PVT David Lewis Meeks

courtesy of Marjike Taffein

PVT David Lewis Meeks was born 14 Jul 1892 in Charlottesville, Virginia the oldest of 7 children born to William Lewis and Francis (Martin) Meeks. Father William was a machinist and later worked for a railroad. David was working as a "checker" for the railroad when he registered for the draft in 1917.

After entering the Army, David was assigned to L Company 116th Infantry. It was with that unit that he sailed to France aboard the USS Finland.  The ship departed Hoboken, New Jersey on 15 Jun 1918 and arrived in France on 28 Jun 1918.  The unit then participated in trench warfare training before going into the line in a "quiet" sector.  The regiment then took part in an attack.  It was in this attack that PVT Meeks was killed in action on 15 Oct 1918.

PVT Meeks is buried in the Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery.

Paternal grandfather, William Lewis Meeks (Sr), served as a PVT in F Company 19th Virginia Infantry during the Civil War.