Scott I brought this over from Rev9 – I am moving my up dates to this page as it is really outdated
33 WEST POINTERS KILLED IN THE WAR – NY Times
Note – In the listing, the Class of 1917 graduated April 1917, the Class of 1918 graduated August 1917 and the Class of 1919 graduated June of 1918. There is also an error
http://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F20B12FB3E5F1B728DDDAB0A94D9415B898DF1D3
Film – very basic -The St. Mihiel Drive September 1918 United States First Army http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jvxEtVq0Wng
Association of Graduates Reports
http://digital-library.usma.edu/libmedia/archives/aogreports/V1918.PDF
Listing of Officers 1900 – 1950
http://www.usofficerdocuments.com/armyair/reg_resb6.html
Authorization for travel to Europe for Families
http://www.itwasprinted.com/genealogy/WW1_casualties_a.htm
Recipients of the DSC WWI
http://www.homeofheroes.com/members/02_DSC/indexes/1_ww1/01_index.html
Class of 1886
3141 Col Betram Tracy Clayton QMC N0. 3141 KIA May 30, 1918 DSC
The bomb dropped by a German aviator killed at the same time several other officers.
Map – http://www.maplandia.com/france/picardie/oise/#map – note Montdidier is Department of Somme
Colonel Clayton was born October 19, 1862, and was the elder son of the late General and Mrs. Henry D. Clayton, of Clayton, Alabama. He was educated in the University of Alabama and graduated from the Military Academy with General Pershing in 1886. In May, 1888, he saw service in the West during the Indian Wars, but afterwards resigned to take up engineering in New York City.
His father, Major General Henry DeLamar Clayton, was a Division Commander during the Civil War.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_DeLamar_Clayton_(general)
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~gacobb/generals.html#Clayton
At the outbreak of the Spanish-American War, however, he organized Troop C, N. Y. Volunteer Cavalry, and as commanding officer of that squadron he participated in the Porto Rican campaign ‘at Coamo, P. R., and in several skirmishes in Arbonita Pass; it was at this time that Troop C prevented the destruction of important bridges, located Spanish forces and held an American Advance Post. Colonel Clayton was honorably mustered out of the volunteer service November 25, 1898, and was elected to Congress from the third New York district, http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=C000492 serving in this capacity for one year at which time he was appointed by Presidentt Roosevelt as Captain, Q. M. C. From 1901 to 1904 he served in this department in the Philippine Islands, returning to the States in April, 1904.
His next station was at Jackson Barracks, La., in charge of construction work; and in 1907 he was on duty in the office of the Quartermaster General, Washington, from August, 1907, to May 18, 1911. He received his Majority March 3, 1911, and in the following month was ordered to the U. S. Military Academy as constructing quartermaster and disbursing officer. In June, 1914, he was relieved and sent to the Canal Zone on construction duty, where he remained for about one year. Until the following year Colonel Clayton was on leave of absence and on detached service at headquarters, Eastern Department, Governor’s Island, N. Y., but in August, 1915, he returned to Ancon, Canal Zone, as constructing quartermaster.
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=pv&GRid=9210
His next duty was in the Army Transport Service from July till September, 1917, when he was ordered overseas with the Quartermaster Corps in France, where he met his death in action. The bomb dropped by a German aviator killed at the same time several other officers. At the time of this unfortunate occurrence Colonel Clayton in company with three others interested had met at a brick villa behind the American lines at Montdidier to discuss a plan for supplying fresh drinking water to American troops in the front line trenches.
Killed in action at Noyer, Department of the Oise, France, May 30, 1918.
http://www.maplandia.com/france/picardie/oise/#map – note Montdidier is Department of Somme
Emptied wine casks had been used for transportation of the water, but these receptacles were so large that they made easy targets for scouting enemy airmen. Captain Bullock, who was an American Divisional Quartermaster, had conceived the idea of utilizing empty and thoroughly cleansed gasoline tanks; The conferees were working out the details of this plan when the explosion occurred. The bomb blew out one side of the building, practically cutting the structure in half. Only that part of the villa in which Colonel Clayton and the others were seated was destroyed. As was aptly said of Colonel Clayton by a prominent member of congress:
“I have known him well for many years. He was one of the best officers in the army. A part of the time he was stationed at West Point where he mads a most efficient officer in the Quartermaster Department. He could have remained in that line of service if he had wanted to. If he had been the kind that would have liked an easy time he could have remained in that branch of the service and remained in a place of safety. Instead of that, he chose to go to France in the service of his country, in that part of the army engaged in active and dangerous service, and unfortunately he was killed — there was never a finer or braver soldier.”
A distinguished and deserved tribute has been paid this officer whose widow has received a handsome embossed parchment copy of a General Order announcing that the camp at Chateau Du Loir, Department of Garthe, France, is designated and will hereafter be known as Camp Clayton, in honor of the late Colonel who gave his life in line of duty, while serving with a combatant division at the front. Accompanying the parchment was a card, saying:
“This order is issued by the direction of the President, who wishes to express his sincere and deep sympathy.”
The card certified that B. T. Clayton, Colonel Q. M. C., died with honor in the service of his country.
Colonel Clayton was the first officer of high rank in the United States Army to be killed in action in France.
With the bereaved widow, two sons, a number of brothers and sisters, and a host of friends will mourn the loss of Bertram Clayton, who was beloved by all for his cheerfulness, calmness and ever considerate thoughtfulness for others.
Interment at Arlington National Cemetery.
http://www.arlingtoncemetery.net/btclayto.htm
http://www.arlingtoncemetery.net/btclayto.htm – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bertram_Tracy_Clayton – http://www.hmdb.org/Marker.asp?Marker=47098
(Born Ala. Ap’d Ala.) 45
Civil History. – Civil Engineer, Brooklyn, N. Y. – Elected to Congress from 4th District, N. Y., Nov. 8, 1898. – Served in the National Guard, N. Y., as 1st Lieutenant and Adjutant, 13th Regiment, May 12, 1890; Captain, Dec. 2, 1892; Major and Engineer, 2d Brigade, July 17, 1893; organized Troop C, Dec. 16, 1895, and commissioned as its first Cap- tain, Jan. 20, 1896 ; Colonel, 14th Regiment, June 20, 1899.- Assistant Engineer, Department City Works, Brooklyn, 1893 to 1897.–Assistant Engineer, Department Finance, N. Y. City, Jan., 1898 to March 4, 1899.
Military History. – Served: In Puerto Rican campaign; at Coamo, (CAPTAIN, TROOP C., N. Y. VOLUNTEER CAVALRY, MAY 20, 1898) P. R., Aug. 9; in several skirmishes in Arbonito Pass, Aug. 9 to 12, during which time Troop C prevented the destruction of important bridges, located Spanish forces, and held American advance post. (See report of Major-General commanding the Army, 1898.)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Puerto_Rican_Campaign
In September, 1917, when he was ordered overseas with the Quartermaster Corps in France, where he met his death in action. The bomb dropped by a German aviator killed at the same time several other officers.
Class of 1892
3505 Col William David Davis Inf Commanding the 361st Regiment of Infantry of the 91st Division, was killed in action November 1, 1918, while personally supervising the disposition of the companies of his regiment on the front line. Moregem, Belgium aged 49 years DSC
William D. Davies
Map – http://www.maplandia.com/belgium/vlaanderen/oost-vlaanderen/moregem/
The following is taken from 600 DAYS’ SERVICE – A HISTORY OF THE 361st INFANTRY
Twice wounded – Cited “for gallantry in action against Spanish forces at Santiago, Cuba, July 1, 1898.”
361 Inf 91 Division – in early Sept 1918, fought in the St. Mihiel Offensive, followed up on 26 September as part of the Meuse-Argonne offensive. The 17th – 19th Oct, the Regiment moved to Ypres Belgium attached to the French 7th Corps. Colonel Davis, commanding the 361st Regiment of Infantry of the 91st Division, was killed in action November 1, 1918, while personally supervising the disposition of the companies of his regiment on the front line.
REGIMENT of THE UNITED STATES ARMY
The chief asset of the regiment in these days was cheerfulness, a spirit emanating from Colonel Davis himself, who refused to tolerate any other attitude. Feeling keenly each loss to the regiment, and realizing thoroughly the nervous strain and continued exposure to which his men were being subjected, he did everything in his power to make their condition clear to the higher authorities while at the same time he used every possible effort to care for the military situation, to bring up rations, water, ammunition and
equipment.
To further appreciate his leadership read more at ( especially at 149)
http://www.archive.org/stream/600daysservicehi00burt/600daysservicehi00burt_djvu.txt
KIA Nov 1, 1918 Moregem, Belgium ( between Roubaix & Gent )
http://www.maplandia.com/belgium/vlaanderen/oost-vlaanderen/moregem/
Colonel William D. Davis, commanding the 361st Regiment of Infantry of the 91st Division, was killed in action November 1, 1918, while personally supervising the disposition of the companies of his regiment on the front linefor its continued participation in the battle in which the division had been engaged during several days preceding. The 91st Division had but recently been transferred to Belgium from France where it had taken part, at intervals, since the latter part of September, 1918, in the sanguinary conflicts on the Argonne front.
Colonel Davis was born in Michigan, March 11, 1869. His father was a veteran of more than four years service in a Michigan cavalry regiment in the Civil War. Colonel Davis entered the Military Academy in June, 1888, graduating in June, 1892, when he was appointed Second Lieutenant and assigned to the 17th U. S. Infantry which was at that time stationed at Fort D. A. Russell, Wyoming. He remained in the 17th Infantry until June 28, 1906, when he was detailed to the Q. M. Department. At the expiration of that detail he was transferred, in June, 1910, to the 5th Infantry as Captain and promoted to Major and assigned to the same regiment March 25, 1915. He was at the date of his death Lieutenant-Colonel of Infantry in the regular army.
While with the 17th Infantry he served for a time as Regiment Commissary and also as Regimental Quartermaster of the regiment and took one year’s course of instruction at the Torpedo School at Willett’s Point, New York, in 1895. He took part with his regiment in the Cuban campaign where he commanded his company as First Lieu- tenant in the action at San Juan Hill where he rendered conspicuous service. After the close of the campaign in Cuba he went with the regiment to the Philippines, where he remained until March, 1902, when the 17th Infantry was returned to the United States for temporary station at Vancouver Barracks, Washington, but to remain there only until June, 1903, when it was again sent to the Philippines to remain there until the Autumn of 1905, when it took station at Fort McPherson, Georgia. While in the Philippines he took part in many of the engagements and hostile actions incident to the Philippine in- surrection and conflicts with the Moros in Mindanao. As Captain in the Quartermaster’s Department he rendered important and efficient service, principally in the Construction Division as constructing Quar termaster at Fort Snelling, Minnesota, Fort Mackenzie, Wyoming and Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, and again as Regimental Quarter master of the 5th Infantry at Plattsburgh Barracks, New York.
He gave up his appointment of Regimental Quartermaster in order to take the course of instruction at the staff school at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, but was obliged to relinquish that after less than one year’s attendance by the operation of the “Manchu Law.” He returned to duty with his regiment which was then transferred to Panama, but was enabled to enter the course of the Staff College at Fort Leavenworth in 1915, where, during the partial suspension of the activities o’f that school on account of the Mexican border troubles, he was assigned to duty as instructor with the provisional officers’ classes until transferred in February, 1917, to San Francisco, California, for duty as instructor with the Reserve Officers training classes, where he served until transferred in August, 1917, to Camp Lewis, American Lake, Washington, to organize, train and take command of the 361st Infantry, with which regiment he went to France in June, 1918.
Colonel Davis was married in June, 1896, to Miss Abbie Greene, a daughter of Captain Charles H. Greene, of the 17th U. S. Infantry and a veteran of the Civil War, in which he served as an officer of a Rhode Island regiment of Infantry. He is survived, beside his widow, by two sons and a daughter. The oldest son, Frank G. Davis, is a graduate of the Military Academy in the class of 1921. Another son thirteen years old and a daughter eleven, are with their mother at her present place of residence at Muskogee, Oklahoma.
To the superficial observer the recital of incidents of Colonel Davis’ twenty six years of service as an officer of the regular army from the date of his graduation from the Military Academy to that of the departure of his regiment to France, as briefly stated in the foregoing paragraphs, may appear as a dry statistical statement only.
To an officer of Colonel Davis’ character, temperament and disposi tion, as they were known to those who were intimately acquainted with him, especially to those associated with him in his daily life as his military superiors and as subordinates, they were known to be years of incessant toil, mental and physical, and of unremitting study combined with full appreciation of the heavy responsibilities in which he was at times involved, in his practical and administrative military duties, not to mention periods of physical exposure in the hostile actions in which he took part in Cuba and the Philippines.
No one, however, recognized more than he himself did, the fact that the experience gained and the knowledge acquired in all these years of toil and study was but the preparation for that which might yet come and which to him did come in its full force and significance when, on reporting for duty at Camp Lewis he found himself confronted with the task of organizing, training and fitting for actual service a regiment which within a limited number of months he would be expected to lead in battle against a ruthless enemy experienced in all the arts and artifices of modern war. And this with a body of men the greater portion of whom were without previous training and with officers and non-commissioned officers almost wholly devoid of military experience. Full official report and recognition of the part taken by the 91st
Division and of the regiment of that Division commanded by Colonel Davis in the great war can safely be left to the military authorities charged with that duty. It will, however, be a source of gratification to his surviving classmates of the Military Academy and to his many friends and acquaintances in and out of the service to allude here to extracts from ‘letters received by Mrs. Davis and to other sources of information, to expressions furnishing evidence of certain phases of Colonel Davis’ conduct and character in his relations to the officers and enlisted men of his command, of qualities which, while they give testimony of efficient leadership would not ordinarily be topics touched upon in official orders and reports.
Bearing upon what has been said in regard to the manner in which Colonel Davis utilized the opportunities that came to him to prepare himself for the supreme test of his career, it may not be out of place to quote here a few brief extracts from letters written by ‘his former regimental commanders in which they give expression to their estimate of his character and qualifications.
Brigadier General Henry C. Ward, U. S. Army, retired, who commanded the 17th Infantry during its first tour of service in the Philippines, writes of him:
* * * “He was a lovely character, always happy, cheerful and an excellent companion. As an officer he had few equals. He was brilliant, capable and efficient and I considered him one of the best officers under my command. He was loved by all officers and enlisted men of the regiment. I was always proud of him. As an officer he had few equals.:
Colonel J. T. Van Orsdale, who commanded the 17th Infantry during its second tour of duty in the Philippines and after the regiment’s return to the United States, writes:
“I am very glad to testify to the esteem and respect in which Cap- tain Davis was held during the time he served in my regiment, a feeling which I am sure was shared by the entire regiment. He was an efficient officer, prompt and energetic in the performance of his duty and per- sonally greatly liked. I am sure every one who knew him regretted to hear of his untimely death.”
Many testimonials have come to hand tending to show the respect and esteem in which he was held by the enlisted men of his command, of his former regiments of the regular army as well as by those of his own in France. All go to show that this was largely due to his untiring efforts for their care,. comfort and safety and, without relaxa- tion of discipline, he gained their respect. and devotion by fair, just and impartial treatment.
The following extracts from official and personal reports and letters bear testimony of the manner in which he was esteemed by those who were in positions from personal contact and association, best able to judge of his qualifications as an officer and commander of men.
In a letter addressed to Mrs. Davis, November 5, 1918, a few days after the battle in which Colonel Davis was killed, by Brigadier General J. B. McDonald, he writes:
“* * * The enclosed order is the tribute of the Brigade to the memory of its most respected and beloved regimental commander.
This letter is one of sympathy from a soldier to a soldier’s widow who has lost her noble husband in the most glorious manner a man can die on the field of battle, for the noblest cause ever fought for, on the front line, adjusting his command for the greater safety of his soldiers.
“I had previously had the honor of recommending him for promotion for Brigadier General and for the Distinguished Service Cross for gallantry in action, and the pleasure of seeing it approved by the Division Corps and Army Commander-in-Chief and was looking forward to seeing him wearing his star with equal distinction and gallantry.
The Brigade buried him in a churchyard near by and you will be notified of its locality in due time.
I wish to add the deepest sympathy for you and the little children of the whole Brigade and of our prayers for your future welfare and the best things for you and them always.”
General Orders No. 11.
The Brigade Commander announces the death of Colonel William D. Davis, commanding the 361st Infantry, by shell fire, on November 1st, 1918, while adjusting the front line of battle.
No greater loss could have befallen the Brigade and the service loses in Colonel Davis one of the best and most valuable officers. His example as a leader and organizer was invaluable to the regiment and the whole Brigade.
The Brigade Commander feels a great personal loss in the death of Colonel Davis and extends to his bereaved family and friends his deepest sympathy and that of the whole Brigade.
(Signed) J. B. McDONALD,
Brigadier-General U. S. A., Commanding.
Following are extracts from a letter written to Mrs. Davis by Colonel M. A. W. Shockley, a member of the General Staff at Army Headquarters:
“* * * I regret exceedingly not having been able to write to you before regarding Colonel Davis. * * * Colonel Davis was instantly killed, as you already know, at Waertighem, near Audenarde, by enemy shell fire while examining the ground to- the front of the position of his regiment and the enemy’s line, in preparation for an attack to occur the following days. I visited the regiment on Novem ber 2nd and found such a warm affection for him among the officers and men. This led to the complaint that his great personal bravery rendered them uncomfortable for fear that they would lose him as they did.
There is little to be said by me or his other friends by way of consolation to you except that, while we regret his death as the loss of a friend and an officer who would have gone to high rank by his military skill, fine leadership and bravery and had rendered invaluable service to his country, yet his death was so gallant and so without distressful suffering. You and the family have lost his companionship and guidance, but you have the consolation that, as we all may die, he died as we all may wish we might die: as a gallant soldier in an instantaneous transfer from perfect health to eternity.”
Captain Jacob Kantzler, Adjutant of the regiment, writes:
* * * “The greatest personal loss to me in this war was the loss of my Colonel. I loved him and loved to serve him. More I cannot say now. Some day I hope to see you and say more.
Your husband made a wonderful record. It was conceded everywhere that he was a General in the highest sense of that term.”
In a letter written to Mrs. Davis by Major William J. Potter, one of Colonel Davis’ Company Commanders, who was severely wounded in the action of the regiment on the Argonne front and who had been promoted for distinguished service and invalided to the United States, he writes from a hospital at Scranton, Pa.:
* * * “I hesitate at this late date to renew the pain of a partly healed wound, but hearing of my Colonel’s death on the field of honor I hasten to offer my deep sympathy in your bereavement. A braver man than Colonel Davis never lived. He exposed himself freely and by his shining example inspired us all. To him is due the immortal fame of the 361st Infantry. He organized and trained a regiment that did him honor.
It was in battle that we learned to love him; so watchful and resourseful; so tireless in efforts to save men’s lives; so fearless in the presence of danger. Time and again he came up to the front line and when I pleaded with him to get down so a sniper wouldn’t get him, he would smile and tell me not to be afraid for him. The only way I could get him down would be to stand up beside him, then he would order me to lie down and would move off.
* * It would make your heart warm to hear the men speak of their Colonel. They are as proud of him as he was of them. His memory will be green in the hearts of his boys. His body lies in the Flanders fields, but his spirit will lead the survivors home. My heart goes out to you who feel his loss keenest, but we also mourn a gallant soldier and a courageous leader.”
An intimate lady friend of Mrs. Davis,. a resident of Tacoma, who made frequent visits to Camp Lewis after the return of the 361st Infantry to that cantonment from France,. writes of her conversations with the enlisted men of the regiment:
* * * “I have not hear from you for months, but knowing how cruelly hard the home coming of the 91st Division is to you, I write to speak of the honor, the affection and admiration so frequently expressed by your husband’s regiment at the camp. So far, of course, the 91st is represented here only by casuals, but their numbers, greater than from any other unit, their multiplicity of wounds, their good cheer under it all, speak eloquently of their prowess in the terrific advance they made on the Argonne, and against Audenarde they did the impossible. I have been much at camp just lately at the cantonment base hospital and in the barracks, and with the reconstruction work, and my wonder grows. I wish that you might hear or that I might repeat all the comments made by the men upon your dear husband and his enheartening bravery.
They never speak of Colonel Davis without adding praise and liking. In turning over the leaves of a book of photographs one day, while surrounded by a group of private soldiers, one of them said, when I came to his picture: ‘Stop right there; that was the bravest man in the 91st, and that is going some. You said we fellows were brave; why, anybody would be following a man like that who had never heard of fear. Colonel Davis would walk up and down calmly smoking and never know that shells were fired. He was right at the head, leading every time we advanced. Talk about his star: the 361st have already placed that upon his shoulder.’ The rest substantiated all that this man said, and this occurred not only once but every time I have talked with them.”
What is here written of the various incidents of Colonel Davis’ career is convincing evidence of the fact that he utilized to the fullest extent the opportunities opened to him by a life of hard and incessant work and study to prepare himself to meet the heavy responsibility that so suddenly came to him and enabled him to exhibit qualities of leadership that assured to him the confidence of his military superiors and the trust and admiration of the officers and men of his command. Even though his untimely death deprived him of the enjoyment of the fruits of the promotion that was practically assured to him had he survived, it is not amiss to paraphrase the remarks of the enlisted men of his regiment when at Camp Lewis they said:
“The 361st had placed upon the shoulders of their Colonel by following his leadership to his heroic death a brighter star than could have been conferred upon him by the government.”
He has been cut off in the prime of life with many years of usefulness to his family and his country yet before him. With thousands and tens of thousands left on the battle fields of France and Belgium he is of those “whose only part in all the pomp and circumstance and tumult of rejoicing shouts of welcome to the home coming hosts that fill the circuit of the hills and valleys of our land, is that his grave is green.” But his family, and those of us who knew him have the consolation to know that he sealed with his heroic death the full measure of a useful life and was entitled to receive, when he appeared for examination before the Final Board a clear, cold MAX on his Alma Mater’s most exacting interpretation of her motto for devotion to Duty, Honor, Country.
