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.

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.

CPL Abner Odell Witt

courtesy of Darrell Landrum

CPL Abner Odell Witt was born 13 Jul 1899 in Charlottesville, Virginia. He was the 3rd of 6 children born to Abner Thomas and Nannie Thomas (Weeks).  His father worked as a railroad mail clerk.

After entering the Army, Odell (as he was called by his family), was assigned to L Company 116th Infantry. He was wounded in combat on 23 Oct 1918 and, according to a newspaper account of a letter, he died within 20 minutes.

CPL Witt was repatriated and in December 1921 was re-interred in Spring Hill Cemetery in Lynchburg, Virginia.

Maternal grandfather, Jesse Burle Weeks, served in B Battery, 13th Battalion Light Artillery during the Civil War. Paternal grandfather, Abner Thomas Witt, served in B Battery 10th Battalion Heavy Artillery.

PVT John White

courtesy of Marijke Taffein

PVT John White was born 21 Jan 1892 in New York City, New York. John was literate but likely had a grammar school education and in 1917 he was working for a Eagle Pencil Company at 14th between Avenue C and Avenue D alongside the East River. John was living at 283 Avenue C at the time.

After he was drafted on 4 May 1918 PVT White went to Fort Slocum and on 7 May 1918 he was assigned to L Company 116th Infantry before the unit was sent to France in June 1918. He might have been estranged from much of his family because he gave his paternal spinster aunt, who also lived apart from all the family from a young age, as his next of kin. Arriving in France, PVT White went through trench warfare training with his company and then into the Meuse-Argonne Offensive. PVT White was killed in action on 23 Oct 1918. 

PVT White rests forever in the Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery in Romagne-sous-Montfaucon, France.

PVT Frank Austin Phelan

courtesy of Marijke Taffein

PVT Frank Austin Phelan was born 7 Nov 1888 in Providence, Rhode Island the 5th of 7 children of Patrick Francis and Mary C. Phelan.  His father was a native of Ireland and worked as a carpenter and as a pattern maker in a machine shop.  By 1910, Frank was working as a clerk in a drug store.  When he registered for the draft in 1917, Frank was working in Massena, New York for the Aluminum Company of America (ALCOA).

Frank already had a year's experience as a PVT in the Rhode Island National Guard when he was called to active duty and assigned to L Company 116th Infantry.  He trained with the unit at Camp McClellan, Alabama and then sailed with the regiment from Hoboken, New Jersey aboard the USS Finland.  After training for trench warfare the regiment went into the line in a "quiet" sector.  When the command organized a big "push" in October 1918, the 29th Division was part of it.  PVT Phelan was killed in action on 23 Oct 1918.

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

CPL Harry Stratton Walker

courtesy of Darrell Landrum

CPL Harry Stratton Walker was born 24 Mar 1895 in Pittsylvania County, Virginia the son of Thomas Doub and Mollie Clara (Walker) Newton. His father managed a tobacco factory in Danville, Virginia.  Harry's parents would divorce before 1908 and his mother would remarry Edwin Archer Matthews.  As he approached adulthood, Harry, who was named "Harry Walker Newton" at birth, decided to take is maternal grandfather's name rather than use the surname Newton or take his step-father's name.

After entering the Army and being sent to France, Harry was assigned to L Company 116th Infantry. SGT Walker was killed in action on 23 Oct 1918.

From a newspaper article:

Captain Ewart Johnson, commander of Company L, 116th Infantry has written to Mrs. E. A. Matthews a letter of high commendation of her son, Sergeant Harry S. Walker, who was killed October 23, after volunteering to relieve the desire of wounded men for water and food.

Captain Johnson, after expressing his sympathy and that of his company for the surviving members of the Lynchburgers' family, said: "When I took command of "L" company your son, Harry S. Walker, was a private. I think one of the first promotions I made was his. I first made him a Corporal and then without delay promoted him to a sergeant as I saw in him a splendid ability to lead his men and a readiness to do any duty well..."

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

His namesake grandfather served as a SGT in the Charlotte Light Artillery during the Civil War.

