John J. Tyer, a resident of Ecorse Township, Michigan at the time he was drafted, served in Company K of the 339th Infantry Regiment, 85th Division, U.S. Army.

During their basic training at Camp Custer near Battle Creek, Michigan, the 339th was known as "Detroit's Own" because most of the men were from Detroit and southeast Michigan.

Tyer was one of the approximately 5,200 members of the American North Russia Expeditionary Force (ANREF) who were sent by President Wilson to North Russia as part of the Allied forces that intervened in the Russian Civil War.

On 21 July 1918, Tyer and his Company sailed from New York City aboard the USS Harrisburg, bound for Liverpool, England.

At the time he went overseas, Tyer held the rank of Private and his Serial Number was 2054315. During his time in North Russia, he was promoted to Private First Class.

On 01 July 1919, Tyer and his Company sailed from Brest, France aboard the USS President Grant, bound for Boston, Mass. Upon their return home, the members of the ANREF adopted the Polar Bear insignia and nickname.

The following information is from Find a Grave at https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/78837654

NAME John Tyer

BIRTH 2 Jun 1896, Ecorse, Wayne County, Michigan, USA

DEATH 2 Mar 1991 (aged 94), Wayne County, Michigan, USA

BURIAL Northview Cemetery, Dearborn, Wayne County, Michigan, USA

John Tyer (1896)