G. R. ’72.
Additional Links
Valor
http://militarytimes.com/citations-medals-awards/recipient.php?recipientid=15655
http://www.arlingtoncemetery.net/wddavis.htm – http://books.google.com/books?id=zMmgAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA131&lpg=PA131&dq=Col+William+D+Davis++KIA+Nov+1,+1918&source=bl&ots=7rPIVD8SVx&sig=FVWGeNDiKU8y4hAOx05vuNBBPCw&hl=en&sa=X&ei=CIgIUJqBCuL30gGXmO3bAw&ved=0CEkQ6AEwAQ#v=onepage&q&f=false – http://www.lonesentry.com/91stdivision/ch1.html
Class of 1893
Col Hamilton Allen Smith Inf 3559. Class of 1893 KIA July 22, 1918
Commanded the 26th Infantry Before or near Soissons this brave officer met his death-heroically as he had lived-he died the death of a very fine gentleman and soldier; his last hours were characteristic of his whole life, his thoughts were always for others. Killed while directing an attack on a machine gun emplacement,in France. Aged 47 years. DSC
Colonel Hamilton Allen Smith, was a native of Florida, having been born in that State in January, 1870; his boyhood days were spent in that State and in Georgia, from which latter State he came as a cadet to the United States Military Academy, graduating with the Class of 1893. He was assigned to the 3rd Infantry after graduation, with station at Fort Snelling, Minn., and with this regiment he saw service in the Cuban campaign and in the Philippines, and also in Alaska. With his regiment he went to the Mexican border in 1916. In 1901 he was promoted to his Cap- taincy, and in 1917 he received his Majority and was detailed in the Inspector General’s Department at Fort Sam Houston. He was a graduate of the School of the Line and of the Staff College.
Colonel Smith sailed with the first Expeditionary Forces under General Sibert. Early in the year of 1918 he was given the command of the 26th U. S. Infantry, and saw active service at Chateau Thierry and Cantigny. As a result of the excellent work done by his regiment Colonel Smith was congratulated by Generals Buck and Bullard.
Before or near Soissons this brave officer met his death-heroically as he had lived-he died the death of a very fine gentleman and soldier; his last hours were characteristic of his whole life, his thoughts were always for others.
Colonel Smith was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross posthumously by the Commanding General of the A. E. F., as shown by the following communication received by the widow of Colonel Smith:
201-Smith, Hamilton A. (Misc. Div.)
WAR DEPARTMENT
The Adjutant General’s Office.
Mrs. Hamilton A. Smith,
Fort Sam Houston, Texas – – Washington, December 2, 1918.
Dear Madam:
This office has been advised by cable by the Commanding General,
American Expeditionary Forces, that he has awarded the Distinguished Service Cross posthumously to your husband, Col. Hamilton A. Smith, 26th Infantry, for “near Soissons, France, July 19-22, 1918, he spent the greater part of his time in the front lines, to encourage and direct his command, without sign of fear for his personal safety, and by his courageous leadership inspired his officers and men to effective combat. He was killed while directing an attack on a machine gun emplacement.”
The Quartermaster General of the Army has been directed to cause the Distinguished Service Cross to be forwarded to you, and it is be lieved that you will receive same in a short time.
Very respectfully,
RALPH HARRISON,
Adjutant General.
Colonel Smith left to mourn his loss, a widow and five children, one of whom is a Sergeant of Engineers with the American Expeditionary Forces, and three brothers as well as a ‘large circle of friends who knew his worth and value as a man and a soldier. He was buried with military honors in the cemetery at Orry-la-Ville, and his body rests in a vault in the tomb belonging to Monsieur Barre Renaux. Many tears were shed for an allied hero – dead on the field of honor.
“Greater love hath no man than this * * *”
J. H. S.
http://www.arlingtoncemetery.net/hasmith.htm
http://militarytimes.com/citations-medals-awards/recipient.php?recipientid=14766
Map – http://www.maplandia.com/france/picardie/aisne/soissons/soissons/
Class of 1898
Lt Col Robert Jayne Maxey Inf No. 3862. Class of 1898. At the Battle of Cantigny, in command of the 2d Battalion,28th Infantry, received wounds of which he died May 28th. He was cited for having advanced with his first wave in the face of heavy shell and machine-gun fire. Aged 45. DSC (Died of wounds May 28, 1918) DSC
Commanded the 28th Infantry
Map – http://www.maplandia.com/france/picardie/somme/montdidier/cantigny/
Lieutenant Colonel Maxey was born in Mississippi on May 8, 1873, entered the United States Military Academy in June, 1894, and was graduated April 2, 1898. He was assigned to the 6th Infantry and served with that regiment in the Santiago Campaign. In 1899 he was ordered to the Philippines where he served three years in the Southern Islands. He returned to the States in 1902, and was stationed at Fort Leavenworth where he was an instructor in the Service School. In 1903, he became a Captain and was ordered to Missoula, Montana, where, on November 29, 1904, he married Miss Lu Knowles, daughter of Judge Hiram Knowles of the U. S. Federal Court. He served three tours of duty in the; Philippines, returning from the last in 1913. In 1915, he was detailed to the Army School of the Line and graduated an honor man. In 1916 he attended the Staff Class at Leavenworth and was graduated early on account of the Mexican trouble.
Early in 1917, at the request of General Martin, he was detailed to attend the officers’ training camp at Leon Springs, Texas. In May, 1917, he rejoined his regiment and accompanied it to France, going over with the first Expeditionary Force, in June, 1917. He was instructor in small arms firing to April, 1918, joined the Twenty-eighth Infantry about May 14, 1918, and a few days later, at the Battle of Cantigny, received wounds of which he died May 28th. He was cited for having advanced with his first wave in the face of heavy shell and machine-gun fire.
The citation adds:
“He was cool under fire and a dependable leader. Although fatally wounded, he gave detailed directions to his second in command as to just what to do and caused himself to be carried to the post of command of his regiment to give information to his regimental commander that he considered very important before being evacuated. This was under intense shell and machine-gun fire.”
Captain C. R. Hueber, Twenty-eighth Infantry, the second in command of the Battalion during the attack, gives the following account:
Lieutenant Colonel R. J. Maxey commanded the Second Battalion of the Twenty-eighth Infantry, in the attack upon Cantigny. In the early part of the engagement he was advancing with the first line of the Infantry when he was wounded in the neck by a shell fragment which later caused his death.
He was placed upon a litter and was being carried to the first aid station when he insisted upon being taken to my position as he, said he had some orders that he wanted to turn over to me. Upon reaching the position of my company, he ordered the litter bearers to lay him down and go and get me. I was about 200 yards away, superintending the construction of a strong point.
When I reached the Colonel I found him upon the litter and helpless, but he could speak and gave me full and complete instructions as to how to carry on. He had me get his map and showed me on the map where the positions were to be and how to defend them. All this time we were under heavy machine gunfire with an occasional artillery shot. He showed utter disregard for his own wound and thought of nothing but the success of the operation; nor would he proceed on his way until he was sure that I understood everything, thereby inspiring great devotion and courage.
He was a brave soldier, a worthy friend, and a devoted son and husband. He leaves a widow, two sons, Curtis Knowles Maxey and Radcliffe Stevens Maxey, a mother and three sisters.
Valor
http://militarytimes.com/citations-medals-awards/recipient.php?recipientid=13405
Photo of Unit
http://www.fortmissoula.org/exhibits/CMTC/
WWI photo of Col Maxey
http://genealogypicturearchive.com/Maxey-Robert-J
WWI photo of KIA’s with Col Maxey insert
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Cantigny-France-WW1-War-Dead-Col-Robert-J-Maxey-/140851435110
Building at Leavenworth named after Col Maxey
http://skyways.lib.ks.us/genweb/leavenwo/library/Biographies/HNRYLEAV.htm
Class of 1901
Lt Col Emory Jenison Pike Cav No. 4066. Class of 1901
As division machinegun officer, near Vandieres, France, September 15, 1918, having gone forward to reconnoiter new machinegun positions, Colonel Pike assisted in reorganizing infantry units, during a heavy artillery shelling. Locating about 20 men, he advanced and, when later joined by several Infantry platoons, rendered inestimable service in establishing outposts. When a shell had wounded one of the men in the outpost, Colonel Pike immediately went to his aid, and was severely wounded himself when another shell burst in the same place. While waiting to be brought to the rear, Colonel Pike continued in command. Died of wounds near September 16, 1918, aged 41 years.
“Medal of Honor”
Map – http://www.maplandia.com/france/lorraine/meurthe-et-moselle/nancy/vandieres/
Emory Jenison Pike was born in Iowa, December 17, 1876, and appointed from that state to the Military Academy in 1897, graduating with his class in February, 1901.
His first service was in the 2d Cavalry, which he joined at Matanzas, Cuba, returning with it to the United States in December, 1901. After two years at Fort Myer, he sailed with his regiment via Suez for a tour of Philippine service. His next station was Fort Assinniboine, Montana. Promotion to First Lieutenant took him back to Cuba and to the 15th Cavalry, in February, 1907. From March, 1908, until September, 1915, he was on duty with his regiment at Fort Ethan Allen and at Fort Leavenworth, except for two very creditable years as a student at the Army School of the line which he completed as a “Distinguished Service Graduate” in 1914, and at the Army Staff College from which he graduated the following year. It is worthy of note that these two years comprise practically all of his detached service.
Promotion to Captaincy took him to the 8th Cavalry at Fort Bliss, Texas, 1915, where he remained until August, 1917, when he was ordered to Fort Leavenworth as an instructor in the School of the Line. Before entering on his new duty, however, he was promoted to Major, National Army, and joined the newly organized 82nd Division
at Camp Gordon, Georgia.
After many months of hard preparation in which he fully shared his part of the burden, he embarked with his division in April, 1918. Landing in England, it was immediately sent to France and assigned with a skeleton British division for a month’s preliminary training, followed by two months’ front line training in the Toul sector. In August the Division was moved over to the Marbache sector, and September 12, the first day of the St. Mihiel drive, found it astride the Moselle forming the right or pivot of the attacking line of the 1st Army.
On September 15, Pike went forward to the front line to reconnoiter machine gun positions on newly occupied ground. The following citation explains what followed:
“Emory J. Pike, Lieutenant Colonel, division machinegun officer, 82nd Division For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty in action with the enemy near Vandieres, France, September 15, 1918. Having gone forward to reconnoiter new machinegun positions, Colonel Pike offered his assistance in reorganizing advance infantry units, which had become disorganized during a heavy artillery shelling. He succeeded in locating only about 20 men, but with these he advanced and, when later joined by several Infantry platoons, rendered inestimable service in establishing outposts, encouraging all by his cheeriness, in spite of the extreme danger of the situation. When a shell had wounded one of the men in the outpost, Colonel Pike immediately went to his aid, and was severely wounded himself when another shell burst in the same place. While waiting to be brought to the rear, Colonel Pike continued in command, still retaining his jovial manner of encouragement, directing the reorganization until the position could be held. The entire operation was carried out under terrific bombardment, and the example of courage and devotion to duty, as set by Colonel Pike, established the highest standard of morale and confidence to all under his charge.
The wounds he received were the cause of his death.
Emergency address: Miss Martha Agnes Pike, daughter, 1806 Tenth Street, Des Moines, Iowa. Residence at appointment: 1806 Tenth Street, Des Moines, lowa.”
He died the next morning.
Genial, sympathetic, tolerant, improvident, he was a philosopher, accepting what fell to his lot with an even temperament, always cheerful and unruffled. The real man in him was wrought out most clearly when put to the supreme test in battle. The estimate placed on him by his superiors is measured by the reward-the Congressional Medal of Honor.
Pike had the qualities that make a good soldier and he was one.
F. P. L
Map of Vandieres, France
http://www.maplandia.com/france/lorraine/meurthe-et-moselle/nancy/vandieres/
Medal of Honor write up
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emory_Jenison_Pike
Buried in Woodland Cemetery Des Moines Iowa
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=7402424
Iowa Medal of Honor Heroes
http://www.iowahistory.org/museum/exhibits/medal-of-honor/pike_e_ww1/index.htm
82d Airborne Medal Of Honor
http://www.scls.lib.wi.us/mcm/history/82nd/82_18.pdf
Col Pike’s Medalof Honor
http://pinterest.com/pin/58969076340813053/
Col Pike’s Daughter
http://iagenweb.org/boards/polk/biographies/index.cgi?read=54485
A letter to Miss Pike speaking of Col Pike is on page 14 at
http://books.google.com/books?id=0_j1VTNOh5gC&pg=PA12&lpg=PA12&dq=Emory+J+Pike&source=bl&ots=_j0FRJaZB2&sig=P_bQdTNpS9N6tCo-FLMGpIf6tGo&hl=en&sa=X&ei=xU9qUOamEKGA0AHJ4oGIAw&ved=0CE0Q6AEwCTgK#v=onepage&q=Emory%20J%20Pike&f=false
West Point – Medal of Honor
http://www.westpointer.com/moh.html
West Point Medal of Honor Recipients
http://www.westpointaog.org/document.doc?id=1667
82d Medal of Honor Recipients
http://www.faychap82d.org/MOH%20citations.htm
Medal of Honor
http://www.homeofheroes.com/moh/citations_1918_wwi/pike.html
Class of 1903
Lt Col James Andrew Shannon Cav No. 4158. Class of 1903 (Died of wounds Oct 8, 1918) Chatel-Chehery. Dennis Nolan said of him “I conversed with him shortly after he was wounded and gave him the information that his regiment had just completed taking its assigned objective, Hill 244, (Chatel Chehery) in a splendid attack. Though mortally wounded, he had me tell him the details of the attack that had occurred after he was wounded, and he interrupted me frequently to say,
‘That’s fine; that’s fine,’ speaking of the conduct of his officers and men which I was describing to him.” October 8, 1918. Aged 39 years. Distinguished Service Cross. French Croix de Guerre.
James A. Shannon
Map Chatel-Chehery, France –
http://www.maplandia.com/france/champagne-ardenne/ardennes/vouziers/chatel-chehery/
Jimmie Shannon, or “Shanno,” as he was familiarly called by his classmates, was born at Granite Falls, Minnesota, May 25, 1879. It is interesting to note that this “man of character” was of Scotch – Irish descent, Scotch Covenanter and Irish Protestant. In him were combined the best’ qualities of each deep religious conviction, as well as a keen sense of humor, and good fellowship. He early conceived the idea of going to West Point and for a number of years followed a schedule of preparation including the time from 5 a. m. to 9 p. m. In this program was included a daily period of exercise in the gymnasium at Duiluth and here Jimmie began his boxing for surpassing skill in which he was so noted as a cadet.
He entered the Academy in June, 1898, and at once attracted the attention of his classmates. His unusual personality was remarked. His purity of thought, strength of character and deep religious convictions, combined with his lovable nature and athletic prowess made him not only loved and admired by his classmates, but also impressed them with a sense of wonderment, and one might almost say, of reverence.
During those early days was heard the remark, many times re peated in later years, by men of every degree, “I believe Shannon is the finest character I have ever known.”
At the Academy, Shannon was very prominent in athletics. He was noted as the best boxer and fighter of his weight. He was winner of the 440-yard run and was one of the best quarterbacks who ever played for the Black and Gray and Gold, inspiring the team ever with his own indomitable fighting spirit.
Upon graduation, Jim was assigned to the 7th Cavalry at Chickamauga Park, Georgia. He served with this regiment at Camp Thomas and at Fort Myer and in 1905 accompanied it to the Philippine Islands. After a short period of service there, he was made aide to General Tasker H. Bliss and remained with him in the Islands until 1908. He was present in the engagement at Bud Dajo.
Shannon rejoined the 7th Cavalry at Fort Riley in 1908, and was there married, ‘on September 5th, to Imogene Hoyle, daughter of Brigadier General (then Lieutenant Colonel) Eli D. Hoyle. The atmosphere of his happy home life will be long remembered by his friends who were so fortunate as to have opportunity to look in on the little household, a refreshing stronghold of love and happiness. One daughter, Imogene, was born at this Fort on August 5, 1909.
While at Riley, Jim developed into one of our leading army polo players as a member of the 7th Cavalry team. He graduated from the mounted Service School, 1909-10, and was admittedly one of the best riders in that class. He returned to the Philippines in 1911 with the 7th Cavalry, serving with this regiment until 1913 at Camp Stotsenburg. At this station was born on September 12, 1911, his second daughter, Frances Shannon.
In 1913, Jim became aide to General Eli D. Hoyle and remained in this capacity until the retirement of the latter in 1915. His activity in polo circles in the Islands is well known by all army poloists. As a member of the 7th Cavalry team he participated in many a hard fought tournament on Forbes Field.
Returning from the Philippines in 1915, Jim was assigned to the llth Cavalry at Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia. Here was born, on October 8th, the third daughter, Mary Elizabeth.
He went into Mexico in 1916 with that regiment during the pursuit of Villa. When the special squadron 11th Cavalry was found under command of Major Robert L. Howe to make a rapid dash into the interior, the Apache scouts were attached to the column and placed under command of Shannon. As hardy and enduring as the Red Men, he made an ideal commander for them, and during all the arduous scouting and fighting that ensued, he handled them in such manner as to secure the high praise of his commander. Among the engagements in which he led these scouts was that of Ojos Azules.
Returning from the Mexican border in the spring of 1917, he was assigned to duty with the Harvard Reserve Officers’ Training Camp. Here begun in earnest his activities in the Great War. Admirably suited by training, temperament and character for this important task of training young men for war, he soon enthused this splendid body of youth with his own high conceptions of the standards to be attained by them as prospective leaders of men. His character and personality deeply impressed itself upon their minds and they threw themselves into the work with zealous enthussiasm and energy. Harvard men speak in highest admiration of his excellent service for which he received also official commendation. The records of these men during the war is high testimonial as to their training. A remarkable demonstration of the affection of Harvard men for him occurred when, prior to his departure, they marched en masse to his home to say good-bye.
Upon leaving Harvard, Shannon was assigned to the 42nd or Rainbow Division, as assistant commander of trains and military police. He served with this division at Camp Mills and in France. A short time after arriving in France, he was detached and ordered to General Headquarters to organize the personnel bureau. His important work in this connection can scarcely be estimated. In this position, where recommendations were made as to assignments, promotions, awards of decorations, it was essential to have a man of well poised judgment and absolute fairness. Because he possessed these qualifications to a superlative degree, he was chosen for the place and so well did he administer this difficult and perplexing task that although essentially a fighting man and pining for a fighting command, it was deemed inadvisable to release him, although several requests were made by higher commanders that he be assigned to command a regiment. Whenever possible, however, he made trips to the fighting line and it was such a visit that found him with Bennie McClellan in the Argonne in late September.
The fighting had been heavy and the casualties severe. The need of field officers of experience was urgent. Those who know Jim may readily imagine his delight when offered the command of the 109th Infantry. To have at last his cherished wish – “The command of a fighting regiment.” During the subsequent heavy fighting, he commanded first the 109th and later the 112th Infantry.
His service is thus described by his Brigade commander, Brigadier General Dennis E. Nolan:
“I am writing to you as the commanding officer, 55th Brigade, in which he served for several days during the battle as commander of the 109th regiment and also as his commander in the action at Chatel-Chehery, in which he was mortally wounded, the 112th regiment having been attached to my brigade for that attack. As commander of the 109th regiment for several days during the battle under my immediate command, he rendered very distinguished service, being an inspiration to the officers and men of that regiment. Similarly, while commanding the 112th regiment in the reconnaissance preceding the action and during the action, when at the head of his regiment he was mortally wounded, he displayed extraordinary heroism. I conversed with him shortly after he was wounded and gave him the information that his regiment had just completed taking its assigned objective, Hill 244, in a splendid attack. Though mortally wounded, he had me tell him the details of the attack that had occurred after he was wounded, and he interrupted me frequently to say, ‘That’s fine; that’s fine,’ speaking of the conduct of his officers and men which I was describing to him.”
Following is the citation for the award of Distinguished Service Cross for extraordinary heroism in action near Chatel Chehery, France, October 5-6, 1918:
“Lieutenant Colonel Shannon voluntarily led an officers’ patrol to- a depth of three kilometers within the enemy’s lines. As a result of his exceptional bravery and skill in leading this patrol in its contact with the enemy, vital information was obtained at a critical period of the battle, to which much of the success of the next few days was due.”
Among the mass of letters of tribute to his memory are selected the following extracts:
“He was a true Sir Galahad. No one knows that as well as you. His unspotted career is a priceless heritage for the army. I rejoice to think of the men who have been influenced by him for good. He is one of those characters who will live on in the lives of others. His piety was incorporated in his daily life. He had a covenant with God and he kept it.”
“He lived and died so nobly that so far as he himself is concerned, our feelings are only those of admiration. Here at the headquarters we talk of him all the time as though he were off on a trip. We each of us feel that Jim. meant a little more to us than he did to anyone else.”
“At the head of that gallant band of men who faced death properly and showed the world what American manhood means, and as this last year draws farther and farther away, I shall always see clearly a man who to me represents all those qualities that will keep our nation strong, honorable and wise – my friend Shannon.”
“The death of Colonel Shannon wounds the very heart of Harvard, for he had made himself one of the great characters of our college.”
“Someone said a new Colonel had joined the regiment that evening. Well, lead me to him, and who do you think I found. Colonel Jim Shannon. I asked if he knew me, and he said, ‘Certainly,’ so we walked down the street together. He had the same indomitable smile, and on the way stopped to fix his boot or something, just as though nothing was the matter. As soon as he took hold, everything straightened out. What had been the nearest thing to a panic became a victory in a manner seemingly most easy. It was four days after that he was killed, but in that time his whole regiment came to love him just as we all did at Harvard. I believe Colonel Shannon the finest man I ever knew and I believe all others who really knew him feel the same way.”
The following by a Sergeant.
“I am not much of a Christian man myself, but I was very much impressed with the fact that Colonel Shannon was. Frequently, when he was under fire from German snipers or machine gun bullets, as the case happened to be, I have seen him either sitting or standing unconcernedly humming or whistling an old Christian hymn which seemed to be his favorite and the name of which I don’t recall, with absolutely no fear of death or danger and without any regard for his personal safety or security. He only commanded our regiment three days and I was constantly with him all this time. On the night we finally captured Hill La Chene Tondue, he made me sleep in the room with him on the floor of a German hospital at the top of the hill. He came to us and took command of the 112th Infantry as a perfect stranger. We had not heard of him before, but we all took to him at once and we all felt we would go the limit for him, and which we did, as tired out and exhausted as the men of the regiment were. He always led the way himself at the very head of the column, and it was due to this act that the village of Chatel Chehery was taken, as well as Hill No. 244 commanding it, where he met his end. He led the men of the headquarters detachment of the 112th Infantry into the village of Chatel Chehery capturing the village in the early morning of October 7th, surprising the Germans completely. Not being content with this, he continued at the head of his men and took Hill No. 244, where he was shot.”
“Jim’s service under my command, as his service has always been since he joined the army, was marked by efficiency and a whole-hearted zeal to duty. After a long period of useful organizing work at general headquarters, for which he was chosen because of his preeminent characteristics of honesty and fairness, Jim had the chance that he longed for, of commanding a regiment in battle. He died as he had lived, a gallant leader of men.”
The news, “Shannon was killed,” meant more to those who knew him than the passing of a human being. It meant the transference from this life of the most remarkable character of their experience. It meant the removal of the one man who stood highest in their estimation of what a man should be. In short, it meant the passing of the man who exemplified to them more than any other the true disciple of the “Man of Calvary.”
