USA > Indiana > Gold star honor roll. A record of Indiana men and women who died in the service of the United States and the allied nations in the world war. 1914-1918 > Part 1
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ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 00092 3380
Gc 940.410 IN2INH INDIANA HISTORICAL COMMISSION. GOLD STAR HONOR ROLL
Indiana Historical Collections
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World War Records
Allen County Public Library F. Wayne, Indiana
The act of the Indiana General Assembly approved March 8, 1915, creating the Indiana Historical Commission, provides for the collection and publication of docu- mentary and other materials on the history of Indiana. The law provides that these volumes shall be printed and bound at the expense of the State and be made available to the public. Copies are offered at practically the cost of printing the volumes, the proceeds go into the State treasury for the use of the Historical Commission in producing other volumes. The law also provides that one copy of all volumes printed by the Historical Commission shall be placed in each public library, college, and Normal School in the State.
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Indiana Historical Commission
FRANK B. WYNN, President SAMUEL M. FOSTER, Vice President HARLOW LINDLEY, Secretary
WARREN T. McCRAY JAMES A. WOODBURN CHARLES W. MOORES MATTHEW J. WALSH CHARITY DYE LEW M. O'BANNON
JOHN W. OLIVER, Director LUCY M. ELLIOTT, Assistant Director
FORT WAYNE PRINTING COMPANY CONTRACTORS FOR STATE PRINTING AND BINDING
1921
Indiana World War Records
GOLD STAR HONOR ROLL
A Record of Indiana Men and Women who died in the service of the United States and the Allied Nations in the World War
1914 - 1918
PUBLISHED BY THE INDIANA HISTORICAL COMMISSION INDIANAPOLIS
1921
"The Stars shine bright in fields of blue; They light the way where row on row Is marked the resting place of you Who peaceful sleep where poppies grow.
The fight is o'er; your faith we've kept; The torch you flung burns brighter still- And though in Flanders field you slept- It led to victory-God's will."
ADAM D. BOWMAN, Southport, Indiana.
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Introduction
When the Indiana Historical Commission decided early in 1919 to issue a series of publications recounting the history of our State's part in the World War, it was agreed that the first volume should be dedicated to the Gold Star men and women of Indiana. Believing that first honor should be paid to those heroes who had laid down their lives for their country's honor, it was decided to give special attention to their records, and to prepare a volume worthy of their sacrifices.
A careful check was made from the daily casualty lists published in the United States Official Bulletin, beginning with the first name printed, that of James B. Gresham-who was not only the first man from Indiana, but the first of the Americans to fall in battle after the United States entered the war, on through the entire list. The checking of names was continued until the publication of the Official Bulletin was suspended. The name and address of every man and woman reported from Indiana as having been killed in action, died from wounds, died of disease, or from other causes, was copied and classified according to the county in which they had lived. In addition to this, a careful check was made of the casualty lists published in the Indianapolis newspapers, covering the entire period of the war, and running on down until the close of the year 1920, with the view of obtaining the name of every Indiana soldier, sailor, marine, and nurse, who had died while serving with the fighting forces of the United States and the allies during the World War. Also, an examination was made of the casualty lists sent out by the Adjutant General in Washington to the state Adjutant General of Indiana in the July, 1920, with the view of including any additional names that had been omitted from the files of the Official Bulletin or from the lists pub- lished in the newspapers.
The names prepared from all these different sources were then classi- fied according to counties, and the lists were in turn sent to the local county committees to be verified. A special questionnaire was printed and also sent to the committees to be filled out for each name. When the records were completed they were returned to the office of the His- torical Commission, and from these the biographical sketches were prepared for the volume.
None except those directly connected with the details of the work in assembling these thousands of records can ever realize the immense amount of labor involved in preparing a memorial volume of this kind. An effort has been made to obtain the following information for every record included in this volume: Names of the parents, date and place of deceased's birth, his occupation, the date and place where he entered service, camps where trained, a brief statement of his service record, the date and place of his death, and the place of burial.
