Frank Ezra Barnett was born on August 7th, 1887, in Mason County, West Virginia, to Robert and Catherine Barnett. He lived at 1814 4th Avenue in Huntington and was married with one child. He entered service in June or July 1918. He trained at Camp Lee, Virginia, and became a Private, serial number 3628261, in Company B of the 2nd Development Battalion, 155th Depot Brigade, US Army. He caught influenza and pneumonia and died on October 4th, 1918, at the Camp Lee Base Hospital. He was buried in the Barton Chapel Cemetery in Apple Grove, West Virginia.[From In the Service of Their Country - used with permission of the author]

Frank E. Barnett - Cabell County WWI Memorial Boulevard

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In the Service of Their Country by Benjamin Woodard

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Private Frank E. Barnett; Born 7 Aug 1887 – Mason County, WV; Died 4 Oct 1918 – Camp Lee, VA; Co. B, 2nd Development Battalion, 155th Depot Brigade, Camp Lee - US Army

Private Frank E. Barnett

Director

The trees lining Memorial Boulevard were planted in the 1920s to honor the soldiers from Cabell County who died while serving their country during World War I. In addition to the digital entries in Clio that guide you along the Boulevard, there are eight physical signs on the south side of Memorial Boulevard and seven physical signs on the north side of the street with the soldiers' basic information. Users can review these physical signs as they walk, and/or they can use this entry and its contributing entries tour - seen to the right - to guide their path. This trail runs from 7th St. West to 13th St. West along both sides of Memorial Boulevard and is a 1.4-mile loop. The Clio pages are ordered to start at the 7th Street end and follow the south (park) side west and towards Harvey Road. After arriving at 13th St. West, the Clio entries guide the user back and provide information about each tree planted on the north (railroad) side of the street.  Residents of Huntington planted ninety-one trees that lined the north and south sides of Huntington’s Memorial Boulevard between 1920 and 1927. Each tree was dedicated to a soldier from Cabell County who died in World War I. Memorial Boulevard was first opened to the public on Armistice Day (now Veterans Day) 1927, but planning began shortly after the war and before the establishment of the Board of Park Commissioners. According to Col. George S. Wallace in his Cabell County Annals and Families, a major goal of the early park commissions (both the Rotary and Kiwanis clubs had a committee for parks) “was a Memorial Boulevard for the World War soldiers to extend along the north bank of Fourpole Creek from 7th Street West to about 12th Street West,” which was, “to have memorial trees planted on each side and a proper memorial at the entrance to the driveway.”  The first tree was planted in 1920 by Huntington’s mayor, C.W. Campbell, and the Rotary Club president, Thomas F. Bailey. All 91 had been planted by November 1927 and a record of each tree’s dedication was set down in the records of the Greater Huntington Park and Recreation District (the names were also recorded on a plaque on the left buttress of the east side of the arch, but it is not known when this was placed). However, there are at least three errors in the dedication (not counting misspellings resulting in incorrect dedication order). The first is that Ora Herbert Watts is honored twice, on trees 88 and 89, under his first and middle names. The second is that Russell Corbett Dillard was included (tree 25), who, though he served in the war, lived through it and died in 1974 (his name was eventually removed from the plaque on the arch). The third is that Letson Boyd Morrison (tree 58) was included a second time as James B. White (tree 90), the pseudonym under which he enlisted. The trees were originally marked by metal crosses (donated by the International Nickel Company), which were placed at each tree by the Boy Scouts and the American Legion on Armistice Day 1927, shortly before the first cars drove across Memorial Boulevard. These were melted down (with permission) for World War II manufacturing. The trees were again marked, this time simply by yellow ribbons, during the Persian Gulf War by Owens-Illinois glass plant employees. For Veterans Day 2016, the trees were marked with ribbons and signs by the Buford Chapter, NSDAR, directed by their Chapter Regent, Pat Daugherty. Now marking the trees, unveiled on Veterans Day 2017, are 15 permanent signs with newly-researched information on the soldiers. This was part of Benjamin Woodard’s (Troop 62, Huntington, WV) Eagle Scout Project. He also created this Clio entry/walking tour, a website, and a book compiling his research.

This boulevard/walking tour begins at a stone that was dedicated by the Colonial Dames to honor the eighty-eight men of Cabell County who perished in World War I. The tour includes all of the trees lining Memorial Boulevard that were planted between 1920 and 1927 in honor of the local soldiers who died in the Great War. The tour can be followed via the contributing entries for each soldier by clicking the "Take The Tour" button (above and to the right). This walking tour is designed to start on the south side of Memorial Boulevard at the 7th Street West end, continue to 13th Street West, and return to the starting position after stops at memorial trees on the opposite side of the street. Please note that the soldiers are not in exact alphabetical order because of errors in the original dedication.

(NOTE: Dial is the farthest east tree and soldier on the north side of Memorial Boulevard.) 2nd Lieutenant Walter V. Dial; Born 29 Dec 1894 - Branchland, WV; Died 4 Oct 1918 – France; Co. B, 2nd Machine Gun Battalion, 1st Infantry Brigade, 1st Division - US Army

2nd Lieutenant Walter V. Dial

Albert Louis Agnew was reportedly born on October 23rd, 1895, in Keokuk, Iowa, to Charles Agnew. It seems likely that he lied about his age on official records, as it was said that he was 18 in 1918. He ran away from his home in Rock Island, Illinois, to enlist in Huntington around June 1917 without the consent of his father. He was assigned as a Private, serial number 56619, to Company A of the 28th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Brigade, 1st Division, US Army. He sailed for France on the ANTILLES on June 7th, 1917. He was in action during the defense of Cantigny from May 27th to 31st, 1918, and was awarded the Citation Star. The official citation reads:By direction of the President, under the provisions of the act of Congress approved July 9, 1918 (Bul. No. 43, W.D., 1918), Private Albert Agnew, United States Army, is cited by the Commanding General, 1st Division, American Expeditionary Forces, for gallantry in action and a silver star may be placed upon the ribbon of the Victory Medals awarded him. Private Agnew distinguished himself by gallantry in action while serving with Company A, 28th Infantry, 1st Division, American Expeditionary Forces, in action during the operations connected with the capture and defense of Cantigny, France, 27 to 31 May 1918. Private Agnew displayed unusual courage during the attack and later in evacuating wounded under heavy artillery and machine gun fire.1His Iowa community was proud of him: <blockquote>CITY SOLDIER HAS BEEN CITED</blockquote><blockquote>Conspicuously Brave in Action at Battle of Cantigny – Enlisted Year Ago for Service.</blockquote><blockquote>Word was received by Miss Ruby Agnew of Davenport, Iowa, from Major General Bullard with the A.E.F., of the wounding of her brother Private Albert Agnew, 18 years old. Private Agnew who was a Keokuk boy, joined the colors at Huntington, W.Va., in June 1917, and sailed for France within two months after enlisting and has since seen much active service.</blockquote><blockquote>Major Bullard cites this young man for conspicuous gallantry in action during the capture and defense of Cantigny, May 27-31, 1918. He displayed unusual courage during the attack and later was wounded under heavy artillery and machine gun fire.</blockquote> – The Daily Gate-City and Constitution-Democrat, August 8th, 1918 (from the Library of Congress’s Chronicling America website, www.chroniclingamerica.loc.gov) Two months later, on July 20th, while in action south of Soissons, Private Agnew was killed in action. The news was published the very next day after the announcement of his citation: <blockquote>AGNEW KILLED IN BATTLE ON MARNE</blockquote><blockquote>Youthful Soldier, Who Was Born and Reared in Keokuk Loses Life After Citation for Bravery.</blockquote><blockquote>FAMILY IN ROCK ISLAND</blockquote><blockquote>Enlisted at Huntington, W.Va., Year Ago and Went to France Two Months Later.</blockquote><blockquote>After being severely wounded in the defense of Cantigny in France late in May, Private Albert Louis Agnew took part in the great battle of the Marne in mid-July and was killed.</blockquote><blockquote>This information has come to relatives of the eighteen-year-old Keokuk boy who was born and reared in Keokuk. His father and several sisters live in Rock Island, Ill. A sister, Mrs. James D. Grant, lives at 1112 William Street, Keokuk.</blockquote><blockquote>Agnew enlisted in service without the consent of his only living parent, his father, at Huntington, W.Va., last summer.</blockquote><blockquote>The relatives of Private Agnew live at 1324 Fifth and One-Half street, Rock Island, Ill. The father, Charles Agnew, is a workman at the Rock Island arsenal.</blockquote><blockquote>Cited for Bravery.</blockquote><blockquote>A brother, Ralph Agnew, is employed by the Velie plant in Moline, Ill., and four sisters, Mildred, Ruby, Hazel and Margaret Agnew, are in Rock Island. The mother died a number of years ago.</blockquote><blockquote>The Gate City carried a news item Thursday in which it was stated that Private Agnew had been wounded and cited for conspicuous bravery by Maj. Gen. Bullard of the expeditionary forces. The citation was enclosed in a letter to his relatives by young Agnew. He said in the letter that he was wounded, but recovering.</blockquote><blockquote>Apparently he recovered and took part in the battle of the Marne in mid-July, where he met his death. Agnew went to France two months after enlisting.</blockquote> – The Daily Gate-City and Constitution-Democrat, August 9th, 1918 (from the Library of Congress’s Chronicling America website, www.chroniclingamerica.loc.gov) His remains were never recovered, and he is still Missing in Action. He was honored on the Tablets of the Missing at the Aisne-Marne American Cemetery in France. He was also honored on the First Division Memorial at Buzancy, France. [From In the Service of Their Country - used with permission of the author]

Private Albert L. Agnew; Born 23 Oct 1895 – Keokuk, IA; Died 20 Jul 1918 – France; Co. A, 28th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Brigade, 1st Division - US Army

Private Albert L. Agnew

Robert Bailey was born on May 13th, 1890, in Beckley, West Virginia, to Jack and Eliza Bailey. In 1917 he was living at 1554 8th Avenue in Huntington, married to Bessie Lorain Bailey, and working as a C&amp;O Railroad brakeman. He had served in the West Virginia National Guard as a Private for 1 ½ years and in the Army for 1 ½ years. He trained at Camp Leach, Maryland, and was assigned to Company B of the 68th Engineers, which was a standard gauge railway operation battalion. He sailed for France from New York City on the BELGIC on September 1st, 1918 as a Private, serial number 680439. He was transferred to Company B of the 54th Transportation in October before being transferred again to the 14th Transportation Corps Company. He was wounded in action and both of his legs were amputated. He developed gasgangarine following the procedure and died on April 9th, 1919, in France. He was originally buried in an American Cemetery before his remains were shipped home from St. Nazaire on the USS SHERMAN on August 31st, 1920. His remains arrived in Hoboken, New Jersey, on September 11th and were shipped to Maynor, West Virginia. [From In the Service of Their Country - used with permission of the author]

Private Robert Bailey; Born 13 May 1890 – Beckley, WV; Died 9 Apr 1919 – France; 14th Transportation Corps Co. - US Army

Private Robert Bailey

Henry Harrison Bellomy was born on September 20th, 1888, in Wayne County, West Virginia, to Henry J. and Catherine Bellomy. He lived in Huntington and entered service on May 28th, 1918. He trained at Camp Lee, Virginia, and became a Private, serial number 3169518, in the 25th Provisional Company of the July Infantry Replacement Draft, before being transferred to the 54th Company of the 14th Provisional Battalion, 155th Depot Brigade at Camp Lee. He sailed for France from Newport News, Virginia, on the RE D’ITALIA on July 31st, 1918, and was transferred to the 1st Company of the 1st Infantry Training Regiment. He died of pneumonia at St. Aignan-Noyers, France, on August 26th, 1918. <blockquote>DIES IN FRANCE</blockquote><blockquote>Private Henry H. Bellomy, Former Huntington Motor Man, Victim of Pneumonia</blockquote><blockquote>A victim of lobar pneumonia, Private Henry H. Bellomy, formerly a motorman in the employ of the Ohio Valley Electric Railway company, died in France on August 26, according to information received from the war department by Mrs. J.L. Selbee, of 1829 Madison Avenue.</blockquote><blockquote>He had been in France only a short time, having received his training at Camp Lee in June. He was twenty-eight years of ago and is survived by three sisters, Mrs. Molly Meredith, Mrs. Albert Jackson and Mrs. Selbee, and one brother, D.C. Bellomy, all of this city.</blockquote> – Huntington Herald-Dispatch, October 3rd, 1918 His remains were originally buried in the American Cemetery there on the next day before they were sent home from St. Nazaire on the POCAHANTAS on October 1st, 1920. They arrived at Hoboken, New Jersey, on October 18th and were, at first, accidentally shipped to Pritchard in Ritchie County instead of Prichard in Wayne County. He was buried in Strother Cemetery, Hubbardstown, Wayne County. [From In the Service of Their Country - used with permission of the author]

Private Henry H. Bellomy; Born 20 Sep 1888 – Wayne County, WV; Died 26 Aug 1918 – France; 1st Co., 1st Infantry Training Regiment - US Army

Private Henry H. Bellomy

Frank Ezra Barnett was born on August 7th, 1887, in Mason County, West Virginia, to Robert and Catherine Barnett. He lived at 1814 4th Avenue in Huntington and was married with one child. He entered service in June or July 1918. He trained at Camp Lee, Virginia, and became a Private, serial number 3628261, in Company B of the 2nd Development Battalion, 155th Depot Brigade, US Army. He caught influenza and pneumonia and died on October 4th, 1918, at the Camp Lee Base Hospital. He was buried in the Barton Chapel Cemetery in Apple Grove, West Virginia. [From In the Service of Their Country - used with permission of the author]

Lorrid Alton Carr was born on September 19th, 1888, in Buffalo, West Virginia, to Charles and Stella Carr. He lived in Huntington and entered service on June 27th, 1918. He was assigned as a Private, serial number 2931192, to Company C of the 1st Development Battalion, 158th Depot Brigade at Camp Sherman, Ohio, where he trained to become part of the US Army Medical Corps. He died here on October 11th, 1918, and was buried in Huntington’s Woodmere Cemetery. [From In the Service of Their Country - used with permission of the author]

Private Lorrid A. Carr; Born 19 Sep 1888 – Buffalo, WV; Died 11 Oct 1918 – Camp Sherman, OH; Company C, 1st Development Battalion, 158th Depot Brigade, Camp Sherman, OH - US Army

Private Lorrid A. Carr

Unfortunately, no information is available about Clark Chester. [From In the Service of Their Country - used with permission of the author]

Clark Chester

Robert Elmer Clark was born on April 6th, 1897, in Scottown, Ohio, to Robert and Ann Clark. He lived in Chesapeake, Ohio, and entered service on September 4th, 1918. He was sent to Camp Sherman, Ohio, and assigned as a Private, serial number 3857352, to the 25th Company of the 7th Training Battalion, 158th Depot Brigade. He caught influenza and developed pneumonia, dying at 6:30 AM on October 5th, 1918, in Ward 19 of the Camp Sherman Base Hospital. He was buried on October 7th, 1918, in Perkins Ridge Cemetery, Greasy Ridge, Ohio. [From In the Service of Their Country - used with permission of the author]

Robert E. Clark; Born 6 Apr 1897 – Scottown, OH; Died 5 Oct 1918 – Camp Sherman, OH; 25th Co., 7th Training Battalion, 158th Depot Brigade, Camp Sherman – US Army

Private Robert E. Clark

Henry C. Copley was born on September 13th, 1885, in Huntington to Mose and Emma Copley. He lived in Huntington and entered service in 1907. He served in Panama for 3 years and as an instructor at Camp Lee, Virginia, having reenlisted 3 times. He was preparing to sail for France as a First Sergeant in the 80th Division, US Army, when died of pneumonia on January 1st, 1918. [From In the Service of Their Country - used with permission of the author]

1st Sergeant Henry C. Copley; Born 13 Sep 1885 – Huntington, WV; Died 1 Jan 1918 – Unknown; 80th Infantry Division - US Army

1st Sergeant Henry C. Copley

Albert Chase Cox was born on April 20th, 1896, in Huntington to Albert E. and Cora Emily Cox. He attended Huntington High School, lived at 1502 15th Street in Huntington, and worked as a grocery clerk. He was inducted into service on June 14th, 1918, as part of Draft Call 594 and was sent to the mechanical training camp at Morgantown, West Virginia. He trained to be an automobile mechanic and, upon completion of his training, was sent to Camp Hancock, Georgia, where he was assigned to the 2nd Cas. Company of the 2nd Provisional Regiment, OTC. He was sent to Camp Upton, New York, and assigned as a Private, serial number 3439237, to a provisional ordnance unit. He sailed for France from Hoboken, New Jersey, on the SIBONEY on October 5th, 1918. His family received a form card on October 17th: <blockquote>The Ship on which I sailed has arrived safely overseas.</blockquote><blockquote>Name Albert C. Cox.</blockquote> He developed pneumonia and died on October 17th, 1918, at Base Hospital No. 65 in Brest, France, only a few days after his arrival. There was some confusion among his family in regards to the location of his death: <blockquote>OFFICIAL WIRE TELLS OF DEATH OF ALBERT COX</blockquote><blockquote>Son of Mr. and Mrs. A.E. Cox of Third Avenue Died of Pneumonia October 17</blockquote><blockquote>REPORTED OVERSEAS OCTOBER NINETEENTH</blockquote><blockquote>Inquiry Made by Mother Believed to Have Hastened Message Received Yesterday</blockquote><blockquote>Almost two months after the date given in the message of notification, Mr. and Ms. Albert E. Cox, Third avenue and Fifteenth street, received word yesterday afternoon at two o’clock of the death of their son, Albert Chase Cox, in France. The message was as follows:</blockquote><blockquote>                                                                                                                          Washington, December 13.</blockquote><blockquote>               Deeply regret to inform you that it is officially reported that Private Albert Chase Cox, reinforcement detachment, died of broncho pneumonia October 17.</blockquote><blockquote>                                                                               Harris the Adjutant General</blockquote><blockquote>The last word of their son received by Mr. and Mrs. Cox was on October 19, when they had a card announcing his safe arrival overseas. This was an overseas card left on this side to be mailed out on receipt of a cablegram announcing the landing of the transport on which he sailed. The fact that he died on October 17 gives rise to the belief that he may never have reached European soil, dying at sea from the dread pneumonia.</blockquote><blockquote>His parents had been greatly worried for several weeks, as he was always prompt to write home. A few days ago Mr. Cox wrote to Washington and this inquiry is thought to have hastened the message.</blockquote><blockquote>Was Well Known</blockquote><blockquote>Private Cox was well known in Huntington, having been born in this city, April 20, 1896, and having spent his entire life here. He was educated in the public schools, but gave up his studies at the end of his junior year at Huntington High. Thereafter he was employed for several years by the Island Creek Fuel Company. Before he left for the army he was employed in the store of his brother-in-law, Eustace Stevers, Third avenue and Eighteenth street.</blockquote><blockquote>He was inducted into service on June 14, voluntarily accepting service at the mechanical training school at Morgantown. He sailed about October 2.</blockquote><blockquote>He is survived by his parents and the following sisters and brothers: Mrs. Eustace Stevers, Huntington, Mrs. F.S. Kanode, Washington, Misses Flossie, Dorothea and Thelma Cox at home and two brothers, Ernest and Howard Cox of Dayton, O.</blockquote> – Huntington Herald-Dispatch, December 14th, 1918 He was originally buried on October 18th in AEF Cemetery 531 before his remains were sent home from Brest on the USAT ANTIGONE on July 21st, 1920. They arrived in Hoboken, New Jersey, on August 7th, 1920, and he was buried in Huntington’s Spring Hill Cemetery.As an alumnus, he was honored at Huntington High School’s remembrance ceremony: <blockquote>FOUR GOLD STARS APPEAR ON FLAG FOR SERVICE MEN</blockquote><blockquote>Cox, Anderson, Dial and Davis Honored by Sunday Afternoon Program</blockquote><blockquote>CLASSMATES PLACE GOLD STARS IN FLAG</blockquote><blockquote>Tears Flow Freely as Eloquence of Attorney D.W. Brown Stirs Gathering</blockquote><blockquote>Touching and inspiring to such an extent as to leave a lasting impression on the minds of those who gathered for the occasion, was the memorial service was held at the high school auditorium yesterday afternoon for four members of the Alumni who paid the supreme price of devotion to God and country during the great war. The men honored were:</blockquote><blockquote>Chase Cox, ev ‘15</blockquote><blockquote>Lane Anderson, ex ‘15</blockquote><blockquote>Verlin Dial, ‘13</blockquote><blockquote>Henry Winter Davis, ‘05</blockquote><blockquote>Personal tribute was paid to these fallen by members of the classes to which they belonged, and a stirring memorial address was delivered by Attorney Douglas W. Brown. There was also an impressive musical program rendered by the high school chorus under the direction of Miss Sara E. Galloway.</blockquote><blockquote>The opening was a piano prelude, by Miss Esther Ripley, who presided at the instrument throughout the program, followed by “The Star Spangled Banner,” and the “Marseillaise,” sung by the chorus.</blockquote><blockquote>The Scripture lesson was the Forty-sixth Psalm, read by Rev. J.W. Yoho, pastor of the Madison Avenue Church of Christ.</blockquote><blockquote>A tender and eloquent prayer was offered by Dr. M.L. Hood, pastor of the Fifth Avenue Baptist Church.</blockquote><blockquote>This was followed by the anthem “Zion Awake,” by Rossini, rendered by the chorus.</blockquote><blockquote>As the anthem ended Eugene Barirnger, in the uniform of the naval aviation service, stepped forward to pronounce his to tribute to Chase Cox and Lane Anderson, his classmates of 1915.</blockquote><blockquote>He said that what they had been and what they did spoke more eloquently and ore expressively than he might hope to.</blockquote><blockquote>Briefly he traced the career of Lane Anderson, the young lieutenant who died in a German prison camp, and of Chase Cox, who, going forth to fight for freedom, contracted disease and died on the way overseas.</blockquote><blockquote>Then he walked to the other end of the platform and placed side by side on the service flag the golden stars of their immortality, at the same time quoting from one of the well known war poems, “Young Fellow Me Lad,” lines expressive of the belief that though they have fallen they still live on….</blockquote><blockquote>…The chorus then sang “Crossing the Bar.”</blockquote><blockquote>This was followed by the address of Mr. Brown, which is given in full in another column.</blockquote><blockquote>In closing the chorus sang a hymn, “It Came Upon the Midnight Clear,” and a medley of war songs.</blockquote><blockquote>The benediction was pronounced by Rev. J.W. Yoho, and from the wings the bugle sounded taps for Davis, Dial, Anderson and Cox.</blockquote> – Huntington Herald-Dispatch, February 17th, 1919 He was also honored in their 1919 yearbook: <blockquote>Huntington High will ever be proud of this lad who stepped forth at the call of duty and so willingly placed his life at the disposal of his country. Chase entered the mechanical training school at Morgantown last June. He was then sent overseas, but died of disease before he reached France. He was buried at St. Nazaire. In his school days his happy smile made him known by all and these all will not soon forget Chase Cox.</blockquote> [From In the Service of Their Country - used with permission of the author]