PVT Michael Craparotta

PVT Michael Craparotta was born 9 Apr 1896 in Calatafimi, Sicily.  He immigrated in March 1914.  In 1917 he was working for Warwick Bed Company at Warwick and Liberty Avenue in Brooklyn, New York and was living at 542 Hendrix Street in Brooklyn only a 14 minute walk from work.  His brother, John, was living on the way on Pitkin Avenue.  Their mother was still living in Calatafimi, Italy.

Michael was inducted on 4 May 1918.  He was first assigned to the 2nd Recruit Company at Fort Slocum, New York. On 7 May 1918 he was assigned to L Company 116th Infantry.  He then traveled to Hoboken, New Jersey with his unit where, on 15 Jun 1918, he boarded the USS Finland with his unit and sailed for France.  The arrived on 28 Jun 1918 and after some training the unit went into the line. In October 1918 Michael came down with pneumonia and he died on 19 Oct 1918.

We do not know where PVT Craparotta is buried but we think he was repatriated and re-interred in a Catholic Cemetery near Brooklyn. 

His brother likewise served overseas in the World War.  He was stationed at Camp Hancock, Georgia when he was naturalized in July 1918.

PVT Curtis LeRoy Yeager

PVT Curtis LeRoy Yeager was born 24 Sep 1896 in Terre Haute, Indiana. He was the youngest of 6 children born to James A. and Barbara Berry (Grindle). His mother had lost 3 previous husbands before she married James Yeager. His father worked as a common laborer and about 1900 he lost his right arm to a minor injury which had caused blood poisoning which required amputation of the arm to save his life.

After entering the Army on 28 Mar 1918 in Terre Haute, Indiana, Curtis was sent to Camp Taylor, Kentucky and was then transferred to Camp Gordon, Georgia. Curtis was assigned to L Company 116th Infantry and transported with his unit to France. The unit sailed from Hoboken, New Jersey aboard the USS Finland on 15 June 1918.  He died on 19 Oct 1918 of wounds suffered on 12 Oct 1918. PVT Yeager was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his efforts in that fight.  The citation for that award best tells the story of his final hours and days.

Private Curtis L. Yeager (deceased) - Company, One Hundred and Sixteenth Infantry (A. S. No. 2003864). For extraordinary heroism in action near Verdun, France, Oct. 12, 1918, Private Yeager, in an exposed position, under heavy machine gun and artillery barrage, kept up an effective fire from his automatic rifle until severely wounded. After waiting seven hours with a comrade for a stretcher, and only one arriving, although practically unconscious, he insisted on his comrade leaving first.

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

Paternal grandfather, Nathaniel Yeager, had served as a CPL in I Company 16th Indiana Infantry in the Civil War. Maternal grandfather, John Corneal Grindle, served as a PVT in D Company 43rd Indiana Infantry.

SGT William Offutt Cobbs

SGT William Offutt Cobbs was born in 20 Sep 1890 in Lynchburg, Virginia to John Henry and Mary Edmonia (Offutt) Cobbs.  William was the 2nd of 3 children and the oldest of the 2 boys.  His father worked in a dry goods store.  By 1910, sister Josephine was working as a stenographer, William was managing the Belvidere movie theater and youngest child James was working as a stock clerk. In 1915, William was working as a clerk for Craighill and Jones.

After entering the Army William was assigned to L Company 116th Infantry. He sailed with the unit to France on board the USS Finland.  Arriving 28 Jun 1918, the unit underwent more training before moving into the line.  SGT Cobbs was killed in action on 15 Oct 1918.

SGT Cobbs rests forever in the Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery.

Mary would make the Gold Star Mothers' Pilgrimage to visit her son's grave in France. William's father served in the Civil War in the 58th Virginia Infantry Regiment.

PFC Clove Elon Rice

courtesy of Ann Cady

PFC Clove Elon Rice was born 10 Mar 1893 in Schoolcraft, Michigan the younger of the 2 sons of Charles Henry and Mary Ellen (Stickney) Rice.  The family farmed which occupation Clove followed when he came of age.

After entering the service, Clove found himself sent to France and assigned to L Company 116th Infantry. PFC Rice was killed in action on 15 Oct 1918.

PFC Rice was repatriated and re-interred in Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia. 

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.