J. K. H.
Chatel-Chehery, France
http://www.maplandia.com/france/champagne-ardenne/ardennes/vouziers/chatel-chehery/
http://www.arlingtoncemetery.net/jashannon.htm
http://militarytimes.com/citations-medals-awards/recipient.php?recipientid=14620
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=pv&GRid=55887577&PIpi=32489529
http://net.lib.byu.edu/estu/wwi/comment/huachuca/hi1-23.htm
Class of 1905
Lt Col “James Hoop Dickey” Inf
No. 4396 Class of 1905. Colonel Dickey had charge of liaison between 69th Inf. Bde. and Division, and through his courage and coolness he was able to keep the detachment together. He was wounded by a fragment of a shell which struck him just below the right shoulder, and died from wounds received September’ 27, 1918, in the Battle of the Meuse-Argonne. Aged 35 ‘years.
Buried at the Commune of Chateau de Salvange, Froides (Meuse).
James Hoop Dickey was born in Greenup, Kentucky, April 19th, 1883; entered the Military Academy June 11, 1901, and was graduated June 13, 1905, when he was commissioned a Second Lieutenant and assigned to the 4th U. S. Cavalry. Before joining his regiment he was ordered to the Mounted Service School at Fort Riley, to take a course of instruction, upon the completion of which he joined his regiment which was stationed in the Philippines. .
He returned to the United States with the 4th Cavalry in November, 1907, and was stationed at Fort Meade, S. D., until March, 1911. During this period he was ordered back to the Mounted School for a Post Graduate Course, which he completed in 1910. From March, 1911, to October, 1911, he served with the 4th Cavalry on the Mexican
Border.
On October 26, 1911, he was promoted to First Lieutenant and assigned to the 15th Cavalry, with station at Fort Meyer, Virginia, and later at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. He transferred to the 8th Cavalry on February 1st, 1914, and was’ transferred back to the 15th Cavalry on. August 15, 1915, joining that regiment in the Philippine Islands. In 1916 he was promoted to Captain and assigned to the 8th Cavalry. During the Punitive Expedition he was on duty at Douglas, Arizona, and El Paso, Texas, as District Bakery Officer. He was later detailed in the Quartermaster Corps and assigned to duty as Department Bakery Officer of the Southern Department. On August 5, 1917, he was appointed temporary Major of Cavalry, remaining on the same duty.
It was while on this duty and after a state of war had been declared to exist between the United States and Germany, that he rendered to this country a most important duty and showed himself to be an officer of unusual executive and administrative ability, by organizing from scant-trained material, bakery companies to furnish bread for that part of our army organized and stationed in the Southern Department. In addition he was in charge of the Schools for Bakers and Cooks in the Southern Department, in which capacity it became his duty to organize cooking departments to prepare food for the thousands of draft men sent in to the camps of the Southern Department.
His ability in this particular work was so clearly demonstrated that in October, 1917, he was ordered to Washington as Assistant Officer in charge of Bakery Companies and Schools for Bakers and Cooks of all Military Departments of the United States. He remained on this duty until Jan. 26, 1918, when he was relieved at his own request, and ordered to join the 6th Cavalry, which regiment was under orders for overseas duty. He accompanied that regiment to France, but remained with it for a short period only after arrival overseas.
Being anxious to get to the front, he secured a detail as Brigade Adjutant of the 69th Infantry Brigade. He was appointed Lieutenant Colonel of Infantry, U. S. A., September 9, 1918.
On the morning of September 26th, the 35th Division went forward in the offensive launched against the enemy on that date, known as the Meuse-Argonne offensive. The 69th Infantry Brigade led the attack. Colonel Dickey had charge of liaison between Headquarters, 69th Infantry Brigade and Headquarters, 35th Division, and through his courage and coolness he was able to keep the detachment together. He was wounded by a fragment of a shell which struck him just below the right shoulder, and died from shock and loss of blood on the evening of September 27th. From the very start of the battle and during the periods the 35th Division occupied sectors in the Vosges mountains, he was always in the lead and was very indifferent to danger. It was said of him that no braver man ever set foot on the soil of France and no officer was better liked and revered by his men.
Previous to September 27th, Colonel Dickey had received orders to report to a school in the Service of Supplies, but at his own request he was permitted to remain with Brigade Headquarters for the period of the drive.
Colonel Dickey was a man of unusual ability, possessed of a keen and active brain, a high sense of humor and a generosity toward his brother officers and friends which endeared him to all who knew him.
A. M. MILTON.
American Legion
http://www.americanlegion23ohio.org/content.php?id=87
Memorial
http://www.sciotocountyohio.com/miakia.html
Family
http://genforum.genealogy.com/cgi-bin/pageload.cgi?burnell::wwi::4331.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meuse-Argonne_Offensive
http://www.worldwar1.com/dbc/bigshow.htm
Class of 1906
Major Fred Alden Cook 4505 Inf Class of 1906 Etienne-a-Arnes, France, as Battalion Commander 7th Infantry, (possibly 23d Regiment) 2d Division, Meuse-Argonne Campaign, he was said to be an inspiration to his men and they followed him in the face of the murderous fire. He fell with his face to the foe. (Note – Register lists the 7th as the day he was killed) Awarded DSC
Map http://www.map-france.com/Saint-Etienne-a-Arnes-08310/
Major Fred A. Cook, United States Army, graduated from the Military Academy in the Class of 1906. He served in the Philippines, at Fort Thomas, Ky., at Fort Shafter, H. T., and on the Texas border, up to the time of the outbreak of the war in Europe. He went to France in 1917, attended the staff schools required of battalion commanders and was later assigned to the 23rd Infantry.
He became commander of the 1st Battalion of that regiment some time in September, 1918, when the American troops were advancing to the fight in the Argonne Forest. In command of his battalion he was said to be an inspiration to his men and was able to make them follow him in the face of the murderous fire of machine guns and rifles to a point toward the objective which required more than two days of later constant fighting to reach. He fell on October 8th, 1918, with his face to the foe and a machine gun bullet through his heart. He died the way every true soldier hopes to die – in the full flush of battle and going forward. He was buried by his officers near the field of battle and his grave is suitably marked.
Fred Cook became a Second Lieutenant of the 2nd Infantry on June 12, 1906, became a First Lieutenant of that regiment on April 19, 1911, and was promoted to Captain in the 31st Infantry on July 1, 1916. During the next year he became a Major of a battalion of the
23rd Infantry. He was married in 1910 to Miss Eva Morton of Croton-on-Hudson, N. Y., who survives him and is now living at that place. His two boys, Fred A. Cook, Jr., and Morton Aldrich Cook, are respectively eight years and three years old on December 31, 1918.
Cook was a member of A Company of the Cadet Corps throughout nearly all of the five years of his cadetship at the Academy. He was one of the landmarks of the company and his advice was sought by all the junior cadets who required the advice and council of an old-timer. He was well known at the cadet hops and entered into the social life of the Military Academy which he thoroughly enjoyed. His first service was in Jolo in the Philippine Islands where he conducted his company through all the trails of the Islands and assisted the others in impressing the Moros with the prowess of the American arms. His classmates will recall his jovial disposition and the profuse perspiration which his countenance carried in those hot days. He grew fatter and perspired more the longer he remained under the tropical sun. The afternoon swim and the Scotch and Tansen at the Jolo Club which always followed the swim, were the redeeming features of life in that almost too tropical country. He apparently was fond of the tropical life, for after one has been a few years in the tropics, the call to return is always insistent.
After three years in the States he went to Honolulu with his regiment and his years of service there in building up the posts of Hawaii, living in tents, cantonments, and all sorts of houses and shifting here and there to find a place to sleep, made up, he always said, the most interesting years of his life. He used to frequently say that Hawaii was one of the garden spots of the world, because he had only the Texas Terrain around Harlingen to compare with it; that if he ever got back to Vermont he would probably change his ideas about the rest of the world. His class book, printed in 1916, at the time of the decennial reunion, stated that “he would be the proudest fellow in the world to lead a war strength company of ‘doughboys’ into battle, and we bet he would make them count as long as they lasted.”
In 1918 he led a war strength battalion of “doughboys” into battle, and his regiment com- mander and his brigade commander have said the same words: “That he made them count to the maximum as long as they lasted and as long as he lasted.”
Fred Cook was a fine man and a good officer. We will all miss him throughout the service when the graduates gather together.
C. G. METTLER.
Awards
http://militarytimes.com/citations-medals-awards/search.php?term=&page=311&medal=2
<p.
KIA Listing
http://genealogytrails.com/ny/ww1soldiers.html
http://books.google.com/books?id=1dM0_Sd75RIC&pg=PA24&lpg=PA24&dq=Fred+Alden+Cook&source=bl&ots=kVhJGVfnFz&sig=CTs2cPullEV_3vz-KHamxXOxS70&hl=en&sa=X&ei=AwBrUMPfHMe90QGcv4G4Dg&ved=0CFQQ6AEwCA#v=onepage&q=Fred%20Alden%20Cook&f=false
Mary ALDEN Aldrich, who married George William Cook of Post Mills, VT ca 1860s. Mary had two sons, George Martin Cook and Fred Alden Cook – both killed in WWI.
Class of 1908
Major Arthur Edward Bouton No. 4731 Class of 1908. Killed in Action July 15, 1918 near Soissons, France DSC
Major Bouton’s battalion attacked the Germans before Vaux and the Bois de la Roche on July 1st, 1918, capturing that town and woods to north and northwest. Several hundred Germans were killed and wounded, over three hundred taken prisoners. An entire German regiment was completely put out of action by the battalion.
Photo page 55 – 1919 Annual Report
http://www.maplandia.com/france/bretagne/morbihan/vannes/le-bois-de-la-roche/
His battalion was one of two battalions of regiment which remained in line continuously for six weeks. He was especially valuable during those trying days as his calmness under fire and his ability to promptly and efficiently meet conditions as they arose, inspired great confidence in all his subordinates and helped in a great measure to crown each engagement of his battalion with the wreath of victory. He met his death from a shell fragment while valiantly directing his battalion in the advance in the open fields near Soissons, July 18, 1918, near Chateau Thierry, France, aged 32 years.
Major Arthur E. Bouton, 9.th U. S. Infantry, who gave his life in the first great American advance before Chateau Thierry, was a grad uate of the class of 1908.
After graduation, Major Bouton was commissioned in the infantry and served with credit at several posts in the United States and in the Philippines. After his return, his tour of duty in the islands, he joined the 9th Infantry, then on the Mexican border stationed at Laredo, Texas. After his promotion to Captaincy in 1917, he left with the regiment for Syracuse, New York.
After the division of the 9th into three parts, Major Bouton left for France with the 9th Infantry contingent. Upon arrival in France, he proceeded to the training area in the vicinity of Nouchateau, Department of Voges. In October, 1917, he was sent to the First Corps School, at Gondrecourt, and upon completion of his course, became an instructor in that school.
He returned to the Ninth Infantry shortly before they left the trench sector in the vicinity of St. Mihiel. He then became Battalion Commander, having received his promotion to majority. He had been recommended for promotion for efficient service while as instructor at the school.
In May, 1918, he took his battalion to the trench sector near Mont sous les Cotes, southeast of Verdun. A short time later his regiment moved north in the vicinity of Ardens to be ready to support the English. On May 31st, 1918, he accompanied his battalion by bus to Chateau Thierry area and entered the line before Vaux. His battalion did excellent work in the trying days that followed and was a material factor in the stopping of the German drive on Paris.
It was Major Bouton’s battalion (the Second) which attacked the Germans before Vaux and the Bois de la Roche on July 1st, 1918, capturing that town and woods to north and northwest. The attack was a brilliant success, several hundred Germans were killed and wounded, over three hundred taken prisoners with many machine guns and much material. An entire German regiment was completely put out of action by the battalion.
His battalion was one of two battalions of regiment which remained in line continuously for six weeks. He was especially valuable to us during those trying days. His calmness under fire and his ability to promptly and efficiently meet conditions as they arose, inspired great confidence in all his subordinates and helped in a great measure to crown each engagement of his battalion with the wreath of victory.
He met his death from a shell fragment while valiantly directing his battalion in the advance in the open fields near Soissons.
He was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, posthumously, for this deed. The citation is as follows:
Arthur E. Bouton, Major (Deceased),- 9th Infantry:
For extraordinary heroism in action near Soissons, France, 10 July, 1918.
His exhibition of dash and courage in leading an assaulting line against enemy machine gun nests under terrific artillery fire, and the successful protection of his left flank, which became exposed when liaison was broken, aided materially the success of the whole attack. He was killed by shell fire while leading his battalion in the assault.
Next of kin: Edwin P. Bouton, Trumansburg, N. Y. Awarded 18 September, 1918.
His loss was deeply felt by all officers and men who knew him and his valiant deed will ever remain fresh in the annals of the Ninth Infantry.
Following are extracts of letters received by the father of Major Bouton from officers who were serving with him at the time he met his death; also copies of G. 0. 44, Headquarters, Second Division, A. E. F., and three citations.
(Extract.)
Knights of Columbus Overseas Services.
On Active Service with American Expeditionary Forces, A. P. 0. 710.
Mr. E. P. Bouton, Trumansburg, N. Y.
Dear Mr. Bouton:
November 19th, 1918.
As you know, your son Major Bouton was killed in action on July 18th in the beginning of the attack that was the turning point of this war. I remember well the spirit with which he went into battle. For some days before the attack we had been enduring great hardships and he, soldier like, was grumbling on behalf of his men. But when it was definitely decided that we were to attack, what a change. He seemed to have but one wish, namely, to get into action, one desire for the appointed hour to arrive. He went into battle with his coat off at the head of his battalion, a true soldier and a true commander.
*****
About Major Bouton himself, you have reason to be proud of him. We all were. He was an excellent soldier and a brilliant commander. It was men like he that made the American army what it was over here. Men of his type were the cornerstone and groundwork of American success over here. It is indeed a great sacrifice that has been asked of you, but I am sure you will make it as willingly as he did his,- rejoicing in the opportunity to fight in the front line of an advance in the cause our country had espoused. You have great reason to be proud of him. He was a man, a soldier, an American.
Sincerely yours,
J. A. McCAFFERY, Chaplain 9th Infantry.
Headquarters Ninth Infantry, A. E. F. France, 22nd July, 1918.
Mr. Edwin P. Bouton, Trumansburg, N. Y.
Dear Sir:
Your son, Major Arthur E. Bouton, was killed while leading his command in action during the allied advance south of Soissons July 18, 1918. His death was instantaneous.
The regiment has lost a courageous and gallant officer, beloved alike by his fellow officers and by his men. His conduct during this battle, as in former engagements with his regiment, has been of the highest order and an inspiration to all about him.
The officers and men of the Ninth United States Infantry extend to you their heartfelt sympathy.
Sincerely yours, L. S. UPTON,
Colonel 9th Inf. Commanding.
(Extract.)
Camp Lewis, Wash., October 17, 1918.
My Dear Mr. Bouton:
I have only recently returned from France where I commanded the
First Battalion 15th Field Artillery, which supported Major Bouton’s battalion of the 9th Infantry at Vaux La Roche Woods and in the big flank drive south of Soissons on July 18th, when the Major was killed.
He and I were the closest of friends and continually cooperated when the now famous 2nd Division went into action. Some day I shall write you of many little instances that caused me to hold the Major in such high esteem. He was a thinker, a valuable officer, held the respect of every man who knew him. His men loved him and we loved him because he was democratic; strict, but very approachable; conscientious and possessed energy, dash and unlimited courage. He lost his life at the head of his men on a victorious field, probably the most important and far-reaching success of American arms up to that time, if not up to date.
Sincerely and faithfully,
B. M. BAILEY, Col. 37th F. A.
(Extract.)
Ninth Infantry, 15th January, 1919.
My Dear Mr. Bouton:
The loss of your son was deeply felt by all the officers and men
who knew him. He was especially valuable to us and the cause of the Allies in those
trying days before Chateau Thierry. His calmness under fire and his ability to promptly meet conditions as they arose inspired great confidence in all his subordinates and helped in a great measure to crown each engagement of his battalion with the wreath of victory.
He met his death while valiantly directing his battalion under heavy shell fire in the advance in the forest before Villers-Cotterets on July 18.
F. L. WHITLEY,
Major 9th Infantry.
Headquarters Second Division (Regular) American Expeditionary Forces, France.
General Orders No. 44.-Extract. July 12, 1918.
The names of and the deeds performed by the following named officers and enlisted men of this Division are published as being well worthy of emulation and praise:
Ninth Infantry:
Major Arthur E. Bouton, 9th Infantry. (Heading the list.)
He carefully prepared and successfully executed the attack and capture of Vaux, July 1, 1918.
By command of Major General Bundy:
PRESTON BROWN,
Colonel, General Staff,
Official:
William W. Bessell, Adjutant General,
Adjutant.
A. R. Knott, Captain, Infantry, U. S. A.
Adjutant 379th Inf.
Chief of Staff.
General Headquarters of the Armies of the North and Northeast.
Staff.
Personnel Bureau. Order No. 11,187 “D.” (Extract.)
(Decorations.)
With the approbation of the Commander in Chief of the American Expeditionary Forces in France, the General Commander in Chief of the French Armies of the North and Northeast cites in the Order of the Army:
Major Arthur E. Bouton, 9th Infantry.
“After having competently prepared operations of July 1, 1918, in the Vaux region, he himself conducted the attack on this village and by his personal action he insured the complete success of a particular difficult operation.”
At General Headquarters, November 4, 1918.
The Commander in Chief,
PETAIN.
For original extract:
The Lieutenant-Colonel Chief of Personnel Bureau.
General Headquarters of the French Armies of the East.
Staff.
Personnel Bureau. Order No. 14,229 “D.” (Extract.)
(Decorations.)
With the approbation of the Commander in Chief of the American
Expeditionary Forces in France, the Marshal of France, Commander in Chief of the French Armies of the East, cites in the Order of the Army: Major Arthur E. Bouton, 9th Reg., U. S. Infantry.
“Displayed great courage and bravery in leading his men to the assault of enemy machine gun nests under a violent artillery fire. Liaison on the left being cut off, he very ably protected the exposed flank, thus contributing to the success of the attack of July 18, 1918, southeast of Soissons. Was killed at the head of his battalion during action.”
At General Headquarters, March 10, 1919.
THE MARSHAL,
Commander in Chief of the French Armies of the East. PETAIN.
For original extract:
The Lieutenant-Colonel, Chief of Personnel Bureau.
American Expeditionary Forces United States Army. Distinguished Service Cross Citation.
Major Arthur E. Bouton (deceased), 9th Infantry, distinguished him- self by extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United States at Soissons, France, on July 18, 1918, and in recognition of his gallant conduct I have awarded him in the name of the President the Distinguished Service Cross.
Awarded on September 18, 1918.
JOHN J. PERSHING,
Award
http://militarytimes.com/citations-medals-awards/recipient.php?recipientid=10815
Family
http://genealogytrails.com/ny/ww1soldiers.html
Academy Register
http://digital-library.usma.edu/libmedia/archives/oroc/v1908.pdf
NY Times Casualties
http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?res=FA0B12FF3F5D147A93C4AB1783D85F4C8185F9
Class of 1914
Lt Col Roy Melvin Smyth No. 5226 Class of 1914. DSC
Battalion Commander 1st Bn 4th Infantry 3d Division Meus-Argonne Campaign.
Col Smyth was in command of the front line operations in the Bois de Foret, Bois de Ogons, the Bois de Cunel, France, around Madeleine Farm and Hill 299. He was shot by a German sniper October 15, 1918. Aged 28 years.
Roy M. Smyth
Lieutenant Colonel Roy Melvin Smyth was born in Tuolumne, California, March 21, 1890. He completed his course in the grammar school there, afterward graduating from the High School in Oakland, California. He was a student of the University of California when he received his appointment to West Point in 1910. He graduated with the Class of 1914 and joined the Fourth Infantry at Vera Cruz, Mexico.
He served during the border trouble at Brownsville, Texas. At Gettysburg, Penn., in 1917, he was promoted to Captain and supply officer. He sailed for France in April, 1918, in command of the First Battalion, Fourth Infantry, the regiment in which he put all his service. He crossed the Marne at Chateau Thierry in July, advanced through Mont St. Pere, Charteves and the dense forest to the north. He was cited for’ bravery by Major General Dickman in the third battle of the Marne. Early in October his regiment advanced to Motfancon and marched through a German barrage to the village of Nantillois. A large part of the time he was in command of the front line operations in the Bois de Ogons, the Bois de Cunel, around Madeleine Farm and Hill 299. His death occurred in the front lines October 15, 1918. Shot by a German sniper. He had been appointed Lieutenant Colonel by Congress in September and was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross posthumously.
Colonel Smyth was the second son of Hugh N. and Annie M. Smyth who reside at Seven Troughs, Nevada, who with the brothers and sisters of this fine young officer may well be proud of a brave and gallant son and brother who gave all in the great war for freedom and justice. With many others of his Alma Mater he rests in peace in French soil.
Awards
http://militarytimes.com/citations-medals-awards/recipient.php?recipientid=14806
Listing of Soldiers
http://books.google.com/books?id=dswMAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA139&lpg=PA139&dq=Roy+Melvin+Smyth&source=bl&ots=0qPvtp7Qli&sig=DBdDDpJ-qtEff3MsdEKu_riG_oo&hl=en&sa=X&ei=nF9rUKCKK-bt0gGO1YDQBw&ved=0CDsQ6AEwBQ#v=onepage&q=Roy%20Melvin%20Smyth&f=false <?
Burial
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GSmpid=47388623&GRid=3542551&
Family
http://www.genealogytrails.com/cal/soldiersgreatwar.html
http://www.worldwar1.com/dbc/bigshow.htm
Class of 1915
Major “Jo Hunt Reaney” Inf No.5390 KIA July 15, 1915 Gland. France
Company Commander 7th Inf 3d Divison. At midnight and morning of the 15th of July the Boche delivered an extraordinarily severe bombardment along the front, from Chateau Thierry to Rheims.
Map http://www.conseil-general.com/en/map-town-hall/map-town-hall-gland-89740.htm
At midnight and morning of the 15th of July the Boche delivered an extraordinarily severe bombardment along the front, from Chateau Thierry to Rheims. The Company (7th Inf 3d Div) was in position on the south bank of the Marne directly in front of the village of Gland, occupied by the Germans who held the high ground across the river.. Gland is only a few kilometers east of Chateau Thierry. The unit been in position since the 2nd of July and the bombardment took was a surprise, as the first fourteen days were quite quiet. Major Reaney and his Orderly were killed- they were buried together.
