The story of Sandwich’s military service begins in 1861 and continues through the generations. What follows are selected accounts documenting the men who carried the town’s name into war, and the memory they brought home.
The Civil War (1861–1865)
Local men left farms, shops, and workshops to serve in the Union army, carrying Sandwich’s name into some of the war’s most defining campaigns.
- When Sandwich Went to War
When the Civil War began in 1861, Sandwich area residents answered the call to preserve the Union, leaving behind farms, businesses, and families to serve on battlefields across the South. - Company H – The Sandwich Guards
Raised in Sandwich in 1861, Company H of the 10th Illinois Infantry became known as the Sandwich Guards, carrying the community’s name into some of the Civil War’s earliest campaigns.
The Sandwich Guards at New Madrid
During the Civil War, Sandwich’s Company H participated in operations near New Madrid, Missouri, part of an important Union campaign to gain control of the Mississippi River. - Captain Lindsay H. Carr
Civil War officer Lindsay H. Carr emerged as one of Sandwich’s notable military figures, remembered for his leadership, service, and connection to the community during the Union war effort. - From Sandwich to Sherman’s March
Men connected to Sandwich served in some of the Civil War’s most famous campaigns, including General William Tecumseh Sherman’s March through the South in 1864. - They Went From Sandwich
From young farm boys to local merchants and craftsmen, Sandwich-area men left their homes during the Civil War to serve in Union regiments fighting across the nation. - Civil War Veterans Reunite in Sandwich
Decades after the Civil War ended, aging Union veterans gathered again in Sandwich to remember their service, reconnect with old comrades, and reflect on a rapidly changing world.
World War II (1941-1945)
World War II called another generation from Sandwich into service, sending men and women across oceans while families followed the war from home.
- Sandwich Airmen Lost at Sea During World War II, young men connected to Sandwich served far from home in dangerous conditions, including airmen who were lost at sea while serving overseas. Their stories remain part of the community’s wartime memory.
- Twait Brothers – A family’s Normandy Story
The Twait brothers of Sandwich served during World War II, with their family’s story reflecting the sacrifice, uncertainty, and determination experienced by countless American families during the war years.
Modern Service & Veterans
Military service continued beyond the great wars, with Sandwich residents serving in conflicts and commitments around the world.
- Major General William L. Enyart (Ret.)
- Sandwich native William L. Enyart served in the United States Army for more than three decades, rising to the rank of Major General and later serving as Adjutant General of Illinois and a member of Congress.
- Richard Martin Paden
Richard “Dick” Paden of Sandwich was killed in action near Kunu-ri, North Korea in 1950 while serving with the U.S. Army’s 2nd Infantry Division during the Korean War.
