PVT Nicholas L. Keller

PVT Nicholas L. Keller was born 10 Feb 1887 in New Haven, Connecticut, the first of 5 children born to Nicholas J. and Nettie Elizabeth (Jacobs) Keller.  His father worked as a driver for a construction company.  In 1910, the younger Nicholas was working as a crane operator.  At some point in time Nicholas and his brothers would move to Norfolk, Virginia to work in the shipyards there. When drafted, Nicholas was working as a painter for Arthur McCloud in South Norfolk.

After entering the Army, Nicholas was assigned to I Company 116th Infantry and trained with the unit at Camp McClellan, Alabama.  On 15 Jun 1918, he and the rest of the regiment embarked on the USS Finland at Hoboken, New Jersey for the trip to France.  After the regiment received training in early July the unit moved into the line. PVT Keller received a serious gun shot wound in action near the Verdun Sector on 15 Sep 1918 and developed pneumonia on 16 Dec 1918 and died as a result on 25 Dec 1918.

PVT Keller rests forever in the Oise-Aisne American Cemetery. 

Brother Theodore Roosevelt Keller served as a PVT in  E Company 31st Infantry serving in the American Expeditionary Force Siberia. PVT Theodore Keller is buried in the Hampton National Cemetery.

PVT Walter Tenas Wissink

PVT Walter Tenas Wissink was born 20 Aug 1895 in Cedar Grove, Wisconsin, the youngest of 3 sons born to Garret and Janna Fredericka (Sikkink) Wissink.  Both parents were descended from natives of Holland (aka The Netherlands) who had survived the sinking of the Phoenix in 1847. The family farmed. Walter attended and graduated from the Wisconsin Memorial Academy in Cedar Grove. He then attended Hope College for one year and then Sheboygan Business College. When Walter registered for the draft in 1917, he was working as a clerk for Kohler Company.

Walter was drafted on 29 Mar 1918 and first reported to Camp Custer. Before leaving there he would marry Anna Cornelia Dees on 1 May 1918.  His wife would visit him at Camp Custer before he was transferred to Camp Gordon, Georgia and then to Camp McClellan, Alabama where he was assigned to K Company 116th Infantry. He traveled to France with that unit, departing Hoboken, New Jersey on 15 Jun 1918 aboard the USS Finland and arrived in France on 28 Jun 1918.  According to newspaper reports of his death, he was assigned to the intelligence section working in the Alsace sector for 2 months and then to the Meuse-Argonne sector, just north of Verdun, for 21-days.  He was then sent to the Lisle eu Regault where he became ill with the measles on 11 Nov 1918.  He was evacuated to Field Hospital 116 and from there to Base Hospital 83 where he died of meningitis on 29 Dec 1918.

PVT Wissink was repatriated in 1921 and re-interred in the Cedar Grove Cemetery in Cedar Grove, Wisconsin.

Anna and Walter had no children.  Anna re-married in 1921 and had several children with her second husband.

PVT Conroy Gay

PVT Conroy Gay was born 3 Jul 1896 in Wendell, North Carolina. He was the 2nd of 3 sons born to Henry Herbert and Fannie Elizabeth (Ferrell) Gay. His father farmed but died in 1902. The boys were orphans when Fannie died in 1906. Conroy went by the name "Roy" most of his life. His older brother went to work for other farmers,  Roy was sent to live with a paternal uncle and their young brother was sent to an orphanage. Roy may have been "adopted" by his uncle John Gay who lived near Zebulon, North Carolina.

After entering the service, Roy was assigned to B Company 116th Infantry. He sailed for France with the unit aboard the USS Finland on 15 Jun 1918. It took the Finland only 13 days to cross the Atlantic from Hoboken, New Jersey to Saint Nazaire, France. After docking on 28 Jun 1918, the regiment received training in trench warfare and was then put into a "quiet" sector on the front lines. On 8 Oct 1918 a major offensive kicked off in the vicinity of Verdun of which the 116th was a part. The armistice was declared on 11 Nov 1918. Roy took ill, as did many others, and died of broncho pneumonia on 11 Dec 1918.

PVT Gay was repatriated and re-interred in the Gay Family Cemetery in Wendell, North Carolina.

Both brothers served in military.  Older brother William Ivan Gay served in the Army as a Wagoner for the period 1918-1919. Younger brother Henry Herbert Gay served in the Philippines as an Army PVT 1916-1921.

CPL Miles D. Sanger

CPL Miles D. Sanger was born in March 1900 in Frederick County, Virginia to John F. and Sarah Ann (Sine) Sanger.  His family farmed especially raising apples.  Miles was assigned to D Company 116th Infantry.  He died of wounds on 4 Dec 1918.

CPL Sanger was repatriated and is buried in Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia.

PVT Charles Elbert Liles

PVT Charles Elbert Liles was born 27 Aug 1893 in Linden, Texas.  He was the 9th of 12 children born to Charles Olden and Mary Ann (Surratt) Liles. The family farmed. Charles was working full-time at farming. In 1917 Charles had moved on to work for Littlejohn Drill Company.

After entering the service Charles was sent to Camp McClellan, Alabama and assigned to Machine Gun Company 116th Infantry. PVT Liles and his company boarded the USS Finland in Hoboken, New Jersey and sailed for France on 15 Jun 1918. They debarked at the port of Saint Nazaire, France on 28 Jun 1918. After trench warfare training and experience in a "quiet" sector on the front lines, the 116th together with its 29th Division were part of a major offensive in the vicinity of Verdun. The armistice was declared on 11 Nov 1918.  Sometime after that, PVT Liles became ill and he died of disease on 18 or 27 Nov 1918 (there are different dates on the various records).