Private Albert C. Cox; Born 20 Apr 1896 – Huntington, WV; Died 17 Oct 1918 – France; 1st Co., Ordnance Replacement Battalion, 3rd Regiment, Ordnance Department– US Army

Private Albert C. Cox

Jesse E. Cradic was born on October 6th, 1895, in Huntington to George and Annis (or Anis) Cradic. He lived in Huntington and worked as a laborer for the Rum Creek Coal Company, Dehue, Logan County, West Virginia. He entered service in May 1918 and was sent to Camp Sherman, Ohio, where he was assigned as a Private, serial number 3537777, to the 12th Company of the Training Battalion, 46th Regiment. He sailed for France from New York City on the ANCHISES on September 1st, 1918, in Company K of the 802nd Pioneer Infantry Regiment. The 802nd was a “pioneer” unit; these were said to do “everything the Infantry was too proud to do, and the Engineers too lazy to do.” They were composed of “Men experienced in life in the open, skilled in woodcraft and simple carpentry — substitute occupations, rancher, prospector, hunter, scout.” In summary, they served as the equivalent of the modern combat engineer troops. At this time the Army was still segregated, and the 802nd was a completely segregated unit except for the fact that it was commanded by white officers. Some African-American units were assigned to the French army, were they were treated with equality, but not the 802nd, which was mired in racism and assigned to mostly menial, but invaluable, support tasks. The 802nd primarily did railroad work and road construction during the Meuse-Argonne offensive and after the war. Cradic sailed home most likely in early 1919, as he died of pneumonia on March 25th, 1919, at the Hoboken, New Jersey, Base Hospital. His remains were sent home: <blockquote>BODY RECEIVED HERE</blockquote><blockquote>Remains of Colored Soldier Who Died At Hoboken from Pneumonia Arrives Here</blockquote><blockquote>The remains of Jesse Cradic, 23, who died at the base hospital at Hoboken from pneumonia after returning from France, were received here yesterday by relatives. The mother, Mrs. Anis Cradic, is seriously ill here with pneumonia. Two sisters also survive. The funeral will be held Sunday at Ashland.</blockquote> – Huntington Herald-Dispatch, March 29th, 1919 <blockquote>CRADIC FUNERAL TODAY</blockquote><blockquote>Funeral services for Jesse Cradic, who died of pneumonia at Hoboken, N.J., will be held this afternoon at 4 o’clock in the African M.E. church by Rev. J.N. Henderson.</blockquote> – Huntington Herald-Dispatch, March 30th, 1919 He was buried in Huntington’s Spring Hill Cemetery; finally treated with equality, he was given the same US Army headstone as all of the other fallen American troops. [From In the Service of Their Country - used with permission of the author]

Private Jesse E. Cradic; Born 6 Oct 1895 – Huntington, WV; Died 25 Mar 1919 – Hoboken, NJ; Co. K, 802nd Pioneer Infantry Regiment – US Army

Private Jesse E. Cradic

Thedford Owen Davis was born on October 11th, 1918, in Morgantown, West Virginia, to Dr. Owen and Ida (Duesenberry) Davis. He graduated from Huntington High School in 1916 and attended the Kentucky Military Institute for 4 years. He attended West Virginia University and was enrolled in the University of Michigan’s medical program, intending to follow in his father’s occupational footsteps. He entered service on September 24th, 1918, and was assigned as a First Lieutenant to Company D of the Medical Training Camp of the Students’ Army Training Corps at WVU. This program trained college students to be soldiers in the US Army. He caught pneumonia and died only 17 days after his enlistment, on October 11th, 1918, at Morgantown. <blockquote>THEDFORD DAVIS PNEUMONIA VICTIM</blockquote><blockquote>Thedford Owen Davis, twenty-one, died at the officers’ training school, Morgantown University, Friday evening according to word received in this city. He had been ill since Sunday, the cause of his death being pneumonia, His mother, Mrs. Ida M. Davis, Keister apartments, had been at his bedside since Monday.</blockquote><blockquote>Young Davis was well known in Huntington, having moved here from Beckley, W.Va.</blockquote><blockquote>Davis graduated from Huntington high school in the class of ’16 and won many honors there. He then attended Kentucky Military Institute and later the West Virginia University. Deciding to study medicine and follow the profession of his father, the late Dr. Owen Davis, Beckley, W.Va., he entered the medical department of the University of Michigan a few years ago.</blockquote> – Huntington Advertiser, October 12th, 1918 Though he never fulfilled his dream of becoming a medical professional, he was buried next to his father in Wildwood Cemetery, Beckley, West Virginia, following a funeral on October 13th: <blockquote>DAVIS FUNERAL</blockquote><blockquote>Rites For Thedford Davis Will Occur At Calloway Home this Afternoon</blockquote><blockquote>The remains of Thedford Davis, who died in Morgantown, on Friday, arrived in Huntington last night, and the funeral will occur at three o’clock this afternoon at the home of C.M. Calloway, 1650 Fifth avenue. The body will be taken to Beckley on Monday, where it will be interred beside that of his father.</blockquote> – Huntington Herald-Dispatch, October 13th, 1918 As an alumnus, he was honored at Huntington High School’s remembrance ceremony: <blockquote>Proud Offering to Humanity By Huntington High School</blockquote><blockquote>SERVICE EMBLEM WITH 245 STARS GIVES EVIDENCE</blockquote><blockquote>Memorial Friday Afternoon One of Most Impressive of its Kind Ever Held in City</blockquote><blockquote>REV. MAUZZE MADE SPLENDID ADDRESS</blockquote><blockquote>Placing of Gold Stars on Flag Was the Feature That Gripped Hearts the Tightest</blockquote><blockquote>THREE GOLD STARS SHINE IN FIELD OF LOYAL BLUE</blockquote><blockquote>(At the dedication of the high school service flag yesterday afternoon, three stars of gold were placed among over two hundred of blue in memory of David Noble, class of ’14, who died in France; Thedford Davis, ’16, who died at the mechanical training school at Morgantown, and Halsey Notter, ’18, whose death occurred at the Cleveland training school.)…</blockquote><blockquote>…The feature of the memorial that gripped the heart the tightest was the placing of the three gold stars over the blue emblems that stood for the three boys who made the supreme sacrifice. This service was performed by members of the respective classes to which these boys belonged. Helen Hutchinson Dickinson affixed the star for David Noble, ’14; Loles Prose for Thedford Davis, ’16, and Mae Yoho for Halsey Notter, ’18….</blockquote><blockquote>…Miss Prose dwelt feelingly and lovingly on the qualities of Thedford Davis, that had endeared him to the class of ’16….</blockquote> – Huntington Herald-Dispatch, November 23rd, 1918 He was also honored in their 1919 yearbook: <blockquote>Thedford was a graduate in the class of ’16 and was personally known to a large circle of Huntington High students and alumni. His classmates wrote at his graduation, “his heart and hands both open, both free. For what he has he gives, what he thinks he shows”, and so it proved to be. He gave his life for his country and no man hath greater love than this. Thedford was a member of the S.A.T.C. at W.Va. University when he was attacked with influenza and died a few days later.</blockquote> [From In the Service of Their Country - used with permission of the author]

1st Lieutenant Thedford O. Davis; Born 9 Jan 1898 – Mount Hope, WV; Died 11 Oct 1918 – Morgantown, WV; Co. D, Students' Army Training Camp, Medical Training Camp WVU – US Army

1st Lieutenant Thedford O. Davis

Frederick Alfred Duncan was born on November 20th, 1889, at Green Sulphur Springs, West Virginia, to Michael L. and Sydney Duncan. He lived at 1537 Washington Avenue, Huntington, and worked as an automobile mechanic. He was inducted into service on June 14th, 1918, as part of Draft Call No. 594 and was sent to the mechanical training camp at Morgantown, West Virginia. He trained to be an automobile mechanic and, upon completion of his training, was sent to Camp Hancock, Georgia. He was assigned as a Private, serial number 3439283, to a provisional ordnance unit with his brother, Homer, and they hoped they could go through the war together. He sailed for France from New York City on the DUNVEGAN CASTLE on August 31st, 1918. He caught a cold and went to the hospital on October 2nd, but he developed influenza and then pneumonia and died in France at 11:30 AM on October 8th, 1918. His brother was with him and informed his family at home: <blockquote>Fred Duncan, Well Known Huntington Young Man, is Dead in Sunny France</blockquote><blockquote>Frederick Alfred Duncan, well known Huntington expert automobile mechanic, is dead and his body rests in a French cemetery in the little village of Mehun, about one hundred miles south of Paris.</blockquote><blockquote>He died of pneumonia, which followed a cold contracted early in October. His brother, Homer Duncan, also an automobile mechanic, was with him at the time of his death, having been taken to the hospital, suffering from a cold, too.</blockquote><blockquote>The news of Fred’s death reached the family, at 1537 Washington avenue, Tuesday morning in a letter to his mother from Homer. The latter had recovered from his illness and was attending his brother at the time of his death, October 3. Fred was buried the following morning, with an army chaplain performing the last rites and a squad of soldiers firing a military salute over the grave of their comrade.</blockquote><blockquote>The brother writes, “I am having everything looked after and will have a photograph made of the place.”</blockquote><blockquote>Left on June 15</blockquote><blockquote>Fred left Huntington June 15 with a medical contingent to train at Morgantown. Later he was transferred to Camp Hancock, Ga., where fortunately he was assigned to a unit with his brother, Homer, who had left Huntington a month before him for a mechanical training school at Richmond. They were happy in the assignment, thinking they could go through the war together.</blockquote><blockquote>Fred was a big-hearted, jovial youth who made friends quickly. He had legion in Huntington to join the family in its bereavement when the news of his death went abroad Tuesday.</blockquote><blockquote>He would have been twenty-nine years old within a few weeks, having been born in Summers county, this state. He moved to Huntington when about five years old with his family, which located on Jefferson avenue in what was then Central City.</blockquote><blockquote>His father, M.L. Duncan, founded the Beader Box Manufacturing company, early in the history of Central city, and still operates his factory at Van Buren avenue and West Fourteenth street.</blockquote><blockquote>Besides his father, the surviving relatives are a mother; four brothers, James E. Duncan, William Duncan, P.O. Duncan, all of Huntington, and Homer, in France, and five sisters, Mrs. Bertie Surbaugh, of Summers county, Mrs. Hattie Gwinn, of Barboursville, and Mrs. H.M Goolsby, Misses Dolores and Audrian Duncan, at home.</blockquote><blockquote>Brother Writes</blockquote><blockquote>The brother’s letter from France follows:</blockquote><blockquote>“Somewhere in France”</blockquote><blockquote>“Dear Mother:</blockquote><blockquote>“I have awful bad news to tell you in this letter, but you must know some time. I guess you have been informed of the sad news before now. Fred took sick on the second of October with a bad cold and was sent to the hospital. I went the next day with a cold myself, but got all right in a couple of days, but stayed and waited on Fred. He contracted pneumonia and only lasted a short time.</blockquote><blockquote>“Don’t worry, mother, for I was with him until the end came and did everything that could be done. He died October 8, about 11:30 in the morning, and was unconscious when he passed away. He was buried October 9, in a nice French cemetery in Mehun, about fourteen miles north of Bourges. Bourges is south of Paris about 100 miles.</blockquote><blockquote>“I am having everything looked after and will have a photograph made of the place. Had a real nice funeral. Chaplain Browning held services and also there was a military salute by a firing squad. The chaplain is having a cross erected with the name and date on it. Mother, it’s such bad news I hate to write, but know you will feel better when I tell you I was with him until the last, and of the place where he was buried and I would like to tell you more, but guess this will be more than you can stand.</blockquote><blockquote>“I think everything will soon be over and we can come back home again, then I can tell you all. There are several of the boys from Huntington still here. I will fix everything before leaving here, so don’t worry. There are many dying that haven’t even a friend. Hope all are well. Will write later.</blockquote><blockquote>“Love,</blockquote><blockquote>PVT. HOMER A. DUNCAN.”</blockquote><blockquote>Employee of Hanley</blockquote><blockquote>Fred was employed by Ike Hanley, of the Hanley Cadillac company, for a number of years. A letter, evidently written a few days before Fred was stricken, was received by Mr. Hanley only a few days ago.</blockquote><blockquote>In this letter he stated he was anxious to get back into the automobile business after the war ended and hoped to return to work for Mr. Hanley.</blockquote> – Huntington Advertiser, October 29th, 1918 His mother requested that his remains be sent home from the Soldiers’ Plot of the Mehun, France, City Cemetery, as soon as possible, writing to the War Department on August 5th, 1919: <blockquote>Dear Sir:</blockquote><blockquote>I had a boy in the service of the U.S.A. [who] died at Mehun, France. I want to ask for information when will the body of those who made the Supreme Sacrifice be brought back to the U.S.A.</blockquote><blockquote>The Government promised to return the bodies of the dead to their native homes. Now will the body of my dear boy be brought back while I am still here to [be] a measure of comfort to me in my great sorrow[,] or shall it be after I have gone down in sorrow to the grave and never know it was returned[?]</blockquote><blockquote>I gave my boy to his country but I want his body brought back to me. A broken hearted mother,</blockquote><blockquote>Mrs. M.L. Duncan</blockquote> His remains sailed from St. Nazaire, France, on the POCAHANTAS on October 1st, 1920. They arrived in Hoboken, New Jersey, on October 18th, 1920, and he was buried in Huntington’s Woodmere Cemetery.He was a member of the local Elks lodge and was honored in their remembrance ceremony: <blockquote>ELKS MEMORIAL THIS YEAR HAS DOUBLE MEANING</blockquote><blockquote>It Will Honor Ninety-seven Members In Service In Addition to Eighty-One Deceased.</blockquote><blockquote>FOUR GOLD STARS ON SERVICE FLAG</blockquote><blockquote>Program Completed for Exercises to be Held In Lodge Room Sunday Afternoon at 2:30</blockquote><blockquote>While the annual memorial service of Huntington Lodge, No. 313, B.P.O. Elks, will be more simply conducted this year than formerly, the occasion will bring its greatest significance to the members of this order. The day is to have a double meaning; in addition to being a memorial to the “absent brothers,” it will take account of those others who went out from the fraternity to answer the call of their country.</blockquote><blockquote>Four gold stars will shine on the service flag of the lodge for Earl Shank, Fred Duncan, C.V. Mankin and O.D. Jackson. This flag contains ninety-three blue stars….</blockquote> – Huntington Herald-Dispatch, November 28th, 1918 [From In the Service of Their Country - used with permission of the author]

Private Frederick A. Duncan; Born 20 Nov 1889 – Green Sulphur Springs, WV; Died 9 Oct 1918 – France; 2nd Co., 6th Provisional Ordnance Depot Battalion, 1st Provisional Regiment – US Army

Private Frederick A. Duncan

Andrew E. Effingham was born on February 18th, 1900, in Huntington to James and Electa Effingham. He lived in Huntington and entered service on July 13th, 1917. He was sent to Syracuse, New York, for training, and he was assigned as Private, serial number 51005, to Company G of the 23rd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Brigade, 2nd Division, US Army. He sailed for France from Syracuse on the HURON on September 7th, 1917. He served in the trenches from around March 1st, 1918, to the time of his death. He was killed in action in France on July 19th, 1918. His remains were sent home from Antwerp on the USAT SOMME on April 22nd, 1921, and arrived in Hoboken, New Jersey, on May 6th. He was buried in Huntington’s Spring Hill Cemetery. [From In the Service of Their Country - used with permission of the author]

Private Andrew E. Effingham; Born 18 Feb 1900 – Huntington, WV; Died 19 Jul 1918 – France; Co. G, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Brigade, 2nd Division – US Army

Private Andrew E. Effingham

LeRoy Ferguson was born on January 24th, 1897, in Wayne, West Virginia, to Mordecai and Mary “Polly” Ferguson. He lived in Huntington and entered service on May 3rd, 1917. He was assigned as a Corporal, serial number 1559578, to Company No. 9 of the Camp Shelby June Automatic Replacement Draft and he sailed for France from New York City on the GRAMPIAN on June 11th, 1918. He was promoted to Corporal and also transferred to Company K of the 128th Infantry Regiment, 64th Infantry Brigade, 32nd Division, US Army. He was killed in action on October 6th, 1918, in France. He was buried in the Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery. There was some confusion when the government tried to notify his family of his death: <blockquote>CANNOT LOCATE MOTHER OF MAN KILLED IN WAR</blockquote><blockquote>Corporal Leroy Ferguson, Reported Missing in Action, Now Listed as Dead.</blockquote><blockquote>OFFICIAL MESSAGES HERE UNDELIVERED</blockquote><blockquote>Telegraph Office Looking for Mary Ferguson – The Right One Not Located.</blockquote><blockquote>Corporal Leroy Ferguson of Huntington is dead in France, having been reported officially as killed in action. The Western Union Telegraph Company is making an effort to deliver telegrams concerning him to Mrs. Mary Ferguson, Huntington, W.Va., no other address being given. Three Mary Fergusons have been located, but none of them claimed the telegram and an extensive search has failed to reveal the identity of Corporal Leroy Ferguson. The only Leroy Ferguson of whom any trace could be secured last night is a resident of Dixon, Wayne County.</blockquote><blockquote>The man was first reported as missing in action, the second message coming to announce that he had been reported later as killed in action.</blockquote> – Huntington Herald-Dispatch, December 15th, 1918 [From In the Service of Their Country - used with permission of the author]

Corporal LeRoy Ferguson; Born 24 Jan 1897 – Wayne, WV; Died 6 Oct 1918 – France; Co. K, 128th Infantry Regiment, 64th Infantry Brigade, 32nd Division – US Army

