Argonne to Afghanistan, a Bible visits both a century apart

U.S. Air Force Capt. Eric Hulshizer holds a Bible that his great-grandfather carried through France during World War I, at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, April 23, 2014. Hulshizer, a native of Edmond, Okla., and deployed out of Robins Air Force Base, carries the Bible daily in Afghanistan.(U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Master Sgt. Gary J. Rihn/Released)

Argonne to Afghanistan, a Bible visits both a century apart

Warren Knoble, great-grandfather of U.S. Air Force Capt. Eric Hulshizer, is shown at home in Lafayette, Ohio, shortly before departing in 1918 for battle in France during World War I. Hulshizer, a native of Edmond, Okla., and deployed out of Robins Air Force Base, now carries the Bible in Afghanistan that Knoble carried in France nearly 100 years earlier.(U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Master Sgt. Gary J. Rihn/Released)

Argonne to Afghanistan, a Bible visits both a century apart

U.S. Air Force Capt. Eric Hulshizer reviews budget numbers at the 455th Expeditionary Finance Office, Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, April 23, 2014. Hulshizer, a native of Edmond, Okla., and deployed out of Robins Air Force Base, is the finance officer at Bagram.(U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Master Sgt. Gary J. Rihn/Released)

Argonne to Afghanistan, a Bible visits both a century apart

U.S. Air Force Capt. Eric Hulshizer assists a customer at the 455th Expeditionary Finance Office, Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, April 23, 2014. Hulshizer, a native of Edmond, Okla., and deployed out of Robins Air Force Base, is the finance officer at Bagram.(U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Master Sgt. Gary J. Rihn/Released)

Argonne to Afghanistan, a Bible visits both a century apart

Published April 25, 2014
By Senior Master Sgt. Gary J. Rihn
455th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan -- Warren Knoble was a 22 year-old U.S. Army private in World War I. As he fought across the French countryside, he carried a small Bible with him.

Nearly 100 years later, his great-grandson carries that same Bible daily while deployed to Afghanistan.

U.S. Air Force Capt. Eric Hulshizer, a native of Edmond, Okla., and deployed out of Robins Air Force Base, is the finance officer for the 455th Air Expeditionary Wing's finance office at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan. Shortly before he left home, his uncle presented him with the small book.

"It looked a little weathered, a little worn. I thought it was a nice gift, but I didn't realize the significance until I opened it. That's when I knew it was pretty unique," said Hulshizer. When he opened the cover, he found a handwritten entry saying that it was carried across France during World War I in 1918 and 1919.

Knoble was a machine gunner in Company D, 305th Machine Gun Battalion, and fought in the Battle of the Argonne, one of the bloodiest single battles in U.S. history, with over 26,000 U.S. soldiers being killed. Upon returning home, he became a rural mail carrier for many years in Lafayette, Ohio, the town where he was born and lived his entire life.

After its time in France, the history of the Bible is unclear, until Hulshizer received it last fall. Since then, he has carried it in the United States, through Kyrgyzstan, and around Afghanistan, tucked inside his uniform shirt pocket.

While acknowledging the obvious differences, Hulshizer sees a lot of parallels in the military of World War I and now.

"Part of it was the spiritual side, but a large part of it was the historical aspect, remembering there were significant sacrifices made, and significant battles. Remember, it was called the Great War at the time," he said.

Hulshizer also appreciates the significance of the upcoming centennial anniversary of his Bible being carried in a combat environment.

"So its journey continues almost 100 years later. It's gone from France in 1918 to now, almost 100 years later in Afghanistan," he said.