PVT Liles was repatriated and re-interred in Center Grove Cemetery in Red Hill, Texas.

Great-grandfather, Francis Mason, served in the Revolutionary War.

PVT Daniel Burch Guion

PVT Daniel Burch Guion was born 20 Jan 1888 in Benton, Mississippi the 2nd of 4 children born to William Beylan and Ada (Bullock) Guion.  The family farmed but William died in 1900 or 1901.  Daniel's mother re-married and was again widowed.

When Daniel entered the Army he was assigned to F Company 116th Infantry.  He departed for France aboard the Finland on 15 Jun 1918 with his unit.  PVT Guion was wounded and as late as 26 Dec 1918 was being reported in hometown papers as "lightly wounded" but he died on 24 Nov 1918.

PVT Guion was returned to the U.S. in 1920 and re-interred in Hicks Cemetery in Yazoo County, Mississippi.

PVT Edgar Olcott Baile Clinton

PVT Edgar Olcott Baile Clinton was born 30 May 1891 in Jersey City, New Jersey the only child of Samuel William and Edgaretta (Olcott) Baile.  His parents had eloped and separated soon after his birth.  In 1898, his mother married Francis Wright Clinton.  We are unsure whether or not he was legally adopted but he used his step-father's surname for the rest of his life. Francis Clinton was a hat manufacturer and retailer.

After Edgar entered the Army he was assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company 116th Infantry and trained with it in the U.S. before departing for France in June 1918 aboard the USS Finland. Edgar participated in all the fighting until the armistice was declared and he took sick, possibly with the Spanish influenza, and died of lobar pneumonia on 22 Nov 1918. The New York abstract of his service shows him as assigned to K Company 116th Infantry which might have happened at some point in his service.

Edgar was repatriated and now rests peacefully in Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn, New York.

PVT Granville Hall

PVT Granville Hall was born 10 Sep 1895 in Green County, Kentucky to William Thomas and Louella Frances (Milby) Hall.  The family farmed.

Granville was assigned to D Company 116th Infantry and was killed in action 22 Nov 1918. How this was so we do not know it is more probable that he died of wound(s) received in October 1918.

PVT Hall is buried in Hall Cemetery in Greensburg, Kentucky.

PVT Leone Introini

PVT Leone Introini was born 5 Nov 1891 in Samarate, Italy.  His mother was Maddalena.  Leone had immigrated in 1904. When he registered for the draft on 5 Jun 1917, he was working as a moulder for Emerson Morris & Company of  Tuckahoe, New York.  He was living on Fisher Avenue in Tuckahoe at the time. We know that he had 2 sisters because he said he was their support on his draft registration.

Leone was inducted on 3 May 1918.  He was assigned to M Company 116th Infantry and boarded the USS Finland with them on 15 Jun 1918.  PVT Introini was probably wounded in October 1918 (between 8 and 26 October) and he died of his wound(s) on 10 Nov 1918.

His mother was living in Samarate when she was notified of his death. His body may have been returned to Samarate for burial.

PVT Thurman Lewis Evans

courtesy of Ernestine Massie Tabor

PVT Thurman Lewis Evans (aka Lewis T. Evans) was born 3 Sep 1897 in Massie's Mill, Virginia the 6th of 8 children of William Matthew and Hannah Frances (Grant) Evans.  The family farmed.

Lewis (as he was known in the Army) enlisted in A Company 2nd Virginia Volunteer Infantry on 4 Jul 1917 for the "emergency" being the Mexican border duty.  He was apparently moved to E Company.  When the 2nd Virginia was mobilized for the Great War, E Company was  re-organized with other companies as F Company 116th Infantry. PVT Evans shipped out for France aboard the Finland on 13 Jun 1918 along with the rest of the 116th Infantry.  PVT Evans is variously reported as having died of wounds or disease on 7 Nov 1918.

PVT Lewis was repatriated and now rests forever with family members in Jonesboro Cemetery in Jonesboro, Virginia.

Lewis' grandfather, Tarleton Jackson Evans, served 4-years in the Nelson Light Artillery during the Civil War.

CPL Shirley Pattie Pullin

CPL Shirley Pattie Pullin was born 6 Feb 1891 in Warrenton, VA to James Crawford and Louisa M (Cobb) Pullin.  Prior to the war Shirley worked as a grocery clerk in Alexandria, VA. Neither of his 2 brothers served in the military.  Assigned to A Company 116th Infantry, he died of wounds in France on 6 Nov 1918. He may also have been assigned to Machinegun Company 116th Infantry at one time. He now rests forever in Arlington National Cemetery.

PFC Cleveland Clanton

courtesy of Natalie Maynor

PFC Cleveland Clanton was born 20 Jun 1892 in Redding, Mississippi, the youngest of 8 children born to Theodore Robert and Sarah Alice (Gorrell) Clanton.  The family farmed in Grenada County, Mississippi. 

Ordered to report for the draft in February 1918, Cleveland went first to Camp Pike, Arkansas.  He was then sent to Camp McClellan, Alabama and assigned to K Company 116th Infantry.  In June 1918, Cleveland and his unit were sent to France aboard the USS Finland.  After training, K Company moved with the regiment into the trenches and sometime during the big push in October, PFC Clanton was wounded.  He died of his wound(s) on 5 Nov 1918. 

PFC Clanton was repatriated and re-interred in Chapel Hill Cemetery in Redding, Mississippi.