Corporal LeRoy Ferguson

John W. Foster was born on February 20th, 1896, in Upland, Mason County, West Virginia, to Howard and Atlanta C. Foster. He lived at 1832 Fourth Avenue, Huntington, and worked as a pipe fitter. He entered service on May 15th, 1918, and was sent to the Richmond Training School, then to Camp Forrest, Georgia. He was assigned as a Private, serial number 2736733, to Company B of the 605th Engineers, a sapper regiment. Upon completion of his training, he was sent to Camp Upton, New York, and he sailed from Hoboken, New Jersey, on the USNT GEORGE WASHINGTON on September 30th, 1918. He did not make it to France, as he died of pneumonia on the ship on October 7th, 1918. His chaplain sent a letter of comfort to his mother: <blockquote>HUNTINGTON BOY GAVE LIFE NOBLY</blockquote><blockquote>JOHN FOSTER AMONG NEW NAMES ON NATION’S ROLL</blockquote><blockquote>Chaplain Barnes of 605th Engineers Writes Letter of Condolence to His Mother</blockquote><blockquote>Among the boys who have given their lives so that liberty and democracy might survive was John Foster, son of Mrs. Alanta [sic] Foster, of 1832 Fourth avenue. Mrs. Foster has received a letter from Ernest W. Barnes, chaplain of the 605th Engineers, which expresses with tenderness the lofty sentiments which accompany so noble an act as giving one’s life for one’s country. The letter follows:</blockquote><blockquote>On the Atlantic Ocean,</blockquote><blockquote>Aboard a U.S. Transport.</blockquote><blockquote>Mrs. Alanta Foster,</blockquote><blockquote>1832 Fourth avenue,</blockquote><blockquote>Huntington, W.Va.</blockquote><blockquote>My dear friend: Among the new names on America’s honor roll is John Foster. To many who will read it it will simply mean another brave man who gave his life for his country, but to you his mother and to many of us his friends it means far more. It cannot help but mean a deep loss and a great big sorrow, but that is only part. It means that when your boy had a chance to do the very biggest thing that anyone can do for his home and his loved ones at home, he did it like a man through and through.</blockquote><blockquote>My own mother has lost one son, serving the same Master whom your son served. We could not invest our lives in any way that they could count more for the coming of the Master’s kingdom than right here and now. John was a good soldier and faithful to the ideals with which he grew up. You can be proud of having sent such a boy, as your greatest of all possible gifts, for the good of mankind.</blockquote><blockquote>I sympathize deeply with you in your loss and sorrow, but I can also rejoice with you in your just pride over the kind of boy you sent in answer to the call of Uncle Sam. These are the days when we pity the ones who can have no share in the greatest things that have ever come to our country. Surely no one has a more royal part than our American mothers. It is their love and devotion any more than any bravery of ours who go into the physical dangers, that is winning so gloriously for real freedom. My dear mother now has two sons in the service and her youngest son soon to enter, and feels as I know you do, despite your great sorrow, that what she can give she would not withhold.</blockquote><blockquote>I have just written to Miss Miller as John requested and I know she too will be proud of John. It is the dear ones at home that make it possible for us to go on many times when we might not otherwise measure up to our tasks.</blockquote><blockquote>Very Sincerely,</blockquote><blockquote>Ernest W. Barnes,</blockquote><blockquote>Chaplain, 605th Engineers, U.S. Army</blockquote> – Huntington Herald-Dispatch, November 3rd, 1918 He was buried in Pete Meadows Cemetery, Mason County, West Virginia, after a funeral service in Huntington: <blockquote>FOSTER FUNERAL CONDUCTED HERE</blockquote><blockquote>SOLDIER DIES ON SHIP ENROUTE TO OVERSEAS</blockquote><blockquote>The Body of John Foster Will Be Buried This Afternoon in Glenwood Cemetery</blockquote><blockquote>The funeral of John Foster, soldier who died October 7 on board ship for overseas, was held at the Steele funeral home at 4 o’clock yesterday afternoon. Rev. Roscoe Murray, of the West Huntington Baptist church, officiated. Interment will be made at Glenwood this afternoon.</blockquote><blockquote>Young Foster is survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. H.S. Foster, 1832 Fourth avenue; three brothers, Gideon now in France; Charles and James at home; and two sisters, Misses Ruth and Fannie Foster.</blockquote><blockquote>The decedent entered military service on May 15, being among those who went to the Richmond training school. From there he was transferred to Camp Forest, Ga., where he was placed with the 605th division of engineers. Completing his training there, he went to Camp Upton, soon embarking for service overseas. He contracted pneumonia and died before the ship on which he sailed reached the destination.</blockquote><blockquote>The body was sent home with a soldier named Sharp as an escort.</blockquote> – Huntington Herald-Dispatch, October 31st, 1918 [From In the Service of Their Country - used with permission of the author]

 Private John W. Foster; Born 20 Feb 1896 – Upland, WV; Died 7 Oct 1918 – USNT George Washington; Co. B, 605th Engineers - US Army

Private John W. Foster

Ernest A. Cary (or Gary) was born Armas Turunen in Finland to Karolina Turunen. He lived in Ohio and was assigned as a Private, serial number 3487299, to the Headquarters Company of the 60th Infantry Regiment, 9th Infantry Brigade, 5th Division, US Army. He died of pneumonia on September 27th, 1918, in France and was buried in a small American cemetery two days later. The Army tried to locate his family to learn where they wanted his remains buried, but, according to his emergency contact, a friend living in Huntington, he only had relatives in Finland. His remains were eventually moved to St. Mihiel American Cemetery. [From In the Service of Their Country - used with permission of the author]

Private Ernest A. Cary; Born Unknown - Finland; Died 27 Sep 1918 – France; HQ Co., 60th Infantry Regiment, 9th Infantry Brigade, 5th Division – US Army

Private Ernest A. Cary

Clyde Clayton Handley was born on March 21st, 1894, in Culloden, West Virginia, to Jefferson and Ella Keaton Handley. He lived and worked on a farm in the Culloden area. He was inducted into service on May 25th, 1918, and trained at Camp Lee, Virginia, as part of the 37th Company of the 10th Training Battalion, 155th Depot Brigade. He was transferred to Company G of the 5th Training Battalion, Infantry Replacement and Training Camp, Camp Lee. He became a Private, serial number 2969119, in the 31st Provisional Company, July Infantry Replacement Draft (White), and sailed for France from Norfolk, Virginia, on the MADAWASKA at 2 PM on August 6th, 1918. He was transferred to a Headquarters Company of the 83rd Division, then to Company I of the 330th Infantry Regiment, and finally, on October 2nd, 1918, to Company C of the 131st Infantry Regiment, 66th Infantry Brigade, 33rd Division, US Army. This regiment was formerly a part of the Illinois National Guard. This unit took part in the Meuse-Argonne offensive, and advanced across the Meuse River near Consenvoye, France, in the early morning of October 10th, 1918. They continued to advance and took the Bois de Chaume and part of the Bois de Plat-Chene by the end of the day (“bois” is “wood”). This steep, wooded area was heavily fortified with German dug-outs and machine gun nests. According to Private First Class Olaf Nelson of his company: <blockquote>During the Meuse-Argonne offensive, in our action east of the Meuse, Company C was occupying a position on the bald hill about a kilometer north of the Bois de Plat-Chene. On October 11th at about 3:30 PM. I was returning with other stretcher bearers from the rear when, upon reaching a point in the ravine between Bois Plat-Chene and Bois de Chaume, the enemy began to shell the locality heavily and we entered a dug-out for protection. Before we emerged from the dug-out to continue, Pvt. Handley and Worden of our company passed along with a supply of water which they were carrying to the front. A moment later we left the dug-out and continued our way to the front. We had gone but about a hundred yards when a high explosive shell struck a short distance in front of us, but out of our view on account of the density of the woods. Upon reaching the point where this shell struck, we found that it had instantly killed Pvt. Handley and Worden and one machine gun man and seriously wounded a second machine gun man whose name I do not know.</blockquote> According to their chaplain, Handley, as well as the others, were buried near each other very close to where they fell, all under wooden crosses. However, when the time came to rebury the bodies at home (as Handley’s mother earnestly desired) or in proper cemeteries in France, only those of Worden and the machine gun man could be found. An investigation was commenced, and it was found that, though Handley and the others were probably buried in close proximity, the coordinates recorded upon retrieval of the two were incorrect. They managed to find the correct valley where he died, including the spring from which the water he was carrying was most likely taken, but there were no crosses still standing and the ground was moss-covered, making it hard to see any impression from a grave. There were a few “Unknowns” in the larger vicinity, but officials were unsure if any matched Handley’s description. They even wrote his mother for dental records, but, as far as she knew, he had never had anything done to any of his teeth. The investigation was ended in the late 1920s and Handley was still reported as Missing in Action. He was honored on the Tablets of the Missing at the Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery in France. His mother, Ella, was later able to visit this memorial via the Gold Star pilgrimages offered at no charge in the early 1930s to mothers and widows of soldiers buried overseas. Over 6,500 women took the trip, where they placed a wreath at their son’s or spouse’s grave and visited sites of famous battles and other important locations, such as the Arc de Triomphe. However, she did not report that she had diabetes to the medical director. When she reported headaches the entire trip, it was found out that, though her blood sugar was very high, she had not taken insulin for years and was instead taking the “Indian” treatment from the Wilcox Company, Chicago, Illinois. The government offered to send her to the hospital, but she declined and went home. [From In the Service of Their Country - used with permission of the author]

Private Clyde C. Handley; Born 21 Mar 1894 – Culloden, WV; Died 10 Oct 1918 – France; Co. C, 131st Infantry Regiment, 66th Infantry Brigade, 33rd Division – US Army

Private Clyde C. Handley

Russell Hatchett was born on June 29th, 1895, in Grayson, Kentucky, to William R. Hatchett. He lived at 1011 8th Street, Huntington, and worked as a truck driver. He entered service in June 1918 and was assigned as a Private, serial number 4013261, to Company F of Water Tank Train No. 301, Quartermaster Corps, US Army. He sailed for France from New York City on the HMS ORONTES at 12:38 PM on September 25th, 1918. He developed influenza and pneumonia and died on the ship on October 5th, 1918. He was buried at sea with full military honors at sunrise on the same day. He was later honored on the Tablets of the Missing at Suresnes American Cemetery.  [From In the Service of Their Country - used with permission of the author]

Private Russell Hatchett; Born 29 Jun 1895 – Grayson, KY; Died 5 Oct 1918 – SS Orontes; Co. F, Water Tank Train No. 301, Quartermaster Corps – US Army

Private Russell Hatchett

Ottus Davis “Ott” Jackson was born on April 14th, 1891, in Wayne County, West Virginia, to Henry S. and Martha Jackson. He lived at 1040 6th Avenue, Huntington, and worked as an Assistant Cashier for the American Bank &amp; Trust Company. He entered service on April 27th, 1918, and was assigned as a Corporal, serial number 2715988, to Company A of the 314th Infantry Regiment, 157th Infantry Brigade, 79th Division, US Army. He sailed for France from Hoboken, New Jersey, on the LEVIATHAN on July 8th, 1918. He fought in the first part of the Meuse-Argonne Offensive before his unit was relieved and it retreated for training. It was said that they practiced with gas masks using live gas and he accidentally inhaled some, was weakened, and developed pneumonia. He died of the disease on October 12th, 1918, in France. The news of his tragic fate arrived just in time to sadden his friends’ and family’s victory celebrations: <blockquote>SOLDIER BOYS DIE OVER THERE FROM PNEUMONIA</blockquote><blockquote>Otis [sic] D. Jackson, Formerly Assistant Cashier of American Bank, Succumbs</blockquote><blockquote>WAS WELL KNOWN THROUGHOUT CITY…</blockquote><blockquote>It was not all joyousness in Huntington on the occasion of the celebration of the ending of the war, foe there were many to sorrow for boys who laid down their lives over there.</blockquote><blockquote>The day brought a message which has occasioned peculiar regret because of the prominence and popularity of Corporal Otis D. Jackson, of whose death in France it told. Corporal Jackson was formerly assistant cashier of the American Bank &amp; Trust company, leaving that position last July to go to Camp Meade and prepare for service in the army.</blockquote><blockquote>He was well known and warmly liked by the patrons of the bank, was a popular member of the Elks’ lodge and a general favorite in downtown circles.</blockquote><blockquote>The message received stated that he had died of pneumonia on October 12.</blockquote><blockquote>His father, H.S. Jackson, is a well known farmer living near Wayne. He leaves also a brother in service in France….</blockquote> – Huntington Herald-Dispatch, November 12th, 1918 <blockquote>FORMER CITY BANKER IS DEAD IN FRANCE</blockquote><blockquote>O.D. JACKSON DIED OCT 12, OF PNEUMONIA</blockquote><blockquote>He Was Assistant Cashier of American Bank &amp; Trust Co. Before Becoming A Soldier</blockquote><blockquote>O.D. Jackson, who was assistant cashier of the American Bank &amp; Trust Company before entering the service, died in France of pneumonia on October 12.</blockquote><blockquote>When the deceased answered the draft he was sent to Camp Meade with other Huntington boys but he became separated from the contingent at the time he was sent overseas.</blockquote><blockquote>This young man had a host of friends in this city and the news of his death with them quieted the joys aroused over the armistice victory. He was a life member of the local lodge of Elks and held the position of secretary previous to A.R. Hunt’s incumbency.</blockquote><blockquote>The parents of the deceased reside at Wayne.</blockquote> – Huntington Herald-Dispatch, November 12th, 1918 As he was an Elk, he was honored at their memorial service: <blockquote>ELKS MEMORIAL THIS YEAR HAS DOUBLE MEANING</blockquote><blockquote>It Will Honor Ninety-seven Members In Service In Addition to Eighty-One Deceased.</blockquote><blockquote>FOUR GOLD STARS ON SERVICE FLAG</blockquote><blockquote>Program Completed for Exercises to be Held In Lodge Room Sunday Afternoon at 2:30</blockquote><blockquote>While the annual memorial service of Huntington Lodge, No. 313, B.P.O. Elks, will be more simply conducted this year than formerly, the occasion will bring its greatest significance to the members of this order. The day is to have a double meaning; in addition to being a memorial to the “absent brothers,” it will take account of those others who went out from the fraternity to answer the call of their country.</blockquote><blockquote>Four gold stars will shine on the service flag of the lodge for Earl Shank, Fred Duncan, C.V. Mankin and O.D. Jackson. This flag contains ninety-three blue stars….</blockquote> – Huntington Herald-Dispatch, November 28th, 1918 He was eventually buried in Wayne County’s Patrick Cemetery. He is also honored on Wayne County’s World War I memorial. [From In the Service of Their Country - used with permission of the author]

Corporal Ottus D. Jackson; Born 14 Apr 1891 – Wayne County, WV; Died 12 Oct 1918 – France; Co. A, 314th Infantry Regiment, 157th Infantry Brigade, 79th Division – US Army

Corporal Ottus D. Jackson

Charles Calvin Jones was born on October 20th, 1897. He lived in Huntington and entered service on April 3rd, 1917. He was assigned as a Private, serial number 1559944, to Company No. 9 of the Camp Shelby Automatic Replacement Draft and sailed for France from New York City on the GRAMPIAN on June 11th, 1918. He was transferred to Company L of the 23rd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Brigade, 2nd Division, US Army. He was killed in action on July 19th, 1918, in France and was originally buried in AEF Cemetery 615. His remains were moved to a small American Cemetery before being finally reburied in the Oise-Aisne American Cemetery. His aunt, who raised him, was later able to visit his grave via the Gold Star pilgrimages offered to mothers and widows of fallen soldiers buried overseas. [From In the Service of Their Country - used with permission of the author]

Private Charles C. Jones; Born 20 Oct 1897 – Unknown; Died 19 Jul 1918 – France; Co. L, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Brigade, 2nd Division – US Army

Private Charles C. Jones

David Lee Keyser was born on November 15th, 1895, in Salt Rock, Cabell County, to Charlie L. and Almeda Jane Keyser. He lived in Salt Rock and worked as a farmer. He entered service on July 13th, 1918, and was assigned as a Private, serial number 2748596, to Company A of the Headquarters, Students Training Camp Section B, Richmond Mech. Training School. He caught pneumonia and developed influenza, dying on October 5th, 1918, in Henrico County, Virginia. He was buried in Cabell County’s Farley Cemetery. [From In the Service of Their Country - used with permission of the author]

Private David L. Keyser; Born 15 Nov 1895 – Salt Rock, WV; Died 5 Oct 1918 – Henrico County, VA; Co. A, HQ, Students Training Camp Section B, Richmond Mech. Training School – US Army

Private David L. Keyser

Ralph Irvin Lambert was born on November 28th, 1894, in Harrisville, Ritchie County, West Virginia, to Charles and Clara Matheny Lambert. He lived at 601 23rd Street, Huntington, and worked with plaster. He enlisted on June 14th, 1918, and was sent as a Private to the Machine Gun Training Center at Camp Hancock, Georgia. He died of pneumonia at Camp Hancock on January 8th, 1919. He was buried in Huntington’s Spring Hill Cemetery. [From In the Service of Their Country - used with permission of the author]

Private Ralph I. Lambert; Born 28 Nov 1894 – Harrisville, WV; Died 8 Jan 1919 – Camp Hancock, GA; Machine Gun Training Center, Camp Hancock – US Army

Private Ralph I. Lambert

Albert George Lenz was born on April 24th, 1898, in Newport News, Virginia, to Albert George and Adeline M. Lenz. He lived at 825 29th Street, Newport News, and entered service on June 22nd, 1916. He was assigned as a Private to Company H of the 2nd West Virginia Infantry. He served on the Mexican Border and trained at San Antonio, Texas. He was discharged from the service on April 26th, 1917, because of poor health. On September 7th, 1918, he lived at 611 ½ 4th Avenue, Huntington. He developed influenza and pneumonia: <blockquote>ILL IN NEW MEXICO</blockquote><blockquote>Mrs. A.M. Lenz has received a telegram announcing the serious illness of her son, Albert G. Lenz, in Albuquerque, N.M. The mother left Wednesday morning for the bedside of her son.</blockquote> – Huntington Advertiser, October 16th, 1918 He died at 5 PM on October 21st, 1918, at Albuquerque, New Mexico. <blockquote>HUNTINGTON YOUTH DIES IN SOUTHWEST</blockquote><blockquote>Albert G. Lentz [sic] Victim of Pneumonia in Albuquerque, New Mexico</blockquote><blockquote>The death of Albert G. Lentz, 20, occurred Monday morning in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where he went recently for his health. Pneumonia was the cause. His mother, Mrs. Adeline M. Lentz, and his sister, Miss Clara Lentz, 611 ½ Fourth avenue, were with him. Mr. Lentz is survived by another sister, Miss Theresa M. Lentz, and his father, Albert George Lentz, special agent for the Huntington division of the Chesapeake and Ohio railroad.</blockquote><blockquote>The body will be brought first to Huntington by his mother and sister, and then taken for burial to Newport News, Va. where his grandfather, Albert George Lentz, resides.</blockquote><blockquote>The young man was among the first Huntington boys to join the National Guards, about two years ago, and he served in Texas on the Mexican border. He had been discharged from the service a year on account of his health.</blockquote> – Huntington Advertiser, October 22nd, 1918 <blockquote>ALBERT LENZ DIES</blockquote><blockquote>Huntington Man Passes Away In New Mexico Where He Went Recently for Health.</blockquote><blockquote>Albert G. Lenz, age 20 years, died at 5 o’clock yesterday morning at Albuquerque, New Mexico, where he went a short time ago for his health. The cause of death was pneumonia, but it is not known whether it was preceded by influenza. His mother and sister, Miss Clara Lenz, were at his bedside when the end came.</blockquote><blockquote>Arrangements for the funeral had not been determined upon last night. Besides the relatives mentioned. Mr. Lenz is survived by another sister, Miss Tessie Lenz.</blockquote> – Huntington Herald-Dispatch, October 22nd, 1918 He was buried in Greenlawn Memorial Park, Newport News, after his remains were sent to Huntington: <blockquote>LENZ BODY ARRIVES</blockquote><blockquote>The body of Albert G. Lenz, who died at Albuquerque, New Mexico, on October 21, arrived here yesterday. It will be re-shipped today to Newport News for burial.</blockquote> – Huntington Herald-Dispatch, October 26th, 1918 [From In the Service of Their Country - used with permission of the author]

