Wilson directed the War Department to send 5,500 troops from Battle Creek’s Fort Custer. They were comprised of 339th Infantry, 310th Engineering, 85th Field Hospital, and ambulance companies. More than 95% came from Michigan, many from Alpena and Northeast Michigan.

The majority had slightly more than a month’s formal training.

In July 1918, the troops traveled overseas, with their ship arriving in Liverpool, England.

Upon arrival, orders changed. They were now bound for Russia. The main concern was that the German forces would shift from Eastern Europe to the Russian border in the west.

Courtesy Photo This photo, from the Polar Bear Expedition Collection at the Bentley Historical Library at the University of Michigan, shows soldiers standing near a blockhouse and dugout.

Issued cold-weather gear and provisions, they arrived in Archangel, Russia in late summer 1918. They were referred to as the American North Russia Expeditionary Force.

The troops later referred to themselves as the Michigan Polar Bears.

Archangel is located on the White Sea, off Finland’s upper portion. It is on the 64th geographic parallel, the same as Fairbanks, Alaska.

When the Polar Bears arrived in Archangel, they were put under British command of Maj. Gen. Frederick Poole. From an American perspective, not a well-received order.

Poole directed the American forces to protect Archangel and the region, particularly Russian military structures and British ships housing weapons, ammunition, food, limited medical supplies, and related provisions. In addition, they were to assist the Czech Legion troops.

A short time after those troops arrived in Russia, however, a formal armistice was signed, ending World War I.

Nonetheless, the Polar Bears remained in Russia and soon found themselves fighting with the Russians against Vladimir Lenin’s Bolsheviks, later known as Communists, in the Russian Revolution (making it ironic that Presidents Richard Nixon and Ronald Reagan each have stated Americans and Russians never fought each other). The Americans were stuck in an environment of poor communications, winter setting in, and a very unclear mission. A typical winter day offered less than six hours of daylight.

Literally, as American troops were returning to the United States from Europe, the 5,500 Polar Bears were left behind and forgotten.

Accounts were documented of fighting in the forest, open fields, or on strategic railroads in 60-below temperatures and waist-deep snow. Michigan Polar Bear troops were issued unfamiliar Russian rifles and side arms.

It was revealed troops may not be aware if they were shot in some parts of their body, because the wound just froze over.

As winter 1919 wore on, the Michigan Polar Bear Expedition’s family members demanded explanation about why their loved ones had not returned. Massive family rallies occurred in Detroit and Grand Rapids. Congress was petitioned to bring the troops home. On the Russian front, troops questioned their mission.

In May 1919, 100 years ago this month, the ice in Archangel harbor, 130 miles below the Arctic Circle, began to melt and recede. The Americans began their long journey home over land and sea.

Their departure was nearly eight months after World War I ended. Upon their arrival, a massive welcome party was conducted at Detroit’s railroad station and on Belle Isle.

Out of the Michigan Polar Bear regiment, 245 men were killed, 305 wounded, 80 perished of Spanish influenza, and more than 30 were missing in action.

Twenty-three of the Polar Bears received the Distinguished Service Cross.

The first Michigan Polar Bear survivor’s convention was held in Detroit in 1922.

In 1929, an American team returned to the Archangel region and recovered the remains of Michigan Polar Bear Expedition team members. Those remains were interred at White Chapel Cemetery in Troy. In 1930, the Michigan Polar Bear Expedition memorial was dedicated at that cemetery.

It is reported the last Polar Bear died in 2001.

Jeffrey Brasie is a former Alpena resident and retired health care CEO. He writes historic feature stories and resides in suburban Detroit.

Additional Resources

* The Michigan Heroes Museum, located in Frankenmuth, offers memorabilia and artifacts from the Michigan Polar Bears Expedition.

* The University of Michigan’s Bentley Historical Library has extensive online Michigan Polar Bears resources.

* A recently published book, “The Polar Bear Expedition: The Heroes of America’s Forgotten Invasion of Russia, 1918 -1919,” by James Carl Nelson, offers important context

* Released in 2010 was a documentary film on the Michigan Polar Bears, “Voices of a Never-Ending Dawn,” produced and directed by Michigan native Pamela Peak.

* At 11 a.m. on May 27 at the White Chapel Cemetery in Troy, the Michigan Polar Bear Expedition members will be honored. For more information, contact Michael Grobbel, president of the Polar Bear Memorial Association at webmaster@grobbel.org or 586.484.3965.

Northeast Michigan Polar Bear members who perished in Russia

Alpena

Joseph Marchlewski

Atlanta

Arthur Christian

Long Lake

Ralph Patrick

Onaway

Arthur Prince

Source: The Polar Bear Memorial Association

Michigan Polar Bears from Northeast Michigan

Alpena – 18

Barton City – 1

Glennie – 1

Harrisville – 2

Hawks – 2 *

Hillman – 1

Lewiston – 1

Lincoln – 13

Long Lake – 2

Onaway – 2

Posen – 1

Rogers City -1

Spruce – 1

*Canadians assigned to Battle Creek’s 339th Infantry

Source: The University of Michigan’s Bentley Historical Library

Newsletter

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)

• Daily Newsletter
• Breaking News
• Obituaries

Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *

• Yes
• No