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.

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. 

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.

PFC Robert E. McLemore

PFC Robert E. McLemore was born in December 1890 in Petersburg, Virginia to Allison Steele and Emma Francis (Sandford) McLemore. His father worked as a box maker for a tobacco company. In 1910, Robert was working as a shoemaker.

After entering the Army, Robert was assigned to G Company 116th Infantry.  He was assigned to that unit when it boarded the USS Finland and departed Hoboken, New Jersey for France on 15 Jun 1918. PFC McLemore was killed in action on 23 Oct 1918. His body was apparently not recoverable.

PFC McLemore is listed on the tablets of the missing in the Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery.

Brother William Arrington McLemore may have served with F Troop 12th Cavalry in the Phillipines in 1907. Brother Charles Edward McLemore served as a PVT in G Company 163rd Infantry during the war. 

PVT George W. Bishop Jr

PVT George W. Bishop Jr. was born 7 Apr 1893 in Estill County, Kentucky to George W. and Elizabeth Ann (Hubbard) Bishop.  The family farmed.  George married Golda Gentry and they would have a daughter born in May 1917 who would die in June 1917.  Golda died in December 1917 of tuberculosis (which disease also took 3 of her sisters).

When George entered the Army he was assigned to G Company 116th Infantry.  It was with that unit that he shipped out to France aboard the USS Finland on 15 Jun 1918. PVT Bishop was killed in action on 23 Oct 1918.

He was repatriated and is buried in King Cemetery in Estill County, Kentucky. 

PFC Robert Anderson Smith

PFC Robert Anderson Smith was born 5 Jan 1896 in Halifax County, Virginia the eldest of 3 children of James Henry and Josephine Rose (Strange) Smith. His father farmed but died in 1903. His mother remarried but was soon widowed again.  In 1910, at age 14, Robert helped support the family by working as a messenger.

After entering the Army, Robert was assigned to G Company 116th Infantry. On 15 Jun 1918, he and his unit left Hoboken, New Jersey aboard the USS Finland bound for France.  PFC Smith was killed in action on 23 Oct 1918.

PFC Smith was buried in the Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery.  In 1930, his mother made the pilgrimage to France to visit his grave. 

Paternal grandfather, Anderson R. Smith, served as a PVT in F Company 34th Virginia Infantry in the Civil War. Maternal grandfather, Robert James Strange, served as a PVT in C Battery 1st Virginia Artillery, also during the Civil War.

CPL Walker C. Meade

courtesy of SoilSister

CPL Walker C. Meade was born about 1895 in Wise County, Virginia.  His father was William E. Meade who lived near Saint Paul, Virginia.

After entering the service, Walker was assigned to G Company 116th Infantry.  He was transported to France with that unit aboard the USS Finland, departing Hoboken, New Jersey on 15 Jun 1918.  CPL Meade was killed in action on 23 Oct 1918.

CPL Meade was buried in the Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery. 

PFC Corby Preston Weatherford

PFC Corby Preston Weatherford was born 19 Jun 1898 in Richmond, Virginia the last of 8 childrend born to John H. and Ella Jessie (Pamplin) Weatherford. His parents would divorce and he moved to Petersburg, Virginia with his mother and siblings where the family lived at 115 West Tabb Street. In 1915, Corby was working as a driver (at age 17).

After entering the Army, Corby was assigned to G Company 116th Infantry.  He was transported with that unit to France aboard the USS Finland, departing Hoboken, New Jersey on 15 Jun 1918.  PFC Weatherford was killed in action on 13 Oct 1918.

PFC Weatherford was repatriated and is buried in Blanford Cemetery in Petersburg, Virginia. 

PVT Charles M. Tilson

PVT Charles M. Tilson was born about March 1900 probably in Sulphur Springs, Virginia the youngest of 4 children born to Thomas Benton and Martha (Robinson) Tilson. His mother died soon after, probably about 1903.  His father remarried in 1904.  The family farmed.  One sister married, another was hired out as a house servant at age 15. His father took up mining. What happened to Charles at this time is unknown.

When Charles entered the Army he was living in Monarat, Virginia. We believe that Charles was first assigned to M Company 116th Infantry.  It was with that unit that he traveled aboard the USS Finland to France. Sometime after the Regiment arrived in France we think he was reassigned to G Company 116th Infantry. PVT Tilson was wounded and died of his wound(s) on 13 Oct 1918.

We do not know where PVT Tilson was buried but since his grave is not recorded in one of the overseas cemeteries and he is not listed on the tablets of the missing we think it likely that he was repatriated and is buried in Carroll or Grayson counties in Virginia. 

