Q: With all the talk about the obesity in America, what was the average size of soldiers in World War I and the average size of soldiers in World War II?
—John Glover, McDonough
A: The average U.S. soldier in World War I (1917-18 for the U.S.) was 67.49 inches tall and weighed 141.5 pounds, which was slightly smaller than the average soldier during World War II (1941-45 for the U.S.). In 1943, the average U.S. draftee was 68.1 inches tall and weighed 151 pounds, based on a study of 101,142 soldiers. By 1946, the average U.S. soldier was 68.4 inches and weighed 154.8 pounds. A study of 24,000 soldiers during the Civil War (1861-65) found the average height was 67.2 inches and the weight was 141.4 pounds.
Q: Who wrote the lyrics to the old song, “Over the River and Through the Woods?” And when?
—Lance DeLoach, Thomaston
A: Lydia Maria Child, who was born and raised in Massachusetts, wrote "Over the River and Through the Woods" as a Thanksgiving poem in 1844. It originally was called "A Boy's Thanksgiving Day" or "The New-England Boy's Song About Thanksgiving Day" and appeared in her "Flowers for Children, Volume 2." The poem was written before Thanksgiving became an official U.S. holiday in 1863 and later was set to music. "Child never revised the poem herself, but the verses changed over time, especially when they were set to music," according to BostonLiteraryHistory.com. In addition to being a poet, journalist and author, Child was a women's rights activist and abolitionist.
Andy Johnston wrote this column. Do you have a question about the news? We’ll try to get the answer. Call 404-222-2002 or email q&a@ajc.com (include name, phone and city).
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