Private Albert G. Lenz; Born 24 Apr 1898 – Newport News, VA; Died 21 Oct 1918 – Albuquerque, NM; Co. H, 2nd WV Infantry - US National Guard

Private Albert G. Lenz

Maryland McCloud was born on May 13th, 1896, in Huntington to Elize and Halia McCloud. He lived in Huntington and was a glass worker. He entered service on April 2nd, 1918, and was assigned as a Private First Class, serial number 2472130, to Company C of the 319th Infantry Regiment, 160th Infantry Brigade, 80th Division, US Army. He sailed for France from Newport News, Virginia, on the MADAWASKA on May 17th, 1918. He was in combat for 21 days when he was killed in action on October 10th, 1918, in France. <blockquote>MERLIN [sic] M’CLOUD KILLED IN ACTION</blockquote><blockquote>WAS SON OF WEST HUNTINGTON RESIDENT</blockquote><blockquote>News Says He Was Killed In Battle In France on Tenth of October</blockquote><blockquote>The official casualty list has carried the name of Merlin McCloud, son of Elijah [sic] McCloud, Van Buren avenue and West Twenty-First street, West Huntington. He was killed in action October 10. He was one of the first draftees to leave Huntington. Before entering the service he was employed by W.W. Payne, West Huntington feed dealer.</blockquote> – Huntington Herald-Dispatch, November 28th, 1918 His remains were sent home from Antwerp on the SOMME on June 23rd, 1921, and arrived at Hoboken, New Jersey, on July 7th. He was buried in Cabell County’s Johnson Cemetery. [From In the Service of Their Country - used with permission of the author]

Private 1st Class Maryland McCloud; Born 13 May 1896 – Huntington, WV; Died 10 Oct 1918 – France; Co. C, 319th Infantry Regiment, 160th Infantry Brigade, 80th Division – US Army

Private 1st Class Maryland McCloud

Lyle Franklin Mahan was born on September 23rd, 1891, in Huntington to Robert and Nannie Mahan. He lived at 643 Washington Avenue, Huntington, and worked for Chaffe Grocery Company. He was inducted into service on June 14th, 1918, as part of Draft Call No. 594 and was sent to the mechanical training camp at Morgantown, where he trained to be an automobile mechanic. Upon completion of his training, he was sent to Camp Hancock, Georgia. He was sent to New York City and assigned as a Private, serial number 3439375, to a provisional ordnance unit. He sailed for France from Hoboken, New Jersey, on the SIBONEY on October 5th, 1918. His sister, coming to visit him, just missed the boat, and, on her way home, developed influenza. In a strange twist of fate, Mahan himself contracted the disease on the ship and developed pneumonia, dying on board at 3:20 PM on October 15th, 1918. His sister, at home, died 4 days later. The double grief experienced by his mother was the subject of great empathy in the community: <blockquote>BROTHER, SISTER VICTIMS OF “FLU”</blockquote><blockquote>Lyle Franklin Mahan, Young Soldier, Died at Sea on October 15</blockquote><blockquote>The death of Lyle Franklin Mahan, 26, and his sister, Mrs. Jess Bagby occurred within four days of each other. Mrs. Bagby had just returned from New York, where she went to bid her brother farewell, prior to his sailing for France. She arrived in the city just too late to meet her brother, for his ship had sailed. Returning home she became ill with the influenza and died October 19. Monday evening a telegram was received from Washington by the parents, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Mahan, 645 Washington avenue, informing them of the death of the son at sea October 25, due to influenza. According to the message the body will be returned to Huntington for burial.</blockquote><blockquote>The young soldier was a well liked young man, and before entering the army was an employee of the Chaffee Grocery company. He enlisted with the mechanical draft and left for Morgantown, June 15, from there he was sent to Camp Hancock, Ga., and was on his way across to France when he fell a victim of the influenza. The mother, Mrs. Robert Mahan, is prostrate with grief over the death of her two children.</blockquote> – Huntington Advertiser, October 29th, 1918 <blockquote>MOTHER SORROWS FOR HER ONLY SON</blockquote><blockquote>HE DIED WHILE ON THE WAY TO WAR</blockquote><blockquote>Sacrifice and Honor as Great as If Death Had Come on a Battlefield of France</blockquote><blockquote>There is much sympathy in the community for Mrs. Robert Mahan, of 673 Washington avenue, who recently lost her two children, a married daughter and a son. The boy was taken sick and died while on the ship that was to carry him to France to fight for humanity.</blockquote><blockquote>The bereaved mother feels the loss of her son more because he was not given the opportunity he so greatly desired to get into active service. She may feel, and rightly so, that his death on the way to service was as much an offering on the altar of his country as if the end had come on the battlefield.</blockquote> – Huntington Herald-Dispatch, October 30th, 1918  His body was brought back and buried in Huntington’s Spring Hill Cemetery: <blockquote>Military Honors for Dead Soldier</blockquote><blockquote>Militia Reserves Escort For the Body of Lyle Franklin Mahan</blockquote><blockquote>The Huntington militia reserve marched into Spring Hill, Huntington’s city of the dead, Friday, paying their last tribute to all that was mortal of Lyle Franklin Mahan, twenty-six, only son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Mann, 643 Washington avenue, who died at sea, Oct. 15, while en route to France. Taps were sounded and salute to the dead was fired over the grave. Brief religious services were held at the grave with Rev. C.A. Slaughter, of the Johnson Memorial church, in charge. The body was accompanied by First Class Private John Daugherty of Philadelphis, stationed at Camp Mills, N.Y., and arrived in Huntington Friday morning at six o’clock. Young Mahan was one of the first to enlist in the mechanical training school at Morgantown last June 14, and was transferred from there to Camp Hancock, Ga. The death of the son makes the grief of the bereaved parents doubly hard to bear because of the death of the only daughter, Mrs. Jess Bagby, a few days ago. Both succumbed to influenza.</blockquote> – Huntington Advertiser, November 1st, 1918 (This article is courtesy of the KYOWVA Genealogical and Historical Society, from page 17 of their Summer 2015 newsletter) [From In the Service of Their Country - used with permission of the author]

Private Lyle F. Mahan; Born 23 Sep 1891 – Huntington, WV; Died 15 Oct 1918 – USS Siboney; 27th Co., Provisional Ordnance Detachment, Ordnance Department - US Army

Private Lyle F. Mahan

Esom Monroe Meadows was born on May 22nd, 1890, in Huntington to Esom and Edna Meadows. He lived in Huntington and worked as a photographer. He enlisted on May 28th, 1918, at Springfield, Ohio, and trained at Camp Lee, Virginia. He was assigned as a Private, serial number 3097715, to the 33rd Company of the 9th Training Battalion, 159th Depot Brigade at Camp Taylor, Kentucky. He was transferred on June 18th, 1918, to Instruction Company I of the Medical Corps, US Army, and then on July 1st, 1918, to Hospital Train No. 42, Base No. 30, Medical Corps, US Army. He sailed for France from Newport News, Virginia, on the PASTORES at 11 AM on August 22nd, 1918. He caught pneumonia and died in France on October 16th, 1918. <blockquote>DIES IN FRANCE</blockquote><blockquote>Eson [sic] Monroe Meadows, Huntington Man, is Victim of Bronchial Pneumonia</blockquote><blockquote>Bronchial pneumonia was the cause of the death of Eson Monroe Meadows in France on October 16, according to word received by his mother, Mrs. Edna Taylor, of Twenty-eighth street, from Washington yesterday. The young man, who was 30 years old, was a member of the medical corps, and had been in France two months. He received his training at Camp Lee before embarking overseas. He was a photographer here before entering the service.</blockquote> – Huntington Herald-Dispatch, November 8th, 1918 His remains were sent home from Cherbourg on the USAT WHEATON on May 1st, 1921, and they arrived in Hoboken, New Jersey. He was buried in Huntington’s Spring Hill Cemetery. [From In the Service of Their Country - used with permission of the author]

Private Esom M. Meadows; Born 22 May 1890 – Huntington, WV; Died 16 Oct 1918 – France; Hospital Train No. 42, Base 30, Medical Corps – US Army

Private Esom M. Meadows

Oscar Earl Mefford was born on August 11th, 1892, in Ripley, Ohio, to Ellsworth D. and Etta Belle (Conn) Mefford. He lived at 2863 3rd Avenue, Huntington, and worked as a salesman. He entered service on April 2nd, 1918, and was assigned as a Private, serial number 2472070, to Company E of the 319th Infantry Regiment, 160th Infantry Brigade, 80th Division, US Army. He sailed for France from Newport News, Virginia, on the ZEELANDIA on May 18th, 1918. He was killed in action in France on November 1st, 1918. <blockquote>EARL MEFFORD KILLED NOV 1ST ON WEST FRONT</blockquote><blockquote>Sad Message Received Here Yesterday by Parents of Popular Young Man</blockquote><blockquote>LEFT HERE WITH SELECTS ON APRIL 2</blockquote><blockquote>Prior to Induction Was Employed by H.E. Spilman Tobacco Company – Was 26 years Old</blockquote><blockquote>A telegram received yesterday afternoon by Mr. and Mrs. E.D. Medford [sic], 2858 Third avenue, advised them officially of the death of their son, Oscar Earl Medford [sic], who was killed in action in France on November 1. He was one of the contingent of selects that left here on April 2, and was with the 318th infantry, Eighteenth division. One of his letters home was published in the Herald-Dispatch only a few weeks ago.</blockquote><blockquote>He was born in Ripley, O., 26 years ago last August, and came to this city with his parents several years ago. Like his father, he was an employe of the H.E. Spilman Tobacco company.</blockquote><blockquote>He was a highly popular young man and the news of his death will occasion sorrow in a wide circle as well as a city-wide sympathy for the bereaved parents.</blockquote><blockquote>Besides his parents, Mr. Mefford leaves a sister, Miss Sarah Mefford, at home, and one brother, Harry Mefford, also with the armies in France.</blockquote> – Huntington Herald-Dispatch, December 3rd, 1918 He was buried in the Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery. [From In the Service of Their Country - used with permission of the author]

Private Oscar E. Mefford; Born 11 Aug 1892 – Ripley, OH; Died 1 Nov 1918 – France; Co. E, 319th Infantry Regiment, 160th Infantry Brigade, 80th Division – US Army

Private Oscar E. Mefford

Letson Boyd Morrison was born on February 28th, 1895, in Salt Rock, Cabell County, to Napoleon Bonaparte and Viola May Edens Morrison. He lived in Salt Rock and entered service on June 30th, 1913, apparently under the pseudonym James B. White. He served on the Mexican border and was in Galveston, Texas, during a flood. He was assigned as a Private, serial number 1033478, to Company E of the 64th Infantry Regiment, 14th Infantry Brigade, 7th Division, US Army. He sailed for France from Hoboken, New Jersey, on the MOUNT VERNON on August 26th, 1918. He was killed in action in France on November 10th, 1918. His remains were sent home from Antwerp on the USAT CANTIGNY on June 20th, 1922, and arrived at Brooklyn, New York, on June 30th. He was buried in Salt Rock’s Napoleon Bonaparte Morrison Cemetery.  [From In the Service of Their Country - used with permission of the author]

Private Letson B. Morrison; Born 28 Feb 1895 – Salt Rock, WV; Died 10 Nov 1918 – France; Co. E, 64th Infantry Regiment, 14th Infantry Brigade, 7th Division – US Army

Private Letson B. Morrison

Clayton Marse Newman was born on April 9th, 1894, in Huntington to Henry Clint and Ora Newman. He lived at 217 West 7th Street, Huntington, and worked as a laborer. He entered service on April 2nd, 1918, and trained at Camp Lee, Virginia. He was assigned as a Private, serial number 2472139, to Company F of the 319th Infantry Regiment, 160th Infantry Brigade, 80th Division, US Army. He sailed for France from Norfolk, Virginia, on the ZEELANDIA on May 18th, 1918. He was in several battles and was seriously wounded by a shell (the same one that wounded fellow Cabell casualty Justice I. Pine) while patrolling in the Bois de Ogons, a heavily defended wood, on October 5th or 6th, 1918. He was sent to the rear but died of pneumonia, not his wound, on October 21st, 1918. His family received unofficial word that he was dead and contacted the American Red Cross for confirmation. They contacted the Army in late January 1919 and received an official record in late February. Newman was first buried in an American Cemetery but his remains were sent home from St. Nazaire on the USAT WHEATON on November 22nd, 1920. They arrived in Hoboken, New Jersey, on December 15th and were shipped to Huntington.   [From In the Service of Their Country - used with permission of the author]

Private Clayton M. Newman; Born 9 Apr 1894 – Huntington; Died 21 Oct 1918 – Unknown; Co. F, 319th Infantry Regiment, 160th Infantry Brigade, 80th Division – US Army

Private Clayton M. Newman

David Sharpley Noble was born on April 23rd, 1896, in Martinsburg, West Virginia. His parents died when he was young and he was raised by his uncle, Wilson M. Foulk, in Huntington, West Virginia. Interestingly, Foulk served as the State Historian during the war. Noble graduated with high honors from Huntington High School in 1914 and attended Washington &amp; Lee University, where he was an assistant instructor in the History Department. As of June 5th, 1917, he had taken 6 weeks of training at Camp Ashville, North Carolina, was a Private in the US Army, and lived at 1517 3rd Avenue, Huntington, while attending Washington &amp; Lee. He married Naomi (Carpenter) Noble in Charleston on April 25th, 1918, the day before he left Huntington for Camp Meade, Maryland. He was assigned to Company C of the 314th Infantry Regiment, 157th Infantry Brigade, 79th Division, US Army. He was given leave from Camp Meade to attend the commencement exercises at Washington &amp; Lee University in June 1918, from which he graduated as one of the top 6 students with highest honors, as well as a member of Phi Beta Kappa. He sailed for France from Hoboken, New Jersey, on the LEVIATHAN on July 2nd, 1918. He ended up as a Private First Class, serial number 2711139, in the Headquarters Company of the 314th. He died of pneumonia in eastern France on October 7th, 1918. <blockquote>DAVID S. NOBLE</blockquote><blockquote>DIES IN FRANCE OF PNEUMONIA</blockquote><blockquote>Graduated from Washington &amp; Lee Last June, Married Before Entering Army</blockquote><blockquote>David S. Noble, a former Huntington boy, has died in France, according to word received by his uncle, Wilson M. Foulk, state historian and archivist, in Charleston Friday. Death was due to bronchopneumonia. Young Noble was twenty-two. He entrained for Camp Meade last April 26, the day following his marriage to Miss Naomi Carpenter, in Charleston. He was sent to France in July. He was attached to a unit which included a large number of Huntington boys. Young Noble spent the greater portion of his life in Huntington, having been reared here by Mr. Foulk, who was then superintendent of schools. His father and mother died when he was nine years old at his old home in Martinsburg. He graduated from Washington &amp; Lee University last June, having been furloughed from Camp Meade that he might return to the school and take part in the commencement exercises. Along with his Bachelor of Arts degree, he was admitted to the Phi Beta Kappa fraternity, a scholarship organization. He was one of six to graduate with highest honors. The telegram from the war department informed his relatives that he died October 6, 1918.</blockquote> – Huntington Advertiser, November 1st, 1918 (This article is courtesy of the KYOWVA Genealogical and Historical Society, from page 17 of their Summer 2015 newsletter) <blockquote>DAVID S. NOBLE DIES IN FRANCE</blockquote><blockquote>FORMER HUNTINGTON BOY IS PNEUMONIA VICTIM</blockquote><blockquote>Was Brought Up Here In The Home of His Uncle, Wilson M. Foulk – High School Graduate</blockquote><blockquote>As an added shock to mourning Huntington came the news yesterday of the death in France of David S. Noble, American Expeditionary force, who succumbed to bronchial pneumonia at the age of twenty-five. The word was received from his uncle Wilson M. Foulk, state archivist and historian, at Charleston. Death occurred on October 9.</blockquote><blockquote>The young soldier had been his uncle’s ward and was brought up in the Foulk home here. He graduated from the Huntington high school in 1914, and from Washington &amp; Lee last June. He was a brilliant student and won high honrs in his university. At the time of his graduation he was admitted to Phi Betta [sic] Kappa.</blockquote><blockquote>On the eve of his departure to Camp Meade, April 26, he was married to Miss Naomi Carpenter in Charleston.</blockquote> – Huntington Herald-Dispatch, November 2nd, 1918 His memorial service was held the day before the Armistice was signed: <blockquote>GOLD STARS TO REPLACE THE BLUE</blockquote><blockquote>MEMORY OF PRIVATE DAVID S. NOBLE WILL BE HONORED</blockquote><blockquote>Dr. J. Layton Mauze Will Preach on the Subject, “Our Boys Over There.”</blockquote><blockquote>A tribute to the memory of Private David S. Noble, who laud down his life on the altar of his country, dying in France of influenza, will be paid at the service at the First Presbyterian church this evening. With appropriate observances the blue star which has represented him in the service flag of the church will be changed to golden.</blockquote><blockquote>Dr. J. Layton Muaze, the pastor, will make this the occasion for a special sermon on “Our Boys Over There,” in the course of which he will lay emphasis on the necessity of supporting the united war council drive.</blockquote> – Huntington Herald-Dispatch, November 10th, 1918 Even after his death he helped contribute to the cause of freedom, as $2,006.75 in war fund subscriptions, also known as the Liberty Loan, were taken at his service (NOTE: microfilmed article was damaged): <blockquote>New Pastor of First Church Makes Very Successful Start</blockquote><blockquote>GOLDEN STAR COMMEMORATES DAVID S. NOBLE</blockquote><blockquote>Impressive Services Conducted at First Presbyterian Church Last Night</blockquote><blockquote>ADAMS PAYS TRIBUTE TO PUPIL AND FRIEND</blockquote><blockquote>More Than Two Thousand Dollars Subscribed Following Address by Dr. Mauze</blockquote><blockquote>Private David S. Noble</blockquote><blockquote>Entrained at Huntington April 26 for Camp Meade.</blockquote><blockquote>Reached France early in July.</blockquote><blockquote>Died in eastern France October 7, 1918, of bronchial pneumonia.</blockquote><blockquote>Nephew and ward of Wilson M. Foulk, State Historian, in whose home he was brought up after the death of his parents in the early years of his life.</blockquote><blockquote>Graduate of the Huntington High School and Washington and Lee University.</blockquote><blockquote>For two years an instructor…history department under…Franklin Riley.</blockquote><blockquote>Editor of Calyx (college paper) in his senior year.</blockquote><blockquote>Received degree of A.D….took Phi Betta [sic] Kappa honor…June.</blockquote><blockquote>Was married to Miss Naomi Carpenter of Charleston on May 25, 1918, the day before his i…tion into the service.</blockquote><blockquote>———</blockquote><blockquote>A touching tribute to the first of their number to lay down his life in the Great War for freedom comes with the sounding of the appeal for the support of the United War Council drive and the subscription of $2…marked the services held by the pastor and people of the First Presbyterian Church on Sunday night.</blockquote><blockquote>The service was marked n…by moving eloquence but well…and well rendered music.</blockquote><blockquote>The service opened with a…”The Fight is On.” This was followed by the reading of the First…by Dr. Mauze after which ch…congregation again joined in…”The Son of God Goes Forth…</blockquote><blockquote>Dr. Mauze then announced…next Sunday morning he would…on the subject “As Goes Am…Goes the World.” On that…there will be a pantomimic…expressive of the words fro…Service, on which Dr. Mauze will deliver an address. On the last Sunday night of the present month Dr. Mauze will preach the first of a series of four sermons on the theme “Has Christianity Failed?” The fourth sermon will assert the vindication of Christianity by the world war.</blockquote><blockquote>Battle Hymn of the Republic.</blockquote><blockquote>The singing of the Battle Hymn of the Republic by the choir and congregation was one of the most stirring features of the evening.</blockquote><blockquote>Dr. Mauze then directed attention to the service flag with its 107 stars and declared that it should be a matter for profound thanksgiving that out of these 107 only one thus far had been taken.</blockquote><blockquote>“The one who has been taken,” he said, “has been called from the service here to the service above.”</blockquote><blockquote>He then called upon Robert F. Adams, friend and Sunday School teacher of David S. Noble, to speak regarding the dead soldier. Mr. Adams spoke in simple but eloquent terms of his pupil – told of his bright, lovable and unselfish boyhood and his earnest and well spent young manhood. He spoke of his faith in Christ and like Dr. Mauze expressed the firm belief of his translation to a better sphere.</blockquote><blockquote>Then, after a brief but touching prayer, Dr. Mauze placed a gold star where a blue one…[huge chunk gone]…did soldiery to the tradition of American motherhood.</blockquote><blockquote>Speaking of their general fitness, he asked –</blockquote><blockquote>“Are they coming back as they were? as strong, as pure, as good?”</blockquote><blockquote>Speaking of the religious aspect of the case, he declared that the war had afforded an unparalleled opportunity for the preaching of the gospel to men, and added that he did not believe that the Church of God could make a better investment than to raise this money.</blockquote><blockquote>“Let us,” he said in his conclusion, “say to every boy on the other side, ‘remember that we love you and will stand by you until you come home.’”</blockquote><blockquote>At the conclusion of the service cards were distributed and subscriptions taken for the war fund to the sum of $2,006.75.</blockquote> – Huntington Herald-Dispatch, November 11th, 1918 As an alumnus, he was honored at Huntington High School’s remembrance service: <blockquote>Proud Offering to Humanity By Huntington High School</blockquote><blockquote>SERVICE EMBLEM WITH 245 STARS GIVES EVIDENCE</blockquote><blockquote>Memorial Friday Afternoon One of Most Impressive of its Kind Ever Held in City</blockquote><blockquote>REV. MAUZZE MADE SPLENDID ADDRESS</blockquote><blockquote>Placing of Gold Stars on Flag Was the Feature That Gripped Hearts the Tightest</blockquote><blockquote>THREE GOLD STARS SHINE IN FIELD OF LOYAL BLUE</blockquote><blockquote>(At the dedication of the high school service flag yesterday afternoon, three stars of gold were placed among over two hundred of blue in memory of David Noble, class of ’14, who died in France; Thedford Davis, ’16, who died at the mechanical training school at Morgantown, and Halsey Notter, ’18, whose death occurred at the Cleveland training school.)…</blockquote><blockquote>…The feature of the memorial that gripped the heart the tightest was the placing of the three gold stars over the blue emblems that stood for the three boys who made the supreme sacrifice. This service was performed by members of the respective classes to which these boys belonged. Helen Hutchinson Dickinson affixed the star for David Noble, ’14; Loles Prose for Thedford Davis, ’16, and Mae Yoho for Halsey Notter, ’18….</blockquote><blockquote>…Mrs. Dickinson, speaking of the class of ’14, very touchingly referred to the esteem in which David Noble was held by his classmates. Practically every member of the class had entered the service, “fulfilling all our hopes and expectations. All will come back but one, David Noble, the most talented and popular member of the class, who contracted pneumonia and in France and died. He was a typical American boy, the embodiment of the best in the spirit of America.”…</blockquote> - Huntington Herald-Dispatch, November 23rd, 1918 He was also honored in their 1919 yearbook: <blockquote>Another heroic soul “passed on”. David was a member of the class of ’15 but he left H.H.S. after completing his Junior year. After being in the army for two months he received a furlough to allow him to return to Washington &amp; Lee University to received his diploma and the much prized Phi Beta Kappa Key. He was soon sent overseas and in a few weeks was in the front line trenches facing the Hun. It was at this post of honor that he was stricken with pneumonia and died October 10th, at the base hospital. David Noble was ever ready to help others and it is men such as he that the world will miss.</blockquote> His remains were sent home from Bordeaux on the POCAHANTAS on October 5th, 1920, and they arrived in Hoboken, New Jersey, on October 18th. He was buried in Charleston’s Spring Hill Cemetery. [From In the Service of Their Country - used with permission of the author]

