PFC Rumsey Edward Dodson

PFC Rumsey Edward Dodson was born 7 Jun 1895 in Madison County, Virginia the 4th of 8 children born to Joseph Henry and Elizabeth (Burke) Dodson. His father did farm work for other people and in 1910 Rumsey was doing the same.

Rumsey still gave his occupation as "farmer" when he enlisted in B Company 2nd Virginia Infantry, Virginia National Guard for Federal service on the Mexican border.  After enlisting 29 Mar 1917, PVT Dodson served on the Mexican border, returned to Virginia and was recalled for the World War.  He trained with the unit re-organized as I Company 116th Infantry at Camp McClellan, Alabama.  Rumsey then sailed for France with the unit, departing Hoboken, New Jersey aboard the USS Finland on 15 Jun 1918.  He trained with I Company and went into battle with it all through to the Armistice on 11 Nov 1918. Then, after all that, he became ill, diagnosed as pulmonary tuberculosis, and was so sick that he couldn't travel home to the U.S. with his unit in May 1919.  PFC Dodson died in France of disease on 13 Jun 1919.

PFC Dodson was repatriated in 1922 and re-interred in the Culpeper National Cemetery in Culpeper, Virginia. While his stone indicates his rank is PVT, all other records correctly show his rank as PFC.

PFC Michael Malko

courtesy of Doc Wilson

We do not know where PFC Michael Malko was born but he was drafted or enlisted in Passaic, New Jersey in 1918. 

Michael apparently shipped out for France from Hoboken, New Jersey in August 1918 aboard the USAT San Jacinto.  His next of kin or emergency contact was given as John Andrew Kofski of 194 Monrose Street, Passaic, New Jersey.  He was likely assigned to I Company 116th Infantry as a replacement sometime after that.  He survived combat only to die of an accidental gun shot from a pistol on 17 May 1919. 

Repatriated aboard the USAT Mercury in 1920, PFC Malko is buried in Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia.

Although his unit is given as I Company 116th Infantry on the USAT Mercury manifest his unit is given as I Company 16th Infantry 1st Division on the internment record for Arlington. Since he did not go home with the 116th on 11 May he may have been reassigned perhaps because he enlisted in the regular army.

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.

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.

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 LeRoy Hooten

courtesy of Norman and Kim Clark Hiatt

PVT LeRoy Hooten was born 2 Jul 1892 in Washington, North Carolina together with his twin, Ruby, to James B. and Nancy J. (Bowen) Hooten. His father worked as a mechanic and wholesaler.

After entering the army Roy (as he was known in the family) was assigned to I Company 116th Infantry.  He trained with the unit at Camp McClellan, Alabama and shipped to France aboard the USS Finland with the unit.  Arriving in June 1918, the unit trained and then moved into the line.  PVT Hooten died of disease on 23 Oct 1918.

PVT Hooten was repatriated in 1920 and buried in Oakdale Cemetery in Washington, North Carolina.

PFC Charles William Findley

PFC Charles William Findley was born 9 Oct 1892 in Etowah County, Alabama the 2nd of 8 children born to John Pinckney and Nacoochee Marie (Parr) Findley.  His father worked as a blacksmith in Etowah County and then the family moved to Dekalb County, Alabama and began farming by 1910. In 1917, Charles was working for W. B. Jones (who operated cotton mills) in Crossville, AL as a bookkeeper.

After he entered the service, Charles was assigned to I Company 116th Infantry and trained with the unit at Camp McClellan, Alabama.  On 15 Jun 1918, he sailed for France aboard the USS Finland, still with his unit.  PFC Findley was wounded and died of those wounds on 18 Oct 1918.

Repatriated in 1921, PFC Findley was re-interred in Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia. 

PFC Raymond Edwin Shenk

PFC Raymond Edwin Shenk was born 9 Oct 1898 in Reynolds, Virginia the eldest of 7 children of Elon Daniel and Hester Columbia (Jolley) Shenk.  The family farmed.

Raymond enlisted shortly after war was declared. After entering the service, Raymond went to Camp McClellan and was assigned to I Company 116th Infantry.  He trained with the unit at Camp McClellan, Alabama and then traveled with the unit aboard the USS Finland to France in June 1918. Raymond was wounded sometime between 8 and 15 Oct 1918 and died of his wound(s) on 16 Oct 1918.

PFC Shenk was repatriated and re-interred in Wesley Chapel Cemetery in Cross Junction, Virginia.

Grandfather, William Jackson Shenk, served as a PVT in I Company 97th Virginia Militia in the Civil War.

