History of Ambulance Company Number 139

When the United States entered the Great War, a group of Kansas physicians and citizens answered an urgent call to form an ambulance company. Under the direction of Dr. Edwin Tenney, the unit swelled to its full complement in just weeks, drawing men from college campuses and city streets alike. Their early weeks were filled with enlistments, oath‑taking ceremonies, and the strange mix of excitement and nervousness that comes with stepping into uniform for the first time.

Training at Camp Doniphane quickly turned their enthusiasm into practical skill, as they learned vehicle maintenance, battlefield navigation, and first‑aid techniques under the watchful eyes of seasoned officers. Frequent drills on paved streets left many with sore feet, but the men persisted, bonding over shared hardships and a growing sense of duty. By mid‑summer they received federal inspection, a green light that meant a possible departure for Europe within weeks. As they awaited orders, the company imagined the Atlantic crossing and the unknown challenges awaiting them on the Western Front.