To the Last Man, with Jonathan Bratten

In this episode I speak with military historian Jonathan Bratten, who specializes in the colonial era and World War I. We discuss the US Army 26th “Yankee” Division, the historical significance of the 103rd Infantry Regiment, the concept of pilgrimage in military history, and the personal connections that arise when visiting battlefields like Belleau Wood. The conversation explores how these experiences shape our understanding of history and the importance of remembrance in connecting past sacrifices to present-day service.

Takeaways:

>>Jonathan Bratten has written about the 26th “Yankee” Division’s 103rd Infantry Regiment in World War I.

>>Pilgrimages can serve as a means of connecting with history on a personal level.

>>Experiencing battlefields allows historians to feel a shared connection with soldiers.

>>Belleau Wood is considered a sacred site for many veterans and historians.

>>The emotional weight of pilgrimage can lead to profound personal reflections.

>>Planning modern pilgrimages requires thoughtful consideration of historical significance.

>>Communal remembrance is vital for understanding the cost of military conflict.

>>The act of commemoration can bring historical figures into the present.

>>The intersection of military history and personal pilgrimage is a growing field of study.

Jonathan Bratten is a military historian and National Guard officer, specializing in the colonial era and World War I. His book To the Last Man: A National Guard Regiment in the Great War, 1917-1919 received the Army Historical Foundation ‘s distinguished writing award for 2021.