Photo page 52 – 1919 Annual Report
http://www.library.usma.edu/index.cfm?TabID=6&LinkCategoryID=49#46
Killed in Action July 15, 1918, in France, aged 26 years.
Of all those gallant officers and men who have stood the courage of battle and who now return with their comrades, in spirit only, but whose bodies remain over there as a monument to their divine virtues, none leaves a fonder remembrance among his friends than Major Jo Hunt Reaney, lovingly known to his friends as “Spec.”
Major Reaney was born in Osage, Iowa, October 17, 1891; graduated from West Point in 1915, and was assigned to the Infantry.
To his friends, who for years have known his charming personality, his loss means an absence that can never be replaced; and to his country is lost a soldier of the rarest quality. It is sad indeed that his death should come so early in his promising career. No man ever possessed a more wonderful combination of splendid traits. He was simple, fair, honest and industrious. His cheerful optimism was always present to lift the cloud of depression from a melancholy atmosphere. He was a man through whose friendship one felt the sense of having gained an indefinable something by simply having known him. Untiring in his efforts, moving steadily towards the possession of higher qualities of life, towards a greater usefulness and efficiency.
Major Reaney was devoted to his parents and his friends; his friendship was rare, possessing subtle qualities of a rich though retiring nature; he gave with the ease and unobtrusiveness of one who loves to give but knows not that he is giving. His balance and poise and keen sense of proportion were always a helping influence to those of a less stable disposition.
It is seldom that grief ever penetrates below the surface; a few weeks, a few months, a few years and all is forgotten, but men like our noble friend never die. Recollections of him are too firmly linked with our hearts, and while regretting his death we know that his life was a splendid preparation for a life beyond and that he was happy in contributing his part to the greatest cause the world has ever known.
Following are extracts from letters received from a brother officer to Major Reaney’s mother:
“Captain Reaney made the supreme sacrifice at probably the crisis of the many crises of the war, when -the Allies wrestled the initiative from the Hun and started him back.
At twelve o’clock midnight on the morning of the 15th of July the Boche delivered an extraordinarily severe bombardment on our whole front, from Chateau Thierry to Rheims. We were in position on the south bank of the Marne directly in front of the village of Gland, occupied by the Germans. Gland is only a few kilometers east of Chateau Thierry. We had been in position since the 2nd of July and the bom- bardment took us a little by surprise. The first fourteen days were quite quiet.
During the first two weeks, however, Captain Reaney, always a soldier and an expert machine gunner, had kept busy day and night, and had kept us busy too, preparing for what we knew was to come. By constantly looking for new positions, better positions, and plenty of alternative ones, he so protected our front with bands of fire when it came time to open up, that not a German crossed the Marne in front of us, although they had planned to.
His extreme conscientiousness, absolute fearlessness, his subjugation of personal safety and comfort to the immediate demands of the situation, were largely responsible for his personal sacrifice, but not until his work was completed.
Even when he did not show up at his headquarters, the next morning, his company as a result of his untiring efforts carried out his mission.
As to the facts. He decided to move his headquarters further front, and took over mine. I had moved forward to one of my section positions. He came through the barrage into my post of command about 12:30 a.m., after making arrangements for spare guns and ammunition to go forward. In addition to the high explosive and shrapnel, he had encountered some gas on his way down. The night was hot and blacker than indigo. He stayed with me fifteen or twenty minutes to rest and cool off a bit. He then started out with his orderly, saying that he was going to go to the other platoon P. C.’s to see that everything was all right. I know that his main idea was to encourage the men by his presence, to let them know that they had a company commander who would not ask them to stay at a gun while he remained in a dugout. That was the last any of us ever saw him alive: I left two or three minutes after he did.
Before dawn I had had occasion to return to my P. C., and was some thirty meters away from it on my return trip forward, when the concussion of a shell landed me in a ravine. I was overheated and took off a large sheepskin coat I had been wearing. I threw it to one side and it landed on top of a body. It was still too dark to recognize anyone
and as it was an urgent necessity for me to get back to my gun position, I didn’t investigate.
The next morning the Captain was reported missing. We sent out searching parties. As this little ravine where I had discarded my coat was under direct observation and constant machine gun fire in the day- time, it was not examined until dusk. Then the detail, seeing and recognizing my coat, knowing that I was all right, thought the Captain had been wearing it. They carried him back under cover and it was the Captain. He never suffered; he was killed instantly, with his orderly. We buried them side by side.
Captain Reaney’s loss was a severe one to the company and to the service. He was without doubt one of, if not the highest respected and best thought of officer in the regiment in the opinion of both his senior and junior officers. The men in his company thought there was never anyone like him. When you have said that, you have said all that possibly can be said about an officer.
Personally, I didn’t have a better friend in the army. I got very well acquainted with him in the States.
The bombardment was so sudden that some of us wrote a last note home. As he was killed instantly, there was no chance for the spoken word. But if he did not speak the word, he lived it. He honored me with his confidence once or twice -and I know that the reason for his clean living was that he might be able to go back clean to you, his mother.”
Family History
http://www.mocavo.com/family-tree/Roger-A-Bartlett/Bartlett-Tree-Deceased/Jo-Hunt-Reaney
Howitzer
http://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F10610F8345A12738FDDAF0894DE405B858DF1D3
Burial
http://www.histopolis.com/Grave/Detail.aspx?GraveID=280092184
Graduation assignment
(Link to Google Books chapter)
Needs Confirmation
At the time of his death he was writing and had nearly completed a “History of Knight Templarism in America.” Captain Jo Hunt Reaney was born at Osage, Iowa
Graduation
(Link to Google Books chapter)
Bradley Visit
(Link to Google Books Chapter)
Gland France map at
http://www.francethisway.com/places/a/gland-aisne.php
Major “Harry Aloysius Harvey” FA No. 5423 Class of 1915.
With this battery in position, participating in St. Mihiel offensive, September 12, 1918 on which day he was instantly killed by a hostile shell while making a reconnaissance of territory from which the enemy had been driven. Aged 28 years DSC
Harry A. Harvey
Harry Aloysius Harvey was born in McComb, Mississippi, Janu ary 9, 1890. He was appointed a cadet to the United States Military Academy from the 7th Mississippi District in 1911, and graduated June 12, 1915. Appointed a Second Lieutenant, 1st Cavalry, promoted First Lieutenant, 1st Cavalry, July, 1916; transferred to the 24th Cavalry in June, 1917.
He afterwards transferred to the 18th Field Artillery, receiving his Captaincy in May, 1917.
Captain Harvey went to France with his regiment, arriving at St. Nazaire, May 12, 1918, in command of Battery A, 18th Field Artillery. He was appointed Major in the National Army July 4th, 1918, retaining command of his battery with which he went in position in support of the 3rd Division in the battle of the Marne. He participated in the Champagne-Marne defensive, July 15-16, and the Aisne-Marne offensive, July 18th, on taking successive positions north and east near Mont St. Pere, Jaulgonne and Charmel where the 3rd Division was withdrawn.
On August 3, 1918, Major Harvey was transferred to the 103rd Field Artillery, and assigned to the second battery. With this battery he went into position September llth, participating in St. Mihiel offensive, September 12th, on which day he was instantly killed by a hostile shell while making a reconnaissance of territory from which the enemy had been driven.
Major Harvey married Miss Ethel Canavan, at San Antonio, Texas, November 5, 1916, who survives him with a little son, Harry Canavan Harvey.
From his cadet days he endeared himself to all his associates in the military service by his genial good humor and pleasing personality. No one could know him without liking and respecting him. He had the courage of his convictions and many was the friendly argument he used to indulge in. By his untimely death the service lost one of its most promising officers, his associates a true friend, and his family a loving husband and father.
CLASSMATE
Burial
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=34132428
NY Times
http://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F40D14FC3E5D147A93C2A8178BD95F4C8185F9
Award
http://militarytimes.com/citations-medals-awards/recipient.php?recipientid=12377
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Saint-Mihiel
http://www.worldwar1.com/dbc/stmihiel.htm
Major “Edwin Richardson Kimble” CE No. 5314; Class of 1915 Died April 9, 1918)
We have an error here – There is no record of Major Kimble being Wounded or being Killed in Action – yet it appears the Academy provided the NY Times with his name – listing him as dying of wounds. Some one wanted to give him credit, he possibly died of the flu which took so many
Edwin R. Kimble was born in Portland, Oregon, September 24, 1892; his father Edwin R. Kimble died when he was but nine years of age, and the boy went to Texas with his mother and younger brother when ten years of age. He spent his boyhood days in Gal- veston, graduating from the Ball High School in the class of 1908. He then attended the University of Texas, Austin, during the winter of 1910-1911, entering the United States Military Academy in June, 1911; graduating therefrom in 1915.
Mater for one month as an assistant instructor in the Department of Tactics during that summer. His first regular post was Vancouver Barracks, and while stationed there he received his first promotion to First Lieutenant the following January: promoted to Captain in May 1917, and in August of the same year he received his Majority, shortly after his arrival in France.
In October of the same year he was Battalion Commander of the U. S. Engineers, composed of the first of our soldiers on the firing lines. In letters to his mother Major Kimble spoke of occupying a comparatively quiet sector along the French front, but was near to the first Boches taken prisoners by the American soldiers, and very near to the first of our men who were first wounded in battle.
The following announced the death of Major Kimble: ARMY GENERAL, STAFF COLLEGE-A. E. F.-FRANCE.
April 9, 1918.
It is the sad duty of the Director of the General Staff College to announce the death of Major Edwin .R. Kimble, Corps of Engineers, Assistant Instructor.
Major Kimble entered the United States Military Academy in June,
1911, and. graduated second in the class of 1915. He was a student at the Engineer School, Washington Barracks, during the course of 1915-1916, and, when school was discontinued, came with the First U. S. Engineers to France in June, 1917, serving with that organization until he entered the Army General Staff College.
Major Kimble was a student officer in the First Course at the Army General Staff College and was retained as an assistant instructor in the Second (present) Course. As part of his work he was sent – to the British Fifth Corps Staff to study the work of the Corps Intelligence Service. He was with this corps during the first ten days of the Battle of Picardy (March 21-30, 1918). A few days after his return to the Staff College he was admitted to hospital and died April 9.
A. W. BJORNSTAD, Lieutenant Colonel, G. S.
Major Kimble from his entrance to the Academy in 1911 until his graduation in 1915 was a leader in many class and corps activities. The following lines written by him of another cadet for the Howitzer could equally well be said of him: “He is a staunch supporter of everything that is best in cadet life, and in Corps tradition. There is no one who does not like him and there can be no one who does not admire him. He has made a record for himself in everything that he has touched that makes all of us feel sure that the future holds nothing but success for him.”
By his pleasing personality and genial disposition he early won his way into the hearts of all who knew him. He has always proved a true and sincere friend, especially when it came to helping the goats. There are probably several men that would not be counted among West Point graduates today but for his assistance. He showed these same qualities during his short but full career as an officer in the service. He was the first member of the class of 1915 to die in France.
In the death of Major Kimble the class of 1915 loses one of its most popular members, the Academy one of its most loyal sons and the Army one of the most efficient of its younger officers.
Major Kimble was unmarried, but leaves to mourn his loss a devoted mother, Mrs. Elvira V. H. Kimble, whose home is in Galveston, Texas, and a younger brother, Second Lieutenant Frederick von H. Kimble, a member of the Class of 1919, graduated from the Academy in June, 1918.
Listing of Engineers
http://www.diehardengineer.com/Memorial.html
Family
http://genealogytrails.com/washdc/military/greatwar.html
Ship named after Kimble
http://shipbuildinghistory.com/history/smallships/armycorpsdr.htm
http://www.gthcenter.org/collections/vertical/VertK.htm
Class of 1916
Major John Howard Wills CE No. 5477. Class of 1916
Reported in list of casualties August 4, 1918, as “Killed in Action”, aged 23 years DSC
When the casualty lists of early August, 1918, came to us we learned that Major John Howard Wills, Class of 1916, had laid down his life for the cause for which we are fighting.
Major Wills was born in Auburn, Alabama, on June 21, 1895, the son of Nannie Fleming Wills and Lieutenant John H. Wills, Class of 1881. He spent his boyhood days in Auburn and received his early education there, in the Primary and High Schools. After
finishing High School he attended the Alabama Polytechnic Institute for two and one half years. In his Junior year he left the Institute to prepare for entrance to the Military Academy.
He was appointed to the Academy from the Third Alabama District and entered on June 15, 1912, prior to his seventeenth birthday. He was the youngest member of his class.
In spite of his youth, his hard work and natural abilities led him, at graduation, to the highest position of honor.
As a cadet his life was saddened by the death of his mother, leaving him an orphan, for his father had died while he was still a baby.
He was commissioned a Second Lieutenant of Engineers June 13, 1916, and promoted to First Lieutenancy July 1, 1916. He was promoted to Captain on May 15, 1917, and was appointed temporarily a Major in the Corps of Engineers, early in April, 1918.
He was assigned to the First Regiment of Engineers after Graduation, went to France with that Regiment, and, as far as we are able to learn, was still on duty with it at the time of his death.
The Class of 1916 and the Army suffer an irreparable loss by the death of this classmate and officer. Johnny, as he was affectionately known by his classmates and friends, possessed a strong end lovable character. His never failing good humor, his sunny disposition, his generosity, and his ready willingness to aid his less gifted classmates, made him universally admired and esteemed. Our sadness for his loss is tempered by our deep feeling of pride for this son of our Alma Mater, who has made the supreme sacrifice for his country.
Hall of Valor <bnr>
http://militarytimes.com/citations-medals-awards/recipient.php?recipientid=15470
Alabama in European War
http://www.archives.state.al.us/goldstar/images/card/Wills_John_Howard.pdf
Major Alfred King King FA No. 5510 Class of 1916.
No. 5510 Class of 1916. His Service, the circumstances of his death needs to be read in detail. FA Killed in Action at approximently two PM, Lanenville, France November 10,1918. Awarded DSC
Alfred King
Major Alfred King King was born at Geneva, Ohio, on February 7, 1892. Received his education in the public schools of Cleveland, North Carolina Military Academy, public schools of Painesville, graduating from Painesville High School in June, 1911. Spent the winter of 1911-12 at a preparatory school in Washington, D. C., and entered the U. S. Military Academy, West Point, N. Y., on June 14, 1912, graduating on June 13, 1916, receiving his commission as Second Lieutenant of Field Artillery on that date.
Was promoted to rank of First Lieutenant of F. A. on July 1, 1916; to the rank of Captain of F. A. on May 15, 1917, to the rank of Major of F. A. July 3, 1918, while on the battle fields near Chateau-Thierry, France, serving as Captain of B Battery, Tenth Field Artillery, fighting in the second battle of the Marne. On August 1, 1918, Major King was ordered to the Fifth Army Corps headquarters and put in charge of ammunition in the St. Mihiel sector.
Major King served under General Pershing in Mexico from October, 1916, to February, 1917. Major King was stationed at Douglas, Arizona, from February, 1917, until March, 1918, with the exception of three months spent at the School of Fire, Fort Sill, Okla., during the summer of 1917. While at Douglas, Arizona, the 10th F. A. was created and at one time Captain King was in command of the regiment. The 10th F. A. left Douglas on March 22, 1918, and sailed from New York for France on April 23, 1918.
Major King was married to Miss Ruth Watkins, of Douglas, Arizona, on February 2, 1918.
He was killed in action on November 10, 1918, near Lanenville, France, while inspecting the supply of ammunition of the 89th Division, 5th Army Corps.
He leaves a wife, little daughter, Margaret Alfred, a mother, father, sister and brother.
The boy gave promise of the man, ever active and ambitious he was always anxious and ready to leave his play for business, which generally came to him unsolicited; for anything that he undertook he accomplished with all his heart and soul. He was a lovable and beautiful child and the purest minded, cleanest hearted man I ever knew.
The accompanying voluntary communications from his associates and comrades in arms are chosen from many similar ones and speak for themselves. His achievements and his memory will be cherished and live in the hearts of those who knew and loved him:
“The terrible news only reached me today and I’ve been thinking of the circumstances under which I saw King for the last time, on about October 15th. I am going to describe the scene because it was so typical of him.
It was in a deep dugout, lit only by a few flickering candles. Colonel Lloyd was there, Captain Luke, the telephone operator, and one or two others were stretched out on the ground trying to snatch a few hours sleep.
The door opened. It was King. Plastered with mud from head to foot, unshaven, with shadows under his eyes that spoke of no sleep in many days-dog tired, yet refusing even to sit down while there was still work to be done-there he stood. His coming was an event-he simply had to stay while the Colonel and every one present told him how glad they all were to see him even for a moment. He had been to the front lines. After his own work was done he had gone there to get the exact information that he knew the General needed. I didn’t know, but I surmised that while there he had probably done even more than get information; and then in that modest way of his, he told how he had taken charge of a company of machine gunners and led them through the enemy fire to a point where they could sweep the whole valley instead of only a small part of it. He had cleared a bad traffic jam – he had succeeded in getting rations to troops that had not eaten for days. I venture to say that he had accomplished still other things that day while getting information; he only mentioned those incidents when we prodded him.
Then Colonel Lloyd told him how he had tried to get him back to the Tenth; had asked the General to let him have his old Major back again. ‘Who’s your old Major? What? King? You go to h-; we need him!’ That’s what the corps commander thought of him.
He stayed with us only a few minutes and then went into the night. When he was gone, some one said, ‘There goes a Man,’ and it was an expression of the thought we all had.
Now he’s gone. He died as he would have chosen to die-in battle! He had won the respect and admiration of his superiors and he was positively idolized by both the officers and men who served under him at Chateau-Thierry. He had played his part magnificently. He triumphed; his life was complete.”
In a lecture to the officers of the Fifth Army Corps on the admin-
istration and supply of the corps the following tribute was paid Major King by Colonel A. W. Foreman, General Staff:
“I wish to pay a tribute here to the memory of a. true soldier, Major Alfred K. King, Assistant G-1, West Point, Class of 1916, who was killed at Lanenville about two p.m. on the 10th of November, 1918. He was a trustworthy assistant and loyal friend. During the St. Mihiel and Meuse-Argonne operation, his duties were performed efficiently and promptly in spite of the difficulties caused by inadequate transportation, few and poor roads, and enemy fire. To my personal knowledge, shortage of ammunition was never a problem in the 5th Corps; this is due to the untiring efforts of Major King. Personal danger exercised no deterrent influence upon his efforts, and time after time he escaped death by the narrowest margin.
In the face of every difficulty and danger his always present cheerfulness and optimism was an example and an inspiration to all of’ us. He died as a good soldier would wish to die, ‘as die we may and die we must.’ Let us bestow tears upon his loss, glory upon his achievements, and love and pride upon his character. May he rest in peace in his home on the banks of the Meuse.”
Major King was awarded posthumously the Distinguished Service Cross for “exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services.”
Major “John Alexander Street” Inf No. 5537 Class of 1916
Killed by a shell on the 4th of October, 1918, near Epionville, Department of the Meuse, France, aged 27 years.
John A. Street
Major John A. Street, the son of Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Street of Ripley, Mississippi, was born in Tippah County, Mississippi, July 3, 1891. Educated in the public schools of Ripley, Clarke Memorial College at Newton, Mississippi, and Marion (Ala.) Military Institute. In 1910 he was appointed a cadet to the U. S. Military Academy by Tho. Spight, at that time Congressman from the Second District of Mississippi, and entered the Academy in June, 1911, having previously taken his examinations at Jefferson Barracks, St. Louis. He graduated from the Military Academy in June, 1916, as Second Lieutenant and promoted to First Lieutenant in August of the same year and assigned to duty with the 9th Infantry on the Mexican border, which he joined in September.
He was married on the 23rd day of July, 1917, to Miss Olive, the daughter of Col. Alonzo Gray, who at that time commanded the 6th U. S. Cavalry, now in command of Fort Sam Houston, Texas. He was promoted to Captain in the same regiment in July, 1917, and on September the 5th of that year sailed with his regiment for France, landing there on the 22nd of the same month.
He graduated from the General Staff College in February, 1918, while in France, and in June of that year was promoted to Major and assigned to duty with the 163rd U. S. Infantry. In September, 1918, he was transferred to the 128th U. S. Infantry as Major of the First Battalion, then on the battle front, and was killed by a shell on the 4th of October, 1918, near Epionville, Department of the Meuse.
Major Street in early life joined the Baptist church of Ripley and remained a member until his death. He was well known throughout his native state and leaves a number of relatives, including his parents and widow, who, while deeply grieved over the great loss they have sustained are justly proud of his achievements during his brief career and his devotion to duty, because he could, had he so desired, have returned to his country for duty on this side, the opportunity to do so having been offered him a number of times while in service abroad. Both his superior and inferior officers and men testify to their affection for him. He was, so far as has been reported, the highest ranking officer from his native State to be killed in battle during the war.
Class of April 1917
Captain Francis Eugene Dougherty Inf, No. 5620 Class of April 1917. As 1st Battalion Commander, Captain Dougherty when in the midst of our attack in the Meuse-Argonne Campaign, the enemy laid down a heavy counter barrage and a shell bursting a few feet from Captain Dougherty wounded him seriously. Died October 16, 1918, Aged 23 years.
Francis E. Dougherty
Captain Francis E. Dougherty was born at Fergus Falls, Minnesota, August 20, 1895. His schooling was taken in the public schools of Glenwood, where he moved with his parents and lived until he went to West Point. Early in life he showed marked ability along mechanical and musical lines. In photography and drawing he left many excellent pictures. Much of hi.s spare time was spent in designing mechanical and electrical equipment for his own enjoyment; a telegraph line and a phonograph being practical successful results of his efforts. Musically he had marked ability, for he played the piano, violin, and clarinet unusually well, and sang in choruses and choirs during his years in school. While not an exceptional athlete, yet he was interested in football and basketball and played on all the high school teams in these sports. During his last year in high school he received an appointment to West Point. Without further study he passed the examinations necessary for entrance. Upon graduating with his high school class, of which he was the valedictorian, he went on to West Point to continue his education, entering the Academy in June of 1913, and graduating on April 20th 1917.
During his first year at the Academy he was known as a “good plebe” and a man who applied himself conscientiously to his duties. Throughout his entire stay at the Point he was always near the lead of his class, not only because of his bright intellect, but because he was a hard worker. He was fond of the gymnasium and always represented his class with credit at the annual’ indoor meets. On graduation Captain Dougherty was assigned at his own request to the 4th Infantry, then stationed at Gettysburg National Park, Pa. For a few months he was in command of a rifle company after which he was given the headquarters company which he organized in its new complexity.
