PFC Carl Lee Reedy

PFC Carl Lee Reedy was born 30 Aug 1898 in Shenandoah County, Virginia to William Harrison and Anna Mae (Hyde) Reedy.  His father worked as a hired hand and later the family farmed.

Carl was assigned to D Company 116th Infantry.  Carl died of broncho pneumonia on 30 Mar 1919. PFC Reedy is buried in Rosedale Cemetery in Martinsburg, West Virginia.

CPL Charles Lee Taylor

Abt 1917. Leroy Collier, Charles Taylor, and Clyde

CPL Charles Lee Taylor was born 2 Jun 1897 in Mecklenburg County, Virginia to Robert Samuel and Eva Watkins (Evans) Taylor.  The family farmed.

After entering the Army, Charles was assigned to F Company 116th Infantry.  He boarded the USS Finland on 15 Jun 1918 with his unit and shipped out for France.  CPL Taylor survived all the fighting and was reassigned to the 94th Casual Company. He died of empyema and exhaustion on 24 Mar 1919.

CPL Taylor was repatriated and is now buried with family in the Salem United Methodist Church Cemetery in Mecklenburg County, Virginia.

PFC James (Vincenzo) Parisi

PFC James (Vincenzo) Parisi was born 22 May 1894 in Palomonte, Italy to Pietro and Maria Parisi.  The family followed his father and immigrated in 1906 settling in Jersey City, New Jersey.

James was inducted 7 Aug 1918.  He sailed for France from Newport News, Virginia aboard the Pastores on 23 Sep 1918.  At that time he was assigned to I Company 4th Pioneer Infantry.  On 28 Oct 1918 he was transferred to 29th Division. He was transferred to K Company 116th Infantry on 10 Nov 1918, the day before the Armistice! It is unknown if PFC Parisi ever saw combat but he would soon face another enemy and lose that fight to meningitis on 16 Mar 1919.

PFC Parisi was repatriated in May 1921.  He now rests in Holy Name Cemetery in Jersey City, New Jersey. 

PVT Lee Roy Taylor

PVT Lee Roy Taylor was born 29 Jan 1888 in Eliasville, Texas the youngest of 9 children born to Benjamin Franklin and Mary Jane (Madole) Taylor.

Lee's mention of a "rupture" on his draft card did not prevent his induction and he was assigned to I Company 116th Infantry.  He trained with M Company 133rd Infantry and was transported to France with that unit aboard the Achimedes.  At some point in time Lee was re-assigned to I Company 116th Infantry.  He finished the war and served until he became ill in March 1919.  PVT Taylor died of meningitis on 16 (or 15) Mar 1919. 

The following is a letter to the family of PVT Taylor's death:

Dear Sir:

You have probably received the War Department's cable notifying you of the sad death of your brother, Lee R. Taylor, who was a member of I Company, 116th Infantry. He was taken sick at Parnot, Haute Marne, and carried to the hospital at Bourbonne, near here, on March 10th. He received the best of attention from skilled doctors and nurses but in spite of all they could do, he passed away on the evening of the 15th. The diagnosis was meningitis.

We feel the loss very keenly, and sympathize with you in your sorrow. Lee's comrades say that he was a "fine fellow," and I know that you will be proud to know that his service record is marked "Excellent Character," the highest grade. His close friend was Robert Tibliletti, from Victoria, TX. He is a member of I Company, and will probably write to you.

I had the sad duty of burying your brother yesterday. A squad from his company formed an escort of honor, and marched to the American cemetery at Bourbonne with his body. The funeral was a simple and impressive ceremony. After the few words of scripture and a prayer, three volleys were fired over the grave, which was covered with "Old Glory," and a bugler sounded "Taps." Private Taylor made the supreme sacrifice for his country, and you must always be proud, as we are, of his fine and soldierly spirit.

Sincerely,

s/William J. Alfriend, Chaplain 116th Inf., A.P.O. 765, A.E.F.

PVT Taylor was repatriated in 1921 and re-interred in San Antonio National Cemetery in San Antonio, Texas.