Private 1st Class David S. Noble; Born 23 Apr 1896 – Martinsburg, WV; Died 7 Oct 1918 – France; HQ Co., 314th Infantry Regiment, 157th Infantry Brigade, 79th Division – US Army

Private 1st Class David S. Noble

Harry B. Osborne lived in Cabell County. He was assigned as a Supply Sergeant, serial number 1045665, to Battery D of the 20th Field Artillery Regiment, 5th Field Artillery Brigade, 5th Division, US Army. This unit operated 155mm artillery pieces. According to Sergeant Walter L. Lynch of the same unit: <blockquote>Took sick March 20, 1919 with pneumonia, next day went to Field Hospital #30 at Mondorf, Lux[embourg]. Where he died 11:45 AM March 26, 1919. Was buried in the cemetery at ELLANGE, LUX [the next day]. Thought to have relatives in Virginia, but no information or addresses known.</blockquote> His remains were sent home from Antwerp on the USAT POCAHANTAS on September 25th, 1920, and they arrived in Hoboken, New Jersey, on October 19th. They were sent to Huntington for burial. [From In the Service of Their Country - used with permission of the author]

Harry B. Osborne; Unknown; Died 26 Mar 1919 – Luxembourg; Battery D, 20th Field Artillery Regiment, 5th Field Artillery Brigade, 5th Division – US Army

Supply Sergeant Harry B. Osborne

Justice I. Pine was born on December 28th, 1894, in Lawrence County, Ohio, to Mary F. Pine. He lived at 2831 8th Avenue, Huntington, and worked as a car repairer for C&amp;O Railroad. He entered service on April 2nd, 1918, and trained at Camp Lee, Virginia. He was assigned as a Private, serial number 2472073, to Company F of the 319th Infantry Regiment, 160th Infantry Brigade, 80th Division, US Army. He sailed for France from Norfolk, Virginia, on the ZEELANDIA on May 18th, 1918. He was in several battles and was seriously wounded by a shell (the same one that wounded fellow Cabell casualty Clayton M. Newman) while patrolling in the Bois de Ogons, a heavily defended wood, on October 5th or 6th, 1918. According to Private Frank J. Higham of his company: <blockquote>About 7:30 PM on October 5th, 1918 in the Bois des Ogons I was with Pvt. Pine on a patrol. A shell burst near by and a piece of shrapnel struck him. First aid was tendered and he was carried to the rear, but died a day or so later.</blockquote> In fact, he died of this wound on October 10th, 1918, in Mobile Hospital No. 5. He was first buried in an American Cemetery but his remains were sent home from Antwerp on the USAT WHEATON on June 19th, 1921. They arrived in Hoboken, New Jersey, on July 2nd and he was buried in Pleasant Ridge Cemetery, Proctorville, Ohio. [From In the Service of Their Country - used with permission of the author]

Private Justice I. Pine; Born 28 Dec 1894 – Lawrence County, OH; Died 10 Oct 1918 – Unknown; Co. F, 319th Infantry Regiment, 160th Infantry Brigade, 80th Division – US Army

Private Justice I. Pine

Alva Francis Pummell was born on February 19th, 1888, in Manchester, Ohio, to Frank and Lilly Pummell. As of June 5th, 1917, he lived in Manchester, worked as a granite cutter, and had 2 years of service as a Private in the Ohio National Guard. He enlisted on January 23rd, 1918, and was assigned as a Private, serial number 3545454, to the 23rd Company of the 6th Training Battalion, 158th Depot Brigade at Camp Sherman, Ohio. He died of pneumonia in Ross County, Ohio, on October 7th, 1918. His commander and comrades expressed sorrow over his death: <blockquote>COMMANDER WRITES</blockquote><blockquote>Extends Sympathy to Family of Alva Plummer [sic], Who Died of Influenza at Camp Sherman</blockquote><blockquote>That the death of Alva Plummer, from influenza, is regretted by all with whom he came in contact at Camp Sherman, is stated in a letter to Mrs. Plummer from Captain E.A. Powell, commander of the Twenty-third company, of which Private Plummer was a member. The letter of condolence follows:</blockquote><blockquote>Twenty-third Co., 6th Tr. Bat.,</blockquote><blockquote>158th Depot Brigade</blockquote><blockquote>Camp Sherman, O.</blockquote><blockquote>My Dear Mrs. Plummer: – I wish to extend my sincere sympathy to you in this hour of trouble and sorrow.</blockquote><blockquote>I have been Alva’s company commander for some time, and it will no doubt be pleasure for you to know that he has always been a good soldier and a willing worker, always ready to do his part, no matter how hard the task to which he was assigned.</blockquote><blockquote>His death is keenly felt and deeply regretted by both officers and men of the company and all join in your sorrow. Very sincerely yours,</blockquote><blockquote>E.L. POWELL,</blockquote><blockquote>Capt. Inf. U.S.A.,</blockquote><blockquote>Com’d’g 23d Co.</blockquote> – Huntington Herald-Dispatch, October 31st, 1918 [From In the Service of Their Country - used with permission of the author]

Private Alva F. Pummell; Born 19 Feb 1888 – Manchester, OH; Died 7 Oct 1918 – Ross County, OH; 23rd Co., 6th Training Battalion, 158th Depot Brigade, Camp Sherman, OH – US Army

Private Alva F. Pummell

John W. Rigney was born on April 27th, 1890, in Scottown, Ohio, to Charles and Rhoda Rigney. He lived in Scottown, was a Huntington public worker, and was married to Nellie Belville Bowman Rigney. He entered service on September 22nd, 1917, at Ironton, Ohio, and was assigned as a Private, serial number 1941179, to Company G of the 330th Infantry Regiment. He trained at Camp Sherman, Ohio, and was promoted to Private First Class on December 6th, 1917. He was transferred to Company B of the 323rd Machine Gun Battalion on March 6th, 1918, and he sailed for France from New York City on the CARMANIA on June 12th. On August 5th, he was transferred to Company B of the 308th Machine Gun Battalion, 155th Infantry Brigade, 78th Division, US Army. He was killed in action on September 27th, 1918, in France. His remains were sent home from Antwerp on the USAT CAMBRAI on March 19th, 1922, and arrived in Brooklyn, New York, on March 29th. He was buried in Good Hope Cemetery, Good Hope, Ohio. [From In the Service of Their Country - used with permission of the author]

Private 1st Class John W. Rigney; Born 27 Apr 1890 – Scottown, OH; Died 27 Sep 1918 – France; Co. B, 308th Machine Gun Battalion, 155th Infantry Brigade, 78th Division – US Army

Private 1st Class John W. Rigney

Vernal Wedsel Ross was born on April 10th, 1901, in Salt Rock, Cabell County, to Stanton and Eliza (McComas) Ross. He lived in Salt Rock and entered service on June 29th, 1917. He trained at Camp Shelby, Mississippi, and was a part of Company H of the 150th Infantry Regiment (part of the West Virginia National Guard). He was assigned as a Private, serial number 1559801, to Company B of the 7th Infantry Regiment, 5th Infantry Brigade, 3rd Division, US Army. He was killed in action in France on October 14th, 1918. His remains were sent home from Antwerp on the USAT WHEATON on August 6th, 1921, and arrived in Hoboken, New Jersey. He was buried in Mt. Zion Cemetery, West Hamlin, West Virginia.  [From In the Service of Their Country - used with permission of the author]

Private Vernal W. Ross; Born 10 Apr 1901 – Salt Rock, WV; Died 14 Oct 1918 – France; Co. B, 7th Infantry Regiment, 5th Infantry Brigade, 3rd Division – US Army

Private Vernal W. Ross

William Scarberry was born on August 22nd, 1891, in Gallia County, Ohio, to Thomas and Ella Scarberry. He lived in Glenwood, Cabell County, worked as a laborer, and was married to Verna Scarberry. He entered service on September 21st, 1917, and was sent to Camp Lee, Virginia, for training. He was assigned as a Private, serial number 1836846, to Company I of the 318th Infantry Regiment, 159th Infantry Brigade, 80th Division, US Army. He sailed for France from Hoboken, New Jersey, on the LEVIATHAN on May 22nd, 1918. He died of pneumonia 3 days after the war ended, on November 14th, 1918, at Hospital No. 114 in France. He was buried the same day in an American Cemetery but his remains were sent home from Antwerp on the USAT WHEATON on September 20th, 1921. They arrived at Hoboken, New Jersey, and he was buried in Cabell County’s Union Ridge Cemetery.  [From In the Service of Their Country - used with permission of the author]

Private William Scarberry; Born 22 Aug 1891 – Gallia County, OH; Died 14 Nov 1918 – Unknown; Co. I, 318th Infantry Regiment, 159th Infantry Brigade, 80th Division – US Army

Private William Scarberry

Samuel Shachtmaister was born on December 25th, 1893, in Russia. He was a sailor and immigrated to the United States, leaving Liverpool, England, on March 12th, 1914, and arriving in New York City on March 21st on the KERMANIA. World War I began a few months after he left Europe. He lived in Huntington on March 27th, 1918, and entered service on April 28th. He was sent to Camp Meade, Maryland, and assigned as a Private, serial number 2715975, to Company E of the 314th Infantry Regiment, 157th Infantry Brigade, 79th Division, US Army. He petitioned for US citizenship there on May 29th, 1918, and he was naturalized on June 4th, 1918. He sailed for France from Hoboken, New Jersey, on the LEVIATHAN on July 8th, 1918. He was killed in action in France on September 28th, 1918, dying for his adopted country. His remains were sent home from Antwerp on the USAT ST. MIHIEL on December 4th, 1921, and they arrived in New York City on December 16th.  [From In the Service of Their Country - used with permission of the author]

Private Samuel Shachtmaister; Born 25 Dec 1893 – Russia; Died 28 Sep 1918 – France; Co. E, 314th Infantry Regiment, 157th Infantry Brigade, 79th Division – US Army

Private Sam Shachtmaister

Adolphus Simpson was born on August 4th, 1891, in Mason, Lawrence County, Ohio, to John L. and Sarah Simpson. He lived in Huntington and was married to Margaret Simpson. He entered service on July 25th, 1918, and trained at Camp Meade, Maryland. He was assigned as a Private to the 2nd Truck Company of the 11th Ammunition Train, 11th Division, US Army. He died of influenza and pneumonia at Camp Meade on October 5th, 1918.               <blockquote>HUNTINGTON SOLDIER IS DEAD OF PNEUMONIA</blockquote><blockquote>Delphos [sic] Simpson, a Huntington soldier stationed at Camp Meade, died Sunday of pneumonia. He was married and before entering military service lived on Jefferson avenue near First. No message has been received indicating when the body will arrive here.</blockquote> – Huntington Herald-Dispatch, October 8th, 1918 <blockquote>HUNTINGTON YANK DIES OF INFLUENZA</blockquote><blockquote>Dolphus [sic] Simpson Dead in Training Cantonment at Camp Meade, Md.</blockquote><blockquote>Another Huntington soldier boy who has fallen a victim of the Spanish influenza is Dolphus Simpson, son of Mr. and Mrs. John Simpson, 520 Twentieth street. A message was received by the parents and young wife Saturday night from Camp Meade informing them to his serious illness. Later another message was received stating he was dead.</blockquote><blockquote>The body is expected to arrive here for burial, but it is not known just when it will reach the city. The wife, Mrs. Margaret Simpson, lives at 244 West Fifth avenue. The remains will be taken to her home where the funeral will be held. The dead soldier was twenty-seven, and had been at Camp Meade but three months.</blockquote><blockquote>The Simpsons have another son in the service, Harry Simpson, who landed in France September 8. As yet they have not received any letters from him since he landed. The family denies they had received a message stating that this boy had been gassed, as such rumor was being circulated.</blockquote><blockquote>However, two of their younger children, Berkley and Mildred, are ill with the epidemic that caused the death of the older brother. The third son, Frank, who was reported to be ill in a camp also, has not yet been called to service. He was discharged from the national guard after having served on the Mexican border on account of losing the sight of one eye. However, he was placed in the limited service, and is expecting to be called. Mrs. Simpson’s nephew Edgar Callicoat was a recent victim of the disease at Camp Sherman.</blockquote> – Huntington Advertiser, October 8th, 1918 Adolphus was buried in Huntington’s Woodmere Cemetery after a funeral in town (the newspaper confused him with his other brother, Frank): <blockquote>YANK BURIED WITH MILITARY HONORS</blockquote><blockquote>Frank Simpson’s Body Accompanied to Grave by Militia Reserves</blockquote><blockquote>The body of Frank Simpson, Huntington boy, who died a victim of Spanish influenza at Camp Meade several days ago, arrived in the city Thursday morning. The funeral was held Thursday afternoon, 2:30 o’clock at the residence 244 West Fifth avenue, with Dr. M.L. Wood, pastor of the Fifth Avenue Baptist Church, officiating. Burial was at Woodmere.</blockquote><blockquote>The dead soldier was buried with military honors, members of the Huntington Militia Reseves acting as honorary pall bearers.</blockquote> – Huntington Advertiser, October 10th, 1918 In fact, he was one of the first burials in the then-new cemetery: <blockquote>FUNERAL SERVICES FOR SIMPSON ARE CONDUCTED</blockquote><blockquote>The funeral services for Dolphos [sic] Simpson were held at the residence on Fifth street at 2:30 o’clock yesterday afternoon, Rev. W.W. Smith officiating. Burial at Woodmere cemetery by the Johnson Undertaking company. Acting as pall bearers and an escort were ten members of the Huntington Militia Reserves. This was the first soldier to be buried in the new Woodmere cemetery. There are but few graves there. The first one was for Sarah Maxwell, whose death occurred July 18.</blockquote> – Huntington Herald-Dispatch, October 11th, 1918 His brother, Harry, died in France the day after Adolphus’s death but the news took several months to reach their family: <blockquote>SECOND SON DIES IN ARMY HOSPITAL</blockquote><blockquote>Harry Simpson Dies of Pneumonia in France – Adolphus Died Recently at Camp Lee</blockquote><blockquote>One Huntington woman has sacrificed two sons on the altar of her country. This is Mrs. Minnie Simpson, 520 Twentieth street, who has just received news of the death of her son, Harry Simpson, 26, who succumbed to pneumonia in France. The other son, Adolphus Simpson, died of pneumonia at Camp Lee about two months ago….</blockquote> – Huntington Herald-Dispatch, December 5th, 1918 [From In the Service of Their Country - used with permission of the author]

Private Adolphus Simpson; Born 4 Aug 1891 – Mason, OH; Died 5 Oct 1918 – Camp Meade, MD; Company B, 11th Ammunition Train, 11th Division – US Army

Private Adolphus Simpson

Layton Fink Slater was born on April 25th, 1897, in Williamson, West Virginia, to Rush Floyd and Fannie Luatha (Sloan) Slater. He lived in Huntington and entered service on June 16th, 1916. He trained at Camp Houston, Texas, and was assigned to Companies F and G of the 2nd West Virginia Infantry. He served on the Mexican border and advanced to the rank of Sergeant. He left the military and filed for a pension on January 26th, 1918, for tuberculosis incurred during military service. He died of this illness in Williamson on May 26th, 1918. He was buried in Williamson’s Fairview Cemetery. [From In the Service of Their Country - used with permission of the author]

Sergeant Layton F. Slater; Born 25 Apr 1897 – Williamson, WV; Died 26 May 1918 – Williamson, WV; Co. F, 150th Infantry Regiment, 75th Infantry Brigade, 38th Division – US Army

Sergeant Layton F. Slater

Roy Staton was born on June 6th, 1900, in Barboursville to Nathan and Elizabeth Staton. He lived in Barboursville and entered service on July 1st, 1917. He was assigned as a Private, serial number 1559442, to Company No. 9 of the Camp Shelby June Replacement Draft. He sailed for France from New York City on the GRAMPIAN on June 11th, 1918. He was transferred to Company L of the 16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Brigade, 1st Division, US Army. On July 18th, 1918, he was assigned to a Machine Gun Detachment. The next day, July 19th, he was killed in action in France. His remains were never recovered and he is honored on the Tablets of the Missing at Aisne-Marne American Cemetery. [From In the Service of Their Country - used with permission of the author]

Private Roy Staton; Born 6 Jun 1900 – Barboursville, WV; Died 19 Jul 1918 – France; Co. L, 16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Brigade, 1st Division – US Army

