Charlie Reilley Goes To War...

Today we have published Part II of Marin County Fire Chief Charles R. Reilly's biography. He fought in World War I and earned a Distinguished Service Cross for "Extraordinary Heroism." This is the man who would later save the very young Marin County FD in the 1950's from being taken over by the California Department of Forestry. Reilley served as an Engineer in the 316th Engineering Battalion of the 91st U.S. Army Division. 

​Trench warfare, poison gas, newly improved machine guns, constant artillery bombardment, attacks from aircraft and balloons, and the newly developed tanks were just some of the technological improvements that created horrible conditions in what was known as "The War to End All Wars." Join us as we do a brief review of the war and Charlie's service.

Reilley was not the only member of the Marin County fire service to serve in World War I. We will eventually feature others, including Larkspur's Mert Bain, who fought with the 362nd Infantry, also in the 91st Division. The biography is located under the More menu>Special Recognition and Award Recipients>Reilley, Charles R. (Jr.) Chief Marin County FD.

Click here to read Part II of the biography

Veterans of World War I parading down 5th Avenue in New York City on Sept. 10, 1919. The parade was held to honor General John J. Pershing and an estimated 25,000 soldiers from the American Expeditionary Force, almost one year after the official end to the war.