In April, 1918, Captain Dougherty sailed for overseas service with his regiment, and after a month’s training the 4th Infantry was sent to Chateau-Thierry to assist in stopping the German drive on Paris which took place in the latter part of May. About a month later Captain Dougherty received a real opportunity to show his ability when the second big drive of the year in that vicinity had been checked and his regiment was leading the 3rd Division in its advance against the enemy. When the 4th Infantry was a small distance beyond a town on the northern side of the Marne, called St. Pere, he was placed in command during the remainder of that advance up as far as Roncheres, in all about ten days.
At this point the regiment was relieved and sent to the rear to be reorganized as it had suffered heavy casualties. When new field officers were assigned to the regiment he again assumed command of the headquarters company, which he conducted with great ability throughout the St. Mihiel drive and later in the Argonne, until upon the death of Major Roy Melvin Smyth, he was placed in command of the 1st Battalion. Captain Dougherty held this command less than twenty-four hours when in the midst of our attack the enemy laid down a heavy counter barrage and a shell bursting a few feet from Captain Dougherty wounded him seriously.
Colonel Halstead Dorey, who was near him, did all that was possible to stop the flow of blood which followed and refused to leave an officer who had rendered him such valuable service, in spite of the fact that he was repeatedly urged to seek a place of safety. Captain Dougherty lived about an hour; always maintaining the same calm manner which had characterized him throughout his life, though it was evident that he was suffering great pain. Later forty-six dead Americans were counted within a radius of fifty yards from the place where Captain Dougherty had given up his life.
Not only does the class of 1917 mourn a loved classmate in his death, but the army has lost a valuable officer who was. the embodyment of the Academy’s motto: ‘Duty, Honor, Country.’ He was never known to use profanity or intoxicating liquors and perhaps the best way to picture him is to say in the fullest sense of its meaning, he was a Christian gentleman through and through. Everyone who came in contact with him held him in the highest esteem and he seemed not to have an enemy in the world. There is but one consoling fact in his death, and that is a man who lived a life such as he did can only be in one place where he now enjoys the eternal reward for a life – well spent and freely given for a great cause.
F. A. MARKOE.
http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?res=F00A16FD385D147A93CAA81789D95F4C8185F9
Family crossing Honoring Fallen
http://www.itwasprinted.com/genealogy/WW1_casualties_b.htm Meuse-Argonne
Battalion Commander 3d Division
Daves Rossell No. 5639 Class of April, 1917 Inf
As Commander Machine Gun Battalion 5th Division Meuse-Argonne Campaign, Captain Rossell was returning from a reconnaissance, prior to leading his company in an attack, when without warning a shell burst just above, mortally wounding him, October 13, 1918, in France north of Verdun. Aged 23 years.
Daves Rossell, New Brighton, New York, was born in New Berne, North Carolina, February 26, 1896. He was the youngest son of Brigadier-General W. T. Rossell, former chief of the U. S. Army En- gineers. His mother was a daughter of John W. Ellis, a former governor of North Carolina.
He was an appointee at large, 1914, to the U. S. Military Academy, West Point, New York, and passed one in the competitive examination for cadetship. His record at West Point was excellent. He was a good student and a good comrade; and such was the confidence of his fellow-students in his sound judgment that they dubbed him, in pleasantry, “Savvy”.
He was, while a cadet, Acting Sergeant, Sergeant, Quartermaster Sergeant, expert rifleman, outdoor meet. (2)
War having been declared with Germany, his class was graduated 1917, in advance of the regular time, because of the need of trained officers for the army. In his write-up in the Howitzer is found a clause, quite indicative of his character. Referring to some contested point, it says:
“Beware: if you are in the wrong there’ll be a scrap, and peace without victory is not in this man’s code.”
In 1918, after efficient work in training stations, he was sent to France as Captain in the 15th Machine Gun Battalion, 5th Division, A. E. F.
On October 13th, 1918, Captain Daves Rossell, with a party of officers and men, was returning from a reconnaissance, prior to leading his company in an attack decided upon for October 14th. They were on the road north of Verdun. Without warning a shell burst just above Captain Rossell, mortally wounding him. A classmate, Major E. W. Leonard, gave him first aid, and subsequently had him carried to the first aid station about five hundred yards distant. He thanked the men for carrying him and was cheerful and smiling. He said to the Sergeant: “Sergeant, do you think I shall ever see my wife and child again?” He was rushed in an ambulance from the first aid station to the hospital at Bethin court where he died shortly after arriving. There he is buried on the hillside in a cemetery where there are about thirty or forty other graves.
Major “Edward William Leonard”, who at the risk of his own life, had stopped to give his friend first aid, was killed almost instantly in the attack made the following morning.
Colonel Leonard writes of these two:
“They were classmates at West Point and they are classmates in heaven. Men like Savvy and Edward William Leonard” die.”
Colonel Leonard goes on to say:
“I was with Savvy at Frapelle and the St. Mihiel drive, in every kind of vicissitude, hardship and danger, and no braver man ever lived. He had a wonderful Company and they all worshipped him. His life and death were a glorious example of the spirit of West Point. Duty, Honor, Country are emblazoned on-his life, and though his body is gone, his spirit, his soul, will live forever. To those of us who knew him, particularly in the days of battle, he can never die.”
Major William M. Grimes, 15th Machine Gun Battalion, 5th Division, A. E. F., writes of him:
“He was one of the finest, truest, bravest men I have ever known. At Frapelle his courage and devotion to duty, under very trying circumstances, was superb. His loss, not only to us in the battalion, but to his country, is deeply felt by all who knew him. He had been cited in orders on two different occasions for his sterling and brilliant leadership. His Company worshipped him and he was one of the most highly esteemed men of the battalion.”
Captain Daves Rossell was cited at Frapelle and also at St. Mihiel. One citation ran thus:
“Captain Daves Rossell, 15th Machine Gun Battalion, with great courage and coolness occupied conquered ground from which he con- trolled his guns, thus by his personal bravery setting a splendid example for his entire command.”never die.”
Colonel Leonard goes on to say:
“I was with Savvy at Frapelle and the St. Mihiel drive, in every kind of vicissitude, hardship and danger, and no braver man ever lived. He had a wonderful Company and they all worshipped him. His life and death were a glorious example of the spirit of West Point. Duty, Honor, Country are emblazoned on-his life, and though his body is gone, his spirit, his soul, will live forever. To those of us who knew him, particularly in the days of battle, he can never die.”
Major William M. Grimes, 15th Machine Gun Battalion, 5th Division, A. E. F., writes of him:
“He was one of the finest, truest, bravest men I have ever known. At Frapelle his courage and devotion to duty, under very trying circumstances, was superb. His loss, not only to us in the battalion, but to his country, is deeply felt by all who knew him. He had been cited in orders on two different occasions for his sterling and brilliant leadership. His Company worshipped him and he was one of the most highly esteemed men of the battalion.”
Captain Daves Rossell was cited at Frapelle and also at St. Mihiel. One citation ran thus:
“Captain Daves Rossell, 15th Machine Gun Battalion, with great courage and coolness occupied conquered ground from which he controlled his guns, thus by his personal bravery setting a splendid example for his entire command.”
NY Times
http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?res=F30D1EF83B55157A93C5AB178AD95F4C8185F9
BG William Trent Russell is the Father of Daves
http://www.houseofnames.com/rossell-coat-of-arms
Captain Stewart Whiting Hoover No. 5712. Class of April 1917. 1st West Pointer to be Killed in WWI. 18th Inf 1st Division.
Captain Hoover was killed at the head of his company during a desperate encounter with German storm troops – March 1, 1918, in France, aged 22.
Stewart Whiting Hoover was the first born of Clayton A. Hoover, of Washington, D. C., and Bessie Rae Brown Hoover, Salt Lake City, Utah, being born on July 4, 1895, at Montpelier, Bear Lake County, Idaho, living there and attending the public schools until July, 1905, when he removed to Blackfoot, Idaho, his father being appointed Medical Superintendent of the Idaho State Insane Asylum at that place. He finished the public schools of Blackfoot, Idaho, by graduating from the High School in May, 1911, valedictorian of his class.
In 1912 he was designated by Burton L. French, Congressman from Idaho, as Principal for appointment as Cadet to United States Military Academy at West Point, New York. He passed a successful entrance examination at Vancouver Barracks, Washington, and entered the Academy June 14, 1913, finally graduating April 20, 1917.
As a boy, he was of an amiable disposition, yet firm and positive in his rights, with a high sense of humor and duty, was a great lover of nature, and enjoyed being in-the quiet haunts of the hills and dells, where he was content and happy with his books, gun, dog, or pony.
One of his great characteristics was that of positiveness, either to know or not to know, with no false pretense. If he was not certain about a thing he felt it his duty to find out the real facts and conditions before expressing an opinion. During his four years at the Academy he kept himself in the background except on such occasions as rescuing a child from drowning in Lusk Reservoir, or upholding the honor of his class in the annual athletic contests, consequently he was not well known outside of his own class.
Graduated April 20, 1917, he shortly after went “Over There” as a Lieutenant of Infantry. The next account we have of him is of his glorious and heroic death at the front on the Western Front in France. Gun in hand at the head of his men he found a soldier’s resting place beneath a soldier’s blow in a way worthy of his Alma Mater.
The following is an extract from a letter from his regimental commanding officer:
* * * * * I have the honor to inform you that Captain Stewart W. Hoover of Company “I”, Eighteenth Infantry, was killed in battle on March 1st. There is no officer in this regiment who has had a better record for gallantry than Captain Hoover and he was killed at the head of his company during a desperate encounter with German storm trocps.
This combat was so efficiently conducted by Captain Hoover’s company that the French Prime Minister came in person to congratulate the battalion to which Captain Hoover’s company belonged.
This regiment deplores the loss of a young officer who possessed all the qualities that make a successful leader of soldiers. His official record was one of highest efficiency and his personal record that of a character without fear and without reproach. He has had the honor to die for his country while successfully commanding his company in the first serious fight that this regiment has had with the Germans and his regiment has been one of the first two regiments of the first brigade of the A. E. F. to enter the lines against the enemy. * * * * * *
The first West Point graduate to fall in the Great War, cut down at the very beginning of a promising career he made a noble sacrifice for his country.
His remains rest in the French Military Cemetery at Mandres, France.
His classmates are proud to have been associated with him and when our call comes may we all meet it as gallantly as did he.
CLASSMATE.
Legion Post at West Point
http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1088&dat=19220325&id=gFRlAAAAIBAJ&sjid=1pMNAAAAIBAJ&pg=1830,2673364
Howitzer for sale mentions NY Times article relating to his death
http://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/1917-18-howitzer-west-point-yearbook
Captain “George Wilbur Sackett” Inf No. 5678. Class of (April) 1917. During an attack in the Argonne, Captain Sackett was struck by several machine gun bullets while leading his men to the assault. He died a few minutes later, October 14, 1918, at Cunel, France. Age 26 years.
George Wilbur Sackett was born in Illinois, December 4, 1891. He entered the Military Academy with the Class of 1917 and was graduated with that class on April 20, 1917, six weeks early due to the war. He elected to serve with the Infantry and in June was assigned to the 11th Infantry, then stationed at Camp Oglethorpe.
He sailed for France in April of 1918 in command of Co. F.
During an attack in the Argonne, Captain Sackett was struck by several machine gun bullets while leading his men to the assault. He died a few minutes later.
Respected by his classmates at the Academy, and by the officers
and men with whom he served in France, Sackett had that rare quality of inspiring confidence in all his associates. He will always be remembered by us of the Class of 1917 as generous, chivalrous and courageous; in every sense of the word an officer and a gentleman.
It is hard to believe that never again can George enliven our class gatherings. We will miss that cheerful smile which chased care in the days of “tenths,” demerits, and other worries. We wish it could have remained with us in this time of greater responsibility. But who can deny that his was the greatest privilege of all? He fell on the field of battle facing the common foe of civilization. Yet it is only an infinitessimal fraction of him that has gone. The dauntless, optimistic spirit that we loved and admired, the spirit that animated
his great sacrifice, lives on. George is still one of us.
A. P. POPE.
Burial
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=55966896
Sackett Family – Information below taken from –
http://www.sackettfamily.info/newsilchicago.htm Chicago Daily Tribune, 18 July 1917
“Marriages. / Lieut. George Wilbur Sackett, nephew of Mrs. Grace Wilbur Trout of Oak Park, will be married today to Miss Antoinette Cooper, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William H. Cooper of New Rochelle, N.Y. The wedding ceremony will be performed in Chattanooga, Tenn., as Lieut. Sackett, a West Pointer of the class of 1917, is now stationed nearby in Chickamauga Park, Ga., in command of a detail of United States troops. Mrs. Trout and her son, Thomas, and cousin, Miss Caroline B. Wilbur, left yesterday to attend the wedding.” Chicago Daily Tribune, 22 July 1917 “Weddings. / Lieut. George Wilbur Sackett, nephew of Mrs. Grace Wilbur Trout of Oak Park, was married on Wednesday to Miss Antoinette Cooper, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William H. Cooper of New Rochelle, N.Y. The wedding ceremony was performed in Chattanooga, Tenn., as Lieut. Sackett is now stationed in Chickamauga Park, Ga.”
Bio Register
http://books.google.com/books?id=SSHcAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA1891&lpg=PA1891&dq=George+Wilbur+Sackett&source=bl&ots=ybYvRY6IgR&sig=H7mvRYzWRQUK4LCJW4w6qjKtzMw&hl=en&sa=X&ei=4kVrUJC8B43D0AGpx4GoAw&ved=0CCYQ6AEwAjgK#v=onepage&q=George%20Wilbur%20Sackett&f=false
Register of Officers & Cadets 1913
http://books.google.com/books?id=H7U3AQAAIAAJ&pg=RA4-PA67&lpg=RA4-PA67&dq=George+Wilbur+Sackett&source=bl&ots=Ykhw-r Meuse-Argonne,
Company Commander 5th Division
Captain “Henry Henley Chapman” Inf No. 5733, Class of April 20, 1917.
Infantry Company Commander 30th Division, He fell on the field of honor while leading his men over the top in the first wave of the great attack of the Thirtieth Division that broke the Hindenberg line at Bellicourt, about four miles north of St. Quentin, and where the St. Quentin Canal enters the tunnel September 29, 1918. Aged 24 years. Military Family dating back to the Revolution.
Captain Henry Henley Chapman, of the class of 1917, U. S. M. A., was killed in action, in France, September 29th,. 1918. He fell on the field of honor while leading his men over the top in the first wave of the great attack of the Thirtieth Division that broke the Hindenberg line at Bellicourt, about four miles north of St. Quentin, and where the St. Quentin Canal enters the tunnel. The 30th was operating with the 4th British Army and covered itself with glory in the hard fighting as shock troops on that and succeeding days, being highly commended by General Rawlinson and Field Marshal Sir Douglas Haig. Captain Chapman was commanding Co. F 120th Infantry (old 2nd N. C.) and charged into a storm of German artillery fire which brought heavy casualties to the gallant North Carolina men following their intrepid young leader.
He was the great-great-grandson of Lt. Henry Henley Chapman of the 2nd Regiment Maryland Continental Infantry, a veteran of the Revolutionary War, under General George Washington, and an original member of the Society of the Cincinnati, to which Captain Chapman had been elected by right of direct iineal descent. He was the great-grandson of Lt. Col William Chapman, of the class of 1831, U. S. M. A., a veteran of the Mexican, Indian, and Civil Wars, and eldest son of Captain William H. H. Chapman, class of 1891, U. S. M. A., who fought through the Cuban and Philippine campaigns and died in active service. He was the eldest grandchild of the late Major General William S. McCaskey, veteran of the Civil, Indian, Cuban and Philippine Wars, and nephew of Colonels Garrison and Douglas McCaskey. His brother, Captain William McC. Chapman, of the class of 1918, U. S. M. A., is aide-de-camp to Major General William S. Graves, commanding the U. S. forces in Siberia. Born of the 20th Infantry, in which his father and grandfather had served for many years, he was a son of the old Army and a long line of fighting men, and died leading men of the new Army he had helped train for service in France.
Captain Chapman was born at Fort Assinnaboine, Montana, August 8th, 1894, and at the time of his death was only 24 years old. Upon his graduation from West Point in the first war class of 1917, he was assigned to the 20th Infantry and made a creditable record in training new men of that regiment and of the new regiments formed from the old 20th at Fort Douglas, Utah. Selected by Brigadier General Samuel Faison as aide, he later assisted in training the North Carolina guardsmen of the 119th and 120th Infantries, forming the 60th Brigade of the 30th Division at Camp Sevier, South Carolina.
His promotion to Captaincy in April, 1918, took him to the 39th Infantry, which he joined on the eve of their embarkation to France. While with the 39th he took part in the heavy fighting of the 4th Division, which was hurriedly brought down from the British area, where it had been in training and placed in immediate reserve behind the new French front, in June, 1918. The second battle of the Marne was the 4th Division’s first great battle. The 39th Infantry attacked at 8 a. m. July 18th, ad took all objectives ordered by 3 p. m. At 4 a. m., July 19th, the regiment again advanced and took all objectives. The regiment was cited by General Tennant, commanding the French Division, for its work while attached to that Division. Captain Chapman commanded Company D, and his regimental commander writes that “he acquitted himself with credit and gallantry on both days.”
When adjusting the position of his Company on the night of August 1st, the German air- planes bombed the locality, killing and wounding many of the men of his Company and throwing Captain Chapman against a tree causing such severe shell concussion he was evacuated to the hospital. Upon recovery and being passed again for duty at the front, he was given command of F Company 120th Infantry, 30th Division, just ten days before his death.
His Division Commander, Major General E. M. Lewis, wrote of him:
“While he has been but a few days in his regiment (the 120th) his worth as an officer was recognized by his superiors and he had endeared himself to his comrades.”
Colonel S. W. Miner of the 120th Infantry, in writing of his death, said:
“There was not an officer in the regiment, old or young, whose death could have caused any more universal sadness and regret and we have lost a man whom it will be almost impossible to replace. His sweet, gentle and Christian character had so endeared himself to us that all -of us who knew him, however slightly, felt they had lost a personal friend, and this regiment has lost the benefit of his wide experience and military knowledge which I believe we can never replace.”
Colonel F. C. Bolles of the 39th Infantry, wrote of him:
“He was a brave and competent officer in combat, a capable, energetic and agreeable officer in administration. He was greatly beloved by all officers and men with whom he came in contact.”
Besides his mother and two brothers, he leaves a wife, who before marriage was Miss Urania Hudson Edwards, now at her grandmother’s home, 28 Ryder Avenue, Patchogue, L. I., and an infant daughter, Margaret Hudson, whom he had never seen. His one favorite of the popular war books was Donald Hankey’s “Student in Arms.” He carried it with him at Camp Sevier, and perhaps became “the beloved Captain” to some of his men in whose training he put his whole heart and whom he finally led into battle, and with many of those gallant crusaders made the supreme sacrifice on the field of honor.
“He was a Captain born and bred. In years,
Though yet a boy, he was a man in soul,
Led older men and held them in control;
In danger stood erect and quelled their fears;
When death calls such a Captain, he but hears
As ’twere a distant bugle and the roll
Of far-off drums. We wrong him if we toll
The mournful bell. Give him our cheers, not tears!
Through deadly scorch of battle flame and gas,
Through iron hail and burst of shrapnel shell,
Smiling as when we played at mimic wars,
He was our leader. Is it, then, not well
That he should lead before us to the stars?
Stand at attention! Let his brave soul pass!”
A Student in Arms by Donald Hankey
http://net.lib.byu.edu/estu/wwi/memoir/Student/HankeyTC.html
Memorial
http://thehawaiidescendants.wordpress.com/2012/03/11/henry-henley-chapman/
VFW Post discontinued
http://www.corporationwiki.com/Unknown/Unknown/captain-henry-henley-chapman-post-no-1930-veterans-of-foreig/39466549.aspx
Possible Links – that is the best that can be said
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=38696295
http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=mrmarsha&id=I16856
The Library Records at West Point contain information relating to Graduates who were Ancestors
Captain Edward William Leonard No. 5727 Class of April, 1917.Inf b>
Company Commander 6th Infantry 5th Division
Captain Leonard was in the St. Mihiel and Meuse-Argonne offensives. It was in the latter near Romagne, France, that he was killed by a high explosive shell, while successfully leading his company in the attack on German positions, of October 14, 1918. Aged 23 years.
Captain Edward W. Leonard, 6th Infantry, U. S. A., was killed in action on October 14, 1918, at Romagne, France. He is survived by his mother, Mrs. William Leonard of Grand Rapids, Michigan, his sister, Elizabeth, and three brothers, Luke, Lawrence and Michael Leonard.
Captain Leonard was born at Grand Rapids, Michigan, February 8, 1895. In 1908 he entered the Catholic Central High School of Grand Rapids, graduating from that school in 1912.
After a competitive examination, Leonard was appointed to the U. S. M. A. in 1912, and entered the Academy June 14, 1913. He graduated April 20, 1917, and was assigned to the 6th Infantry at Chicamauga Park, Tenn. A few days after joining his regiment, Captain Leonard was placed in command of a company, continuing in that capacity until his death. He was promoted to the grade of First Lieutenant on May 15, 1917, and received his Captaincy in 1917.
Leonard was an honor graduate of the 2nd Corps Infantry Officers’ School at Chattillion Sur-Seine, France.
During his cadet days Captain Leoffard was always very quiet. He read a great deal (about three times as much as the average cadet), being very interested in poetry and the modern drama. To those who knew him well, Leonard was an ideal friend, loyal and unselfish. He was a man of sound judgment and firm action; and yet when the opportunity arose he always enlivened his friends with his keen dry humor.
Captain Leonard was in the St. Mihiel and Meuse-Argonne offensives. It was in the latter near Romagne, France, that he was killed by a high explosive shell, while successfully leading his company (one of the attacking companies) in the attack on German positions, of October 14, 1918.
Captain Leonard was true to the motto of our Academy to the last. We have lost an excellent officer.
DANIEL NOCE
(Major C. of E., 602nd Engineers.)
Colonel Leonard writes of Leonard and “Daves Rossell”
“They were classmates at West Point and they are classmates in heaven. Men like Savvy and E. W. Leonard never die.”
Class of August 1917
Entered as the Class of 1918, graduated 10 months early, but retained their Class Crest
Captain “Charles Dashiell Harris”
CE – An Engineer Leads the Attack
No. 5745. Class of 1918 (Aug., 1917). On the morning of October 20, 1918, Company B and two other companies of the 6th Engineers went “over the top” behind an infantry regiment. When the Regiment failed, Captain Harris leg the Engineers forward being mortally wounded near Aincreville, France. Aged 20 years.
