Alaska Highway. 95th Regimental Commander. Veteran WW1 and WW2.
Born: 27 August 1891, New York. Died: 24 November 1944, Marion County, Ohio. His father was Max Neuman (1857-1927) and his mother was Ernestine Rosette (1856-1936). He married Ruth I. Cott (1902-1972) on 4 September 1929 in Franklin, Ohio.
The Marion Star (Marion, Ohio), Saturday 25 November, 1944. “Col. Neuman Dies Suddenly: Marion Engineer Depot Head Stricken on Duty Yesterday.” November 25, 1944.
Colonel David L. Neuman, 54, commanding officer of the Marion Engineer Depot died suddenly at the depot yesterday afternoon. Col. Neuman was taken suddenly ill in mid afternoon yesterday while in his office. He spoke to another officer about discomfort in the stomach region, stooped to take a drink of water at a fountain and virtually collapsed. He was taken to the depot’s hospital and died a few minutes later.
Education and Military History:
The Marion Starr (Marion, Ohio) “Engineer Depot Commander Has Long Military Record: Colonel Neuman Formerly on Alcan Highway Project, In service Since ’16.” December 1, 1943.
Colonel Neuman graduated in 1913 from Columbia University, N.Y with degree in Civil Engineering . In 1916 he was on duty on the Mexican border with the 22nd Engineers of the New York National Guard. He was commissioned in the Regular Army in 1917.
“New York, Abstracts of World War I Military Service” Promotions: 2 Lt CE (Prov) July 7/17; 1 Lt CE (Prov)July 7/17; Capt (Prov) July 7/17; Maj CE USA Oct 1/18. Organizations and assignments: 6 Engrs to July 11/17; Army Serv Sch to Sept 22/17; 5 Engrs to Nov 28/17; 2 Engrs to –; 214 Engrs to Nov 14/18; Engr Trps to Jan 10/19; 3 Engrs to disch Ft. Oglethorpe Ga; AEF; Wash DC; Cp Forrest GA; Ascon CZ. Engagements: Aisne; Vosges Defensive Sector.
In 1923 he graduated from the Engineer School at Ft. Belvoir, Virginia and in 1932 he completed Command and General Staff school at Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas.
From 1940 to 1942 he organized and commanded the segregated soldiers in the 2nd Training Group at Ft. Belvoir. At Ft. Bragg, North Carolina, he organized and trained the 95th segregated General Service Regiment. In late May 1942, the 95th Regiment and Col. Neuman, Regimental Commander, arrived at Dawson Creek, British Columbia, Canada. Col. Neuman led the 95th in building the southern section of the Alcan Highway following the white 35th and 340th engineer regiments. During this time, he injured his knee and in July 1942 was moved to Walter Reed Hospital in Washington, DC for treatment.
Serial # O-005526