Paternal grandfather, James William Clanton, served in K Company 15 Mississippi Infantry. Maternal grandfather Ralph Washington Gorrell, served in K Company 13th North Carolina Infantry in the Civil War. Nephew, Guy E. Clanton, went missing in action and presumably died in the Philippines in 1942 while serving with 13th Bomber Squadron 3rd Bomber Group.

PVT Carl Craft

PVT Carl Craft was born 4 Mar 1895 in Raleigh, Mississippi to Aurora C. and Fannie A. (Headrick) Craft.  The family farmed and Carl was still farming when ordered to report for the draft and inducted 5 Mar 1918.

PVT Craft was assigned to E Company 116th Infantry when he was wounded and evacuated to hospital where he died of wounds on 5 Nov 1918.

PVT Craft was repatriated and is buried in Hebron Cemetery in Hebron, Mississippi.

PVT Bernard J. Lynch

PVT Bernard J. Lynch was born 30 Aug 1891 in New York, New York.  He was the 2nd of 7 children born to Charles Joseph and Mary A. (O'Neill) Lynch.  His parents were natives of Ireland his father having been born in Balbriggin. His father worked as a driver for a grocery.  By 1910, Bernard was working for an undertaker. In 1917, Bernard was working as a gateman for the Hudson Navigation Company.

Bernard was inducted on 2 May 1918. He was immediately sent to the 6th Recruit Company at Camp McClellan, Alabama.  On 22 May 1918 he was reassigned to Machine Gun Company 116th Infantry.  It was with that unit that he boarded the USS Finland at Hoboken, New Jersey and departed for France on 15 Jun 1918.  The ship arrived at the port of Saint Nazaire, France on 28 Jun 1918. The entire 29th Division went through trench warfare training and was then put into a "quiet" sector on the front lines to acclimatize. On 8 Oct 1918 the regiment pushed off as part of a major offensive in the vicinity of Verdun.  Sometime in this combat, PVT Lynch was wounded.  He died of his wound(s) on 5 Nov 1918. 

PVT Lynch rests forever in the Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery.

SGT Edward Walker Beal

courtesy of Barent Parslow

SGT Edward Walker Beal was born 16 Mar 1898 in Scottsville, Virginia. He was the first born of the 10 children born to Samuel Edward and Beatrice Van Allen (Henwood) Beal.  His father worked as a carpenter and the family farmed.

Edward was assigned to B Company 116th Infantry when he died of disease on 4 Nov 1918.

SGT Beal is buried in the Saint Mihiel Cemetery and there is a cenotaph for him in the Beal Cemetery in Antioch, Virginia.

Grandfather, Samuel Herald Beal, served in D Company 1st Virginia Infantry Battalion (CSA) during the Civil War. Brothers, Kenneth Woodson Beal and Frederick Herald Beal served during the 2nd World War. 

PVT Angelo LaRusso

PVT Angelo LaRusso was born about 1872 in Bisacuiguino, Italy. He was a son of James and Theresa (Tortorice) LaRusso.  Angelo immigrated with his family in 1898 and the family lived in Jefferson County, Alabama where his father supported the family as a truck farmer growing vegetables for local sale. Angelo worked as a coal miner, his last residence being in Bessemer, Alabama.

After being drafted on 10 Apr 1918, Angelo was assigned to D Company 116th Infantry and he would train with the unit and embark with them aboard the USS Finland on 15 Jun 1918 when the unit was sent to France.

PVT LaRusso was wounded during the fighting in late October 1918 and died of his wound(s) on 3 Nov 1918.

PVT LaRusso was repatriated and re-interred in the Cedar Hill Cemetery in Bessemer, Alabama.

PVT Walter Ernest Ladd

courtesy of SoilSister

PVT Walter Ernest Ladd was born 13 May 1895 in Little Rock, Arkansas the only child of Elmer Pierpoint and Josephine L. (Phillips) Ladd.  His father was involved in the lumber business. The parents divorced before 1910 and his father remarried.  In 1917, Walter was working in the logging business in Furth, Arkansas probably with his father.

After entering the army, Walter was assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company 116th Infantry. Walter died of bronchial pneumonia on 2 Nov 1918.

PVT Ladd was buried in the Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery.

PFC Harvey L Thaxton

PFC Harvey L Thaxton was born 10 Mar 1898 to William Thompson and Mary E (Long) Thaxton of Halifax County, Virginia. One of 4 children, Harvey's brother also served during WWI (enlisted in 1916) but survived the war. Harvey was apparently wounded on 23 October 1918 and some of the family think this is when he died but he died of wounds on 1 Nov. In 1917 Harvey was a mill hand in one of Danville's many mills. He never married. His rank is open to discussion, the Adjutant General of Virginia officially recording him as a PFC but in other documents and on his headstone he is recorded as a PVT. A member of B Company 116th Infantry he was wounded in the heavy fighting the Regiment experienced in October as were so many others in the regiment. He now rests forever in Warren Family Cemetery in South Boston, VA.

PFC Erwin L. Sampson

courtesy of Anne Cady

PFC Erwin L. Sampson and his wife, Edna H. Sampson lived in the area of Big Stone Gap, Virginia.

After entering the Army, Erwin was assigned to F Company 116th Infantry.  He was transported with his unit aboard the Finland to France, departing from Hoboken, New Jersey on 15 Jun 1918.  PFC Sampson died of disease on 1 Nov 1918.

PFC Sampson was repatriated in 1920, his body being returned with many others aboard the Pocohontas.  He now rests forever in Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia.

PVT John Clark Freeland

courtesy of Linda Keil Smith

PVT John Clark Freeland was born 6 Mar 1893 in Woodhull, New York the 5th of 6 children born to Garrett Henry and Rebecca Fidelia (Munn) Freeland. The family farmed. At some point John moved to the area of Fredericksburg, Virginia where he lived at 521 Main Street and worked as a "laborer" at Hunters Laundry.

