PVT Richard Dow Wright

courtesy of Larry Eanes

PVT Richard Dow Wright was born 16 Nov 1891 in Franklin County, Virginia the 2nd of 14 children of Joel Thomas and Martha Ann (Stanley) Wright.  The family farmed.

When Richard entered the Army he was assigned to F Company 116th Infantry.  He was transported with that unit aboard the USS Finland to France, departing Hoboken, New Jersey on 15 Jun 1918.  PVT Richard Wright was wounded, likely in the engagement at Molleville Farm, and died of those wounds on 11 Oct 1918.

PVT Wright was repatriated and is buried with family members in the Gogginsville United Methodist Church Cemetery in Rocky Mount, Virginia.

Richard's brother also served in F Company 116th Infantry.  PVT Crockett Isaac Wright was killed in action on 21 Oct 1918 and his buried next to Richard. Brother, Sankey M. Wright, was killed in Germany while serving as a Private, 117th Infantry, 30th Infantry Division, in World War II.