Albert Clostermann was born on 2 July 1896 in Leadville, Colorado. He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. George Clostermann, and he had a brother named Robert.  Albert’s parents were from Germany and had emigrated from Germany just before Albert was born.  They spoke both English and German at home. The Clostermann family originally settled in Denver, Colorado where Albert attended elementary school.  They then moved to Portland, Oregon where Albert attended Washington High School.  He worked for the United States National Bank.

On 27 January 1916, Albert joined the Oregon National Guard and in May he was made Sergeant of the newly formed Machine Gun Company.  During the Mexican Punitive Expedition, the Oregon National Guard was mustered into federal service and was sent to the Mexican border. Albert must have impressed his superiors during that expedition, since they sent him to officer training school at the Presidio immediately afterwards.  Albert was then commissioned a Second Lieutenant.  

After America’s entry into WWI, the Oregon National Guard was again brought into federal service and Albert was assigned to Company E of the 362ndRegiment of the 91stDivision.  The Division arrived in France in July of 1918 and entered combat during the Meuse-Argonne campaign near the Forest of Hesse that September.  The Division suffered heavy losses during this campaign. In fighting near Gesnes on 29-30 September 362ndRegiment suffered over 500 casualties, and Albert was the only officer left standing in his Company.  By the time the 91stDivision left the Meuse Argonne, they had lost a total of 150 officers and 4000 men.  On 17 October, Albert and his Regiment were sent by train to Belgium.  On 31 October, the Division completed the liberation of Waregem and pushed into the Spitaalsbossen where it again saw very heavy fighting.  At 05.00 on 3 November 1918, Albert was struck by an artillery shell, and died at Wortegem.

Albert sent his last letter home on 23 October 1918.  It was written in German.  In describing Belgium, he said that “Most of the buildings have been destroyed and families are returning to the towns with the little possessions that they carry.” He went on to ask his parents “For my Christmas package, I would like lots of candy.”   

The information above is linked to this profile page that was provided by Joannes Thuy, The Story of the 91st Division (linked below) and The Soldiers of the Flanders Field American Cemetery by Christopher Sims and Patrick Lernout (likewise linked below.)