John enlisted in K Company 2nd Virginia Infantry on 28 Mar 1917.  he participated in the Mexican Border service and was re-called for service in France.  He trained with the unit at Camp McClellan, Alabama and was one of the men assigned to K Company 116th Infantry when the Virginia units were reorganized into the 116th Infantry Regiment. It is unclear when, but John moved to Roanoke and on 6 May 1918 married Mary Belt Oakes. He was probably on leave when he and Mary were married.  John traveled with the unit aboard the USS Finland to France in June 1918. PVT Freeland was wounded and died of his wound(s) on 30 Oct 1918.

PVT Freeland was repatriated and is buried in Fair View Cemetery in Roanoke, Virginia.

Mary never re-married. The couple had no children.  

PVT Oral Dean Allison

PVT Oral Dean Allison was born 9 Oct 1892 in New Hope, Alabama to Henry R. and Mary A. (Hyatt) Allison.

Oral was working in textiles when he was drafted in March 1918.  He was died of wounds on 30 Oct 1918.

PVT Allison is buried in Maple Hill Cemetery in Huntsville, Alabama.

Bugler PVT Paul Parson

courtesy of Richard Finch

Bugler PVT Paul Parson was the son of Blanche Richards of Portsmouth, Virginia.

Paul was assigned to Machine Gun Company 116th Infantry and traveled to France with that unit aboard the USS Finland. The ship departed Hoboken, New Jersey on 15 Jun 1918 and arrived at the port of Saint Nazaire, France. The entire regiment went through training in trench warfare before being put in the line. On 8 Oct 1918 the Allies began a major offensive of which the regiment was a part. Sometime in this offensive PVT Parson was wounded.  He died of his wound(s) on 30 Oct 1918.

PVT Parson was repatriated and re-interred in Edgemont Cemetery in Anniston, Alabama. It is unclear as to whether his name is actually "Parson" or "Parsons".

PVT Stanislav P. Beno

courtesy of Frank Germanson

PVT Stanislav P. Beno was born 20 May 1895 in Tuchina, Slovakia.  Stanislav like immigrated sometime around 1910-1912 and settled in Milwaukee, Wisconsin with his brother Michael Paul Beno.  It is unclear as to whether or not their parents also immigrated. Stanislav worked as a common laborer and brewer.

Stanislav was likely drafted in May 1918 and assigned to Headquarters Company 116th Infantry and trained with the unit before it departed for France.  After sailing to France aboard the USS Finland in June 1918 PVT Beno was wounded and later died of his wound(s) on 28 Oct 1918.

PVT Beno was repatriated in July 1921 coming home aboard the USAT Wheaton.  He was re-interred in Holy Cross Cemetery in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

PFC Percy Jenkins Dove

PFC Percy Jenkins Dove was born 29 Sep 1899 in Accotink, Virginia, the youngest of 3 children of George W. and Rosetta (Grimsley) Dove.  His father worked as a day laborer and as a fisherman.  In 1910, his oldest sister was working as an assistant engineer at the Bureau of Engraving.  Percy married Ruth Mildred Terry on 29 Jul 1917 and a daughter would be born to the couple in April 1918.

After entering the army, Percy was assigned to L Company 116th Infantry. He left Hoboken, New Jersey with the unit aboard the USS Finland on 15 Jun 1918.  Arriving in France on 28 Jun 1918, the regiment participated in yet more training before moving into the line in September 1918.  PFC Dove was killed in action on 27 Oct 1918.

PFC Dove was repatriated in September 1921 and re-interred in Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia.

PVT Arley Oakley

courtesy of Edward Toy

PVT Arley Oakley was born in 1885, likely in Niagara County, New York the first of 6 children of George A. and Jennie Elizabeth (Schad) Oakley.  His father worked in a sulphite mill.  On 6 Jul 1907, Arley enlisted in the U.S. Army and served in D Battery 6th Field Artillery. After leaving the service, Arley returned to Lockport, New York where he lived with his parents and worked with his father at the pulp mill.

After returning to the Army in 1917, Arley was assigned to L Company 116th Infantry and trained with the regiment at Camp McClellan, Alabama.  On 15 Jun 1918, Arley and the 116th departed Hoboken, New Jersey aboard the USS Finland headed for France where they arrived on 28 Jun 1918. After going through more training in preparation for trench warfare.  On 8 Oct 1918, the regiment was part of a big "push" in which PVT Oakley was wounded.  He died of his wound(s) on 27 Oct 1918.

PVT Oakley was repatriated and re-interred in Prospect Lawn Cemetery in Hamburg, New York.

PFC F. B. McMeans

PFC F. B. McMeans was born about 1894 in Cherokee County, Texas one of several children of Joseph Wesley and Ruth (Cornelison) McMeans. His father farmed and ran a saw mill.  His mother died in 1898 and his father remarried shortly thereafter.  F. B. had several half-siblings from his father's second marriage.

When F. B. went into the service he was assigned to D Company 116th Infantry.  PFC McMeans was killed in action on 27 Oct 1918.  We believe his body was returned to the U.S. but do not know where he is buried.

His brother, PVT Albert M. McMeans died as a result of the influenza epidemic while stationed at Fort Dix, New Jersey. Brother, Fred Taylor McMeans served in the army 1918-1919.