Private Roy Staton

Moss French Stone was born on August 20th, 1893, in Logan County, West Virginia, to Ed and Minnie Stone. He lived in Logan, West Virginia, was married to Constance (Cowherd) Stone, and worked as a pressman for Logan Printing Company. He entered service on October 5th, 1917, and he trained at Camp Lee, Virginia. He was assigned as a Corporal, serial number 1836535, to Battery D of the 315th Field Artillery Regiment, 155th Field Artillery Brigade, 80th Division, US Army. This unit operated 155mm artillery pieces. He died of nephritis at the Camp Lee Base Hospital on March 11th, 1918. <blockquote>STONE FUNERAL TO BE HELD THURSDAY</blockquote><blockquote>HUNTINGTON BOY DIES AT CAMP LEE.</blockquote><blockquote>Body Will Arrive This Afternoon on No. 1 – Went Into Service Last October.</blockquote><blockquote>The funeral of Corporal Moss Stone, aged 24 years, who died at Camp Lee Monday, will probably be held on Thursday afternoon at 2:30 o’clock. The services will be held at the Central Christian church, of which Mr. Stone was a member. The body will arrive this afternoon on C.&amp;O. train No. 1.</blockquote><blockquote>Corporal Stone is well known in Huntington. He was a printer by occupation and had received recognition here as a singer.</blockquote><blockquote>He is survived by his widow, who was Miss Constance Cowherd before her marriage; his mother, Mrs. Cunningham, of West Seventh street, and three brothers, Paul, Andrew and Holly Hall Stone.</blockquote> – Huntington Herald-Dispatch, March 13th, 1918 He was buried in Huntington’s Spring Hill Cemetery after a funeral in town: <blockquote>WILL ATTEND FUNERAL</blockquote><blockquote>Miss Sadie Chapman has issued a call for the members of the Women’s Relief Corps to attend the funeral of Corporal Moss Stone, the first Huntington soldier to meet death. The funeral will take place at two thirty at Central Christian church this afternoon.</blockquote> – Huntington Herald-Dispatch, March 14th, 1918 <blockquote>Military Funeral For Moss Stone Suggested By Patriotic Friends</blockquote><blockquote>As First Huntington Soldier to Die for Cause of Humanity, Fitting Honors to His Memory and Service Have Been Proposed</blockquote><blockquote>Patriotic men and women suggested last night that military honors be done the remains of Moss Stone, the popular young Huntington soldier, who died of disease in cantonment. Under the existing conditions, however, the difficulties of bringing about this greatly desired end were fully recognized. There is at present no military unit in Huntington, and no soldiers here except for those attached to the recruiting office and the few who may chance to be in the city on furlough.</blockquote><blockquote>It is probable that the matter will be placed before Major Stuart, head of the recruiting service in West Virginia, with headquarters here, to see whether he cannot solve the problem as desired.</blockquote><blockquote>Feeling that a military escort for the remains and a military burial be provided if at all practicable, seemed to be unanimous among those who discussed the matter last night. The remains have been delayed in arrival for more than twenty-four hours, and will probably not reach Huntington until late today.</blockquote> – Huntington Herald-Dispatch, March 15th, 1918 <blockquote>ONE GOLD STAR ON THIS SERVICE FLAG</blockquote><blockquote>AFFECTING SERVICE OVER REMAINS OF LATE MOSS STONE.</blockquote><blockquote>Central Christian Church Was Filled Yesterday Afternoon With Friends of Deceased</blockquote><blockquote>The funeral of Corporal Moss Stone, who died Monday at Camp Lee, Va., was largely attended yesterday afternoon at 2:30 o’clock at the Central Christian church, Dr. M.L. Wood, of the Fifth Avenue Baptist church, officiating. The deceased was a member of the Central Christian church and his widow was associated with the Fifth Avenue church, and on account of the illness of Dr. Sheffer, the service was conducted by Dr. Wood. Both Corporal Moss and his wife belonged to the choirs in their respective churches.</blockquote><blockquote>It was a touching service in every way. The young soldier had a host of friends in Huntington and the church was filled to its capacity with those who knew him well and loved him well. Dr. Wood’s sermon dwelt largely on the sacrificial spirit exemplified by this young man, this soldier of Christ, who had left his home and loved ones to fight for his country’s ideals.</blockquote><blockquote>The most striking feature of the obsequies was the one gold star on the service flag of the church, signifying as it did that Corporal Moss is the first of the twenty-one soldiers of the church to make the sublime sacrifice.</blockquote><blockquote>The pallbearers were twelve young friends of the young man, six of them bearing the casket and the other six carrying the flowers, a bountiful and beautiful offering of the richest flowers.</blockquote> – Huntington Herald-Dispatch, March 17th, 1918 [From In the Service of Their Country - used with permission of the author]

Corporal Moss F. Stone; Born 20 Aug 1893 – Logan County, WV; Died 11 Mar 1918 – Camp Lee, VA; Battery D, 315th Field Artillery Regiment, 155th Field Artillery Brigade, 80th Division – US Army

Corporal Moss F. Stone

Harold Arthur Trevillian was born on July 17th, 1896, in Acme, West Virginia, to A.J. and Rebecca E. Trevillian. He lived at 1504 9th Avenue, Huntington, and worked for C&amp;O Railroad. He entered service on September 4th, 1918, and was sent to Camp Lee, Virginia, for training. He was moved to Fort Benjamin Harrison, Indiana, where he was assigned as a Private to Overseas Detachment No. 2. He died of pneumonia and pulmonary edema at the Post Hospital on December 24th, 1918. He was buried in Huntington’s Spring Hill Cemetery. [From In the Service of Their Country - used with permission of the author]

(NOTE: Trevillian is the farthest west soldier on the north side of Memorial Boulevard. However, his tree is the third from the end on this side - the two trees prior to his were, for reasons explained in the comprehensive entry, accidentally dedicated to two soldiers who are also honored elsewhere on the boulevard.)

Private Harold A. Trevillian; Born 17 Jul 1896 – Acme, WV; Died 24 Dec 1918 – Ft. Harrison, IN; Overseas Detachment No. 2 – US Army

Private Harold A. Trevillian

Herbert Joseph Witzgall was born on September 9th, 1888, in Huntington to Chris and Elizabeth Witzgall. As of June 5th, 1917, he had 1 year of service in the West Virginia National Guard, lived in Big Island, Bedford County, Virginia, and worked as a farmer. He entered service on September 1st, 1917, and was sent to Camp Lee, Virginia, for training. He was assigned as a Private, serial number 1821490, to Company F of the 318th Infantry Regiment, 159th Infantry Brigade, 80th Division, US Army. He sailed for France from Hoboken, New Jersey, on the LEVIATHAN on May 22nd, 1918. He was on the front line for 5 months before he was killed in action on October 4th, 1918, during the Meuse-Argonne offensive in France. <blockquote>COMRADE WRITES OF HEROIC DEATH OF HERB WITZGALL</blockquote><blockquote>Son of Mr. and Mrs. C. Witzgall of Walnut Hills Makes Supreme Sacrifice</blockquote><blockquote>MASS FOR SOUL WILL BE SAID THIS MORNING</blockquote><blockquote>Public Mass Will be Said as Soon as Official Notification of Death Is Received</blockquote><blockquote>Word was received here yesterday of the death in France of Corporal Herbert J. Witzgall, son of Mr. and Mrs. C. Witzgall of Walnut Hills. He was killed in battle. His parents have received a communication from a comrade who was with him in his last days.</blockquote><blockquote>Corporal Witzgall was born and raised in Huntington. He was 30 years old. For several years before he went to the army he worked in the Virginia Barber Shop at Lynchburg, Va.</blockquote><blockquote>He was a member of the Knights of Columbus and of the Elks at Lynchburg.</blockquote><blockquote>He leaves his parents, a brother, Louis J. Witzgall, of this city, and one sister, Mrs. L.P. Bowen, of Covington, Ky.</blockquote><blockquote>Mass will be said for him by Rev. Father Henry B. Altmeyer of St. Joseph’s Catholic church this morning at 8 o’clock.</blockquote><blockquote>Public mass for the repose of his soul will be said by Father Altmeyer as soon as official notification is received from the war department.</blockquote><blockquote>The comrade’s letter follows:</blockquote><blockquote>“Your daughter wrote to Herbert before we left camp and suggested that before we left we exchange addresses so that in case of an accident we would notify the family. So it has fallen my lot to write the said news of your son’s death on October 4, 1918. I guess you will be officially notified before you get this, but, nevertheless, it is my duty to write. He was one of my best friends and his death is a terrible loss to me.</blockquote><blockquote>“Mrs. Witzgall I know there is nothing that I can write that will comfort you to a great extent, but you should be proud of Herbert because he died the death of a true American soldier. I only wish I could express my sympathy to you and your family in this great hour of trouble. But words are very weak in trying to express my love for him and his dear mother. We were always like brothers and I will always like him every day of my life. We had planned such a good time when the war was over and we were both back home. Herbert was a good soldier and did his duty until the end. He gave his life for a noble cause, for his country and loved ones at home. The glorious part of it was, he was glad to give up his life for the great cause that we are fighting for and hope to win. I will never forget you and your family, and can imagine what a happy family you were around the fireside at home, and what a terrible blow the vacant chair will be, but the Lord knows best. I will have to stop to get this in the mail today. I hope this will find you all well and try to find solace in the thought that you will meet him in a better world.</blockquote><blockquote>“With best of love to you all, I am your devoted friend,</blockquote><blockquote>“CORP. EDWARD L. WHITE,</blockquote><blockquote>“Co. F, 318th Infantry, A.E.F.”</blockquote><blockquote>Lynchburg, W.Va.</blockquote> – Huntington Herald-Dispatch, November 16th, 1918 His remains were sent home from Antwerp on the USAT WHEATON on August 6th, 1921, and they arrived in Hoboken, New Jersey. He was buried in Huntington’s Spring Hill Cemetery. [From In the Service of Their Country - used with permission of the author]

(NOTE: Witzgall is the farthest west soldier and tree on the south side of Memorial Boulevard.)

Corporal Herbert J. Witzgall; Born 9 Sep 1888 – Huntington, WV; Died 4 Oct 1918 – France; Co. F, 318th Infantry Regiment, 159th Infantry Brigade, 80th Division – US Army

Corporal Herbert J. Witzgall

Harold Vernon Weathers was born on July 24th, 1891, in Divide, Colorado, to Frank M. and Jennie (Hunter) Weathers. He lived in Omar, Logan County, West Virginia, worked as a bookkeeper, and was married to Anna Elizabeth Weathers. He entered service on December 12th, 1917, and trained at Waco, Texas, and Wilbur Wright Field. He was assigned as a Private to the US Army Air Service but was given a discharge on account of his health around August 1918. He died of meningitis and Stokes-Adams disease at the Sheltering Arms Hospital, Hansford, Kanawha County, West Virginia, on October 28th, 1918. <blockquote>HAROLD WEATHERS DIED AT HANDLEY</blockquote><blockquote>REMAINS WILL BE BROUGHT HERE TODAY</blockquote><blockquote>Deceased Was Recently Honorably Discharged From Service Because of Ill Health.</blockquote><blockquote>Mrs. John Davin, of 525 Fifth street, received word last night of the death of her brother, Harold Vernon Weathers, at the Sheltering Arms hospital, Handley. The remains will be brought to Huntington on No. 33 today and the funeral probably held Wednesday afternoon from the Davin home.</blockquote><blockquote>The deceased was 26 years old and is survived by his wife. He was one of the Huntington draftees and about two months ago was honorably discharged from the service because of ill health. His condition since then gradually grew worse.</blockquote> – Huntington Herald-Dispatch, October 29th, 1918 He was buried in Huntington’s Spring Hill Cemetery.  [From In the Service of Their Country - used with permission of the author]

Private Harold V. Weathers; Born 24 Jul 1891 – Divide, CO; Died 28 Oct 1918 – Hansford, WV; Signal Corps (Air Service) - US Army

Private Harold V. Weathers

Ora Herbert Watts was born on February 4th, 1890, in Crown City, Gallia County, Ohio, to Charles F. “Frank” and Jennie Watts. He lived at 1015 ½ 3rd Avenue, Huntington, and entered service on May 25th, 1918. He trained at Camp Lee, Virginia, and was assigned as a First Sergeant to the Cooks and Bakers School at Camp Lee. He died of influenza and pneumonia at the Base Hospital on October 1st, 1918. <blockquote>HUNTINGTON BOY DIES OF PLAGUE</blockquote><blockquote>WAS FIRST SERGEANT AT CAMP LEE</blockquote><blockquote>Father and Mother and Five Brothers and Sisters Survive Herbert Watts</blockquote><blockquote>Word was received yesterday by S.H. [sic] Watts, 1015 Third avenue, of the death of his son, First Sergeant Ora Herbert Watts, at Camp Lee, Petersburg, Virginia. The young man had suffered but a short time from Spanish Influenza which developed into pneumonia.</blockquote><blockquote>The notice of his death came as a severe shock to his parents, relatives and wide circle of friends in the city. Sergeant Watts was 2 years old and was in a divisional training school at Camp Lee. He left this city May 25 for camp.</blockquote><blockquote>No funeral arrangements have been made. The body is expected to arrive home this morning. Surviving Sergeant Watts are his father and mother; two brothers, Homer and Ivan, of this city; and three sisters, Lula, Lora and Lena. It is not expected that a public funeral will be held because of the highly contagious nature of the plague.</blockquote><blockquote>Sergeant Watts is the fourth victim of the plague from Huntington who has died away from home; three being fighting men and a girl student at Lewisburg.</blockquote> – Huntington Herald-Dispatch, October 2nd, 1918 His story exemplifies the speed with which the dreaded influenza and pneumonia could debilitate and kill an otherwise healthy soldier: <blockquote>HERBERT WATTS VICTIM OF “FLU”</blockquote><blockquote>Huntington Boy Dies at Camp Lee on Eve of His Furlough</blockquote><blockquote>Herbert Watts, 26, 1015½ Third avenue, died Wednesday of Spanish influenza at Camp Lee. His father Charles F. Watts received a letter from him Tuesday stating he was in the best of health. He had received a furlough and was to have left camp for Huntington on the day he died.</blockquote><blockquote>The body is scheduled to arrive in Huntington Thursday with a military escort.</blockquote><blockquote>The dead man is survived by his parents and a sister, Mrs. Laura Norden, 2138 Third avenue.</blockquote> – Huntington Advertiser, October 3rd, 1918 <blockquote>INFLUENZA FATAL TO LOCAL SOLDIER</blockquote><blockquote>SERGEANT ORA WATTS DIES AT CAMP LEE</blockquote><blockquote>Funeral Arrangements Will Not Be Made Until Body is Received From Camp</blockquote><blockquote>The body of Sergeant Ora Herbert Watts, who died at Camp Lee Tuesday morning of pneumonia following Spanish influenza, is expected to arrive here on Chesapeake &amp; Ohio train No. 3, this afternoon. Funeral arrangements will not be completed until after its arrival. Burial will be in Spring Hill cemetery.</blockquote><blockquote>Young Watts went to Camp Lee from here May 25. He was twice promoted and was a first sergeant at the time of his death. Tuesday noon a telegram stating that he had pneumonia was received, and later it was learned he had died on Tuesday morning. The local Red Cross was advised that the body had been shipped home yesterday afternoon.</blockquote><blockquote>Sergeant Watts was a favorite in his home and among his acquaintances. He was a cook, as is his father, Charles F. Watts, who is employed at Stanley’s restaurant on Third avenue. Sergeant Watts was a rugged, good-natured, jovial young man of 28 years. He was born at Crown City, but lived here the last 18 years. He is survived by his parents, who live at 1015 ½ Third avenue, two younger brothers, Homer and Ivan, and three sisters, Mrs. Lulu Profit, Philadelphia; Mrs. Laura Worden, 2138 Third avenue, and Miss Lena, at home. Mrs. Profit arrived here yesterday afternoon.</blockquote> – Huntington Herald-Dispatch, October 4th, 1918 He was buried in Huntington’s Spring Hill Cemetery after a funeral in town: <blockquote>FUNERAL TODAY</blockquote><blockquote>Remains of Sergeant Ora Herbert Watts Arrive In This City This Morning.</blockquote><blockquote>The remains of Sergeant Ora Herbert Watts, who died at Camp Lee as a result of an attack of influenza will arrive in this city at an early hour this morning. The funeral of the young soldier will occur this afternoon at the home of his sister, at 2138 Third avenue. Sergeant Watts was showing excellent proficiency as a soldier, and had been twice promoted since he entered camp.</blockquote> – Huntington Herald-Dispatch, October 5th, 1918 <blockquote>FUNERAL DELAYED</blockquote><blockquote>Date of Obsequies for Sergeant Watts Postponed Because of Delay of Remains Reaching City</blockquote><blockquote>The funeral of Sergeant Ora Herbert Watts, who died at Camp Lee of Spanish influenza, was postponed until 2 o’clock this afternoon on account of the delay in the arrival of the body. The remains did not reach Huntington until 1:15 o’clock yesterday afternoon. The services will be held from the home of his sister, at 2138 Third avenue. Interment will be made in Spring Hill cemetery.</blockquote> – Huntington Herald-Dispatch, October 6th, 1918 His father received a letter, most likely from the soldier who escorted Ora’s body: <blockquote>CONSOLATION LETTER TO SOLDIER’S FATHER</blockquote><blockquote>Charles F. Watts, whose son died at Camp Lee a few days ago, has received the following letter of consolation:</blockquote><blockquote>Camp Lee, Va., Oct. 8, 1918.</blockquote><blockquote>Mr. Charles F. Watts,</blockquote><blockquote>Huntington, W.Va.</blockquote><blockquote>My Dear Mr. Watts:</blockquote><blockquote>Kindly accept my thanks for the hospitality extended to me on my sad visit to your home. As much as I regretted my duties, it gave me pleasure to help you have one more look on the face of your most dutiful and brave son, who gave his all that this world might be safe for all to live in.</blockquote><blockquote>I have reported the missing articles and no doubt you will hear from them through military channels.</blockquote><blockquote>Trusting your grief may be of short duration and assuring you of my deepest sympathy to you and yours.</blockquote><blockquote>I am very sincerely yours,</blockquote><blockquote>ROBERT W. HUFFMAN</blockquote> – Huntington Herald-Dispatch, October 14th, 1918 [From In the Service of Their Country - used with permission of the author]

1st Sergeant Ora H. Watts; Born 4 Feb 1890 – Crown City, OH; Died 1 Oct 1918 – Camp Lee, VA; Cooks & Bakers School, Camp Lee, VA - US Army

1st Sergeant Ora H. Watts

Dr. Bronson Ewing Summers was born on January 2nd, 1890, in Milton to Thomas B. and Annie Summers. He attended the Medical College of Virginia Commonwealth University, also known as the Medical Department of Hampden-Sydney College, and graduated in 1912. He was granted a Virginia medical license the same year. He lived at 408 West Grace Street, Richmond, Virginia, and was a physician for the Richmond public schools. He entered service in the US Navy on August 15th, 1917, and was assigned as a Lieutenant, Junior Grade, to be an Assistant Surgeon at the US Marine Corps Barracks, Camp Quantico, Virginia. He died of influenza and pneumonia at the Sick Quarters, Marine Barracks, Camp Quantico, on September 28th, 1918. <blockquote>B.E. SUMMERS DIES OF ‘FLU’ AT PONTICO [sic]</blockquote><blockquote>Captain of Naval Medical Services Dies After Brief Illness From Dread Disease</blockquote><blockquote>FATHER RESIDENT OF TOWN OF MILTON</blockquote><blockquote>Brother Is Surgeon on Transport – Body Expected To Reach Huntington Today</blockquote><blockquote>Word was received here yesterday of the death at Camp Pontico of Captain Bronson E. Summers, U.S.N., medical corps, a son of Professor T.B. Summers, of Milton. Captain Summers died at the Pontico hospital after a brief illness from Spanish influenza. His father was enroute to Camp Pontico when the end came, having left in response to a message received Friday.</blockquote><blockquote>The remains of Captain Summers will reach Huntington some time today, probably at 1:25 o’clock. The funeral will be at Milton, but definite arrangements will be deferred until the arrival of Professor Summers with his son’s body.</blockquote><blockquote>The decedent was one of two brothers who left successful civil practices in Richmond at the beginning of America’s participation in the war to enlist in the naval medical service.</blockquote><blockquote>Dr. Toson Summers, his brother, is chief surgeon on one of the American transports. An effort is now being made to communicate with him.</blockquote><blockquote>Dr. Bronson Summers was a graduate of the University of Richmond. He was 28 years old. For three years he was a city physician in Richmond.</blockquote><blockquote>He was well known in Huntington where he had numerous relatives and many friends to whom the news of his death will bring much regret.</blockquote><blockquote>Besides his father and brother he leaves one sister, Miss Irene Summers, who is attending school in Richmond.</blockquote> – Huntington Herald-Dispatch, September 30th, 1918 He was buried in Milton Cemetery after a funeral in town: <blockquote>SUMMERS RITES AT HOME THURSDAY</blockquote><blockquote>FUNERAL OF YOUNG ARMY SURGEON AT MILTON.</blockquote><blockquote>Brilliant Young Practitioner Laid Down His Life While in the Service of His Country.</blockquote><blockquote>The funeral of Capt. Bronson E. Summers, Medical Corps, U.S. Navy will take place at Milton Thursday afternoon at 2:15 o’clock.</blockquote><blockquote>A message to this effect was received yesterday evening from T.B. Summers of Milton, father of the brilliant young surgeon who laid down his life while in the service of his country. Dr. Summers, a Richmond practitioner, was on duty in a naval hospital at Pontico [sic], where he was stricken with Spanish influenza, from which he died after a brief illness.</blockquote> – Huntington Herald-Dispatch, October 2nd, 1918 <blockquote>SUMMERS FUNERAL TO BE HELD TODAY</blockquote><blockquote>ARMY CAPTAIN DIES OF SPANISH INFLUENZA.</blockquote><blockquote>Arrangements are Made for Local People Who Wish to Attend Services at Milton.</blockquote><blockquote>Funeral services for Captain B.E. Summers, who died in a military camp at Richmond last week of Spanish influenza, will be held at his former residence in Milton at 2 o’clock this afternoon. Captain Summers was attached to the medical corps of the camp and was well known throughout the tristate section.</blockquote><blockquote>Final arrangements for the service were not made until yesterday after his brother, Captain Allen Summers, a medical officer in the transport service, had arrived home.</blockquote><blockquote>Arrangements have been made to have the one o’clock Chesapeake &amp; Ohio train stop at Milton to accommodate Huntington friends who want to attend the services. The burial will be made in the Milton cemetery.</blockquote> – Huntington Herald-Dispatch, October 3rd, 1918 [From In the Service of Their Country - used with permission of the author]

