Author James Bilder to discuss 'Artillery Scout'

Author James G. Bilder talks about his grandfather's experiences with the artillery during World War I in a Date with History presentation at Cantigny Park.

Bilder discusses "Artillery Scout: The Story of a Forward Observer with the U.S. Field Artillery in World War I" at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 3, in the Visitors Center at Cantigny, 1S151 Winfield Road, Wheaton. The presentation and parking are free.

In "Artillery Scout," published in 2014, Bilder profiles an American "doughboy" soldier on the front lines in Europe. The book pulls from stories shared by his grandfather - an artillery scout in France during World War I - as well as military records and diaries from Army officers.

For his efforts, Bilder was named a finalist for the Army Historical Foundation's Distinguished Writing Award. His visit to Cantigny is timely in that 2017 marks the centennial of America's entry in the Great War.

The author earned a bachelor's degree in journalism from Lewis University and a master's degree from Loyola University. He is the co-author of "A Foot Soldier for Patton" with his father, Michael.

Bilder served as mayor of Worth from 1993-2001, and resides in the Southwest suburbs of Chicago.

Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Copies of "Artillery Scout" will be for sale in the Cantigny Shop.

This event is part of the First Division Museum's Date with History, a monthly series featuring discussions with authors, panelists, historians and special guests. Information about upcoming programs is online at fdmuseum.org.