04/16/2026
The conditions our soldiers endure while serving are rarely understood by civilians. That situation could not have been truer for Company L of the 127th Infantry Regiment predominantly out of Rhinelander, Wisconsin. Until recent archival research uncovered this photo, their camp tribulations and triumphs remained a secret.
While at Camp MacArthur in 1918, the soldiers of Company L became the object of affection for two wild creatures native to the North Woods who had stowed away in a footlocker. The Hodags as they are known, trailed the men on ruck marches and regularly became course obstacles as the animals would lay down for belly rubs halfway through. Rather than fight the beasts Company L. befriended the Hodags and assigned them to the third watch.
Always cooperative, if they’d had their alone time, the Hodags became the unofficial Company L mascots. Given the names Harry and Hortense, they were as common a sight around camp as chipped beef on toast, and likely smelled better.
They are pictured here in the official photo of Company L, Harry is on the left and Hortense on the right.
If you’d like to learn more about military mascots, the museum has a traveling exhibit about them. Learn more here : https://bit.ly/4touCMJ