Lieutenant, Junior Grade Dr. Bronson E. Summers; Born 2 Jan 1890 – Milton, WV; Died 28 Sep 1918 – Camp Quantico, VA; Assistant Surgeon, Marine Barracks, Camp Quantico – US Marine Corps

Lieutenant, Junior Grade Dr. Bronson E. Summers

Charles A. Stewart was born on December 12th, 1890, in Lincoln County, West Virginia, to John and Sarah Stewart. He lived in Milton, was married to Jennie (Worden) Stewart, and worked as a farmer. He entered service on April 2nd, 1918, and was sent to Camp Lee, Virginia, for training. He was assigned as a Private, serial number 2471887, to Company M of the 317th Infantry Regiment, 159th Infantry Brigade, 80th Division, US Army. He sailed for France from Norfolk, Virginia, on the MONGOLIA on May 26th, 1918. He was wounded in France as he was bringing food supplies to soldiers in the trenches. He died of his wounds in France on August 18th, 1918. <blockquote>CHAS. A. STEWART DIES OF WOUNDS</blockquote><blockquote>Huntington Soldier Succumbs to Wounds Received on August Eighteenth</blockquote><blockquote>Charles A. Stewart, who left here last spring with a draft contingent to train at Camp Lee, has died of wounds received in battle in France, according to word from the war department Tuesday morning.</blockquote><blockquote>His wife, Mrs. Jennie Stewart, 918 Twenty-sixth street, is seriously ill with influenza and the news of her husband’s fate is being withheld by relatives until she is better able to stand the shock. The wife, before her marriage, was Miss Jennie Worden.</blockquote><blockquote>The husband was born and reared in Cabell county.</blockquote><blockquote>The announcement of his death by the war department stated that Huntington Yank received his fatal wounds in fighting of August 18.</blockquote> – Huntington Advertiser, October 22nd, 1918 His wife survived her illness and lived over 40 more years but never remarried. His remains were sent home from Antwerp on the USAT CAMBRAI on March 21st, 1921, and they arrived in Hoboken, New Jersey, on April 3rd.  [From In the Service of Their Country - used with permission of the author]

Private Charles A. Stewart; Born 12 Dec 1890 – Lincoln County, WV; Died 18 Aug 1918 – France; Co. M, 317th Infantry Regiment, 159th Infantry Brigade, 80th Division – US Army

Private Charles A. Stewart

Obadiah (or Obediah) B. Smith, Jr., was born on September 12th, 1895, in Huntington to Obadiah (or Obediah) B. and Nannie B. Smith. He lived at 1652 8th Avenue, Huntington, and entered service on July 16th, 1918. He was sent to Camp Dix, New Jersey, and was assigned as a Sergeant, serial number 3685520, to the 52nd Company of the 13th Training Battalion, 153rd Depot Brigade at Camp Dix. He caught influenza and developed pneumonia: <blockquote>COLORED SOLDIER STRICKEN WITH PNEUMONIA NEAR DEATH</blockquote><blockquote>Obie Smith, colored, 1652 Eighth avenue, now in military service and stationed at Camp Dix, New Jersey, is dangerously ill with double pneumonia. His mother is with him. She wired yesterday morning and her message indicated that there was little if no hope that the boy would recover. The father and other relatives and anxiously awaiting further message and hope for more favorable news.</blockquote> – Huntington Herald-Dispatch, October 4th, 1918 He died at Camp Dix on October 5th, 1918. <blockquote>HUNTINGTON COLORED MAN DIES IN CAMP OF “FLU”</blockquote><blockquote>Obediah Smith, Jr., colored, died at Camp Dix, N.J., Friday night of double pneumonia, following Spanish influenza. The message announcing his death was received by his father, Obediah Smith, 1652 Eighth avenue, yesterday from the boy’s mother, who went to Camp Dix early last week, after hearing of his illness. She wired several days ago that hope for his recovery had been abandoned by the physicians.</blockquote><blockquote>Funeral arrangements will not be made until further advices from Mrs. Smith are received.</blockquote> – Huntington Herald-Dispatch, October 6th, 1918 His remains were sent to Huntington: <blockquote>FUNERAL SERVICES FOR OBIE SMITH MAY BE HELD TODAY</blockquote><blockquote>The body of Obie Smith, colored, arrived here from Camp Dix, N.J., at 8:40 last night, and was taken to the Johnson undertaking rooms, where friends may view it this morning. The funeral services will probably be held late this afternoon. The body was shipped in a beautiful chestnut casket covered with a large and beautiful flag.</blockquote><blockquote>The soldier boy was 22 years old and a son of Obadiah B. Smith, 1652 Eighth avenue. Prior to his induction into military service he worked in the baggage room of the Chesapeake &amp; Ohio station and had quite an extensive acquaintance in the city.</blockquote> – Huntington Herald-Dispatch, October 9th, 1918 He was buried in Huntington’s Spring Hill Cemetery: <blockquote>SMITH FUNERAL TODAY.</blockquote><blockquote>Services over the body of Obie Smith, colored soldier, will be held at the grave. The cortege will leave the home of Obadiah Smith, 1652 Eighth avenue, for Spring Hill cemetery at 11 o’clock this forenoon. Burial by the Johnson Undertaking Company.</blockquote> – Huntington Herald-Dispatch, October 10th, 1918 [From In the Service of Their Country - used with permission of the author]

Sergeant Obadiah B. Smith Jr.; Born 12 Sep 1895 – Huntington, WV; Died 5 Oct 1918 – Camp Dix, NJ; 52nd Co., 13th Training Battalion, 153rd Depot Brigade, Camp Dix, NJ – US Army

Sergeant Obadiah B. Smith, Jr.

Harry Thomas Simpson was born on September 1st, 1893, in Scottown, Lawrence County, Ohio, to John L. and Sarah C. Simpson. He lived at 1925 Buffington Avenue, Huntington, and was married to Minnie Simpson. He entered service on June 28th, 1918, and was sent to Camp Lee, Virginia, for training, where he was assigned to Company No. 57 of the 15th Provisional Training Battalion, 155th Depot Brigade at Camp Lee. He was assigned as a Private, serial number 3635657, in France to Company A of the II Corps School Detachment Battalion. He was mentioned in a newspaper article about his brother’s death: <blockquote>HUNTINGTON YANK DIES OF INFLUENZA</blockquote><blockquote>Dolphus [sic] Simpson Dead in Training Cantonment at Camp Meade, Md.</blockquote><blockquote>Another Huntington soldier boy who has fallen a victim of the Spanish influenza is Dolphus Simpson, son of Mr. and Mrs. John Simpson, 520 Twentieth street. A message was received by the parents and young wife Saturday night from Camp Meade informing them to his serious illness. Later another message was received stating he was dead.</blockquote><blockquote>The body is expected to arrive here for burial, but it is not known just when it will reach the city. The wife, Mrs. Margaret Simpson, lives at 244 West Fifth avenue. The remains will be taken to her home where the funeral will be held. The dead soldier was twenty-seven, and had been at Camp Meade but three months.</blockquote><blockquote>The Simpsons have another son in the service, Harry Simpson, who landed in France September 8. As yet they have not received any letters from him since he landed. The family denies they had received a message stating that this boy had been gassed, as such rumor was being circulated.</blockquote><blockquote>However, two of their younger children, Berkley and Mildred, are ill with the epidemic that caused the death of the older brother. The third son, Frank, who was reported to be ill in a camp also, has not yet been called to service. He was discharged from the national guard after having served on the Mexican border on account of losing the sight of one eye. However, he was placed in the limited service, and is expecting to be called. Mrs. Simpson’s nephew Edgar Callicoat was a recent victim of the disease at Camp Sherman.</blockquote> – Huntington Advertiser, October 8th, 1918 Harry died of pneumonia in France on October 6th, 1918, and was buried in AEF Cemetery No. 454. <blockquote>SECOND SON DIES IN ARMY HOSPITAL</blockquote><blockquote>Harry Simpson Dies of Pneumonia in France – Adolphus Died Recently at Camp Lee</blockquote><blockquote>One Huntington woman has sacrificed two sons on the altar of her country. This is Mrs. Minnie Simpson, 520 Twentieth street, who has just received news of the death of her son, Harry Simpson, 26, who succumbed to pneumonia in France. The other son, Adolphus Simpson, died of pneumonia at Camp Lee about two months ago….</blockquote><blockquote> – Huntington Herald-Dispatch, December 5th, 1918</blockquote> His remains were later reburied in St. Mihiel American Cemetery. [From In the Service of Their Country - used with permission of the author]

Private Harry T. Simpson; Born 1 Sep 1893 – Scottown, OH; Died 6 Oct 1918 – France; Co. A, II Corps School Detachment Battalion - US Army

Private Harry T. Simpson

Earl Wesley Shank was born on November 20th, 1887, in Dayton, Ohio, to Frances and Fannie Shank. He lived at 6450 5th Avenue, Huntington, and worked as Head Paper Ruler for Standard Printing &amp; Publishing Company. He entered service on June 14th, 1918, as part of Draft Call No. 594 and was sent to the mechanical training camp at Morgantown, where he was assigned to the Training Detachment, University of West Virginia. He trained to be an automobile mechanic. Upon completion of his training, he was sent to Camp Hancock, Georgia, then Camp Upton, New York. He was assigned as a Private, serial number 3439390, to a provisional ordnance unit on September 10th, 1918, and he was promoted to Private First Class on September 16th. He caught influenza and developed pneumonia, dying at 6 AM on October 7th, 1918, at the Camp Upton Base Hospital. <blockquote>EARL SHANK DIES AT TRAINING CAMP</blockquote><blockquote>The many friends of Earl W. Shank were grieved to learn of his death which occurred at Camp Upton, Monday morning at six o’clock. He left Huntington July 14, with the boys who went to the mechanical training school at Morgantown, and had recently been sent to Camp Upton. It is supposed he was a victim of the Spanish influenza, although the message received here did not state the cause of his death. He was employed for over two years at the Standard Printing and Publishing company, and was a well known young man. He was a member of the Huntington lodge of Masons and Elks. Before coming to Huntington his home was in Dayton, O.</blockquote> – Huntington Advertiser, October 8th, 1918 He was buried in Dayton’s Lower Miami Cemetery after a funeral in town: <blockquote>SHANK’S MOTHER IS 72 YEARS OLD</blockquote><blockquote>REARS UP BRAVELY UNDER HER SON’S DEATH.</blockquote><blockquote>Huntington Elks Return from Dayton Where Funeral of Brother Was Held Last Friday.</blockquote><blockquote>Secretary A.R. Hunt and W.W. McCue, of Huntington lodge, No. 313, B.P.O. Elks, have returned from Dayton, O., where on Friday they attended the funeral of Earl Shank, a member of the lodge, who died at Camp Upton, N.Y., of pneumonia, brought on by the Spanish influenza.</blockquote><blockquote>The Dayton Elks offered kindly service to their visiting brothers, leaving nothing undone to make their stay comfortable and to soften the grief of the bereaved family.</blockquote><blockquote>The dead soldier is survived by his mother, 72 years of age, two brothers and three sisters. The young man was employed during several years’ residence in Huntington by the Standard Printing &amp; Publishing Co., and everyone that knew him was his friend.</blockquote> – Huntington Herald-Dispatch, October 14th, 1918 As he was an Elk, he was honored at their memorial service: <blockquote>ELKS MEMORIAL THIS YEAR HAS DOUBLE MEANING</blockquote><blockquote>It Will Honor Ninety-seven Members In Service In Addition to Eighty-One Deceased.</blockquote><blockquote>FOUR GOLD STARS ON SERVICE FLAG</blockquote><blockquote>Program Completed for Exercises to be Held In Lodge Room Sunday Afternoon at 2:30</blockquote><blockquote>While the annual memorial service of Huntington Lodge, No. 313, B.P.O. Elks, will be more simply conducted this year than formerly, the occasion will bring its greatest significance to the members of this order. The day is to have a double meaning; in addition to being a memorial to the “absent brothers,” it will take account of those others who went out from the fraternity to answer the call of their country.</blockquote><blockquote>Four gold stars will shine on the service flag of the lodge for Earl Shank, Fred Duncan, C.V. Mankin and O.D. Jackson. This flag contains ninety-three blue stars….</blockquote> – Huntington Herald-Dispatch, November 28th, 1918 [From In the Service of Their Country - used with permission of the author]

Private 1st Class Earl W. Shank; Born 20 Nov 1887 – Dayton, OH; Died 7 Oct 1918 – Camp Upton, NY; 7th Co., Ordnance Replacement Battalion, 3rd Regiment – US Army

Private 1st Class Earl W. Shank

Due to the passage of 100 years, it is only known that William A. Schafer was from Cabell County. [From In the Service of Their Country - used with permission of the author]

William A. Schafer

Robert Lee Royse was born on December 22nd, 1894, in Morehead, Kentucky. He lived in Morehead and worked as a farm laborer. He was inducted into service on August 30th, 1918, and sent to Camp Zachary Taylor, Kentucky. He was assigned as a Private to the 11th Company of the 3rd Training Battalion, 159th Depot Brigade at Camp Taylor. He died of pneumonia on October 4th, 1918, at Camp Taylor. He was buried in Morehead’s Baldridge Cemetery #2. [From In the Service of Their Country - used with permission of the author]

Private Robert L. Royse; Born 22 Dec 1894 – Morehead, KY; Died 4 Oct 1918 – Camp Taylor, KY; 11th Co., 3rd Training Battalion, 159th Depot Brigade, Camp Taylor – US Army

Private Robert L. Royse

Due to the passage of 100 years, it is only known that Lawrence F. Romano was from Cabell County. [From In the Service of Their Country - used with permission of the author]

Lawrence F. Romano

Alva Claude Reynolds was born on September 21st, 1886, in Addison, Ohio, to William H. and Ida V. (Tuning) Reynolds. He lived in Addison and worked as Assistant General Timekeeper for C&amp;O Railroad. He entered service on August 5th, 1918, at Gallipolis, Ohio. He was assigned as a Private, serial number 43077678, to the 58th Company of the 13th Battalion at Camp Syracuse, New York. On September 3rd, he was transferred to the 1st Company of the Casual Battalion at Camp Syracuse. He caught influenza, developed pneumonia, and died at 7:15 PM on September 26th, 1918, at the Camp Syracuse Base Hospital. <blockquote>ALVIN [sic] REYNOLDS DIES</blockquote><blockquote>Former Timekeeper at Chesapeake &amp; Ohio Shops Dies In Camp From Influenza</blockquote><blockquote>Alvin Claude Reynolds, aged about 30, timekeeper at the C&amp;O shops until he entered military service about three months ago, died Thursday evening at the U.S. General hospital at Oswego, N.Y. Spanish influenza developing into pneumonia caused his death.</blockquote><blockquote>Reynolds was a young man of exemplary character and had made many good friends here. He was born and reared at Addison, eight miles above Gallipolis, and was the only son of W.H. Reynolds, who survives him. The funeral will be held at Addison at 2:30 Sunday afternoon.</blockquote> – Huntington Herald-Dispatch, September 28th, 1918 He was buried in Addison Reynolds Cemetery, Addison, Ohio, after a touching funeral service: <blockquote>ALVA CLAUDE REYNOLDS</blockquote><blockquote>Son of W.H. Reynolds, of Addison, died at Oswego, N.Y., September 26, 1918. He had been stationed at Camp Syracuse, N.Y., for two months being one of the clerical force in the personnel office at that camp. He was stricken with Influenza and pneumonia developed and he was removed to the Base Hospital at Oswego on Friday, September 20, living until the following Thursday. His twin sister, Miss Maude, teacher in the Huntington schools, received a message from the Lt. Col. on September 24, telling of his serious illness. She – accompanied by her cousin, Miss Mary McFarland, of Dallas, Texas, left that night for his bedside reaching there Thursday morning, while he was yet conscious and recognized them. His condition was then regarded hopeless.</blockquote><blockquote>The remains were brought to Addison, Saturday evening accompanied by them.</blockquote><blockquote>Funeral services were held at the M.E. church, Sunday at 2:30 p.m., by Rev. Orr, pastor of Presbyterian church of Middleport, o., assisted by Rev. Lockwood, of M.E. church. The many and beautiful floral tributes spoke of the high esteem and regard in which he was held. He was laid to rest in the Addison cemetery overlooking his boyhood home with all military honors, an escort of soldiers from Company B coming from Point Pleasant.</blockquote><blockquote>A large number of relatives and friends coming from Huntington, also a delegation from the C&amp;O Ry., acting as honorary pallbearers</blockquote><blockquote>We wish to express our sincere thanks to our many friends who have so kindly and thoughtfully assisted us in our sad bereavement of our dear son and brother. Also for the many beautiful floral tributes.</blockquote><blockquote>W.H. Reynolds and daughter.</blockquote><blockquote>THE FOLLOWING TRIBUTE WAS READ AT THE SERVICES.</blockquote><blockquote>On September 26, 1918, at 7:15, Oswego, N.Y., just as the sun was sinking to rest in the golden west, the spirit of Alva Claude Reynolds took its flight to the God who gave it.</blockquote><blockquote>His sun has indeed gone down but after a brilliant sunset a beautiful twilight lingers. Likewise the life of one so pure, so noble in thought and deed will linger and memory will ever recall him as he was in life. His sterling qualities and bright, sunny manner won the hearts of all who knew or associated with his. It can truly be said of him, “None knew him but to love; none named him but to praise.”</blockquote><blockquote>He was a true, faithful Christian character, a member of the Presbyterian church at Middleport, and of the K. of P. at Athens, O. A graduate of the law university, Valparaiso, Ind., being a member of the class of 1910, and admitted to the bar in several different states; also an attendant and normal school, Rio Grande College. Finding law not to his liking he took up a business course and for some three years was one of the clerks at C&amp;O Ry., Huntington, W.Va.</blockquote><blockquote>His mother dying in his infancy, he was lovingly and tenderly cared for by his Grandmother Tuning and aunt, Miss Helen Tuning.</blockquote><blockquote>Claude was inducted into limited military service on August 5, 1918, and was a soldier but eight weeks. He was loyal and patriotic and so anxious to serve his country, regretting his inability to go over the sea, but passed away in the service of his country. He has received his honorable discharge from the Great Captain above and the blue star in the service flag has changed to gold.</blockquote><blockquote> </blockquote><blockquote>“God gave my son in trust to me,</blockquote><blockquote>Christ died for him and he should be</blockquote><blockquote>A man for Christ; He is his own,</blockquote><blockquote>And God’s and man, not mine alone,</blockquote><blockquote>He was not mine to give; he gave</blockquote><blockquote>Himself that he might help to save</blockquote><blockquote>All that a Christian should revere,</blockquote><blockquote>All that enlightened men hold dear.”</blockquote><blockquote> </blockquote><blockquote>His friends were legion; his home life all peace, love and devotion.</blockquote><blockquote>“How fruitless and weak are words which attempt to beguile the loved ones from the grief of loss and we pray our heavenly Father may assuage the anguish of their bereavement and leave only the cherished memory of the love and lost, and the solemn pride that is theirs to have laid so costly a sacrifice on the altar of freedom.”</blockquote><blockquote>Let us look forward to the time when we will meet again and think it is only:</blockquote><blockquote> </blockquote><blockquote>Stepping out of earth’s shadows</blockquote><blockquote>Into a purer light;</blockquote><blockquote>Stepping behind a curtain</blockquote><blockquote>Getting a clearer sight.</blockquote><blockquote> </blockquote><blockquote>Laying aside a burden,</blockquote><blockquote>This weary mortal coil;</blockquote><blockquote>Done with this earthly vexations,</blockquote><blockquote>Done with its tears and toils.</blockquote><blockquote> </blockquote><blockquote>Passing out of earth’s shadows</blockquote><blockquote>Into infinite day;</blockquote><blockquote>Why do we call it dying,</blockquote><blockquote>This beautiful passing away?</blockquote> – Huntington Herald-Dispatch, October 5th, 1918 [From In the Service of Their Country - used with permission of the author]