Special efforts have also been made to obtain a photograph in every case. This part of the work has been unbelievably successful. Photo- graphs of every imaginable description have been received. In numerous cases the parents have entrusted to us the last and only photograph in their possession, showing their eagerness to cooperate in this memorable work. Had this phase of the work been delayed for even the short
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period of two or three years it is doubtful if fifty per cent of the photo- graphs could have been obtained. It is indeed a great satisfaction to us to be able to report that in the handling of the thousands of pictures, not one has been lost.
The chief regret in assembling a memorial volume of this kind is the physical limitation that prevents giving greater space to the individual records of these heroes. If it were possible, an entire page or more should be given to each record. Copies of letters written by the chap- lain, nurses, and comrades, who were present during the last moments lived by these men and women have been gathered and filed with most of the records, but unfortunately they can not be printed in the limited space alloted in the volume. Under the plan adopted, that of placing five records to the page, together with their photographs, it has made a volume of considerably more than six hundred pages. But to have condensed the sketches more than has been done, or to have reduced still more the size of the photographs, would have been entirely unwise, if not ungrateful.
In preparing a volume of this kind where the records run into the thousands, it is too much to hope that the work will be entirely free from errors. Especially is this true in regard to the military and naval units mentioned in certain cases. Oftentimes utterly contradictory reports have been received regarding the same individual's record. But in every case a sincere effort has been made to determine the exact unit and branch of service in which he was enrolled, and to give a brief sketch of his service record. If from the brief sketches herewith produced the sons and daughters of later generations learn something of the heroic services rendered by these men and women, and of the sacrifices they made, then this volume will have served the purpose for which it was published.
Special mention should be made here of the splendid work performed by the local committees in the different counties in collecting the Gold Star records. Too much credit can not be given to these loyal, earnest workers, who so nobly assisted in this great cause. Without their co- operation this volume would never have been a success. Earnestly and patiently they labored, week after week, and month after month, going about over the county, interviewing the parents and next of kin, in an effort to secure the information asked for on the questionnaire, and to obtain a photograph of these heroes. They gave their time and labor freely in this sacred work, and many of them expended considerable sums out of their own private income in order to gather the records from their county and permanently preserve them. To these earnest and untiring workers, the Indiana Historical Commission is forever indebted.
To Lee Burns of Indianapolis, the editor is especially indebted for his many valuable suggestions in helping to select the cover design, paper, and binding used in preparing this volume for publication. His advice and professional services have always been at the disposal of the Commission, and his council has been of great help.
State House, Indianapolis, February 26, 1921
John W. Oliver, Editor Indiana Historical Commission.
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To Indiana's Gold Stars
"Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." How forcibly do these immortal words, uttered by the Man of Galilee nearly two thousand years ago, bring home to us the patriotism and love of country of the three thousand three hundred and fifty-four sons and fifteen daughters of Indiana who laid down their lives for their neighbors and friends, for their country and civilization.
If we knew the exact circumstances surrounding the final moments of each life, words could not paint the story nor recount the depth of the sacrifice made by these heroes of ours. We can only say that when the honor of the flag and the cause of humanity was at stake they freely gave their lives.
Thousands upon hundreds of thousands of Hoosiers in their daily vocations and in every civilian war activity, in training camp, and on the battle field, were striving for America in the great World War. Of this number, less than four thousand were called upon to sacrifice their lives. It is by way of tribute to these that this book has been created.
We will look upon it as a memorial to Indiana's dead in the World War, and such it is; but a more lasting memorial has been erected in the hearts of their neighbors and their friends, a memorial that will endure long after this book shall have perished, and will be handed down from generation to genera- tion so long as Hoosier hearts beat true to the music of our American ideals.
As we turn the pages of Indiana's Gold Star Book we will catch something of the inspiration which led these boys and girls on, something of the heroism that steeled their nerves in the hour of trial. If we can feel this, if we can understand how great the sacrifice by the families and friends of these fallen ones, we will be better Americans than we have been before, and will not our- selves, nor permit others, if in our power to prevent, to lay careless or unfriendly hands upon the institutions of our country.
I wish I were able to say that which is in my heart in tribute to these fallen heroes of ours, that I might in some way lighten the burden of those who mourn their loss. They were sons and daughters worthy of the men and women of Indiana of other days.