CPL Robert Lee Perrow Jr

CPL Robert Lee Perrow Jr was born 26 Jul 1892 in Campbell County, Virginia. He was the 2nd of 8 children and oldest son born to Robert Lee and Nancy Lucie (Cocke) Perrow. His father was Sheriff of Campbell County for 35 years and a farmer.

Robert likely enlisted for the Mexican Border service in 1917 and was in L Company 1st Virginia Infantry when it was reorganized as part of  L Company 116th Infantry in 1918.  He trained with the unit at Camp McClellan, Alabama.  On 15 Jun 1918 he sailed for France with his unit aboard the USS Finland.  After arriving on 28 Jun 1918, the regiment trained for trench warfare and was then put into a "quiet" sector.  CPL Perrow was killed in action on 15 Oct 1918.

CPL Perrow rests forever in the Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery. There is a cenotaph for him in the Perrow-Merryman Cemetery in Lynchburg, Virginia.

Brother, Stanley Perrow, also served (1917-1919) as a CPL in L Company 116th Infantry and was wounded. Brother, John Flemming Perrow, was gassed while in service with G Company 7th Infantry. Brother-in-law, Nicholas Alexander Samouce, was a SGT in L Company.

PVT Joseph William Bradley

PVT Joseph William Bradley was born 24 Jun 1894 in Linton, Indiana the oldest of 2 sons of Robert and Emily (Siddon) Bradley. Both parents were natives of England. Robert was a coal miner. Joseph's younger brother, Alfred, was killed in a coal mine accident in 1916.

Joseph entered the service 29 Mar 1918 in Bloomfield, Indiana. He was sent to Camp Taylor, Kentucky and assigned to 10th Company, 3rd Training Battalion, 159th Depot Brigade. Joseph was then transferred to Camp McClellan, Alabama and assigned to L Company 116th Infantry, 29th Division. The unit with Joseph was sent overseas in June 1918. PVT Bradley was killed in action in battle of Argonne Forest, 15 Oct 1918.

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

PVT Austin Thompson

PVT Austin Thompson was born 7 Sep 1893 in Nelson County, Virginia the youngest of 5 children born to Waller Hope and Rosa Jane (Allen) Thompson.  Austin's mother died before 1900 and he was soon put in the care of others and before he was 17 was hired out as farm labor.

Austin enlisted 27 Jul 1917.  In 1918 he was assigned to L Company 116th Infantry.  He traveled with the regiment from Camp McClellan, Alabama to Hoboken, New Jersey and departed there on 15 Jun 1918 aboard the USS Finland for France. Arriving there on 28 Jun 1918, he then participated in trench warfare training.  The unit was assigned to a quiet sector.  PVT Thompson was wounded and died of his wound(s) on 14 Oct 1918.

PVT Austin is buried in Mountain View Cemetery in Lovingston, Virginia.

PVT Thomas Eugene Falwell Jr.

PVT Thomas Eugene Falwell Jr. was born in 22 Mar 1895 in Lynchburg, Virginia to Thomas E. and Mary Etta (Goode) Falwell. He was the youngest of their 2 children and their only son.  The family farmed.

After entering the Army, Thomas was assigned to L Company 116th Infantry. He went with the unit to France aboard the USS Finland departing Hoboken, New Jersey on 15 Jun 1918. The unit arrived in France on 28 Jun 1918.  After more training in trench warfare, the unit was moved into the line.  At some point PVT Falwell took ill.  He died of disease on 13 Oct 1918. 

PVT Falwell was repatriated and re-interred with family in the Falwell Family Cemetery in Campbell County, Virginia.


The Reverend Jerry Laymond Falwell Jr of Liberty University is a 2nd cousin to Thomas. 

PVT Joseph Ignatius Clark

courtesy of Doug Illsley

PVT Joseph Ignatius Clark was born 30 Apr 1891 in New York City, New York the 4th of 6 children born to James C. and Delia K. (Hart) Clark.  Both parents were natives of Ireland.  His father worked as a painter. In 1910, Joseph was working as a butcher.  His father apparently died before 1917.

