentially for the Springfield, MA Armory. The family settled in Springfield, Massachusetts into the 1910s, living on White Street (99) and Union Street. Few details are known regarding Toelken’s early education.

Service: Includes a summary of transfers, rank change(s), training, enlistment, and discharge locations Toggle Accordion

Toelken joined the Massachusetts National Guard before 1916; he was mustered into federal service on 25 June 1916 as a Sergeant. He was commissioned on 27 March 1917 as a Second Lieutenant, supposedly as the “youngest commissioned officer in the regiment”. Lt. Toelken was assigned to the 101st Ammunition Train, 104th Infantry Regiment, 26th Division; he and his company left the United States aboard the U.S. Army Transport Ship Aurania on 3 October 1917.

Lt. Toelken received the Distinguished Service Cross for his actions near Bouresches, France on 20 July 1918,

“The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Second Lieutenant (Infantry) Julius W. Toelken, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 104th Infantry Regiment, 26th Division, A.E.F., near Bouresches, France, 20 July 1918. When the advance of his platoon was checked by enemy machine-gun fire Second Lieutenant Toelken crawled forward alone to a position from which he could fire and killed three of the machine-gun crew, after which, with his platoon, he captured the gun and turned it on the foe.”

“Lieutenant Julius W. Toelken, K Company, 104th Infantry, of 387 Walnut Street, Springfield, killed three German gunners single handed and, finally, after his command had been stopped, capturing the gun with the aid of his men. After securing the gun he ordered it turned on the enemy, causing great havoc.”

He also received the Silver Star (unknown date and citation, potentially due to service during World War II). Lt. Toelken returned to the United States aboard the U.S. Army Transport Ship U.S.S. Huron on 1 September 1918. Further dates of enlistment and discharge are unknown; Toelken remained in the U.S. Army until 1955, retiring on 31 January.  

Later Life (Post-War): Includes post-war education, occupation, marriage(s) and/or children, location and date of death Toggle Accordion

Upon demobilization, Toelken lived with his parents and siblings in Springfield, working as a machinist in a ‘cycle shop’. In 1922, he married Madeline Mary Shoven (1906-1955); by 1930, the couple lived on Manchester Road (59) in Brookline, Massachusetts. Toelken worked as a police officer with the Massachusetts State Police into at least the 1940s, living on Oakley Road (96) in Belmont, Massachusetts.

Toelken was at one point assigned to Fort Gordon, Georgia with the Army Military Police Corps*.  After his retirement as Lt. Colonel in January of 1955, Toelken remained in the area, and died on 3 July in Augusta, Georgia. He is buried in Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia.

A month after his death, a notice was published in the Massachusetts Probate Court ruling Toelken incapacitated by reason of advanced age and mental weakness; care of his property was given to his brother, Alfred Earl Toelken, as Madeline Mary Shoven Toelken had died in May of 1955.

 

*Post-World War II, Fort Gordon was the primary MP training center.