Charles Dashiell HarrisCharles Dashiell Harris was born at Fort Niagara, N. Y., January 25, 1897. His education, begun in the public schools of Washington, D. C.; was continued at Plattsburg, N.Y.; at St. John’s School, Man- lius, N. Y., and at the Columbia Preparatory School, Washington, D. C., where he received his preparation for the Military Academy. He entered the United States Military Academy in June, 1914, and was graduated therefrom on August 30, 1917, a member of the Class of 1918, the date of graduation having been advanced owing to the exigencies of war. Although one of the youngest members of his class, his standing at graduation was number five, while for the work of the final year he stood at the head of his class.
Upon graduation he was appointed Captain in. the regular army, being, at the time of his appointment, the youngest officer of that grade in the vast army then in process of organization in the United States. He was assigned to the 6th U. S. Engineers, Washington Barracks, D. C., and on December 2, 1917, left with his company (B) for Hoboken, N. J., en route to France. The 6th Engineers were part of the 3rd Division, but arrived in France some months in advance of the remainder of the Division.
The British being in need of the services of engineers in connection with the work of constructing heavy steel bridges over the Somme river and canal at and near Peronne, the headquarters detachment and two companies of the 6th Engineers, including Company B commanded by Captain Harris, were attached to the Royal Engineers, British Fifth Army, and participated in that work. They were still so attached when the German drive of March 21, 1918, was launched, and at that crisis were of great assistance to the British in laying out and constructing successive lines of trenches. Later they constructed, and for several days occupied, as Infantry, front line trenches in the gap between the British Fifth and Third Armies, which was filled in by a picked-up force of General Carey, of the British Army. The trenches occupied by Captain Harris’ Company were directly in front of the city of Amiens and, therefore, in what, at that period, was the most critical part of the line. In a commendatory dispatch to the regimental commander, General Rawlinson, commanding
the British Fifth Army, stated:
“I fully realize that it has been largely due to your assistance that the enemy is checked.”
Because of the services rendered by these two companies, the commanding officer of the 6th Engineers was appointed a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order by the British Government, and was later made a Brigadier General in the United States army.
After having performed considerable engineering work in the vicinity of Amiens, including the construction of steel bridges over the Somme river, plank and macadam roads, and trenches, dugouts and wire entanglements for the defense of that city, the 6th Engineers rejoined the 3rd Division a short time before the second battle of the Marne. They participated in that battle and in subsequent engagements which occurred during the advance to the Vesle river, and later in both the St. Mihiel and Meuse-Argonne offensives. Being trained for combat as well as for engineer duty, the 6th Engineers, when not engaged in building bridges and roads, in laying out and constructing trenches, or in other engineering work, were fighting as Infantry.
Captain Harris’ own company was in action against the enemy, either as engineers or as infantry, almost continuously from the 21st of March until his death on October 20th. Referring to the services of Captain Harris, an officer of the 6th Engineers wrote:
“”The Company he commanded was in every action in which any part of the regiment participated and in every work which was undertaken. Company B is the Color Company of the regiment.”
At 7 a.m., on the morning of October 20, 1918, Company B and two other companies of the 6th Engineers went “over the top” behind an infantry regiment, carrying barbed wire and tools with which to wire Clairs Chenes Wood, should the infantry regiment succeed in driving the Germans from that position. Owing to the intensity of the enemy’s machine gun fire the infantry failed in their purpose, whereupon the engineers decided they would attempt the capture of the woods themselves, Captain Harris, as the senior engineer officer present, assuming responsibility for the decision after a conference with the other two company commanders. They accordingly threw down their wire and tools and plunged into the battle, Captain Harris leading Company B. With a small detachment in advance of the remainder of his company he captured two machine gun and three German prisoners. Observing that the Germans were reforming for a counter attack and not having with him a sufficient number of men to operate both the captured guns, Captain Harris himself seized one of them, moved it across an open space in order to get a clear field of fire, and was operating it against the enemy when he was shot through the left lung.
At the time he was wounded Captain Harris was some distance in advance of his company and separated from it by a road swept by machine gun fire. He lay where he fell for some time before he could be carried across this road, the enemy having meanwhile laid down a barrage. As soon as the barrage was lifted two privates of his company and the three German prisoners started to carry him to an American dressing station, but the men lost their way in the woods and were captured by the enemy. Captain Harris was carried to a German first-aid dressing station near Aincreville, where he died shortly afterward.
After Captain Harris was wounded it became necessary for his company to retire temporarily from Clairs Chenes wood. They later renewed the attack, but before they succeeded in recapturing the wood Captain Harris and his two litter-bearers had fallen into the hands of the enemy.
Captain Harris could very properly have sent a subaltern to clean out the machine gun nests which were delaying the advance of his company, but he chose to undertake this dangerous task himself, and so sacrificed his life for what he conceived to be his duty. His grave is on the south bank of Andon creek, about six hundred yards southeast of the village of Aincreville.
Upon the recommendation of his Division commander the Distinguished Service Cross was, by direction of the President, awarded posthumously to Captain Harris for his heroic act by the Commanding General, American Expeditionary Forces. The official notice of the award, published in General Orders No. 70 War Department, 1919, reads as follows.
“Charles Dashiell Harris, Captain, 6th Engineers. For extraordinary heroism in action in Clairs Chenes Woods, France, October 20, 1918. While leading his Company in an attack on enemy machine-gun nests he, with three of his men in advance of the remainder of his Company, fearlessly attacked an enemy machine-gun nest, capturing three prisoners and two guns, turning the guns against the enemy. He was mortally wounded while operating one of the guns in an exposed position.
Next of kin: Major General P. C. Harris, The Adjutant General of the Army (father), The Dresden, Washington, D. C.”
As a cadet at the Military Academy young Harris was exceedingly popular. He was president of the Dialectic Society and cheer leader, and took a prominent part in all the social and other activities of his class. The parents of one of his classmates paid him the following
tribute:
“No finer or truer boy ever lived. Charlie was a born leader in enterprises serious or gay, in scholarship, athletics, and in friendship.”
All the members of the 6th Engineers loved and respected Captain Harris. They tell of his coolness under fire and of his remarkable judgment. He said little, but when anything was to be done he was always ready with a well defined plan which he could execute. He was of sunny disposition, and his cheery optimism is well illustrated by the following extract from one of his letters, written a short time before the second battle of the Marne:
“I am all right and in the best possible health; with interesting work to keep me busy and enough exercise and good food to keep me healthy; nothing to spend money on, so also wealthy; and lots to learn, so wise.”
A fellow officer of the 6th Engineers speaks of him in the following terms:
“Captain Harris was one of the finest characters I ever knew – brave, he seemed not to know the meaning of fear; loyal, cheerful, kind, confident, proud of his country and his men, who loved him and were inspired by his courage, endurance, his utter lack of selfishness, and always his first thought was for their comfort and welfare. The fact that he was the youngest Captain in the army made them doubly proud of him. They would have followed him anywhere – and did. His uniform cheerfulness and high sense of duty kept us up when our spirits were getting low. He was one of the coolest men under fire I ever saw – calm, steady, fearless – and merely by the fact of his presence helped the men to complete successfully very many dangerous and nerve – racking tasks.”
P. C. H.
Burial
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=10940486
Remembering
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=dfl&GRid=10940486
Valor
http://militarytimes.com/citations-medals-awards/recipient.php?
French Memorial
http://www.uswarmemorials.org/html/monument_details.php?SiteID=66&MemID=118
http://www.uswarmemorials.org/html/people_details.php?PeopleID=244
Mouments
http://www.uswarmemorials.org/html/documents/dec6_2009.pdf
Birth
http://books.google.com/books?id=hbhRAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA106&lpg=PA106&dq=Charles+Dashiell+Harris&source=bl&ots=UNhQyh0Kjq&sig=B67iuwnWgeNef0VbiyFUBsXKr_I&hl=en&sa=X&ei=PiZ7UOD7GaGZ0QGel4DYBA&ved=0CBwQ6AEwADgK#v=onepage&q=Charles%20Dashiell%20Harris&f=false
Cadet Register
http://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=Charles+Dashiell+Harris&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8#q=Charles+Dashiell+Harris&hl=en&client=safari&rls=en&prmd=imvnsbo&ei=6iN7UNTYM6vh0wG20oDQDA&start=10&sa=N&fp=1&bpcl=35277026&biw=1112&bih=663&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.&cad=b&sei=lyZ7UPG3IPHG0AGB-4DIAg
Award Listing
http://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=Charles+Dashiell+Harris&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8#q=Charles+Dashiell+Harris&hl=en&client=safari&rls=en&prmd=imvnsbo&ei=6iN7UNTYM6vh0wG20oDQDA&start=10&sa=N&fp=1&bpcl=35277026&biw=1112&bih=663&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.&cad=b&sei=lyZ7UPG3IPHG0AGB-4DIAg
Probably Family
http://duplin.lostsoulsgenealogy.com/family/charleshooks.pdf
Captain “Thurston Elmer Wood” FA No.5749. Class of 1918 (Aug. 1917)
In his fall we lost one of our best officers. His superiors regarded him as one of the brightest and most efficient officers in the service and he was known as a man devoid of fear. West Point never had a more loyal son, nor one who more scrupulously “lived its motto”.
“And then I heard yelling, ‘Au secours! Les camarades! Je suis mort!
And Again – The horses were very near the guns and your brother was standing in the open encouraging the drivers and seeing that all men and animals were gotten under cover. Killed in Action July 21, 1918, near Vierzy, France, aged 21 years.
It was not surprising that a boy of six, after a month’s stay at Old Point Comfort, should decide to be a soldier. The courage of his convictions displayed a month or so later at the Army-Navy game was perhaps less common, when from his seat on the Navy stand, in spite of his mother’s efforts to repress him, the youngster jumped to his feet and cheered whenever the army scored. But the really un- usual thing was that he never changed his mind about what he wanted to do.
Thurston Elmer Wood was born in the old Wiley homestead at Cape May Court House, New Jersey, on September 14, 1896. He was the son of Captain Albert N. Wood, U. S. Navy, and of Edith Elmer Wood. His maternal grandfather was the late Commander Horace Elmer, U. S. Navy, who died while in command of the Mosquito Fleet at the outbreak of the Spanish war. A great grandfather, Dr. John Wiley, served through the Civil war as surgeon of the 6th New Jersey Volunteers.
His childhood was a variegated one due to the vicissitudes of his father’s service. Taken to the Orient as a baby in arms, he spent two years in China, Japan and Korea, and first learned to talk in a curious patois of Japanese and pidgin English, The next few years saw the family home shift to the national capital, to Oregon, to California, to New York. Then followed a couple of years in’Europe. One summer was spent in England, one in Switzerland, and an autumn in Venice, but for the greater part of the time the boy was at school in the south of France.
After a few months in the United States, the family removed to San Juan, Porto Rico, for a period of four and a half years. There he learned to ride and swim and to speak Spanish. For the sake of the language he spent one year in an all-Spanish school, where he aver- aged at least a fight a day “for the honor of the flag.” From 1909 to 1911, the family was at Cape May Court House, where young Wood attended High School.
Washington,D.C.,was the next place of residence, and there, in 1912, he graduated with honors from the Western High School, the youngest boy it was said who had ever received its diploma.
Being two years too young for West Point, he entered George Washington University and completed the freshman year in the scien- tific course. The following year, having received the promise of nom- ination to West Point from the Honorable J. Thompson Baker of the Second New Jersey Congressional District, he spent several months at Schadman’s Army and Navy Preparatory School and then returned to George Washington University for special work in biology.
He became interested in Esperanto while still in High School and joined a students’ club. During his freshman year at college he took an active part in the work of the Students’ Esperanto League of North America, being made a member of its executive board.’ The next year he was elected president and devoted much time to correspondence with similar student bodies in all parts of the world. He resigned on going to West Point, realizing that he would have no more spare time for outside activities.
In June, 1914, he entered West Point, and even the trying experi- ences of Beast Bar’racks did not make him doubt that he was where he wished to be. West Point never had a more loyal son, nor one who more scrupulously ‘lived its motto.
Nevertheless he had a natural affinity for demerits and lowered his class standing a number of files by the unholy quantity he accumulated. He spent many an hour walking the area and came near going through West Point with a clean sleeve, but was made a sergeant a month or so before graduation.
Class standing, as such, never interested him. He worked for the sake of information he was after, never for the sake of files. Even so, and in spite of the demerits, he graduated ten.
He applied for assignment to the 12th Regiment of Field Artillery, and at the end of graduation leave, was ordered to join the regiment of his choice at Fort Myer, Va. After training there for a couple of months, the regiment was transferred to Camp Merritt, and embarked for Liverpool on January 10, 1918. A few days at an English rest camp near Winchester were followed by the long journey to the ar- tillery training camp at Valduhon in the foothills of the Alps.
March 20th saw the regiment on its way to-the front near Verdun to receive its final training with French units. Here the various components of the Second Division were first brought together.
Lieutenant Wood, who was now serving as Adjutant of the First Battalion, was the first officer of the regiment to be cited in Division Orders. The citation reads:
“First Lieutenant Thurston E. Wood, Philadelphia, rushed from his dugout into a heavy shell fire on April 24th. to rescue a seriously wounded French machine gunner.”
On April 24th he was writing to his mother. There is a break in the letter and then the statement:
“This letter was interrupted just at this point by an incident that I wish I could tell you about, but I’m afraid it wouldn’t get by the censor.”
On June 27th, in response to an urgent appeal from home for particulars, the citation having appeared in the newspapers, he wrote the following characteristic account:
“The incident was not anything remarkable. I was, as you surmise, sitting in my dugout writing to you at the time. The Boche had been harrassing the road irregularly that evening, when all of a sudden I heard one burst quite close. And then I heard yelling, ‘Au secours! Les camarades! Je suis mort!’ and a lot more. Somebody said, ‘Someone is hurt,’ and I said, ‘Let’s go get him,’ grabbed my helmet and gas mask and started out. I heard another one whistling and ducked under cover. The rest of the staff would have gone too, but the Major told them there was no use in everyone’s going. Sergeant Major Wade and Sergeant Rome, cited in the same Order, were with me. We went perhaps fifty yards to get him and carried him into a dugout. About that time some medical corps men got there and dressed his wounds. I take more credit for the way I talked French to the fellow and tried to persuade him he was all right and held his hand while they dressed him, than for any- thing else. Funny how a grown man (he must have been over thirty) wants his hand held when he is hurt. He was sure he was done for, though he seemed pretty lively. He was hit in both ankles and one arm, but the most serious injury was a lung puncture. I wish my conduct had been strikingly heroic; but, you see, it really wasn’t.”
On May 10th the Second Division was relieved and started first by march and then by rail for a training and rest area north of Paris. The 12th F. A. was billeted at Trie-Chateau. They were expecting to relieve the First Division at Cantigny, when orders came which started them on their historic night journey to stop the German advance at Chateau Thierry.
For a reconnaissance under fire on the 1st or 2nd of June, the day of their arrival, Lieutenant Wood received his second citation in Division G. 0. No. 40:
“This officer reconnoitered positions and assisted in placing the bat- teries of the 1st Battalion on the afternoon of the – of June, 1918; this in the face of artillery fire from the enemy.”
The work of the Second Division through the month of June is a glorious page of history, but need not be recounted here. The 12th F. A. supported the 5th and 6th Marines in the attacks on Bouresches and the Bois de Belleau. Just after the first attack on the Bois de Belleau, Lieutenant Wood exchanged for a week or ten days with the artillery liaison officer serving with the 6th Marines, during which time the Bois, de Belleau fighting continued.
He received a third citation sometime during this month according to a letter from his immediate commanding officer, Major (now Colonel) E. M. Watson, but so far his family have not been able to procure either the text, date or substance of this Order.
Colonel Watson wrote:
“Your son was brave to a degree which I at times thought recklessness. The only times that I ever reprimanded him were for unneces- sarily exposing himself. He was the most efficient and gallant fellow that I have ever known, and I can’t tell you how much I have missed him during the fight we have just finished.”
On June 13th, while he was with the Marines, he wrote home:
“I just happened to think that yesterday was the 12th of June, and in the ordinary course of events I should have just graduated from West Point. I should have received my diploma from the distinguished hands of Secretary Baker, and should now probably have just about gotten up from my downy bed in the Hotel Astor, have finished my tub and dressed myself carefully in my brand new cits, taken the elevator down the Hunting Room and be even now scanning the menu for a suitable midday repast. That seems uncommonly unreal and impossible to me now. Here I am subsisting mainly on corned willy and beans, drinking water that leaves a stain of sediment on the glass, and I haven’t had my underclothes off in two weeks. For that matter, I haven’t had my breeches off for a week, and I sleep rolled up in a blanket on a tile floor. And what’s more, I don’t more than get rolled up in a blanket than I am asleep. Four hours sleep a night is a luxury rather than a deprivation. But I’m having the time of my life, I can assure you. I wouldn’t miss one bit of it.”
The following is a good example of the kind of adaptability West Point training produces:
“I have several times worked twenty-three hours out of the twenty- four. So far I haven’t gone a whole night sleepless, but plenty of us have had two such nights in succession. I can sleep in any position from curled up on a door mat like a house dog to sitting on a chair. Just the same, I can keep wide awake while I have to. I seem to have adjusted myself to this exacting regime with remarkable quickness. It wasn’t easy at first. At first, owing to general tenseness, I couldn’t get to sleep when I first went to bed, but would lie awake for an hour or two; when waked up during the night I found it almost impossible to pull myself out of my sleep and think, and when I succeeded I could never get to sleep again. I found it frightfully hard to wake up in the morning, and yet I couldn’t sleep in the daytime. Now I’m just like a piece of machinery. I turn the machine to ‘asleep,’ and I’m asleep; I turn it to ‘awake,’ and I’m awake. And that’s all there is to it.”
The 12th F. A. was one of the regiments which supported the 9th and 23rd Infantry on July 1st in the capture of Vaux.
About a week later the regiment was withdrawn for rest to Mon- treuil-aux-Lions in the second line of defense and remained there until July 14th, when it started, with the rest of the Second Division, on the night marches through the forest of Villers-Cotteret which were to bring it into position for the great attack south of Soissons on July 18th.
During this interval, Lieutenant Wood, who knew he was about to be commissioned a Captain and greatly wished to have experience in a battery before being called on to command one, got transferred to Battery C. Although he did not know it, his commission as Captain in the National Army was issued on July 3rd. It was subsequently sent to his parents. The share of the Second Division in the attack south of Soissons need not be chronicled here. Success was immediate. Victory was in the air. The artillery was advanced a number of kilometers, following the infantry. The fighting continued during the next two days, though with stiffening resistance and less spectacular advance.
On July 20, the Marines, who had suffered heavily, were relieved by French Colonial troops. An advance on Tigny was ordered for the morning of the 21st. During the advance, Lieutenant Mehl, in command of Battery C, was killed and Lieutenant Wood took command.
Firing was very heavy and at close range. There were many casualties.
Lieutenant Colonel L. R. Cole, in command of the 2nd Battalion,
wrote of having come across him in a little woods during the forenoon:
“Despite the losses his battery had suffered, he was in good spirits and every inch a soldier. In his fall we lost one of our best officers. His superiors regarded him as one of the brightest and most efficient officers in the service and he was known as a man devoid of fear.”
Lieutenant Wood was killed by a shell splinter early in the afternoon, the battery being then at Mont Rambceuf farm between Vierzy and Tigny. He was buried with others of the battery, near where he fell.
His brother received the following account from a friend in Battery C:
“After we lost our battery commander, killed, we got back into cover in a ravine in good order with your brother in command of the battery. After that we took up two positions and got shelled out of them as soon as we started firing. The third position we took up seemed to be fine and we did not receive any shells at all for nearly an hour. Then a Boche plane must have picked ‘us up, because they started landing H. E. right in the battery. The horses were very near the guns and your brother was standing in the open encouraging the drivers and seeing that all men and animals were gotten under cover. I don’t believe he ever knew that he was hit, as a shell splinter struck him in the back of the head. He certainly set a wonderful example for the men and died as any good soldier would wish to die.”
Major H. R. Corbin (U. S. M. A. 1915), who was destined to survive his friend but a few months, wrote:
“Every fellow officer of his regiment and all in the service who knew Woody had utter confidence in his ability as an officer and loved him as a man. He was always cheerful, kind and thoughtful to all; one that was always wanted when a group gathered in a dugout by day or on the road in the dark of night.”
Colonel (now Brigadier-General) Manus McCloskey, who com- manded the regiment wrote:
“He was dearly loved by all his brother officers and by his men. Personally, I was so impressed with his sterling qualities that I had recommended him before his time to be promoted Captain. He was very bright, keen and eager to act, and absolutely without fear. We laid him to rest near where he fell, and sorrowful as we were, the glory of his death was felt by all.”
This story of the short life of a loyal son of West Point, who played a man’s part at a critical place in the crucial days of the world war, fittingly ends with his fourth and last citation:
“Headquarters Second Division, American Expeditionary Force, France, September 12, 1918.
General Order No. 53. Citations: First Lieutenant Thurston E. Wood, 12th Field Artillery.
He fearlessly remained under shell fire to apply first aid to a wounded driver of his platoon. He was killed in action. This near Vierzy, July 21st.”
In addition to the citations issued by the Commander of the A. E. F. in recognition of the bravery of Captain Wood, the Marshal of France has awarded the Croix de Guerre with silver star.
Following is the letter of transmittal and translation of the citation:
From: The Adjutant-General of the Army.
June 24, 1919.
To: Captain A. N. Wood, Branch Hydrographic Office, Bourse Building, Philadelphia, Pa.
Subject: French decorations.
1. There is forwarded herewith by registered mail, a French Croix de Guerre with Silver Star, Citation Certificate and translation of the same, awarded to your son, Thurston E. Wood, late Second Lieutenant, 12th Field Artillery. It is requested that the enclosed receipt blank be executed and returned to this office.
By order of the Secretary of War.
W. E. COLE, Adjutant-General.
General Headquarters of the French Armies of the East. Order No. 15101 “D” (Extract)p>
Staff.
Personnel Bureau.
(Decorations.)
With the approbation of the Commander in Chief of the American Expeditionary Force in France, the Marshal of France, Commander in Chief of the French Armies of the East, cites in the Order of the Division.
Lieutenant Thurston E. Wood, of the 12th Regiment of American Field Artillery:
‘”July 21, 1918, near Vierzy, he was killed while aiding a wounded driver of his section under a violent bombardment.”
At General Headquarters, March 28, 1919. The Marshal of France,
Commander in Chief of the French Armies of the East.
For Original Extract:
The Lieutenant-Colonel,
Chief of Personnel Bureau, Lallemary.
PETAIN.
