Otto Ritzenthaler’s Trunk

World War 1, also known as The Great War, impacted families from all over the globe. Over 1500 men joined from Sauk County, many of them were prior members of the Wisconsin National Guard that were sent into military service in Europe. One of these men was Otto Ritzenthaler of Baraboo. 

Otto Ritzenthaler enlisted in the National Guard in 1914 when he was only 16. Two years later he graduated from Baraboo High School and shortly after started his military service. In 1917 Otto and other members of Company A of the Wisconsin National Guard were training at a camp in Waco, Texas, when they received notice they were heading to Europe. While there, Otto and his comrades served in the 32nd Division. This division became very famous and earned the nickname the “Red Arrow Division”. They were the only division to pierce  through the German front line, like an arrow. A patch for this division is sewn into the right shoulder of Otto’s uniform.

Last year, a member of Otto’s family donated his military trunk, also known as a “footlocker,” to the Historical Society. Included in the trunk was Otto’s full World War I uniform, some photos of Otto during his service and after, and paper records. The records included Otto’s diploma from Baraboo High School (showing he graduated in 1916), his enlistment record into the Wisconsin National Guard in 1914, and his discharge record from the army in December of 1918. Otto’s National Guard enlistment record shows an interesting story. He enlisted in 1914 (before graduating high school) and in 1917 was discharged from the National Guard and transferred over to military service in Europe. He entered service as a Corporal and within a couple weeks was promoted to a Supply Sergeant. After serving in Europe for about a year, he was discharged and returned home in December of 1918. 

The document ending the war, known as “The Armistice,” was signed Nov. 11, 1918, which brought an end to much of the fighting and allowed many men to return home. Yet, some of the men from the 32nd Division didn’t make it home until spring of the following year.