45th REGIMENT
COAST ARTILLERY CORPS

The first one is a shot of a boxing champ soldier in uniform sitting on a rough bench at a military base. On the back it says, "To W. E. Walthers from 'Bearcat' Beecher, Middleweight Champion, 45th C.A.C." The other two photos show Beecher with his buddies on the same bench, and a great shot of another one of them standing with his rifle in front of the bench. This one says, Walter L. Beremston (I think) R.F.D. #1, Box 17, Atlanta, GA." on the back.

45th Artillery Muster

As I find stories and photos of men who served in the 45th Artillery I will list them here. If you had a family member who also served in the 45th Artillery please contact me.

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Private Donald Firkins, Battery B: was the son of G. A. Firkins of Gibbon, Nebraska. Pvt. Firkirns entered the Army at Ft. Logan, Colorado on 14 December 1917. He was first stationed at Ft. Scott and then Camp Eustis and then was transferred to Battery B, 45th Artillery CAC. Pvt. Firkins was discharged on 19 February 1919.

Private Bryan Adams, 3372024, Supply Co., born 27 July 1898 in Elkton, Kentucky. At the time Bryan entered the Regular Army he lived at 1147 Laird St. in Akron, Ohio. He enlisted at the Columbus Barracks in Columbus, Ohio on 30 July 1918 and was assigned to the Coast Artillery Corps at Ft. Screven, Georgia. On 29 August 1918 he was transferred into Supply Company, 45th Artillery, C.A.C. He sailed with the 45th Artillery to France on 21 October 1918 and returned to the States on 31 January 1919. Pvt. Adams remained with Supply Co., 45th Artillery until he was discharged on 20 February 1919.

Cook Benjamin Franklin Abear, Supply Co.: He was born 14 July 1986 and was placed in a Catholic orphanage when he was young, after his father died in a logging accident, and ran away from the Catholic orphanage at age 10 or 12, and travelled around the country as a young boy, all on his own. During the early summer of 1918 Ben Abair felt the call to serve his country and entered the Army. He was assigned to the 45th Artillery as a Cook in the Supply Company. He served overseas with the 45th Artillery and probably was discharged in February 1919 with the rest of the men in the 45th Artillery. According to the Minnesota Death Index Ben Abair died in Cass County, Minnesota on 18 August 1963. According to his grand-daughter Cheryl Little this is what it says on his gravestone: "MN Cook Sup Co 45 Coast Arty WW1"