WWI Fighters from Kentucky's "Polar Bear Expedition" in the Spotlight: Speaking Engagements by Marvin Bartlett
In the cold and brutal landscape of northern Russia during 1918-1919, a lesser-known chapter of American military history unfolded. The American North Russia Expeditionary Force (ANREF), also known as the Polar Bear Expedition, was an American military intervention aimed at combating Bolshevik forces and supporting anti-Bolshevik factions in an attempt to revive the Eastern Front during World War I.
The ANREF was a unique example of American military engagement beyond the primary Western Front. Many of the men who joined this expedition were from the 339th Infantry Regiment, a significant portion of which was made up of soldiers from Indiana and Kentucky. These troops were redeployed from the Western Front in France to the Northern Russian theater after the armistice, and their involvement is remembered as a notable part of Kentucky’s military history due to the harsh and challenging conditions they endured.
One such Kentuckian was Simon Grant Davis, a former teacher from Whitley County, who gave damning reports about the behavior of British officers and the unpreparedness of the anti-Bolshevik forces. Approximately 230 Americans died during the ANREF, including about fifteen who were likely Kentuckians.
Marvin Bartlett, a returning Kentuckian who has penned a captivating account of this historical event in his book, "Spirit of the Bluegrass," describes the experience of coming home from northern Russia as feeling like coming out of Hell into Heaven. The book, which has been well-received and maintains high sales rankings on Amazon, was launched on May 6 with over a hundred people attending a discussion and book signing at Joseph-Beth Booksellers in Lexington. Since its release, "Spirit of the Bluegrass" has been #2 in "General Southern US Travel Guides" on Amazon.
Marvin's upcoming appearance schedule includes the Henderson County Library on July 22, Jessamine Tourism Office on August 22, Estill County Library Book Festival on August 30, and Author's Roundtable at Mason County Library on September 30. The book is available widely on online sites such as Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and at Joseph-Beth Booksellers in Lexington. For more information, Marvin can be contacted through his Facebook Fox 56 News page.
It is estimated that over 200 Kentuckians were part of the ANREF, representing 106 of 120 counties in the Commonwealth. The objectives of the ANRF were not fully realized, and America eventually withdrew. However, the stories of heroism and the indomitable spirit of these Kentuckians serve as a testament to their resilience and the sacrifices they made.
The ANREF was requested by Great Britain and France to prevent material stockpiles in Arkhangelsk from falling into German or Bolshevik hands and to rescue the Czechoslovak Legion stranded along the Trans-Siberian Railroad. The temperatures in northern Russia during this period were reported to have dropped as low as 60 degrees below zero, making the conditions even more challenging for the American soldiers.
Despite the harsh climate, difficult terrain, and lacking medical care, the ANREF remains a remarkable episode in American military history. The stories of these brave Kentuckians, as recounted in Marvin Bartlett's "Spirit of the Bluegrass," offer a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by our soldiers and the indomitable spirit of the Bluegrass State.
Events in the cold and challenging landscape of northern Russia during 1918-1919 were not limited to the American North Russia Expeditionary Force (ANREF) and the combat against Bolshevik forces. The ANREF also marked an instance of entertainment and literature, as Marvin Bartlett, a returning Kentuckian, penned a book named "Spirit of the Bluegrass," which offers a captivating account of this historical event. The book, available online and in bookstores, has received great acclaim and ranks high on Amazon.
In addition to military engagements, the government played a role in the ANREF, as it was requested by Great Britain and France to prevent the fall of material stockpiles in Arkhangelsk into German or Bolshevik hands and to rescue the Czechoslovak Legion stranded along the Trans-Siberian Railroad.
Furthermore, the ANREF serves as a significant chapter in Kentucky's history, with approximately 200 Kentuckians participating in this expedition, representing 106 of the 120 counties in the Commonwealth. The stories of heroism and resilience from these Kentuckians, as depicted in Marvin Bartlett's book, offer a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by the Bluegrass State's soldiers and their indomitable spirit.
