By Ronnie Rolka
George Harrison Jordan was born December 2, 1893 to George H. and Harriett T. Jordan in Norfolk, Virginia. Before enlisting he was employed as a barber and completed some college coursework at Hampton Institute in Hampton, Virginia.
Jordan enlisted in Boston Ma On January 26th, 1915 and was assigned to L company in the 6th regiment of the Massachusetts National Guard as a Private Bugler. On January 1st, 1910 he was promoted to Sergeant Bugler while training at Camp Stuart in Newport News, VA. From Newport News, Jordan and his unit shipped out aboard the USS Susquehanna en route to St. Nazaire, France at the end of March 1918.
After arriving in France on April 13th, 1918 it was nearly two months before Jordan’s unit entered combat. From June 05th, to November 10th, 1918 his unit was in continuous service without a single day furloughed. During this period Jordan was gassed by enemy forces and his unit was awarded the Croix De Guerre, a French citation issued to non-French allied forces for valor.
On February 27th, 1919 Jordan was honorably discharged having maintained his rank as Sergeant Bugler. Following his service, he was employed as a chauffeur. He was a practicing Mason, and was married to fellow Norfolk native Bertha C. Johnson. They spent their lives together in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
Sources:
“Jordan, George Harrison,” World War I History Commission Questionnaires, Library of Virginia.