Private Alva C. Reynolds; Born 21 Sep 1886 – Addison, OH; Died 26 Sep 1918 – Camp Syracuse, NY; 1st Co., Casual Battalion, Camp Syracuse – US Army

Private Alva C. Reynolds

Ezra Porter was born on September 10th, 1896, in Logan County, West Virginia. He lived in Farley, Summers County, West Virginia. He was assigned as a Private First Class, serial number 1559707, to Company No. 6 of the Camp Shelby June Automatic Replacement Draft and sailed for France from Hoboken, New Jersey, on the ANCHISES on June 12th, 1918. He was transferred to Company B of the 7th Infantry Regiment, 5th Infantry Brigade, 3rd Division, US Army. He died of wounds received in action on July 21st, 1918, in France. He was buried in the Aisne-Marne American Cemetery. [From In the Service of Their Country - used with permission of the author]

Private 1st Class Ezra Porter; Born 10 Sep 1896 – Logan County, WV; Died 21 Jul 1918 – France; Co. B, 7th Infantry Regiment, 5th Infantry Brigade, 3rd Division, US Army

Private 1st Class Ezra Porter

Mark M. Payton was born on March 23rd, 1897, in Cabell County to Solomon F. and Eliza Payton. He lived near Barboursville and worked for C&amp;O Railroad. He enlisted on August 23rd, 1918, and was assigned as a Private, serial number 4089896, to the 19th Company of the 5th Training Battalion, 155th Depot Brigade at Camp Lee, Virginia. He died of influenza and pneumonia on October 19th, 1918. He was buried in Cabell County’s Mud River Baptist Church Cemetery. [From In the Service of Their Country - used with permission of the author]

Private Mark M. Payton; Born 23 Mar 1897 – Cabell County, WV; Died 19 Oct 1918 – Camp Lee, VA; 19th Co., 5th Training Battalion, 155th Depot Brigade, Camp Lee – US Army

Private Mark M. Payton

Halsey Gordon Notter was born on August 17th, 1900, in Huntington, to Oscar and Effia Notter. He graduated from Huntington High School in June 1918 and, on September 12th, 1918, lived at 2227 9th Avenue, Huntington, and worked as a car repair helper for C&amp;O Railroad. He entered service in the Students’ Army Training Corps at Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, on October 2nd, 1918. This program trained college students to be soldiers. He was a Private, serial number 5252432, and was not yet assigned to any department when he died of peritonitis on October 21st, 1918, at Western Reserve. <blockquote>HALSEY NOTTER IS INFLUENZA VICTIM</blockquote><blockquote>Young Soldier Dies at Training Camp in Cleveland Monday</blockquote><blockquote>Halsey Gordon Notter, 18, died of Spanish influenza Monday at a soldier’s training camp in Cleveland. The father, Oscar Notter, was with the son when the end came, having gone in response to a message received a week ago last Friday. He had been in camp six weeks. Mr. Notter graduated last June from Huntington high school, where he received high scholastic honors. His personality was such that made him many friends who greatly admired him. For a short time he worked at the Red Cross drug store.</blockquote><blockquote>Besides his parents, he leaves two brothers, Joe and Alten, both students in high school, and five sisters, Misses Elizabeth, Frances, Elsie, Allie, and Mary Gertrude Notter.</blockquote><blockquote>Oscar Notter will arrive in the city with his son’s body Tuesday evening or Wednesday morning. The remains will be taken to his late home, 2229 Ninth avenue.</blockquote> – Huntington Advertiser, October 22nd, 1918 He was buried in Huntington’s Spring Hill Cemetery. As an alumnus, he was honored at Huntington High School’s memorial service: <blockquote>Proud Offering to Humanity By Huntington High School</blockquote><blockquote>SERVICE EMBLEM WITH 245 STARS GIVES EVIDENCE</blockquote><blockquote>Memorial Friday Afternoon One of Most Impressive of its Kind Ever Held in City</blockquote><blockquote>REV. MAUZZE MADE SPLENDID ADDRESS</blockquote><blockquote>Placing of Gold Stars on Flag Was the Feature That Gripped Hearts the Tightest</blockquote><blockquote>THREE GOLD STARS SHINE IN FIELD OF LOYAL BLUE</blockquote><blockquote>(At the dedication of the high school service flag yesterday afternoon, three stars of gold were placed among over two hundred of blue in memory of David Noble, class of ’14, who died in France; Thedford Davis, ’16, who died at the mechanical training school at Morgantown, and Halsey Notter, ’18, whose death occurred at the Cleveland training school.)…</blockquote><blockquote>…The feature of the memorial that gripped the heart the tightest was the placing of the three gold stars over the blue emblems that stood for the three boys who made the supreme sacrifice. This service was performed by members of the respective classes to which these boys belonged. Helen Hutchinson Dickinson affixed the star for David Noble, ’14; Loles Prose for Thedford Davis, ’16, and Mae Yoho for Halsey Notter, ’18….</blockquote><blockquote>…Miss Mae Yoho said the class of ’18 was proud beyond expression of Halsey Notter, one of the glorious company that had given up their lives for humanity. Notter has answered the final roll call, but his sacrifice in freedom’s cause has caused his star of blue to be changed to gold.</blockquote> – Huntington Herald-Dispatch, November 23rd, 1918 He was also honored in their 1919 yearbook: <blockquote>“You remember him, only last year, a pleasant companionable fellow?” We can rest assured it was just the same when the call came to pass over. His classmates wrote of him last year “he is a No. 1” and so he was a No. 1. Halsey was a member of the S.A.T.C. at Case University in Cleveland when he succumbed to influenza.</blockquote><blockquote>Halsey was one of the kind of boys that makes you feel better after talking to him. Ever kind, thoughtful and generous he was a favorite with everyone.         </blockquote><blockquote>He fell for the cause of mankind just as truly as anyone of the millions who have passed over. Halsey, Huntington High is proud of you.</blockquote> [From In the Service of Their Country - used with permission of the author]

Private Halsey G. Notter; Born 17 Aug 1900 – Huntington, WV; Died 21 Oct 1918 – Western Reserve Camp, OH; Students’ Army Training Corps – Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH (not yet assigned to any department), US Army

Private Halsey G. Notter

Fariss P. Nixon was born on December 3rd, 1878, in Nannie, Georgia, to William C. and Emma Pinson Nixon. He first enlisted around 1899 or 1889 and was assigned to Company B of the 2nd Georgia Infantry. This unit served in Cuba as part of the occupation force just after the Spanish-American War ended. He enlisted for his second enlistment on October 3rd, 1900, in Chattanooga, Tennessee, in Company A of the CAS 13th Infantry Regiment. His service expired on October 2nd, 1904, at Fort McDowell, while he was in Company F of the 43rd Regiment, and he reenlisted the next day. He came to Huntington from Angel Island, San Francisco, California, in 1906. His service expired again on October 2nd, 1907, in Huntington, while he was in Company A of the 13th Infantry Regiment, and he reenlisted in Huntington the next day. He married Martha Ernestine (Hughes) Nixon on February 22nd, 1908, in Lawrence County, Ohio. His son, Robert William Nixon, was born the next month. Fariss Nixon’s service expired again on October 2nd, 1910, in Huntington, while he was a Sergeant in the G.R.S (most likely “General Recruiting Service”), and he reenlisted the next day in Huntington. His service expired again on October 2nd, 1913, in Huntington, while he was a Sergeant in the G.R.S., and he reenlisted the next day in Huntington. Though the exact nature of these units is uncertain, he served in the Huntington recruiting office and, more likely than not, signed up some of the other soldiers in this book. He was in the Huntington G.S.I. until he was discharged as a Sergeant on July 6th, 1917, to accept an officer’s commission. He was appointed to the US Military Academy the next day, but he was still officially “unassigned” when he died of acute nephritis on August 1st, 1917, in Huntington. He was buried in the Kinnebrew Family Cemetery, Rome, Floyd County, Georgia. [From In the Service of Their Country - used with permission of the author]

2nd Lieutenant Fariss P. Nixon; Born 3 Dec 1878 – GA; Died 1 Aug 1917 – Huntington, WV; Unassigned - US Army

2nd Lieutenant Fariss P. Nixon

Raymond Ellsworth Neal was born on May 15th 1897, in Milton to James and Nettie Neal. He lived in Milton and enlisted on May 27th, 1918. He was an assistant at the Camp Devens, Massachusetts, Base Hospital, as a Private, serial number 3546678. He died of influenza and pneumonia at the camp on September 25th, 1918. He was buried in Milton Cemetery. [From In the Service of Their Country - used with permission of the author]

Private Raymond E. Neal; Born 15 May 1897 – Milton, WV; Died 25 Sep 1918 – Camp Devens, MA; Base Hospital Assistant, Camp Devens – US Army

Private Raymond E. Neal

Jack Albert Morrissey was born on December 26th, 1886, in Parker Landing, Pennsylvania, to Jack W. and Mary E. Morrissey. He lived in Sistersville, Tyler County, West Virginia, and worked as an oil driller. He entered service in March 1918 and was assigned as a Private, serial number 2472163, to the Machine Gun Company of the 319th Infantry Regiment, 160th Infantry Brigade, 80th Division, US Army. He sailed for France from Newport News, Virginia, on the MADAWASKA on May 17th, 1918. He was killed in action while operating a machine gun on September 27th, 1918, in France. He was eventually buried in Sistersville’s Oakwood Cemetery. [From In the Service of Their Country - used with permission of the author]

Private Jack A. Morrissey; Born 26 Dec 1886 – Parker Landing, PA; Died 27 Sep 1918 – France; Machine Gun Co., 319th Infantry Regiment, 160th Infantry Brigade, 80th Division – US Army

Private Jack A. Morrissey

Kenneth M. Meadows was born on January 21st, 1891, in Upper Green Bottom, Cabell County, to F.M. and Cora B. Meadows. He lived at 806 Adams Avenue, Huntington, worked in the real estate business, and was married to Blanche C. Meadows. He was inducted into service on June 14th, 1918, as part of Draft Call No. 594 and was sent to the mechanical training camp at Morgantown, where he trained to be an automobile mechanic. Out of the whole class, he was certified as the fastest driver. Upon completion of his training, he was sent to Camp Hancock, Georgia, then Camp Mills, New York. He was assigned as a Corporal, serial number 3439316, to a provisional ordnance unit. He sailed for France from Hoboken, New Jersey, on the SIBONEY on October 5th, 1918. He developed pneumonia on the ship on October 10th and was transferred to Base Hospital No. 65 after the ship arrived. He died in the hospital on October 16th, 1918. <blockquote>MEADOWS DIES IN OLD FRANCE</blockquote><blockquote>HUNTINGTON SOLDIERVICTIM OF PNEUMONIA</blockquote><blockquote>Kenneth M. Meadows, Brother of Well Known Real Estate Man, Left June 15.</blockquote><blockquote>Azel Meadows, a local real estate man, just received official notice from Adjutant General Harris at Washington notifying him that his brother, Corporal Kenneth M. Meadows, with the ordnance department, died on October 16, of bronchial pneumonia, and was buried at Brest, France. Mr. Meadows enlisted in the service on June 15, last, [incorrect] and was sent to Morgantown to training school as an expert automobile mechanic. After two months training at Morgantown he made an excellent mechanic and carried away with him a card showing that he was the fastest automobile driver in the school of 75 mechanics. From Morgantown he was sent to Camp Hancock, Ga., leaving there for Camp Mills, and sailed from New York on the Night of October 3, taking sick five days out at sea, and upon landing he was transferred to the base hospital, at which time it was thought that he had contracted pneumonia. His parents, one brother and sister live at upper Greenbottom. For the past three years before his entering the service he was connected with his brother in the real estate business here in the city.</blockquote> – Huntington Herald-Dispatch, November 28th, 1918 He was first buried in an American Cemetery but his remains were sent home from Brest on the USAT MERCURY on June 6th, 1920. They arrived in Hoboken, New Jersey, on June 29th and he was buried in Huntington’s Woodmere Cemetery. [From In the Service of Their Country - used with permission of the author]

Corporal Kenneth M. Meadows; Born 21 Jan 1891 – Upper Greenbottom, WV; Died 16 Oct 1918 – France; 28th Co., Provisional Ordnance Depot, 1st Provisional Ordnance Regiment, Ordnance Department – US Army

Corporal Kenneth M. Meadows

Claude Vivian Mankin was born on June 25th, 1890, at Cedar Grove, West Virginia, to John and Bette Mankin. He lived at Mount Hope, West Virginia, worked in insurance, and was married to Carrie (Hiliday) Mankin. He entered service at Fort Thomas, Kentucky, on December 14th, 1917, and was assigned as a Private, serial number 1269914, to the 1337th Company of the Casual Detachment, Signal Corps at Camp Hancock, Georgia. He was transferred on February 25th, 1918, to Casual Company No. 3 of the Motor Mechanic, Signal Corps, and then on April 18th, 1918, to the 20th Company of the 3rd Regiment of Motor Mechanics, Signal Corps – Aviation Section, US Army. He was promoted to Sergeant First Class on April 25th, 1918, and sailed for France from Hoboken, New Jersey, on the ORIZABA on July 9th, 1918. He died of wounds received in action on July 28th, 1918, in France. <blockquote>CLAUDE MAKNIN [sic] DIES ON FIELD</blockquote><blockquote>WELL KNOWN BOY JOINS THE HONOR LIST</blockquote><blockquote>Joined Aviation Section Early in War and Dies of Wounds Received in Action.</blockquote><blockquote>Word has just reached friends here of the death of Sergeant Claud [sic] V. Mankin in France on July 28th. Mr. Mankin enlisted in the aviation corps of the U.S. Army in the latter part of 1917 and received his training at Camp Hancock, Augusta, Ga. He sailed for France on July 5th. Mankin died of wounds received in action.</blockquote><blockquote>The young soldier was formerly connected with the Prudential Insurance Co. in this city and was held in high esteem by his employers, receiving quick promotion for his efficiency in the work. He was a man of strong principles and his ideals ranked as high as the great cause for which he sacrificed all.</blockquote><blockquote>Shortly after he enlisted he married Miss Carrie Hilliday of Beckley, W.Va. Besides her he leaves parents, two sisters and four brothers, one of whom is now in training at Camp Lee, Petersburg, Va.</blockquote> – Huntington Herald-Dispatch, August 28th, 1918 He was first buried in an American Cemetery but his remains were sent home from St. Nazaire on the POCAHANTAS on October 1st, 1920. They arrived in Hoboken, New Jersey, on October 18th and he was buried in Arlington National Cemetery. As he was an Elk, he was honored at their memorial service: <blockquote>ELKS MEMORIAL THIS YEAR HAS DOUBLE MEANING</blockquote><blockquote>It Will Honor Ninety-seven Members In Service In Addition to Eighty-One Deceased.</blockquote><blockquote>FOUR GOLD STARS ON SERVICE FLAG</blockquote><blockquote>Program Completed for Exercises to be Held In Lodge Room Sunday Afternoon at 2:30</blockquote><blockquote>While the annual memorial service of Huntington Lodge, No. 313, B.P.O. Elks, will be more simply conducted this year than formerly, the occasion will bring its greatest significance to the members of this order. The day is to have a double meaning; in addition to being a memorial to the “absent brothers,” it will take account of those others who went out from the fraternity to answer the call of their country.</blockquote><blockquote>Four gold stars will shine on the service flag of the lodge for Earl Shank, Fred Duncan, C.V. Mankin and O.D. Jackson. This flag contains ninety-three blue stars….</blockquote> – Huntington Herald-Dispatch, November 28th, 1918 [From In the Service of Their Country - used with permission of the author]

Sergeant 1st Class Claude V. Mankin; Born 25 Jun 1890 – Cedar Grove, WV; Died 28 Jul 1918 – France; 20th Co., 3rd Regiment of Motor Mechanics, Signal Corps (Air Section) – US Army

Sergeant 1st Class Claude V. Mankin

Fred Carlton McKeny was born on February 14th, 1901, at St. Albans, West Virginia, to Matthew Francis and Sarah Ellen Fisher McKeny. He lived in Milton and entered service on April 22nd, 1917. He was promoted from Private to Corporal, serial number 2338260, on September 12th, 1917. He was assigned to Company C of the 4th Infantry Regiment, 5th Infantry Brigade, 3rd Division, US Army. He sailed for France from Newport News, Virginia, on the MADAWASKA on April 15th, 1918. According to one of his comrades, Sergeant Veedi O. Eckel of Company C: “McKeny killed by a high explosive shell instantly near La Chamelle on July 15, 1918. Buried on field.” In fact, McKeny was killed on July 25th, 1918; however, it took two months for the news to reach his family: <blockquote>MILTON YOUTH KILLED</blockquote><blockquote>Corporal Fred Carlton McKinny [sic], son of Mr. and Mrs. M.F. McKinny, Milton, was killed in action in France July 26, according to word received in this city by C.M. Brown, a relative. Corporal McKinny was 16 when he enlisted, April 1, 1917, and went to France with the American Expeditionary forces the following April.</blockquote> – Herald Advertiser, September 26th, 1918 At age 17 ½, he was the youngest soldier from Cabell County to die in the war. (Vernal W. Ross was born later but died at a slightly older age.) He was eventually buried in Milton Cemetery. [From In the Service of Their Country - used with permission of the author]

Corporal Fred C. McKeny; Born 14 Feb 1901 – St. Albans, WV; Died 25 Jul 1918 – France; Co. C, 4th Infantry Regiment, 5th Infantry Brigade, 3rd Division – US Army

Corporal Fred C. McKeny

Due to the passage of 100 years, it is only known that Robert C. Little was from Cabell County. [From In the Service of Their Country - used with permission of the author]

Robert C. Little

Isaac Lewis Landis was born on October 2nd, 1900, to Rebecca Landis. He lived in Cressmont, Clay County, West Virginia, and entered service on June 17th, 1917. He was assigned as a Private, serial number 1559769, to the 6th Company of the Camp Shelby June Automatic Replacement Draft and sailed for France from Hoboken, New Jersey, on the ANCHISES on June 12th, 1918. He died on July 2nd, 1918, in France because of a railroad accident. He was first buried the same day in an American Cemetery. His remains were sent home from St. Nazaire on the USAT SHERMAN on August 31st, 1920, and they arrived at Hoboken on September 11th. He was buried in Asbury Cemetery, Enoch, Clay County. [From In the Service of Their Country - used with permission of the author]

Private Isaac L. Landis; Born 2 Oct 1900 - Unknown; Died 2 Jul 1918 – France; 6th Co., Camp Shelby June Automatic Replacement Draft – US Army

Cabell County World War I Memorial Boulevard and Walking Tour

Private Frank E. Barnett

Introduction

Images

Backstory and Context

Sources

Additional Information