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.