A. N. W.
Captain “Robert Earl Symmonds” Graduated August 30th 1917. Cav (Died of wounds Nov 22, 1918)
In the afternoon of November 3, 1918, he took command of Company D which at the time was heavily engaged with the enemy in the Meuse – Argonne offensive. That night D Company made an attack upon a ridge just south of Beaumont. It was while leading his company in this attack that he was mortally wounded. He was removed to a nearby hospital, where he died November 22, 1918 in France. Age 24 years.
Robert Earl Symmonds was born November 30, 1894. He came from a distinguished army family, his great grandfather being Brigadier General Earl D. Thomas of the Class of 1869, U. S. M. A., and his father Brigadier General Charles J. Symmonds of the Class of 1890, U. S. M. A.
Captain Symmonds entered the Military Academy in June, 1914. He soon endeared himself to those with whom he came in contact by his never-failing good humor and quiet friendliness. He graduated on August 30, 1917, and was assigned to the 2nd Cavalry at Fort Ethan Allen, Vermont. In December, 1917, he was assigned to Headquarters Troop, 2nd Division, and proceeded overseas. On June 27, 1918, he was promoted to be a temporary Captain of Cavalry. While with the above organization he took part in the fighting at Belleau Woods, Soissons, and St. Mihiel.
He then left the division, taking a short course of instruction at the Machine Gun School at Sangres, on the completion of which he was reassigned to the 2nd Division and ordered to report for duty with the 5th Machine Gun Battalion. On the afternoon of November 3, 1918, he reported to the commanding officer of this organization, which was then heavily engaged with the enemy in the Meuse – Argonne offensive. Upon reporting he requested the commanding officer that he be assigned to a company that was in actual contact with the enemy. He was consequently placed in command of Company D, which that very night made an attack upon a ridge just south of Beaumont. It was while leading his company in this attack that he was mortally wounded. He was removed to a nearby hospital, where he died November 22, 1918.
The foregoing facts were given in a letter by his commanding officer. This letter also contained the following statement:
“The above incidents remain clear in my mind on account of the fact that Captain Symmonds, instead of awaiting orders for somewhere in the rear echelon, went forward to the front line where he knew he would get into action and then requested that he be placed with a company that was engaged with the enemy, thus displaying remarkable qualities of bravery and leadership.”
A CLASSMATE.
Memorial
http://www.theusgenweb.org/dcgenweb/records/wwi_memorial.shtml
http://www.lib.utulsa.edu/digital/robertson/Series_III/pdf/AR3_01_01_9.pdf
West Point Genealogical Succession
http://www.westpointaog.org/document.doc?id=3239
Register of Cadets <br<
http://books.google.com/books?id=H7U3AQAAIAAJ&pg=RA5-PA81&lpg=RA5-PA81&dq=Robert+Earl+Symmonds&source=bl&ots=Ykin0r08Gz&sig=cHv75nUNRzzCG2QjOH2PX3SrCyg&hl=en&sa=X&ei=rPt7UMbIL63I0AHuhoHIDw&ved=0CDsQ6AEwBjgK#v=onepage&q=Robert%20Earl%20Symmonds&f=false
Officer Register 1900 – 1950
http://www.accident-report.com/REGISTERS/regs9.html
District of Columbia War Memorial May 16, 2010
http://www.vamason.org/dm2/events/2010/2010-05-16-wwi-program.pdf
1st Lt “Edward Joseph Wolff, Jr.” No. 5777. FA Class of 1918 (Aug. 1917). Aged 22 years.
Lt Wolff attempted to extinguish flames caused by an enemy airplane in an ammunition dump. He was instantly killed by a shell piercing his heart, August 16, 1918, in France,
Silver Star
http://militarytimes.com/citations-medals-awards/recipient.php?recipientid=84068
Buired
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=56830715
Eddie Wolff, as he was familiarly known to his friends and classmates, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Edward J. Wolff, Sr., came from Poughkeepsie, N. Y., as the appointee of Congressman Platt, who represents the district in which West Point is included. Cadet Wolff entered the Academy in the summer of 1914 as a plebe; as an upper classman he easily won distinction – Corporal, First Sergeant, and Lieutenant, aside from taking active parts in the Indoor Meet, Hundredth Night, Camp Illumination, etc.
He was graduated with his class on August 30, 1917, because of war conditions, and was assigned to the 16th Field Artillery; in the same fall he reported at Plattsburgh and was later transferred to Camp Green, N. C. From that station he departed for overseas service, May 10th, 1918, when he held the grade of First Lieutenant. After a brief period of training at Camp De Longer, near Bordeaux, Lieutenant Wolff’s regiment left for the front about August 1st, going into immediate action. What might have been a brilliant career was shortened by a sad, accident which resulted in his instant death.
On the night of August 16th, while preparing to turn his battery over with a view to returning to a rest camp he, with a couple of assistants, attempted to extinguish flames caused by an enemy airplane in an ammunition dump. He was instantly killed by a shell piercing his heart. The irony of the sad happening was that the regiment was to move from its position within the next fifteen minutes. His death caused profound sorrow to all who knew him, but like others of his class, he gave his life to the great cause as though he had met his fate on the firing line, for the duty that he was performing when the end came was one that only the bravest of men would attempt.
From letters received from brother officers who were with him and who knew Lieutenant Wolff it is shown that he acquitted himself nobly at all times, giving his time and energy to others with no thought of himself.’ A partial reward came in his recommendation for the Distinguished Service Cross.
The Chaplain of his regiment laid his remains to rest near the spot where he fell, in the American cemetery on the San Thiband Bazoches road, and in a letter to the bereaved parents of their bright and promising son he remarks:
“He was always prepared to meet his Creator. A clean man in body
and soul was Edward Wolff, Jr.”
This is but a brief history of an officer whose cheerful disposition and spirit of willingness under all circumstances gave promise of a career of value to his country as well as a credit to his regiment and himself, and while he has gone in the body his memory will always remain fresh to those who had the privilege of knowing him.
1st Lt “Kenneth Paul Murray” Inf Killed in Action July 15, 1918 DSC
No. 5842. Class of 1918. “With rarer courage and conspicuous
gallantry he led a counter attack against the enemy five times his own numbers, July 15th 1918, east of Chateau Thierry, France, in which he was killed. Age 21.
First Lieutenant Kenneth Paul Murray, who was killed in action in the last Hun drive on the Marne, was the youngest son of Mary A. Murray and the late Philip J. Murray, of Mount Vernon, N. Y.- born April 21, 1897, and was thus but 21 years of age at the time of his death – he attended the public schools of Mount Vernon, N. Y., and while attending the High School took the competitive examination for entrance to West Point; he was then only sixteen years of age, nearly a score of other young men took the test also.
The studious Mount Vernonite headed the list and passed the West Point examination with honors. A few months subsequently he received notification of his appointment. Entering the Military Academy in June 1914, he worked hard and displayed admirable diligence. His objective was a graduation with honors and he let nothing stand in his way in an effort to attain this goal. Consequently, he was graduated from West Point on August 30, 1917, a number of months prior to the usual time, with the rank of Second Lieutenant.
After a limited furlough, he was assigned to Co. “G” 38th Infantry, which at that time was stationed at Syracuse, N. Y., and after a period of about two months his unit was sent to Camp Green, Charlotte, N. C. There the 38th Infantry received intensive training, and it is reported to have gone “over seas” at the same time Secretary of War Baker mar’e his journey – late in February, 1918. Before his departure for France he received his appointment of First Lieutenant. His last letter received by his mother was dated three days before he fell; in it he mentioned an expected attack by the Germans, as the artillery and the use of gas was quite active. Information in regard to the circumstances of his death is best explained by a communication received by his mother from the
Headquarters, Third Division, A. E. F., Major General J. T. Dickman Commanding, which reads as follows:
American Expeditionary Forces,
Headquarters Third Division.
France, August 23, 1918.
My Dear Mrs. Murray:
You have doubtless received notice that your son, First Lieutenant
Kenneth P. Murray, 38th Infantry, 3rd Division, was killed in action against the Germans on the morning of July 15th, 1918.
Major General J. T. Dickman, Commanding the Third Division wishes me to say to you that while he and the officers of your son’s command share in your sorrow in the loss of so brave and worthy a son, the General also wishes to express to you the pride he feels in the manner in which your son gave his life for his country and the righteous cause for which we are fighting.
It fell to the lot of this Division to defend the valley of the Surmelin River and the adjoining high ground along the south bank of the Marne River. It was the purpose of the German Army to cross the Marne and capture this high ground and the valley of the Surmelin, for this would give them easy access to the comparatively open country leading to Paris. If they had succeeded in their efforts, it would have made their position on the Marne very strong and ours correspondingly difficult. They did not succeed, but instead met with a repulse that threw them back in confusion, with some of their prize shock regiments practically wiped out and others demoralized and disheartened. The Germans launched their massed attack on this division by a furious artillery bombardment of all our positions, com- mencing at midnight on July 14-15, and which kept up all during the day of July 15. Just behind the bursting shells of this heavy artillery barrage came German Grenadiers and Guard Regiments, who had been especially drilled and trained for this attack and were known as shock troops.
They came down to the Marne River, carrying pontoon boats on their shoulders. Their attack was well and carefully planned, and their discipline was excellent. Our men on the south bank of the Marne opened fire, with rifles and machine guns, as soon as the enemy became visible in the darkness and mist of the early morning, mowing the Germans down on the opposite bank and in the boats they had launched. In spite, however, of our fire and their losses, they continued to come in masses, launching their boats as they reached the river, their crossing being protected by the artillery and by machine guns they set upon the north bank. In this manner, a considerable number of German troops succeeded in reaching the south bank, where “they quickly formed and set up their machine guns, and opened fire on our troops. Our men up to this time had been subjected to a constant and terrific artillery bombardment with high explosive shell and shrapnel followed by machine gun fire. What it means to undergo such bombardment only those who have gone through it can know. Our troops were young men, most of whom had never been under fire before, but in spite of all this our men stood their ground and met the Germans at the river bank, with the result that five German regiments were practically wiped out, and by nightfall all the enemy troops who crossed the Marne in our front had been either killed, wounded or captured, and not a living German remained in front of the Third Division.
The German wounded were cared for along with our own and sent to our hospitals without delay.
The German Army, stunned by this unexpected defeat, made no further serious effort; and three days later it was attacked by our troops to the west. In this attack the Third Division at once joined, with the result that the enemy was compelled to retreat and give up all the French territory he had won in his drive in May to Chateau-Thierry.
The part that your boy played in this defeat of the German Army is best explained in the following report by his immediate Commanding Officer, which is as follows:
“First Lieutenant Kenneth P Murray, 38th Infantry (killed in action), led repeated counter attacks on enemy machine gun positions and his fearlessness and ability contributed greatly to holding our lines.”
From this report you will see that your son, by his fearless and gallant conduct, contributed greatly to the success of our Division in its defeat of the German Army, as described above.
Your son has rendered a national service which must ever be a source of great pride and comfort to you. For this gallant conduct the Division Commander will recommend that the Distinguished Service Cross be awarded him.
If the recommendation is approved the Cross will be forwarded to you. With best wishes, I am,
Very sincerely yours, DAVID L. STONE,
Colonel Gen. Staff, A. C. S., G. I.
And also from his immediate Commanding Officer, who was Captain at the time of the battle, and was recently commended for gallantry under fire and received the distinguished service cross with the following citation: “With rarer courage and conspicuous
gallantry he led a counter attack against the enemy five times his own numbers, July 15th, east of Chateau Thierry. One hundred and eightynine men entered this attack and fifty-one emerged untouched. More than one thousand of the enemy were killed, wounded or taken prisoners.”
That citation gives an idea of the work that this Company must have done – one hundred and eighty nine opposed to thousands yet the point was won. Such is the prowess of the American and such was the spirit that carried Lieutenant Kenneth Paul Murray down.
The letter of Captain Wooldridge follows:
Headquarters 1st Battalion,
38th Infantry.
My Dear Mrs. Murray:
In writing you this letter, I am performing the saddest duty of a Company Commander. Your son, Lieutenant Kenneth P. Murray, died in action July 16th, 1918, while leading a desperate flank attack during the second battle of the Marne.
The United States Army has lost a brilliant soldier, the superior of whom it never had of his rank. He was consecrated to his duty, purposeful, loyal to his cause and a powerful agency for the upbuilding of morale and courage among the members of his Company.
You have lost a grand and noble son, a son who never had a selfish thought and whose sweet character will ever illuminate our memories and stand forth as an example of all that is honorable and clean.
His death was instantaneous. I was by his side when a machine gun bullet sent him to his Maker, sent him to his rest from whose bourn no traveler returns.
All personal effects were destroyed in bombardment.
His grave is where he fell, in an open field, some four hundred yards east by southeast of the church at Mezy, France. It is marked by a rifle and a small wooden cross bearing the inscription, “Lt. K. P. Murray. Died July 15, 1918, G Co. 38th Inf.” I feel that his spirit is with you, his loved ones at home.
In deepest sympathy, I remain,
J. W. WOOLDRIDGE, Captain 38th Inf.
Valor
http://militarytimes.com/citations-medals-awards/recipient.php?recipientid=13790
1st Lt Louis Armistead Freeman
FA (Died of wounds Aug 18, 1918)No. 5850. Class of 1918 graduated 31st of August 1917. Having exposed himself fearlessly to a terrific artillery barrage to superintend personally the operations of his own troops, was mortally wounded August 17, 1918, at Frappelle in the St. Die Sector, on the Lorraine frontier. Aged 24 years.
Mortally wounded August 17, 1918, at Frappelle in the St. Die Sector, on the Lorraine frontier, he quietly passed away the same evening, aged 24 years.
“There are deeds which should not pass away, And names that must not wither.”
The noble life and heroic death of Louis Armistead Freeman cannot pass away, for, like Bayard of old, he was “Sans peur et sans reproche”.
He was born at Jarratt, Virginia, March 27, 18,94. He was of the Armistead family of Virginia, whose chivalry help to make the Old Dominions history glorious; and his grandfather, Theodoric James Chambliss, was one of the heroes of the war, 1861-65.
In 1901 his father, Mr. Edwin J. Freeman, moved his family to Warrenton, a famous old town of North Carolina, where they were much beloved, and added much to the pleasure and uplift of the community. There Louis spent his boyhood days, and graduated at the Warrenton High School, June, 1910.
He was the eldest child, the pride and hope of his parents, the idol of his aged grandmother and three younger brothers, and even he sister, the youngest of the family, looked up to him with love and admiration. He early consecrated his life to holy thinking and livng, and grew tip to be that noblest work of God – a Christian gentleman.
From earliest boyhood, he had dreamed of a military career, which dream was realized in 1913, when he won the scholarship and received the appointment to the United States Military Academy from the fourth district of South Carolina, given by Congressman J. T. Johnson. His father had taken his family to Spartanburg, S. C., on account of its being more convenient for his business.
Louis entered West Point June 12, 1914. On account of the great need for trained officers, he was graduated with his class, August 31, 1917, a year before the time allotted by the institution.
As Second Lieutenant, he was assigned to the 17th Regiment of Infantry, then stationed at Fort McPherson, Ga. Early in 1918 he was transferred to the Headquarters Company, 6th Infantry, and sent to Chickamauga. In March his division embarked for France, arriving there April 12, 1918, and was almost immediately sent to the front, and finally to Frappelle, a town held by the Germans, near St. Die, a city of Lorraine.
When our soldiers went to St. Die they read on the walls of the University this wonderful greeting: “Welcome, American soldiers, we gave your country its name”, and it was even true, for in 1507 Professor Waldsemuller, of the chair of Geography in this University, proposed in a written treatise that the New Continent, which had been accurately described by Americus Vespucius, should be called “America” in his honor, and this suggestion was adopted throughout Europe.
Lieutenant Freeman, in a letter to his mother, written July l1th, said: “I am on the front line, and as you know, I am in command of all the French Mortars in the regiment, and so, of course, I am in Headquarters Company. I have two second lieutenants as assistants.
“My platoon is different from that of a rifle company, in that it is spread out over the whole regimental sector instead of being assigned to a small part only of that sector. I am allowed to make my own reconnaissance and place my guns wherever I see fit. Of course, the Colonel looks to me to put any Boche machine guns out of business that get too gay with us.”
I just take a map of the sector, make a reconnaissance of the sector, with Lieutenants Carter and Grove, and place the guns at the place we decide upon.”
An offer was made to him to return to the United States as instructor to our raw recruits, with the rank of Captain – he had already been made First Lieutenant. Fired with patriotism, he did not wish to leave the post of danger, and in the same letter to his mother he wrote: ‘The Assistant Adjutant told me that if I wished it, he would have me sent back as an instructor with the rank of Captain in the National Army. The prospect of the increase in rank did not particularly appeal to me, as I expect to be a Captain in the Regular Army before the summer is over anyway, but I certainly did hate to turn down a chance to see home again in a few weeks. The only trouble about the whole business was that if I had been sent back then, I would have stayed until after the war.”
He, indeed, won his promotion, for a little over a month afterwards, August 17, 1918, while at his post of duty, he fell, mortally wounded, and passed away at the hospital at St. Die the same evening, and was interred in the cemetery of that town.
It has been said, “Strange, indeed, that four hundred years after the teacher of Geography, Professor Waldsemuller, gave Louis Armstead Freeman’s country its name, that chivalrous young Crusader’s body should sleep in the cemetery of Professor Waldsemuller’s home town – his life a sacrifice for humanity and civilization.”
Many letters were received by the parents of Lieutenant Freeman from his comrades in arms. The following is from Captain 0. F. Carlson, of the 6th Infantry, written the day after Louis’ death:
Headquarters Company, Sixth Infantry,
A. P. 0. 745, Amer. Ex. F.
France, Aug. 18th, 1918.
My Dear Mrs. Freeman:
Last night, under heroic circumstances, Lieutenant Freeman gave his life to
the cause of Liberty. Nothing that I can say can bring him back again, but I want to tell you how bravely he died. Lieutenant Freeman was severely wounded at 7 o’clock a. m. yesterday morning, from which he died at Mixte Hospital at 11:30 p. m. the same day.
He exposed himself fearlessly to a terrific artillery barrage to superintend personally the operations of his own troops.
In action, he proved to be a leader, and his cool demeanor under fire and incessant labors for the comforts of his men contributed in a large measure to the success of the assaulting troops. Lieutenant Freeman was in command of the trench artillery, and their successes are gratifying and indicative of the earnest efforts and soldierly qualities of their commander.
Men who were on the spot speak of Lieutenant Freeman’s behavior as a splendid display of courage.
During Lieutenant Freeman’s service in this company, since March, 1918, I have come to know him exceedingly well, and he has an enviable record. He has done splendidly, and was loved by his officers and men. The Officers of this company and the Officers of this Regiment – and he was well known by all – send our hearts’ love to you.
In this critical period of the war, he took a prominent part in adding glorious pages to the history of our troops in France, and his death is the supreme proof of the extraordinary heroism which unhesitatingly exposes itself as an example to others.
A greater honor has no woman than to have given to the world a manly son like Lieutenant Louis Armistead Freeman, U. S. Army.
O. F. CARLSON,
Captain, Sixth Infantry.
A letter from Lieutenant Grove enclosed a photograph of the decorated grave of Louis he Captain and three Lieutenants of the company, taken at the same time. The letter was written months later, and in it he said Captain Carlson was wounded at the Argonne, and later was killed in a railroad wreck. Lieutenants Abernathy and Carter were wounded at St. Mihiel, but Lieutenant Carter was back at headquarters, and Lieutenant Grove said, “We desire to tell you of the great admiration which was felt for Louis by both the officers and men of this company. Louis was my ideal of a true soldier and gentleman.”
Lieutenant Sullivan also sent a photograph of the decorated grave, and in his letter said:
“Louis was one of the most popular officers serving with the Sixth from the first day he joined us at Chickamauga Park, Ga. His jolly, carefree outlook on life and what lay ahead of us served to cheer us on more than on occasion. I regret very much that it was not my privilege to be near him during the Frappelle action, but those who were there testify to the fact that he went over the top into a withering machine gun and artillery fire at the head of his Stokes Mortar Platoon, and that he fulfilled to the letter the true soldier’s conception of his duty.”
The severe wound in the lower limbs seemed to have caused paralysis, for Lieutenant Freeman suffered no pain and was semiconscious the most of the time. The femoral artery had been severed with caused a transfusion of blood necessary if he were to be saved.
Mr. Sumner P. Bray, Beverly, Mass., wrote: “Captain Shawn asked me if I cared to give some blood, and I immediately assented. No one who witnessed the bravery and courage of your son could have done less. He was an inspiration. To save men like him, no effort is too great. However, it was unavailing; his wounds were beyond the power of healing.”
,p>
Mr. Thomas C. Daniels, New Bern, N. C., wrote to Mr E. J. Freeman of being wounded the same day as his son, and being carried to the same hospital and occupying a cot next to him, and after speaking of him in the highest terms, said: “His bravery at the time of his being wounded merited the D S. C. and even higher honor.”
Many other letters were received by the parents of Lieutenant Freeman. Captain Carlson wrote another personal letter after he had lost an arm at Argonne, in which he said:
“Lieutenant Freeman is buried in a beautiful cemetery at St. Die, and the officers of Head- quarters Company, 6th Infantry, presented his grave with a permanent floral wreath with his name and rank and inscription: ‘He died for Liberty.'” He expressed his sympathy, “In these times of bereavement for a noble son and a splendid soldier.”
Edwin Freeman, a younger brother, in a different division, in January, 1919, wrote a most touching letter of his finding, after many difficulties, the grave of his brother Louis. He wrote: “In a cemetery in front of a church in one section were fifty or sixty graves of American soldiers, and each had a cross at the head. On three of Freeman, his friend; also a photograph of them were hung lovely wreaths of artificial flowers. The loveliest of the three was on Louis’ grave. In the center of the wreath is his full name, rank and organization written in a ribbon of white beads. There is a plate on the cross containing the “Stars and Stripes” and also his name and the date of his death. On the cross is written, ‘Killed in action, August 17, 1918.’ On the back of the cross is written, ‘Mort pour La France.’ “
The graves of our American boys are tenderly cared for in France. We know that they freely gave their lives for the cause of freedom and civilization, and yet we can but yearn for the “Touch of vanished hands and voices, forever still.”
“We believe in the resurrection of the dead, and life everlasting.”
“Here the clasped hands loosened, here the strong ties are broken,
Yet ever God knows best;
Here farewell blending oft with greetings spoken,
But God hath promised rest:
There meetings glad beside the crystal river,
There, changeless, endless peace.
No more the severed heart strings sudden shiver,
For there the discords cease.”
(Signed) MRS. V. L. PENDLETON, Warrenton, N. C.