PVT Edgar G. Sutherland

courtesy of Anne Cady

PVT Edgar G. Sutherland was born in September 1899 in Russell County, Virginia, possibly in Coulwood, the only child of Henry Walker and Nellie Kate (Shepherd) Sutherland.  Father Henry was a lawyer.  Nellie died in 1903 and Edgar was sent to live with cousins where he is shown as a "helper" in the 1910 census.  His father died in 1911. After that Edgar likely went to live with his uncle Stephen Douglas Sutherland's widow, Rebecca in Coulwood.

After entering the Army, Edgar was assigned to I Company 116th Infantry and trained with the unit at Camp McClellan, Alabama.  He then sailed to France with the unit aboard the USS Finland in the latter half of June 1918.  PVT Sutherland was killed in action on 15 Oct 1918.

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

Grandfather, Henry Sutherland, served as a PVT in G Troop, 22nd Virginia Cavalry during the Civil War. Cousin, Henry Dave Sutherland, also served as a PVT in I Company 116th Infantry with Edgar. Henry survived the war but died in 1936.

PVT Roscoe Charles Pack

PVT Roscoe Charles Pack was born 18 Mar 1900 in Tazewell County, Virginia the 6th of 9 children born to John Riley and Mollie Rosa (Beavers) Pack. The family farmed.

After entering the army Roscoe was assigned to I Company 116th Infantry.  He trained with the unit at Camp McClellan, Alabama.  On 15 Jun 1918 he sailed for France with the unit aboard the USS Finland.  PVT Pack was killed in action on 15 Oct 1918.

PVT Pack was repatriated in 1921 and he was probably now buried somewhere in Tazewell County, Virginia. 

PFC Robert Paul Wilson

PFC Robert Paul Wilson was born 17 Dec 1893 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the 9th of 11 children born to John and Mary A. (Kane) Wilson. His father was born in County Tipperary, Ireland and his mother was a native of Wales.  His father worked as a hotel keeper and must have been successful because in 1910 he is shown not as having a job but being supported by his "own income".  At least 2 of Robert's brothers went to college.  On his 1917 draft registration, Robert said that his employer was Jiles P. Corry Company in the Jones Law Building where he worked as a clerk.

After entering the Army, Robert was assigned to I Company 116th Infantry.  PFC Wilson was killed in action on 15 Oct 1918. 

PFC Wilson was repatriated and buried in Saint Mary Catholic Cemetery in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Brother, Ralph Hyle Wilson, served in the United States Marine Corps aboard the USS Pennsylvania in World War One.

PVT Floyd Lucas

PVT Floyd Lucas was born near Stanley, Virginia in May 1895, the 2nd child of John William and Viola (McCoy) Lucas.  Viola would die in 1914 and John remarried.  The family farmed.  In 1917, Floyd was working as a laborer for the railroad.

Floyd enlisted in I Company 2nd Virginia Infantry on 11 Jul 1917.  After the unit was mobilized for federal service in Europe it was reorganized as part of I Company 116th Infantry and Floyd trained with the unit at Camp McClellan and traveling to France with the unit aboard the USS Finland. PVT Lucas was killed in action on 15 Oct 1918.

PVT Lucas was repatriated in 1919 and now rests forever in Lucas Cemetery in Lucas Hollow in Stanley, Virginia.

Grandfather, Christian Lucas, served as a PVT in E Company, Virginia 97th Militia Infantry Regiment and H Company 33rd Infantry (also a part of the Stonewall Brigade) in the Civil War.

SGT Milford J. Bolner

courtesy of David McInturff

SGT Milford J. Bolner was born in October 1894 in Shenandoah County, Virginia the 2nd of 12 children of George A. and Hester Anna (Brill) Bolner. His father worked in a tannery and farmed. In 1910, Milford was doing odd jobs to contribute to the family.

After entering the army, Milford was assigned to I Company 116th Infantry.  He trained with the unit and sailed with it to France aboard the USS Finland in June 1918.  SGT Bolner was killed in action on 15 Oct 1918.

SGT Bolner was repatriated in and re-interred in Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia.

SGT Bolner's younger brother, Cecil R. Bolner served as a CPL with F Company 305th Infantry.

PVT Clarence Franklin Derflinger

courtesy of SoilSister

PVT Clarence Franklin Derflinger was born in 27 Jan 1900 in Front Royal, Virginia the 8th of 13 children born to Charles William and Hulda Regina (Figgins) Derflinger. His father was a section hand for the railroad and farmed.

Clarence enlisted in the 2nd Virginia Infantry, Virginia National Guard on 30 Jul 1917 when they recruited to respond to the emergency on the Mexican border.  When the regiment was reorganized PVT Derflinger was assigned to I Company 116th Infantry. He was still with the unit when it was federalized for service in France and served with the unit as it trained at Camp McClellan, Alabama.  He sailed with the unit on 15 Jun 1918 when they departed for France aboard the USS Finland.  PVT Derflinger was killed in action on 15 Oct 1918 in the battle at Molleville Farm.

