James Laughlin McDougall, a resident of Detroit, Michigan at the time he was drafted, served in Company A of the 339th Infantry Regiment, 85th Division, U.S. Army. His Serial Number was 2041457 and he held the rank of Mechanic.

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.

McDougall 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.

Company A saw considerable action along the Vaga River Front in January 1919.

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

On 22 June 1919, McDougall and his Company sailed from Brest, France aboard the USS Von Steuben, bound for Hoboken, NJ.

Upon their return home, the members of the ANREF adopted the Polar Bear insignia and nickname.

James McDougall (1893)