When Joseph registered for the draft in 1917, he was working as a time clerk for a Mr. Phillips at 114 Liberty Street in Manhattan.  He lived with his mother at 370 West 46th Street.  After being inducted, he was eventually sent to Camp McClellan, Alabama and there assigned to L Company 116th Infantry.  He was with that unit when it boarded the USS Finland for France on 15 Jun 1918.  After the unit arrived in France on 28 Jun 1918, it was sent for more training before being put in the "training sector" of the trenches.  PVT Clark apparently became ill and died on 13 Oct 1918 in hospital as the rest of his unit was making a big push in the Meuse-Argonne.

PVT Clark was laid to rest in the Saint Mihiel American Cemetery.

Joseph's only brother, James Alphonsus Clark, also served in the war.  He trained at Camp Humphreys (now Fort Belvoir), Virginia and was assigned to B Company 130th Engineers. 

PVT Stearns Moon

courtesy of Rich Ryals

PVT Stearns Moon was born in May 1897 in Montgomery County, Virginia (possibly in Radford).  He was the 2nd child and eldest son of William Louis and Hattie James (Davis) Moon's 7 children. His name was sometimes spelled "Stearnes" and was spelled that way on at least some military records. His father worked as a day laborer and in a foundry as a core maker.  When he came of age, Stearns worked as a driver for several years prior to 1917.

It was probably in 1918 that Stearns was drafted. He was assigned to L Company 116th Infantry and probably trained with the unit at Camp McClellan, Alabama.  On 15 Jun 1918 he and the regiment sailed for France aboard the USS Finland from Hoboken, New Jersey.  They arrived in Nazaire, France on 28 Jun 1918.  From there the regiment went through training intended to prepare them for trench warfare.  The regiment then moved into a quiet sector.  On 8 Oct 1918, it and the rest of the 29th Division were part of a big "push" or attack on the Germans.  PVT Moon was killed in action on 12 Oct 1918. 

PVT Moon was repatriated and re-interred in Spring Hill Cemetery in Lynchburg, Virginia. The local post of the VFW took responsibility for acquiring and placing his military marker which they did in 1928. 

Great Grandfather Thomas B. Pickering served as a SGT in K Company 24th Virginia Infantry in the Civil War (May 1861 - December 1864).

PVT William J Teed

PVT William J. Teed was born 16 Feb 1888 in New York City, New York the 2nd of 6 children born to William and Delia (Grady) Teed.  His father was working as a printer on cloth before he died in 1910. After his father's death, all the children, as young as 16, would go to work to support the family.  William was driving for a grocer. William married Mary T. Wissler on 16 Nov 1910.  They would have a daughter in 1912 and a son in 1914. When William registered for the draft in June 1917 he was working as a teamster for J. D. McDermott at 221 West Broadway in New York.

William was inducted on 4 May 1918.  He was first sent to Fort Slocum, New York and assigned to the 4th Recruit Company of the General Service Infantry.  On 7 May 1918 he was transferred to the 4th Recruit Company of the 50th Infantry Brigade at Camp McClellan, Alabama.  On 20 May 1918 he was again transferred to L Company 116th Infantry.  PVT Teed sailed for France with the regiment on 15 Jun 1918, departing Hoboken, New Jersey aboard the USS Finland.  PVT Teed was killed in action on 12 Oct 1918.

PVT Teed was repatriated and re-interred in Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Hawthorne, New York. His grave remained unmarked until 1935. 

Brother, Edward George Teed, served in the 301st and 302nd Infantry and in France from April 1918 to 1919. Brother, Frank James Teed, served in Headquarters Company 321st Infantry 81st Division (1918-1919) in France. William's son, Harry Wissler Teed, served in the Army during WW2 (1942-1945).

PVT William Clifford Devitt

PVT William Clifford Devitt was born 20 Feb 1891 in New Orleans, Louisiana the 3rd of 7 children born to William Joseph and Mary E. (Cameron) Devitt.  His father was a warehouseman and laborer.  His parents appear to have separated by 1910 and his mother remarried.

When drafted, William was working as a "cotton yardman" and supporting his mother.  They were living at 1355 Religious Street in New Orleans. William was assigned to L Company 116th Infantry and shipped out for France with that unit.  They departed Hoboken, New Jersey aboard the USS Finland on 15 Jun 1918 and arrived in France on 28 Jun 1918.  The entire regiment then moved to training and then into the line.  They were part of an attack in the vicinity of Molleville Farm and PVT Devitt was killed in action there on 8 Oct 1918.

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