Burial
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=pv&GRid=81210868
Register
ttp://books.google.com/books?id=SSHcAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA1956&lpg=PA1956&dq=Louis+Armistead+Freeman&source=bl&ots=ybZmR2-DgX&sig=laqQe8my4uSgFg4LpybZYi8jg9Y&hl=en&sa=X&ei=PFV7UIHoBPC10AGehYDwCQ&ved=0CEoQ6AEwCA#v=onepage&q=Louis%20Armistead%20Freeman&f=false
Cadet Register
http://books.google.com/books?id=H7U3AQAAIAAJ&pg=RA4-PA60&lpg=RA4-PA60&dq=Louis+Armistead+Freeman&source=bl&ots=Ykin-x_4Lu&sig=pXyAU3wl12c32GT5uJzGpOm8MGs&hl=en&sa=X&ei=OVZ7UI-sCoeX0QGBmoGwDQ&ved=0CBwQ6AEwADgK#v=onepage&q=Louis%20Armistead%20Freeman&f=false
1st Lt “Theodore Desmond Schmidt” Inf No. 5854. Class of (Aug., 1917) 1918. Died of wounds 7 September 1918. Aged 22 years
[caption id="attachment_2881" align="alignnone" width="465"]
Theodore D. Schmidt
Memorial
http://www.scrappygenealogist.com/2011/11/soldiers-who-died-in-world-war-i.html
First Lieutenant Theodore Desmond Schmidt, or Ted as he was best known to his classmates at the Academy, was born in New York City on January 27th, 1898, the son of Mr. and Mrs. F. D. Schmidt. He came to West Point from Portsmouth, N. H., but before entrance thereto he graduated from St. Patrick’s parochial school, Portsmouth, in 1909, and from St. Anselm’s College, Manchester, in 1913. He entered the Academy from the First Congressional District of New Hampshire in June, 1914, and in August, 1917, was graduated with the Class of 1918, the second class to go out from the Academy in one year because of the war conditions.
Lieutenant Schmidt’s career was brief and very little is known of his last days except that while in action with the 39th Infantry, A. E. F., against the enemy of the world, he was severely wounded on August 5th, 1918; he was taken to a hospital, and died on September 7th, 1918, at the age of twenty-two years.
Whether his death was due to the wounds received on August 5th, or whether he was returned to duty and met his death as the result of a later accident is not known. Since a letter from the commanding officer of the 39th Infantry to Lieutenant Schmidt’s mother indicates that he was not with the 39th Infantry when he met his death, it is assumed that he had joined some other organization. His death is a distinct loss to the service and the country.
1st Lt “Josephus Benjamin Wilson” No. 5870 Class of 1918 (Aug. 1917). DSC
Captain Wilson was noticed to go down on one knee, just as a large shell struck close by him, however, he was up again in a second and bravely struggled forward. Advancing about twenty feet he fell mortally wounded on October 15th, near Ferme Madeline – close by the village of Cunel, France, October 15, 1918. Aged 21 years.
[caption id="attachment_2879" align="alignnone" width="412"]
Josephus B. Wilson
Ben, as he was lovingly known to his relatives and friends, came to the Academy at the early age of seventeen years. He was the son of Captain and Mrs. Ellsworth Wilson, having been born March 28, 1897, at Athens, Tenn. As a true product of the sunny south he held a shrine in the heart of every man, woman and child who knew him, for to know him was to love him. From early boyhood Ben showed a great interest in history, especially in the events surrounding France, and often expressed an intense love and admiration for that country, and a determination to see it. While a member of the corps he planned and looked forward to his graduation leave which he counted on spending, in part at least, in that country, but his wish was realized much sooner than he had anticipated by reason of the early graduation of his class, which would not under peace conditions have been graduated until June, 1918.
When the opportunity came for overseas duty he was most happy, but his career was cut short, for with but six months’ foreign service while with the 15th Machine Gun Battalion, he met his death as a true soldier would wish it – on the field of honor – where he fell on October 15, 1918.
The circumstances surrounding his ‘last acts can best be described by the following remarks made by Major W. W. Grimes of the same Battalion:
“He was beloved by all of us in the Battalion; he was a fearless officer and died most gloriously for his country, and his loss, not only to the Battalion but also to his country, has been deeply felt by all who ever knew him. I don’t believe I ever saw a finer boy, nor one whom the future had so much in store for. I had recommended him for a Captaincy for his brilliant leadership at Frapelle – where he was cited in Orders for his leadership and gallant conduct of his platoon, at St. Mihiel he again gave proof of those soldierly qualities of sterling leadership and devotion to duty under most trying conditions. For his gallantry in the above actions coupled with his superb ability as a leader he was placed in command of C Company, which organization he was so ably leading when he was wounded.
He was mortally wounded on October 15th, near Ferme Madeline – close by the village of Cunel, France. He was advancing with a portion of his company, but finding that part of one platoon had become disorganized, he returned through a barrage to collect missing men. He was noticed by Lieut. Kopmehl, one of his lieutenants, to go down on one knee, just as a large shell struck close by him, however, he was up again in a second and bravely struggled forward. Advancing about twenty feet he fell unconscious. He was carried on a stretcher to the First Aid Station, a few hundred yards away, and died in about five minutes. A piece of shell had struck him close to his heart. He was buried in a large American cemetery along with a number of his comrades of our Battalion, near Ferme Madeline which is about two kilometers south of Cunel, France. We mourn the loss of one of the bravest, cleanest and finest fellows that ever lived.”
Soon after his death Lieutenant Wilson was awarded a posthumous Distinguished Service Cross as a result of his extraordinary heroism in the historic battle in front of Sedan in the Argonne Woods that was won by the American forces after a most heroic struggle, in which this young American made the supreme sacrifice that places his name upon his country’s scroll of fame with many others of the Class of August, 1917, who willingly gave their lives in the great conflict.
Lieutenant Wilson leaves a mother and father with a host of friends to mourn,his loss, but who will also cherish his memory.
Cemetery
Enter Wilson Josephus at http://www.abmc.gov/search/wwi.php
Award
http://militarytimes.com/citations-medals-awards/recipient.php?recipientid=15479
1st Lt “Frank Sidney Long”
5883 Class of August 30th,1917/b> Inf KIA Oct 5, 1918 DSC
Upon arriving,found and reorganized about 250, men of “A”, “B”, “C”, “D” and “I” Companies without an officer, all that were left of the First Battalion.
Near Fleville, Meuse – Argonne about dusk October 4th he attacked and captured enemy machine gun nests at Chatel Farm. On October 5th the enemy began shelling his command with anti-tank guns and shrapnel. While making reconnaissance, Lieutenant Long was struck fragment of shell killing him instantly.Military Family dating back to the Revolution.
Age 23
Frank Sidney Long, the son of Lieutenant Colonel and Mrs. Frank S. Long, Coast Artillery Corps, was born August 31, 1895, at Burlington, Iowa. He attended and graduated from Hull Grammar School, Hull, Massachusetts, the English High, and the Huntington Preparatory School of Boston, Massachusetts.
Having spent his boyhood on army posts, and his ancestors having served their country in the Revolutionary War, War of 1812, Mexican War, Civil War, and Spanish-American War, it was only natural that Sidney should choose the army as a career.
He entered VVest Point with the Class of 1918, in June, 1914, and graduated on August 30, 1917. While a cadet, Sidney won the love and friendship of all his classmates by his cheerfulness, straightforwardness, and loyalty to his friends. Upon graduation he was assigned to the 7th Infantry, but before joining his regiment he was detailed as an instructor in the Second Training Camp at Plattsburg Barracks, New York, being relieved from this duty and joining his regiment at Camp Greene, South Carolina, at end of camp.
In February, 1918, he sailed with the 7th Infantry for England, en route to France.
Lieutenant Long’s first service at the front was with the 7th Infantry, one of the regiments of the Third Division at Chateau Thiery in June, 1918. While leading his platoon to the relief of a detachment of Marines that had been cut off by the enemy, he was severely wounded in the chest by a hand grenade. He was evacuated to the hospital, where he remained until late in September, when he was sent to the Replacement Depot in the Toul Sector. From the Replacement Depot he was assigned to and joined the 110th Infantry at Chatel-Chehery, near Grand Pre, on the afternoon of October 4, 1918. This regiment was actively engaged when he joined and Lieutenant Long was at once sent to the front line to take command of Company “D”.
Upon crossing the Aire River to join his company, Lieutenant Long found about 250, men of “A”, “B”, “C”, “D” and “I” Companies without an officer. These were all that were left of the First Battalion and were at the foot of a wooded slope that was being shelled by the enemy.
Lieutenant Long organized these men into four companies with Sergeants in command, administered first aid to the wounded and sent the latter to the dressing station. He then began advancing his men to better positions along the Grand Pre-Varennes Road about three-fourths of a mile east of Fleville. While returning through a wood for the second company his left shoulder was broken by shrapnel. He went to the dressing station and had his wound dressed and, though tagged for hospital, refused to be evacuated to the rear, returning to his men and leading them to the selected positions where they could engage the enemy.
About dusk he attacked and captured enemy machine gun nests at Chatel FarmAbout dusk he attacked and captured enemy machine gun nests at Chatel Farm. On the . On the morning of October 5th the enemy began shelling his command with anti-tank guns and shrapnel. While making reconnaissance toward Fleville for better positions, Lieutenant Long was struck in the right shoulder by a fragment of shell and an instant later received the fragment of another shell in his heart, killing him instantly.
Citation for distinguished service: EXTRACT.
General Orders, No. 95.
War Department, Washington, July 6, 1919.
VII-AWARDS, Posthumous, of Distinguished Service Cross.
By direction of the President, under the provisions of the Act of Congress approved July 9, 1918 (Bul. No. 43, W. D., 1918), the Distinguished Service Cross was awarded posthumously by the Commanding General, American Expeditionary Forces, for extraordinary heroism in action in Europe to the following named officers and enlisted men of the American Expeditionary Forces:
Frank S. Long, First Lieutenant, 110th Infantry. For extraordinary heroism in action near Fleville, France, October 5, 1918. Having been wounded in the side by shrapnel, while caring for wounded men of his platoon, Lieutenant Long refused to be evacuated, but returned from the dressing station to his command. While withdrawing his platoon to a better position under a heavy barrage he was instantly killed by shell fire. His courage and self-sacrifice furnished a splendid inspiration to his men. Next of kin: Colonel F. S. Long, father, 71st Artillery, C. A. C. Home address, 309 West One Hundred and Fifth Street, New York, N. Y.
By order of the Secretary of War.
PEYTON C. MARCH, OFFICIAL: General Chief of Staff.
P. C. HARRIS,
The Adjutant General.
He was buried that night on the field of battle. In 1919 his body was removed to the Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery, Grave 10, Row 5, Block A, Romagne-Sous-Montfaucon (Meuse), France, which is one of the permanent American Military cemeteries in France.
A further act of the appreciation by the United States Government of his heroism and self-sacrifice is shown by the following:
(G. 0. 13) WAR DEPARTMENT,
Washington, March 27, 1922.
General Orders
No. 13.
Annual Report, June 11, 1924 53
EXTRACT.
III-Naming of Military Reservations and Seacoast Batteries
2. Names of seacoast batteries are announced as follows
:
a. On the Fort Duvall, Mass., Military Reservation
.
Battery Frank S. Long, in honor of First Lieutenant Frank S. Long, Infantry, who was killed in action in France, October 5, 1918.
By order of the Secretary of War:
OFFICIAL:
P. C. HARRIS,
The Adjutant General.
JOHN J. PERSHING,
General of the Armies,
Chief of Staff.
Upon the death of Frank Sidney Long, the army lost a brave, faithful, efficient and conscientious officer, and all his classmates and associates lost a true, loyal friend.
So let us all hope and pray that when our opportunity comes that we will acquit ourselves as well as he – and not be found wanting.
S. P. HUFF, Classmate.
Valor
http://militarytimes.com/citations-medals-awards/recipient.php?recipientid=13213
Memorial
http://warmemorial.us/mediawiki3/index.php?title=FRANK_SIDNEY_LONG_-_MA_(Fort_Revere)_WWI
http://www.maplandia.com/france/champagne-ardenne/ardennes/vouziers/grandpre/
1st Lt “Earle Adams Billings” Inf No.5889 Class of 1918 (Aug., 1917) KIA July 1918
A French newspaper: “First Lieut. Earle A. Billings, 9th Infantry, led his men through heavy barrage, working continuously during the entire bombardment, locating and directing evacuation of the wounded. By his valor and coolness, in spite of high explosive and gas shelling, he was an incentive to his men. This at Vaux, July 1, 1918.”
Croix de Guerre from the French Government.
Map – http://www.map-france.com/Vaux-57130/
Photo page 60 Annual Report – http://www.library.usma.edu/index.cfm?TabID=6&LinkCategoryID=49#46
.
Killed in action July 18, 1918, at Vaux, France, aged 24 years.
From a French newspaper:
“First Lieut. Earle A. Billings, 9th Infantry, led his men through heavy barrage, working continuously during the entire bombardment, locating and directing evacuation of the wounded. By his valor and coolness, in spite of high explosive and gas shelling, he was an incentive to his men. This at Vaux, July 1, 1918.”
First Lieutenant Earle Adams Billings, 9th Infantry, U. S. A., son of Charles and Grace Akers Billings, was born April 1, 1894, at Gor- ham, Maine. He received his earlier education in the public schools of Gorham and Portland, Maine, graduating from the latter High School. He was appointed to the United States Military Academy from the First District, Maine, and entered the same in June, 1914, as a member of the Class of 1918.
His career at the Academy was one of which anyone might well be proud in that he graduated with his class in August, 1917, nine months prior to the date set for the graduation of the Class of 1918. His kindness and thoughtfulness toward everyone with whom he came in contact was distinctively prominent in his every act and those characteristics, coupled closely with his loyalty, integrity and his everlasting determination to succeed through squareness to others, gained for him from his classmates a profound respect and admiration.
Lieut. Billings upon graduating was assigned to the 9th Infantry, which at that time was overseas. He was one of the few officers of
his class who was fortunate enough to receive an assignment to a
unit which had already embarked for foreign service.
Before sailing, he was married to Miss Ruth Dingley Jenkins, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Samuel Welsey Jenkins of Portland, Maine, on October 10th, 1917. He was with her only until November 2, 1917, at which time he sailed for England. He remained in London but a few days and then joined his regiment, the 9th Infantry, in France and was with it until sometime in January, 1918, when he was detailed to an officers’ school as an instructor. In the latter part of March, 1918, he was appointed range officer, which duty he performed until the thirtieth of May when he was sent to the front to rejoin his organization and was with the 9th Infantry up to the time of his death on July 18, 1918.
Prior to his death he was cited in orders and mentioned in French newspapers for bravery in action, since which time his wife has received a Croix de Guerre from the French Government.
Following is extract from Order.
General Headquarters of the Armies of the North and Northeast.
Staff.
Personnel Bureau. Order No. 11,462. “D” Extract. (Decorations.)
With the approbation of the Commander in Chief of the American Expeditionary Forces in France, the General Commander in Chief of the French Armies of the North and Northeast cites in the Order of the Army Corps:
First Lieutenant Earle A. Billings, 9th Reg., Inf.
“July 1, 1918, at Vaux, he led his men to the assault under violent
bombardment without losing track of the wounded. He himself saw too that they were carried to the rear. Inspired his men by his bravery
and his coolness.” * * *
At General Headquarters, November 11, 1918.
The General Commander in Chief.
From a French newspaper:
“First Lieut. Earle A. Billings, 9th Infantry, led his men through heavy barrage, working continuously during the entire bombardment, locating and directing evacuation of the wounded. By his valor and coolness, in spite of high explosive and gas shelling, he was an incentive to his men. This at Vaux, July 1, 1918.”
Following is extract from letter written to Mrs. Billings by the Commanding Officer Co. A, 9th Infantry:
Ninth Infantry, France, Sept. 18, 1918.
My Dear Mrs. Billings:
Earle was second in command of Company A when we started over the top on the morning of the 18th. He was assigned to command of the left wing of the company. We had gone about 1500 yards when I was notified that Earle was wounded-I believe by machine-gun fire. I immediately sent two men to assist him, but had to continue the advance without being able to see him. It was not until after the engagement that I learned of his death. He had been killed by shell fire. This occurred south of Soissons, about 500 yards southwest of Beaurepaire Farm. He was buried in the same locality with other officers of the 9th who fell on the “Field of Honor.”
I offer you my heartfelt sympathy. The whole regiment shares with you the sadness of your loss. But in your grief please remember that Earle gave his life for a noble cause; his sacrifice has not been offered in vain. Earle fell while gallantly and fearlessly leading his men in action. The whole Company loved him and would have followed him anywhere. While he served under me I twice had the pleasure of recommending him for distinguished conduct in the face of the enemy, from which I hope you will hear further.
I shall not ask you to bear your loss bravely, for I know that you shall, for anyone related to Earle could not do otherwise.
Most sincerely,
(Signed) FRANK C. FOLEY
Captain 9th Infantry.
All of us who knew Earle can easily realize the deep sorrow which must surround the relatives, particularly the mother and the young wife of the deceased, who like many other mothers and wives of America made sacrifices and played such an important part in making the world safe for Democracy.
The Class of 1918 extends to the parents, wife and relatives of Lieutenant Billings their profound sympathy for their loss which is only made easier to bear in taking pride in his bravery knowing that he so nobly did his duty in the time of intense danger, with coolness and little regard for himself, all of which is symbolical of the motto we all love so well-Duty, Honor, Country.
R.H. Place
Awards
Croix de Guerre from the French Government
Burial
Enter – Billings Earle at – http://www.abmc.gov/search/wwi.php
Class of June 1918
The Class retained their 1919 Class Crest
2d Lt “Albert Francis Ward” – Inf No. 6010. Class of June, 1918.
Killed in Action Novitskn Siberia, June 22, 1919, aged 24 years.
(Probably a Platoon Leader) in H Company 31st Infantry attempting to relieve pressure on M Company in the village of Novitskaya near Vladivostok Siberia
Map – http://www.getamap.net/maps/russia/primorskiy_kray/_novitskaya/
31st Infantry in Siberia
Request sent to 31st Inf to use photo
Lieutenant Albert Francis Ward, son’ of Albert J. and the late Margaret Goodman Ward, was born in Chicago, October 3, 1894. He received his early education at St. Vincent’s School, and at De Paul University, Chicago, at which latter institution he received a scholar- ship and from which he graduated, receiving the degree of Bachelor of Arts, in June, 1915. He entered the U. S. Military Academy from the Ninth Congressional District of Illinois, in June, 1915. During his youth and until his admission to the Military Academy he was a member of the 7th Illinois Infantry, which participated in the late war as the 108th Ammunition Train.
While at the Academy, he was not the type of man who could claim that the whole corps of cadets knew him personally. He was modest and retiring, slow to make close friendships, but once having made a close friend, never lost him.
Graduating from the Military Academy in June, 1918, he was appointed a Second Lieutenant of Infantry and proceeded to the Infantry School of Arms, Fort Sill, Oklahoma, as a student officer for a two months’ intensive course of practical work. While at Fort Sill, he received his assignment to the 1st Infantry, which he joined at Camp Lewis, Washington, in September, 1918.
Shortly after the armistice an order was published to the 13th Division stating that the War Department wanted two hundred First and Second Lieutenants to volunteer for service in Siberia. Ward was among the first to volunteer, and the only reason his name was not at the head of the list was because the clerk that made out the list did it alphabetically. His application was approved and he sailed for Siberia from San Francisco on February 25, 1919.
At this time I knew him and liked him, but did not number him among my closest friends. However, it was but natural that, when two classmates, and two only, were placed together on a small ship full of strangers, the two should have something in common to begin with. It was during the thirty-day trip following our departure from San Francisco that I learned to’ know the man as he’really was; behind his quiet, smiling demeanor something three years as his classmate at West Point had not taught me. At the end of that trip I knew why it was that he never lost one of his friends; I realized what a great desire he had to do something in Siberia to repay the government for what it had done for him at West Point; I ‘realized how clean a life he led, and how absolutely fair and square he was with everyone; I understood, when one of his sergeants came to me later and said – that all of Lieutenant’s Ward’s company worshipped the ground he walked on, why this was so.
During those thirty days of most intimate companionship, I never heard him once make a slighting remark of anyone, friend or enemy. He said very little, and if he could not say a good word, he said nothing. It was also during this time that I realized how much he suffered from the loss of his mother some time before, and of his brother, whom he loved like no one else. Sometimes it was terribly hard to have that ready smile and good word for
everyone.
Upon our arrival at Vladivostok he was assigned at the base, and I saw what a disappointment it was to him to realize that he could not go into the interior where, it was reported, action was taking place. As the train bearing the officers who were going inland pulled out, we shook hands, and I saw his eyes fill with tears and he turned his back because he was not lucky enough to go.
From then on his letters showed how he chafed under the restraint at the base. It was only when he was detailed as Adjutant of the Allied Mine Guard, with the thought of action in view, that he became himself. His duty as a staff officer in the Suchan Mine district did not prevent his getting into action when there was action in progress. When several Amer- icans were carried off by the Bolsheviki, it was Ward that commanded the organization that went out to effect their release.
The story of Sergeant Herbert L. Reeves, a sergeant in that organization, who was with Ward at the time of his death, and later joined my organization is probably the best insight into his character and manner of meeting death that can be given.
“The organization was marching to the town where the American soldiers were imprisoned, and as we were not really at war with the Bolsheviki, it had been decided to first request the release of the Americans before we took them by force. Lieutenant Ward and his orderly rode into the town bearing a flag of truce. Suddenly two shots rang out, and Lieutenant Ward and his orderly both fell from their horses. The shots came thick and fast then but I managed to get to Lieutenant Ward and got him back to cover. He was shot through the head and I knew he was done for. I think he knew it, too. As I picked him up, he said, ‘Don’t mind me, Sergeant; look after Jim. He is hurt worse than I am.’ He said no more, and he died a couple of hours later, before we could get him back to the hospital. But think of what a man he was, sir; his first thought was of the poor kid who was serving him and who was dead when we picked him up.”
It is but natural to expect,’from a glimpse of Lieut. Ward’s character and the soldierly instincts that appear to have been born in him, that the rest of his family should be represented in the World War. This is borne out by facts, as his four brothers volunteered and served in the war; one of them, Sergeant Oliver Gregory Ward,.being killed in action in the Meuse-Argonne.offensive, October 8, 1918. Besides his father and brothers, Lieutenant Ward is survived by many friends who admired and liked him, and by a score who loved him as one can love only his best friend. W. C. C.
Siberian Command
Page 9 – – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Expeditionary_Force_Siberia
Veterans of Siberia
http://www.worldwar1.com/dbc/lookingbacksib.htm
31st Infantry
http://31stinfantry.org/Documents/Chapter%202.pdf
For What They Gave on Saturday Afternoon 