PVT Robert Bevill

PVT Robert "Bob" Bevill was born 7 Dec 1891 in Madison County, Alabama.  He was the son of John G. and Para Zada (Mooneyham) Bevill. Drafted in May 1918 he was soon overseas serving in C Company 116th Infantry with another boy from Madison County, Alabama, PVT Oral Dean Allison who died 30 Oct 1918. PVT Bevill was killed in action on 27 Oct 1918 and is buried in Bevill Cemetery in Skinem, Alabama.

PVT Harley Layton Derrough

PVT Harley Layton Derrough was born 4 Jun 1896 in Hamersville, Ohio the 1st of 6 children born to John Theodore and Lenora Yondaloe "Lou" (Dean) Derrough. The family farmed.

After entering the Army on 6 Apr 1918, Harley was assigned first to 6th Company of the Training Battalion of the 58th Dep Brigade.  On 3 May 1918 he was transferred to Headquarters and Headquarters Company 331st Infantry. He was then assigned to 3rd Army Corps and the Provisional Replacement Battalion of 7 AC. On 16 Sep 1918 PVT Derrough was transferred to Headquarters and Headquarters Company 116th Infantry.  PVT Derrough was killed in action on 27 Oct 1918.

PVT Derrough was repatriated in 1921 and re-interred in Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia.

PVT Joseph Walter Mills

courtesy of Ashley Odle

PVT Joseph Walter Mills was born 14 Jan 1895 in Toms Creek, Virginia.  He was the 3rd of 7 children born to Thomas C. and Emma Frances (Murray) Mills. His father worked as an engineman and as a foreman for a coal dealer.

After entering the army, Joseph was assigned to K Company 116th Infantry.  He was transported to France with the unit aboard the USS Finland which left Hoboken, New Jersey in mid-June 1918.  PVT Mills was wounded and died of his wound(s) on 26 Oct 1918. 

PVT Mills was repatriated and is buried in Bondtown Cemetery in Wise County, Virginia.

2LT James McCoy Malcomb

courtesy of Marijke Taffein

2LT James McCoy Malcomb was born in January 1895 in Castlebury, Alabama the 2nd of 5 children born to Marion A. and Kennie Elizabeth (Fincher) Malcomb. His father was a merchant and traveling salesman who had been born in Pocahontas County, West Virginia. James was working as a manager for Standard Oil in 1916.

James enlisted in the Alabama National Guard's D Company 2nd Alabama Infantry.  He was then transferred to the Machine Gun Company where he was promoted to CPL.  After the unit was mobilized he was transferred to the 4th Alabama Infantry on 15 Aug 1917. CPL Malcomb was assigned to Machine Gun Company 167th Infantry when that unit boarded the SS Lapland for France on 3 Nov 1917.  It was in France that CPL Malcomb was commissioned as 2LT and reassigned to M Company 116th Infantry.  Wounded sometime after 8 Oct 1918, 2LT Malcomb succumbed to his wound(s) on 26 Oct 1918.

2LT Malcomb is buried in the Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery.

Maternal grandfather, James Thomas Fincher, served in the 1st Confederate Cavalry (Simpson's Mounted Rangers) during the Civil War.

PVT Ralph Carelli

PVT Ralph Carelli was born 17 Jan 1892 most likely in Catanzoro, Italy.  We believe he immigrated in 1914.  In 1916 he worked for Goodyear Tire in Akron and by 1918 married to Elizabeth and lived at 74 Furnael Street in Akron, Ohio.  Ralph and Elizabeth had one child.

His record of military assignments is as follows:  37th Company 10th Training Battalion 158th Dep Brigade 4-4-1918 to 4-26-1918; A Company 331st Infantry to 7-2-1918; A Company 332nd Infantry to 7-6-1918; HQ 332nd Infantry to 7-20-1918; Provisional Replacement Battalion to 9-16-1918; HQ Company 116th Infantry to 10-26-1918. He shipped out to France from Montreal, Canada on 5 Jun 1918 aboard the Nanking.

PVT Carelli died on 26 Oct 1918 in France.  He is buried in the Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery. 

PFC Lonnie Andrew Barland

PFC Lonnie Andrew Barland of A Company 116th Infantry was born 19 Jul 1892 in Port Gibson, Mississippi to John McIntyre and Mattie Elizabeth (Russell) Barland. His father was a farmer (a common thing in 1900). By 1910 Lonnie was a driver for the U.S. Postal Service in Jefferson County, Mississippi. He had 4 brothers and 4 sisters all but 2 of whom survived him. His brother, John Lee, served during the war in E Battery 62nd Artillery.

PFC Barland died of wounds on 25 Oct 1918. He is now buried in Wintergreen Cemetery in Port Gibson with other family members.

PVT Elbert J. Honaker

courtesy of Andrew Okes

PVT Elbert J. Honaker was born in November 1896 in Russell County, Virginia to Jabess A. and Mollie Virginia (Cumbow) Honaker.  His father died in 1909. The family farmed. His mother did re-marry.  Elbert began working as a miner.

Elbert enlisted in A Company 2nd Virginia Volunteer Infantry on 12 Jun 1917 in Roanoke, Virginia.  After re-organizing of the Virginia National Guard for Federal service, PVT Honaker was assigned to G Company 116th Infantry.  He shipped out for France aboard the USS Finland on 15 Jun 1918.  PVT Honaker was wounded and died of those wounds on 25 Oct 1918.

PVT Honaker was repatriated and is buried in Tate Cemetery just outside Abingdon, Washington County, Virginia.  (36°44'12.7"N 82°03'29.6"W) off of Rich Valley Road. We are very thankful to Mr. Okes' son who restored this cemetery.