By their sacrifice they have shown to the world that American manhood and womanhood is just as brave as in the early days of the Republic. They died for us and for our country. Let each one of us so live and so serve the state and nation as to preserve and make better the institutions for which they gave the last full measure of devotion.
Indianapolis, December 2, 1920.
James Plodich Executive Office.
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JAMES BETHEL GRESHAM, Corporal, Sixteenth Infantry
The first American to give his life on the battlefields of France after the armed forces of the United States began military operations against Germany was a Hoosier lad, James Bethel Gresham, of Evansville, Indi- ana. The impressive ceremonies held at the time of his funeral, and that of the two comrades who fell during the same raid that caused Cor- poral Gresham's death, are particularly appropriate to Indiana's Gold Star Volume. General Bordeaux, the French commander of the sector in which the raid occurred, near Bathelemont, accompanied by his full staff, infantry, artillery, and engineer chiefs, and a representative of the French Corps commander, had charge of the ceremonies. As the bodies of these first heroes were lowered in the graves, a company of United States Infantry fired three volleys, and the trumpeter sounded taps. General Bordeaux delivered the following address :-
"In the name of the Eighteenth Division, in the name of the French Army, and in the name of France, I bid farewell to Corporal Gresham, Private Enright, and Private Hay, of the Sixteenth Infantry, American Army.
"Of their own free will they had left their happy and prosperous country to come over here. They knew that the war continued in Europe; they knew that the forces fighting for honor, love, justice, civili- zation, were still checked by the long-prepared forces which are serving the powers of brutal domination, oppression, barbarity. They knew that an effort was still necessary.
"They ignored nothing of the circumstances. Nothing had been concealed from them-neither the length nor hardships of this war, nor the violence of the battle, nor the dreadfulness of the new weapons, nor
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the perfidy of the foe. Nothing stopped them. They had accepted to lead a hard and strenuous life; they had crossed the ocean despite great peril; they had taken their place on the front by our side; they have fallen facing the foe in a hard and desperate hand-to-hand fight. Honor to them! Their families, their friends, and their fellow-citizens will be proud when they learn of their death.
"Men: These graves, the first to be dug in our national soil, at but a short distance from the enemy, are as a mark of the mighty hand of our allies, firmly clinging to the common task, confirming the will of the people and Army of the United States to fight with us to a finish ; ready to sacrifice as long as it will be necessary, until final victory for the noblest of causes-that of liberty of nations, the weak as well as the mighty.
"Thus the death of this humble corporal and of these two private soldiers appears to us with extraordinary grandeur. We will therefore ask that the mortal remains of these young men be left here-be left to us forever. We will inscribe on their tombs: 'Here lie the first soldiers of the United States Republic to fall on the soil of France for Justice and Liberty.' The passer-by will stop and uncover his head. The travelers of France, of the allied countries, of America, the men of heart who will come to visit our battle-field of Lorraine, will go out of their way to come here,-to bring to these graves the tribute of their respect and of their gratefulness.
"Corporal Gresham, Private Enright, Private Hay: In the name of France, I thank you. God receive your souls. Farewell!"
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CHARLES GRIMES!BOWMAN, Commodore, U. S. N. Highest ranking Naval Officer from Indiana, who died while in service during the World War.
Charles Grimes Bowman; son of John Milton and Elizabeth Barnett Bowman; born October 15, 1848, Delphi, Ind. Graduated from U.S. Naval Academy in the class of 1869. Married Josephine McFarlane of Delphi, February 24, 1876. Served successively on the Sabine, Richmond, Constellation, Yantic, and Hartford, from 1869-1876. Naval Academy, 1876-9; on the Adams, 1879-82; Naval Observatory, 1882-6; on the Atlanta and the Boston, 1886-9; Naval Academy, 1889-93; Execu- tive officer Marblehead, 1894-7; Equipment officer Mare Island, 1897- 1900; Commander of Castine, 1900-1; Don Juan de Austria, 1901-2; Inspector of 6th light house district, 1902-3; Navy Yard, League Island, Penn., 1903-4; Equipment officer Navy Yard, New York, 1904-5; Captain of Navy Yard, Pensacola, Fla., 1905-6; Commander of the Rhode Island, 1906-7. Retired at own request, as Commodore, June 30, 1907.
