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Americans at WarThe Doughboys

Historical accounts show that U.S. infantry (foot) soldiers had been called “Doughboys” as early as the Mexican-American War (1846-48). During World War I, the term was universally adopted as the nickname for all American troops who went overseas to fight.

They came from every part of the country, and represented nearly every segment of America’s large and diverse population: Ivy League blue bloods and immigrants fresh off the boat. Country boys and city dwellers. Grandsons of Civil War veterans and grandsons of slaves. Sons of settlers and cowboys from the West, and Native American warriors carrying on their tribal traditions.

The following figures help paint a broad picture of the men who fought for America in World War I:

  • 25% of men between the ages of 18 and 31 were in military service
  • The average height was 5 feet 7 1/2 inches tall; the average weight was 141.5 pounds – about the same as a Civil War soldier, but an inch shorter and ten pounds lighter than those who served in World War II.
  • 37% were unable to read or write
  • 39% were immigrants or sons of immigrants
  • 10% were African American
  • 7 out of 10 soldiers were draftees
  • 53,402 were killed in combat; 63,114 died from other causes; 204,000 were wounded
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Lessons/resources

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More resources/lessons

» Soldiers' Poems of World War I in Newspapers: Personal Responses in Public Media

Explores poems by U.S. troops about their experiences; includes suggestions for classroom discussion.  |  Library of Congress

» Artist Soldiers

Artistic Expression in the First World War - Website accompanying an exhibition at the Smithsonian National Air & Space Museum in Washington, D.C. (4/6/17 ~ 11/11/18)  |  National Air and Space Museum

» U.S. Army Center of Military History: World War 1 Centennial Website

World War I resources focusing on the U.S. Army's wartime efforts. Includes lesson plans.  |  U.S. Army Center of Military History

» U.S. Army Center of Military History: General Resources | World War I

Official publications and records about the U.S. Army in World War One.  |  U.S. Army Center of Military History

» Library of Congress: World War I

Homepage for the Library of Congress' extensive WWI collections and resources.  |  Library of Congress