CPL Charles Luther Scott

CPL Charles Luther Scott was born 5 Aug 1895 in Isle of Wight County, Virginia (most likely in Windsor) one of twelve children of James Urquhart and Susan (Corbitt) Scott. The family farmed.

After entering the Army, Charles was assigned to E Company 116th Infantry.  He was with the unit when it was deployed to France aboard the ship Finland on 15 Jun 1918.  His parents may have died before this because his youngest sister, Susan Jemima Scott, was listed as his next of kin on the manifest. Shown as a PFC in the after action report by LTC Hierome Opie, there are repeated notes that he had been promoted to CPL.  CPL Scott died of wounds received earlier on 25 Oct 1918.

CPL Scott was repatriated and re-interred in the Beaver Dam Baptist Church Cemetery in Carrsville, Virginia.

CPL Edwin Forest Wrenn

CPL Edwin Forest Wrenn was born on 3 May 1891 in Sussex County, Virginia to George Ogden and Nannie Jackson (Lilly) Wrenn.  The family farmed.

After entering the Army, Edwin was assigned to E Company 116th Infantry.  He shipped out for France with that unit aboard the Finland on 13 Jun 1918.  CPL Wrenn was killed in action in the battle for Molleville Farm on 25 Oct 1918.

CPL Wrenn rests forever in the Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery. 

CPL Clarence Jones

CPL Clarence Jones enlisted from Virginia and was assigned to E Company 116th Infantry and was killed in action serving with that unit.  He was buried at the Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery.

PVT Rainey Malcolm Mashburn

PVT Rainey Malcolm Mashburn was born 27 Feb 1890 in Plum Bayou, Arkansas the oldest of twelve children of Jesse Wade and Sallie Naomi (McMullen) Mashburn.

Rainey was likely drafted and then assigned to E Company 116th Infantry.  He shipped out for France aboard the Finland departing from Hoboken, New Jersey on 15 Jun 1918.  The after action report edited by MAJ Hierome Opie indicates that PVT Mashburn was killed in action on 8 Oct 1918 but other sources give 25 Oct 1918 as his date of death.

PVT Mashburn is buried in Moore Hill Cemetery in Yell County, Arkansas.

PVT Harvey Floyd Tatum

PVT Harvey Floyd Tatum was born 2 Feb 1896 in Disputanta, Virginia. He was the youngest of the eight children born to Allen T. and Mary Ann Elizabeth  Assigned to E Company 116th Infantry, Harvey was shipped to France aboard the Finland departing from Hoboken.  Ennie N. Tatum is listed as his next of kin and his rank is recorded as CPL. PVT Tatum was killed in action on 25 Oct 1918.

PVT Tatum was buried in the Meuse-Argonne Cemetery.

PVT Bernard Radford

PFC Bernard Radford was born February 1898 in Castalia, North Carolina to William Sylvester and Caroline Francis (Harris) Radford.  The family farmed and Bernard did the same.  In August 1917 he married Katie Pierce.

When Bernard entered the service he was assigned to E Company 116th Infantry.  He was killed in action on 25 Oct 1918.  He is buried in the Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery.

His wife, Kate or Katie, did not remarry until 1943. 

SGT Lee Bernard Magner

courtesy of Anne Cady

SGT Lee Bernard Magner was born in September 1898 in Alexandria, Virginia to John J. and Ella Virginia (Lee) Magner. His father was a locomotive engineer.

Bernard (as his family called him) was a SGT in G Company 1st Virginia Volunteer Infantry in July 1917. When the unit was mobilized for combat in France part of G Company went to E Company 116th Infantry and that included SGT Magner.  SGT Magner was with E Company when he was killed in action on 25 Oct 1918.

SGT Magner rests forever in Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia. His mother and brother John Lawrence Magner, are also buried in Arlington.

He served with his brother, John Lawrence Magner, in G Company 1st Virginia Volunteer Infantry.

Washington Post, 5 Mar 1919

PVT Howard Harrison Higham Jr.

PVT Howard Harrison Higham Jr. was born 8 Aug 1895 in Bridesburg, Pennsylvania the first child of nine children born to Howard Harrison and Delia (Bishop) Higham.  His father was a sawyer.  The family relocated to Gloucester County, New Jersey before 1917 when they were living in Woodbury, New Jersey.

Howard was assigned to E Company 116th Infantry.  PVT Higham was killed in action 25 Oct 1918.  His body was returned to the U.S. and buried with his parents in Eglington Cemetery in Clarksboro, New Jersey.

PVT John Edward Heaney

PVT John Edward Heaney was born 27 Aug 1891 in Brooklyn, New York.  He had at least one sister, Anna, and lived at 180 Williams Avenue in Brooklyn.  His sister lived just 3 blocks away at 177 Sheffield Avenue. John worked as a marble polisher at the Eastern New York Marble Company supporting himself and his mother.  He was inducted on 3 May 1918 and assigned to E Company 116th Infantry on 20 May 1918 at Camp McClellan, Alabama. He was then transported to France with his unit aboard the USS Finland leaving Hoboken, New Jersey on 15 Jun 1918.  PVT Heaney was killed in action on 25 Oct 1918. 

PVT Frank Cramado

PVT Frank Cramado was born about July 1894 in Rome, Italy.  After immigration his family lived in Beacon, New York where they apparently settled into a home at 33 Church Street.  That is where Frank was inducted in May 1918.  He was first sent to Fort Slocum, New York and then assigned to E Company 116th Infantry.  He arrived in France in June 1918 with the regiment and was then assigned to Headquarters 116th Infantry where he served as a Musician 3rd Class.  On 2 Sep 1918 he was re-assigned to E Company 116th Infantry.  PVT Cramado was killed in action on 25 Oct 1918. 

