The 78th Infantry Division of the U.S. Army was nicknamed “The Lightning Division,” but some people called it “Jersey’s Own.” It was made up of men mainly from New Jersey and New York and had been formed at Camp Dix in August 1917, and trained there until its departure for France in May 1918. Most of Ocean County’s men served in the 311th Regiment of the 78th.

In September 1918 the division played a key role in the largest World War I battle fought by the U.S., known as the Meuse-Argonne…