Paternal grandfather, William Madison Tilson, served as a PVT in A Company 23rd Virginia Infantry Battalion in the Civil War. Paternal 2x great-grandfather, William Tilson, served in CPT Josiah Thatcher's Company, COL John Thomas' Regiment at Louisburg in the French and Indian War and in the 10th Regiment North Carolina during the Revolution.

NOTE: This soldier's life being one of the most difficult to sort out of any we've had.

PFC Horace Harris Kennedy

PFC Horace Harris Kennedy was born 17 May 1895 in Norton, Virginia to Winfield Scott and Laura Melissa (Osborne) Kennedy.  His father was a coal miner and by 1910 Horace was working in the mines as well.

Horace was still working as a miner when he enlisted in A Company 2nd Virginia Volunteer Infantry on 12 Jun 1917.  When the National Guard units were reorganized for Federal service Horace was assigned to G Company 116th Infantry. PFC Kennedy was transported to France aboard the USS Finland with the rest of the regiment, departing Hoboken, New Jersey on 15 Jun 1918.  PFC Kennedy was killed in action on 13 Oct 1918.

PFC Kennedy was repatriated in 1936 and re-interred in a cemetery in Toms Creek, Virginia. 

1SG Joseph Linwood Procise

courtesy of SoilSister

1SG Joseph Linwood Procise was born on 19 Apr 1890 in Petersburg, Virginia to John Thomas and Mary Catherine (Underhill) Procise.  His father worked as a veneer cutter. In 1910, Joe (as he was known in the military) was working in a trunk factory.

In 1911, Joe entered the Army and was discharged in 1914. After entering the Army again, Joe was assigned to G Company 116th Infantry.  When the unit shipped out for France aboard the USS Finland, Joe was just a SGT.  He was later promoted to 1SG.  1SG Procise was killed in action on 9 Oct 1918.

1SG Procise was buried in the Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery.

Brother John Lewis Procise was in service from 1914-1916. Paternal grandfather Joseph Darby Procise served in both the Mexican and Civil Wars and died 15 Jul 1863 possibly in the vicinity of Falling Waters, Virginia while serving with G Company 41st Virginia Volunteer Infantry.

Bugler Herschel L. Dix

Bugler Herschel L. Dix was born 14 Mar 1897 in Kingman, Indiana the second of two sons born to Howard Luther and Nettie (Durham) Dix.  The family farmed. 

Herschel enlisted (with his brother Harry Leon Dix) in A Company 2nd Virginia Volunteer Infantry in Farmville, Virginia on 11 Jan 1915. Living in Indianapolis when called to serve on Mexican Border, 1 Jul 1916. When the unit was reorganized for service in France, Herschel was assigned to G Company 116th Infantry. Bugler Dix was killed in action 8 Oct 1918, Malbrouk Hill, Meuse-Argonne Forest, France.

Bugler Dix was initially buried at Brabant-sur-Meuse, near Verdun, France. He was later repatriated and re-interred in Crown Hill National Cemetery in Indianapolis, Indiana.

As previously mentioned, Herschel's brother also enlisted and he was also recalled for the war and served with G Company 116th Infantry.  Harry was promoted to SGT and returned the U.S. in July 1919. Harry passed away in 1973.

Mechanic John N. Garland

Mechanic John N. Garland was born in September 1899 in Richmond, Virginia the eldest of 4 children born to John Alexander and Mary Eaton (Freear) Garland.  His father was a druggist and the family lived in Farmville, Virginia soon after John's birth.

John enlisted in A Company 2nd Virginia Volunteer Infantry on 14 Mar 1917.  When the unit was activated for service in France it was reorganized as part of G Company 116th Infantry. As the Mechanic in his unit he was responsible for the repair of unit equipment much like the Artificer of earlier generations. John sailed with the unit aboard the USS Finland on 15 Jun 1918.  Mechanic Garland was killed in action on 8 Oct 1918.

We do not know where Mechanic Garland is buried but suspect it is in the Farmville area.

2LT John Collins Leavell

2LT John Collins Leavell was born 6 Nov 1895 in Salem, Virginia the oldest of seven children of John Burrell and Willie Virginia (Hurt) Leavell.  His father was a wagon maker.

John enlisted as a PVT in G Company 2nd Virginia Infantry on 6 December 1915.  He had no prior military experience at that time and because he was less than 21 years of age, his father had to give his permission for his son to enlist.  We do not know when he received his commission but he was a 2LT when killed in action on 8 Oct 1918.

2LT Leavell's body was not recoverable and he is remembered on the tablets of the missing in the Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery.

PVT Fayett Sexton

courtesy of SoilSister

PVT Fayett Sexton (his given name may have been Lafayette) was born in April 1899 in Carterton, Virginia the 8th of 9 children of George W and Cynthia Jane (Fields). The family farmed.