PVT Edward J. Dunavan

PVT Edward J. Dunavan was born 4 Aug 1891 in Decatur County, Tennessee to John Archie and Sarah Matilda (Read) Dunavan.  The family farmed.

Edward was assigned to E Company 116th Infantry and was killed in action on 25 Oct 1918.  His body was returned to the U.S. and he was re-interred in the Little Prairie Cemetery in Caruthersville, Missouri.

His brother, Roy B. Dunavan, served as a PFC in C Company 324th Infantry, 81st Division.

PVT Crockett Isaac Wright

courtesy of Larry Eanes

PVT Crockett Isaac Wright was born 18 Jul 1896 in Rocky Mount, Virginia the 5th of 14 children of Joel Thomas and Martha Ann (Stanley) Wright.  The family farmed.

When Crockett 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 Crockett Wright was killed in action in the vicinity of Molleville Farm on 25 Oct 1918.

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

Crockett's brother also served in F Company 116th Infantry.  PVT Richard Dow Wright died of wounds on 11 Oct 1918 and his buried next to Crockett. Brother, Sankey M. Wright, was killed in Germany while serving as a Private, 117th Infantry, 30th Infantry Division, in World War II.

SGT Dennis Simmons Twiford

SGT Dennis Simmons Twiford was born 19 May 1892 in East Lake, North Carolina the 8th of 11 children born to Manliff Dickerson and Zenovia Adeline (Basnight) Twiford.  The family farmed but two of the older brothers were watermen.  In 1915, Dennis' mother Adeline died. In 1918 Dennis was farming.

After entering the Army, Dennis was assigned to E Company 116th Infantry.  He rose through the ranks to become a CPL and then a SGT.  According to published reports, SGT Twiford was wounded by 3 machinegun bullets striking him in the chest on 18 Oct 1918.  He died of those wounds on 25 Oct 1918.

SGT Twiford was repatriated in 1936 and re-interred in East Lake Baptist Church Cemetery in East Lake, North Carolina. 

PVT Jacob L. Turetzky

PVT Jacob L. Turetzky was born in Minsk, Russia about 1887.  He lived in Brooklyn, New York.  We know that his reported next of kin was his uncle (likely his mother's brother) Max Fried who lived at 528 (or 328) Bushwick Avenue in Brooklyn.  Jacob may have been a tailor.

After entering the army, Jacob was assigned to E Company 116th Infantry and shipped out with that unit aboard the Finland on 13 Jun 1918.  PVT Turetzky (sometimes found spelled as 'Turetsky') was killed in action on 25 Oct 1918.

PVT Turetzky is not buried overseas so we believe he was repatriated and re-interred in Mount Hebron Cemetery in Flushing, New York. 

PVT Michael Walsh

PVT Michael Walsh was born 2 Oct 1888 in Claremorris, County Mayo, Ireland.  His parents were Patrick and Bridget (Fitzpatrick) Walsh and he was the 3rd of their 8 children. While Michael emigrated, his mother remained in Ireland, living on Aiden Street in Kiltimagh, Ireland at least through June 1918. A recent ABC News article provided this information:

"At the age of 22, Michael Walsh emigrated from rural Ireland, arriving at Ellis Island on September 3, 1911.  He moved with other Irish immigrants to a four-story tenement that faced the Second Avenue El train in midtown and found work in the newly rebuilt Grand Central Terminal as a platform man for the American Express freight agency. He earned union rates and sent money to his parents back home in Mayo."

Michael was living at 697 2nd Avenue in Manhattan when he was inducted on 4 May 1918.  He was assigned first to the 25th Recruit Company of General Service Infantry. On 7 May 1918 he was reassigned to the 4th Recruit Company 58th Infantry.  Michael was next transferred to K Company 116th Infantry on 20 May 1918.  He shipped out for France with that unit aboard the USS Finland in June 1918. After participating in the required initial training in France with the regiment, he was killed in action on 24 Oct 1918.

PVT Walsh rests forever in the Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery.

Note: PVT Walsh's family only recently received his Purple Heart.

PVT James A. Haynes

PVT James A. Haynes was born 15 Nov 1898 in Hanover County, Virginia. He was a member of C Company 116th Infantry when the unit was training at Camp McClellan.  PVT Haynes was killed in action on 24 Oct 1918.  He is buried in Woodland Cemetery in Ashland, Virginia.

PVT Walter E. Hundley

PVT Walter E. Hundley was born in Danville, Virginia on 23 Sep 1900 to James Israel and Lucinda M (Hopkins) Hundley.  James was a teamster and several of of Walters older brothers and sisters worked in the mills.

Walter went to war assigned to C Company 116th Infantry and was killed in action on 24 Oct 1918.  He is buried in Green Hill Cemetery in Danville, Virginia.

PVT John Bottaro

PVT John (or Giovanni) Bottaro was born 9 Mar 1895 in Vogogna, Italy a son of Pietro Bottaro.  John came to the U.S. in 1910 aboard the SS La Touraine. After coming to the U.S. he apparently lived with his Uncle John after whom he had been named.  Like his uncle, John worked as a stone cutter in Barre, Vermont.  In 1917 he declared his intention to become a U.S. citizen. 

He was working as a stone cutter in Barre when he was inducted (drafted) in May 1918.  He was then assigned to G Company 116th Infantry and transported with that unit to France aboard the USS Finland. PVT Bottaro was wounded in the Molleville Farm action and died of his wound(s) on 24 Oct 1918.

According to a Vermont state report, PVT Bottaro was buried in Italy. 