Following the declaration of war by the United States against Ger- many, April 6, 1917, he again offered his services. Accepted; stationed in Milwaukee, Wis., as Inspector. Died of acute bronchitis October 5, 1918, Milwaukee. Buried in Masonic Cemetery, Delphi, Ind. Sur- vived by widow, Josephine McFarlane Bowman, Delphi, Ind.
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ALBERT LEAS HALL, Colonel, U. S. A.
Highest ranking Army Officer from Indiana, who died while in service during the World War.
Albert Leas Hall; son of Albert W. and Leonora Leas Hall; born May 2, 1882, Peru, Indiana. Early education received in the public schools of Indianapolis. Entered the Civil Engineering School of Purdue University in 1901. Before graduating, he passed a competitive exam- ination for a commission in the U.S. Regular Army; appointed Second Lieutenant in the Infantry, April 11, 1905. Promoted to First Lieu- tenant, July 11, 1907. Graduated with honors from the Mounted Service School, Ft. Riley, Kan., and the School of Fire, Ft. Sill, Okla. Appointed Inspector and Instructor of Artillery for Indiana, Ohio, and Michigan, in 1913.
At the outbreak of the World War he was stationed in the Philip- pine Islands. Ordered to return to U.S., and appointed Director of Artillery at Ft. Sill, Okla. When the Thirty-eighth Division was formed he was the choice of his state for Brigadier General for Artillery, but barred because of his youth. Appointed Commanding Officer at Camp Bowie, Tex., and Colonel of the Fiftieth Regiment of Artillery. Died October 18, 1918, of influenza at Camp Bowie, Tex. Buried in Crown Hill Cemetery, Indianapolis, Ind. Survived by widow, Daisy De Graff Hall, and one son, Lewis Albert Hall.
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GOLD STARS
ADAMS COUNTY
BIXLER, DAVID D. - PRIVATE
Son of Mr. and Mrs. Solomon Bixler (mother deceased) ; born September 9, 1896, Wabash Township, Adams County, Ind. Teacher. Entered service September 4, 1918, Decatur, Ind. Sent to Camp Taylor, Ky .; assigned to 17th Company, 5th Battalion, 159th Depot Brigade. Transferred to Battery A, 67th Infantry. Died of empyema January 7, 1919, Base Hospital, Camp Taylor, Ky. Buried, Berne, Adams County, Ind.
CHRISTEN, JESSE F. PRIVATE Son of John and Catherine M. Christen; born December 27, 1887, Root Township, Adams County, Ind. Druggist. Entered service September 21, 1917, Decatur, Ind. Sent to Camp Taylor, Ky .; assigned to 67th Company, 159th Depot Brigade; later to Headquarters Company, 139th Field Artillery. Transferred to Wilmington, Del .; assigned to Company B, 12th Battalion, U.S. Guards. Died of pneumonia October 21, 1918, Wilmington, Del. Buried in Maplewood Cemetery, Decatur, Ind.
CLARK, CLARENCE SEAMAN, 2ND CLASS
Son of John Henry and Capitola Lord Clark; born December 14, 1897, Adams County, Ind. Farmer. Entered U.S. Navy May 27, 1918, and was sent to Great Lakes Naval Training Station, Chicago, Ill. Promoted to fourth gunner; later assigned to duty as 2nd class seaman. Died of influenza October 12, 1918, Great Lakes Training Station, Chicago. Buried in Maplewood Cemetery, Decatur, Ind.
PICTURE
COULD. NOT BE
OBTAINED
COFFELT, ROY PRIVATE
Son of Jonas and Anna Coffelt; born August 6, 1889, near Geneva, Adams County, Ind. Laborer. Entered service September 20, 1917, Decatur, Ind., and was sent to Camp Taylor, Ky. Assigned to 67th Company, 17th Battalion, 159th Depot Brigade. Committed suicide by hanging himself, September 28, 1917, Camp Taylor, Ky. Buried in Burris Cemetery, Geneva, Ind.