After entering the Army, Fayett was assigned to G Company 116th Infantry.  He was with the unit when it left Hoboken, New Jersey aboard the USS Finland on 15 Jun 1918. PVT Sexton was killed in action on 8 Oct 1918.

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

CPL Walter A. Menzel

courtesy of SoilSister

CPL Walter A. Menzel was born in October 1897 in James City County, Virginia the first of 7 children to be born to George Earnest and Susie Frances (Gary) Menzel. George was a fisherman.

After entering the service, Walter was assigned to G Company 116th Infantry. He was transported to France with his unit aboard the USS Finland which departed Hoboken, New Jersey on 15 Jun 1918.  CPL Menzel was killed in action on 8 Oct 1918.

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

CPL Willie Watson Hillsman

CPL Willie Watson Hillsman was born 8 Oct 1893 in Amelia County, Virginia the first of 10 children born to James Albert and Lula Lee (Watson) Hillsman. The family farmed while living near Leigh, Virginia.

Willie enlisted in C Company 2nd Virginia Volunteer Infantry on 26 Mar 1917.  When it was reorganized for service in France, Willie was assigned to G Company 116th Infantry. He married Evlyn Gladys Fretwell on 9 May 1918.  It may be that the couple eloped just prior to the regiment going to Camp McClellan, Alabama. Of course, Willie had to go with them. After the unit trained there, CPL Hillsman shipped with the unit aboard the USS Finland to France, departing Hoboken, New Jersey on 15 Jun 1918.  CPL Hillsman was killed in action on 8 Oct 1918.

CPL Hillsman was repatriated in 1930.  He now rests forever in Bethel United Methodist Church Cemetery in Amelia County, Virginia.

Willie and Evlyn had no children.  She would re-marry and have several children with her second husband. 

PVT Dale Shively

PVT Dale Shively was born 26 Aug 1888 in Madison County, Indiana the 4th of 5 children born to John Wesley and Melissa (Strader) Shively. His father farmed but died in 1915. Dale moved to Indianapolis, Indiana in April 1915.

John entered service 29 Mar 1918 in Indianapolis, Indiana. He was sent first to Camp Taylor, Kentucky then transferred to Camp Gordon, Georgia and assigned to 19th Company, 2nd Infantry, Replacement Regiment. John was then transferred to Camp McClellan, Alabama and assigned to G Company 116th Infantry. He was shipped overseas whith his unit aboard the USS Finland on 15 Jun 1918. Accidentally killed 22 Aug 1918, "Somewhere in France."

PVT Shively was repatriated and now rests forever in the IOOF Cemetery in Alexandria, Indiana.

Father, John Wesley Shively served in A and E Companies of the 155th Indiana Infantry during the Civil War.

PVT Clifford Edgar Patton

courtesy of Des Philippet

PVT Clifford Edgar Patton was born 23 Aug 1918 in Indianapolis, Indiana. He was the 2nd of 4 and 1st surviving child born to Clifford Curtis and Emma Pearl (Brown) Patton. His father had worked as a farm hand but was working as a machinist in Indianapolis when young Clifford was born. In 1924 Emma had a heart attack due to hyperthyroidism and died. Clifford's dad died in 1928. Clifford was sent to live with relatives as were his 2 sisters.About 1935 he left Indiana for the promise of a better life in California and in 1940 was working as a pin setter in a bowling alley. Clifford apparently married Frances in 1942.

Clifford was working as a longshoreman when he was drafted in September 1944. After his basic military training he was sent to the European theater. On 15 Feb 1945 he was transferred from the replacement depot to G Company 116th Infantry. He was again transferred on 3 Mar 1945, this time to B Company 116th Infantry. PVT Patton was killed in action on 5 Apr 1945.

PVT Patton rests forever in the Netherlands American Cemetery.

PVT Edward John Konefal

courtesy of Des Philippet

PVT Edward John Konefal was born in 17 Jul 1922 in Passaic, New Jersey the only son of Andrew Joseph and Mary (Rozmus) Konefal.  Both parents were natives of Poland. His father was a laborer in a silk mill. 

Edward was working in textile manufacture when he was drafted in June 1943.  After his basic training he was sent to England and assigned to G Company 116th Infantry.  He was likely assigned to the unit not very long before the D-Day amphibious assault that took place on 6 Jun 1944.  He wasn't wounded that day but was wounded on 17 Jun 1944 and evacuated to hospital.  Edward did not return to the unit until he was transferred from the replacement depot on 16 Feb 1945!  PVT Konefal was killed in action on 1 Mar 1945.

PVT Konefal is buried in the Netherlands American Cemetery.