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

Clarence's older brothers, Carley and Russell, served during WWI.  Younger brother Charles served in WWII.

PVT Adam James Grechman

PVT Adam James Grechman was born 22 Apr 1888 in New Orleans, Louisiana, the first of 9 children born to Simon and Mary (Ritayik) Grechman.  Both parents were natives of Hungary.  Simon worked for years as a peddlar and merchant in Independence and New Orleans, Louisiana.  By 1910 Adam was married to Ruby Dick Daniel and working as a clerk in a "General Store" in Independence, Louisiana.  This might have been his father's store.  The couple would have 2 sons one of whom would died in 1917.

Adam was drafted in 1917 and assigned to I Company 116th Infantry.  He trained with the unit at Camp McClellan, Alabama and then sailed with the unit to France aboard the USS Finland in June 1918.  PVT Grechman was killed in action on 15 Oct 1918.

PVT Grechman was repatriated and re-interred in Saint Roch Cemetery #1 in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Ruby re-married soon after Adam's death.  Adam has at least 3 living great-great grandchildren. 

PVT Howard Joseph Jackson

courtesy of Soil Sister

PVT Howard Joseph Jackson was born 19 Nov 1899 in Winston-Salem, North Carolina the only child of  Archibald Robert and Laura (Tuten) Jackson. The family farmed in Long Acre Township.  His mother died of stomach cancer on 6 Oct 1915. By 1917, Howard was working as a common laborer.

When Howard was drafted he was assigned to I Company 116th Infantry and trained with the unit at Camp McClellan, Alabama.  He then sailed with the unit when they departed for France aboard the USS Finland from Hoboken, New Jersey on 15 Jun 1918.

PVT Jackson was buried in the Meuse Argonne American Cemetery.

Howard's paternal grandfather, Cornelius Jackson, served in B Battery 3rd North Carolina Light Artillery in the Civil War. Maternal grandfather, Alfred J. Tuten, served in G Company 17th North Carolina Infantry, also during the Civil War.

PVT Clifford Gray

PVT Clifford Gray was born 13 Sep 1895 in Hot Springs, Arkansas the 2nd of 9 children born to William Ezekiel and Nancy Jane (Goodman) Gray.  The family farmed.

Clifford was drafted in December 1917.  Assigned to I Company 116th Infantry, he trained with the unit at Camp McClellan and then sailed for France aboard the USS Finland in June 1918.  PVT Gray was killed in action on 15 Oct 1918.

PVT Gray was repatriated in 1921.  His return was announced in the newspaper and he was re-interred near family in the Fourche Loupe Cemetery in Hot Springs, Arkansas.

Clifford's younger brother, Oscar Edward Gray served as a seaman in the U.S. Navy in WW2.

SGT James Frank Hinton

SGT James Frank Hinton was born 23 Aug 1895 in Summit Point, West Virginia the last of 3 children born to Edward W. and Nannie B. (McClure) Hinton.  The family farmed in Frederick and Clarke counties in Virginia.

On 26 Mar 1917, James enlisted in I Company 2nd Virginia Infantry for Mexican border duty.  When the unit was re-called for duty in France and re-organized as part of I Company 116th Infantry, James continued to serve and train with the unit at Camp McClellan, Alabama.  CPL Hinton shipped out for France aboard the USS Finland with his unit in June 1918.  SGT Hinton was killed in action on 15 Oct 1918.

SGT Hinton was repatriated and re-interred in the Mount Hebron Cemetery in Winchester, Virginia.

PVT Walter Emil Kupfahl

courtesy of Carol R.

PVT Walter Emil Kupfahl was born 18 Apr 1896 in Herman, Wisconsin the youngest of 4 children born to Wilhelm and Rosalie Kupfahl. The family farmed.

After entering the service, Walter was assigned to I Company 116th Infantry.  He apparently trained with the company at Camp McClellan, Alabama and sailed for France with them on 15 Jun 1918.  PVT Kupfahl was killed in action on 15 Oct 1918.

PVT Kupfahl was repatriated and re-interred in Trinity Lutheran Cemetery in Herman, Wisconsin.

PFC Harry Weiner

PFC Harry Weiner is one of those menn about whom we know very little. We know that he was from New York City.  We know that he had at least one uncle, Leo Frederick, who was the person given as his next of kin on the ship manifest.  Beyond that we only know this...

Harry trained with D Company 116th Infantry at Camp McClellan and sailed with that unit aboard the USS Finland when the unit left for France in June 1918. He was transferred to I Company 116th Infantry.  Sometime before 12 Oct 1918 PFC Weiner became ill and he died of disease on 12 Oct 1918.

PFC Weiner was most probably repatriated and re-interred somewhere in the New York City area.