PFC Earl D. Airhart

PFC Earl D. Airhart was born 3 Jan 1895 in Buffalo, Virginia to David Lockridge and Mary Agnes (Lackey) Airhart. The family farmed.

After entering the service, Earl was assigned to I Company 116th Infantry.  He was with the unit when it sailed for France aboard the USS Finland in June 1918.  PFC Airhart was killed in action on 24 Oct 1918.

PFC Airhart was repatriated and now rests in the New Monmouth Presbyterian Cemetery in Lexington, Virginia.  Earl's older brother Graham Lackey Airhart served in the American Expeditionary Force in the 215th Company 106th Battalion Military Police Corps.  His paternal grandfather, Abraham Airhart, served as a CPT commanding D Company 52nd Virginia Regiment and killed in action at Spotsylvania Courthouse on 12 May 1864. 

PVT Albert Dennis Chafin

PVT Albert Dennis Chafin was born in April 1898 in Castlewood, Virginia the eldest of 11 children of Meredith Thomas and Jerusha Elizabeth (Fields) Chafin.  The family farmed.

Dennis (as he was known in the Army, he apparently never went by Albert or used that name in the service), enlisted in H Company 2nd Virginia Volunteer Infantry on 12 Jun 1917.  When the unit was mobilized for service in France and units were consolidated into new units, Dennis was assigned to G Company 116th Infantry.  He was with that unit when it left Hoboken, New Jersey on 15 Jun 1918 on the USS Finland destined for France.  PVT Chafin was killed in action on 24 Oct 1918.

PVT Chafin was repatriated and re-interred in Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia.

PVT Hugh Moor Corum

PVT Hugh Moor Corum was born 29 May 1894 in The Plains, Virginia the 4th of 7 children born to Albert Franklin and Laura F (Jeffries) Corum.  His father was a carpenter.

Assigned to D Company 116th Infantry as a CPL when the shipped out aboard the Finland on 13 Jun 1918, PVT Corum was killed in action at Molleville Farm on 24 Oct 1918.  PVT Corum was repatriated but we do not know where he was buried.

PVT Ernest Ward

courtesy of SoilSister

PVT Ernest Ward was born in 1900 in Lynchburg, Virginia.  His adoptive mother was Ida Cornelia McCormack Woody but he may have simply been left with the Woody family.  While his adoptive parents did various things to support their family from working on the railroad to dealing in illicit alcohol, we know that Ernest was working for the Virginia Railway and Power Company.

Ernest had enlisted in B Company 1st Virginia Infantry in 1915 or 1916. He was apparently serving with that unit when it was called up for the coal strikes, Mexican border service and, in 1918, for the war in France. When his unit was reorganized for the European war, PVT Ward was assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company 116th Infantry.  He was with that unit when he was killed in action on 24 Oct 1918.

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

PVT Percy Lee Dowell

PVT Percy Lee Dowell was born 12 Mar 1895 in Barboursville, Virginia to Reuben Paschal and Martha Ann (Wilkerson) Dowell.  His father worked for the railroad.

After entering the service, Percy was assigned to E Company 116th Infantry.  PVT Dowell died of wounds on 24 Oct 1918.

PVT Dowell is buried in the Reuben P. Dowell Family Cemetery in Gilbert, Virginia. 

Percy was 1st cousin 1x removed of a later commander, MG Gilbert Jackson Sullivan.  Their common grandfather, Ezekial Dowell, served as a PVT in E Company 19th Virginia Infantry (CSA) in the Civil War.

CPL Norman James Traylor

courtesy of Darrell Landrum

CPL Norman James Traylor was born in January 1896 in Campbell County, Virginia. He was the 2nd of 6 children born to John William (or Winston) and Ella Lee (Crist) Traylor.

After entering the Army, Norman was assigned to L Company 116th Infantry.  He sailed with that unit for France aboard the USS Finland leaving Hoboken, New Jersey on 15 Jun 1918.  Before departing, Norman married Mary Etna Webb of Campbell County. The ship docked 28 Jun 1918 and the unit was moved to training for trench warfare.  After that the 29th Division including the 116th Infantry was posted in a "quiet" sector.  Then the unit was thrown into an attack and CPL Traylor was killed in action on 24 Oct 1918.

CPL Traylor was repatriated and now rests forever in Spring Hill Cemetery in Lynchburg, Virginia.

Norman and Mary had no children. Mary re-married after the war and died in 1982. Grandfather, John Winston Traylor, served as a CPL in Shoemaker's Battery during the Civil War. Younger brother, Walton Lee Traylor, served in the US Army, 1942-1945.

PVT Arthur Seeger

PVT Arthur Seeger was born in Greenleaf, Michigan on 30 Jan 1888 to Andrew and Mary Ann Seeger.  Andrew supported his family of 11 by farming.

Arthur was likely drafted and was assigned to C Company 116th Infantry.  He died of pneumonia on 24 Oct 1918.

GREENLEAF TWP. YOUNG MAN DIED IN FRANCE 

Arthur Seeger, Son of Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Seeger, Victim of Pneumonia Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Seeger received word Wednesday evening of the death of their son, Arthur Seeger, in France. The young man had been wounded in action and later developed pneumonia which caused his death on Oct. 24 [1918]. 

He was born in Greenleaf Township on Jan. 21, 1886, and spent his entire life there until he entered the service on March 30. He sailed for France in July. The last letter received from him was dated Sept. 4. He had then been 16 days in the trenches and had had several close calls but was unharmed.

 (Cass City Chronicle, Nov. 22, 1918, p. 1.)

PVT Seeger is buried in Elkland Township Cemetery in Cass City, Michigan.