Louis Baumer was born on October 15, 1892. He served as a volunteer with the French Army in the Ambulance Service during World War I, then was enlisted in the American Army in the Intelligence Service because he could speak German. He was enlisted from May 1917 and discharged in April 1919. In this interview, Baumer discusses the following topics: how he got along with the French, Belgian, and Italian citizens; meeting President Wilson and his impression of him; Baumer's feeling about the Germans; his father's occupation; comparing the Nazis in the 1930s to the Russians in the 1980s; his feelings toward conscientious objectors; and what a typical leave was like. Baumer also provides an in-depth description of being in Munich when the war broke out. This interview was conducted for a History 499 course.