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ADAMS COUNTY
ELEY, CLELMER CLAYTON SERGEANT
Son of Jacob and Hannah Eley; born February 1, 1889, Berne, Adams County, Ind. Employe of Citizen's Telephone Company, Decatur. Entered service May 29, 1918, Decatur, Ind. Sent to Camp Gordon, Ga .; assigned to 27th Company, 7th Battalion, 157th Depot Brigade. Transferred to Camp Merritt, N. J .; embarked for overseas July 23, 1918; assigned to Company H, 329th Infantry. Died of pneumonia September 19, 1918, Hospital No. 52, Le Mans, France. Buried in American Cemetery, Le Mans, France.
PICTURE
COULD NOT BE
OBTAINED
FOX, CHESTER PRIVATE
Son of Jacob and Rachael Fox; born July 12, 1896, Sterling, Kan. Living on a farm in Adams County, Ind., when he was called into service April 28, 1918, Decatur, Ind. Sent to Camp Funston, Kan .; assigned to 27th Company, 164th Depot Bri- gade. Embarked for overseas June 4, 1918; assigned to Com- pany B, 353rd Infantry. Participated in battles of St. Mihiel, and Bois de Banthville. Killed in action October 28, 1918. (Place unknown).
HELLER, REUBEN HUGH PRIVATE
Son of Frank and Polina Heller; born September 14, 1895, Hartford Township, Adams County, Ind. Farmer. Called into service September 4, 1918, Decatur, Ind. Sent to Camp Taylor, Ky .; assigned to 17th Company, 5th Battalion, 159th Depot Brigade. Died of influenza October 5, 1918, Camp Taylor, Ky. Buried in Greenwood Cemetery, Hartford Town- ship, Adams County, Ind.
HENSCHEN, FRANK OLIVER PRIVATE
Son of Jacob E. and Mary M. Henschen; born September 6, 1893, Kirkland Township, Adams County, Ind. Farmer. Entered service September 5, 1918, Decatur, Ind. Sent to Camp Taylor, Ky .; assigned to 319th Auxiliary Remount Depot. Died of pneumonia January 4, 1919, Camp Taylor, Ky. Buried in Steel's Cemetery, Kirkland Township, Adams County, Ind. Survived by widow, Clara May Henschen, and one daughter, Doris Marie, Decatur, Ind.
HIRSCHY, CHRISTIAN PRIVATE
Son of Henry and Anna Hirschy; born June 16, 1893, in Monroe Township, Adams County, Ind. Farmer. Called into service July 25, 1918, Decatur, Ind. Sent to Camp Taylor, Ky .; assigned to 39th Company, 10th Training Battalion, 159th Depot Brigade. Died of influenza October 12, 1918, Camp Taylor, Ky. Buried in Berne Cemetery, Adams County, Ind.
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GOLD STARS
HUSER, SAMUEL PRIVATE
Son of John and Katherine Huser; born May 18, 1893, in French Township, Adams County, Ind. Farmer. Entered service April 27, 1918, Decatur, Ind. Sent to Camp Taylor, Ky .; assigned to 18th Company, 5th Battalion, 159th Depot Brigade; transferred to 4th Company, 1st Training Battalion, 159th Depot Brigade. Died of influenza May 10, 1918, Camp Taylor, Ky. Buried in Huser Cemetery, near Berne, Adams County, Ind.
KLOPFENSTEIN, JOHN PRIVATE
Son of John and Katherine Moser Klopfenstein; born April 25, 1896, in Adams County, Ind. Employe of Brass Foundry, Sturgis, Mich., where he entered service September 19, 1917. Sent to Camp Custer, Mich .; assigned to Company D, 328th Machine Gun Battalion. Transferred to Camp Merritt, N. J. Went overseas and was transferred to Company C, 18th Infan- try, 1st Division. Killed in action September 12, 1918, St. Mihiel, France.
KUNTZ, URBAIN PRIVATE
Son of Alfred and Adele Saugy Kuntz; born October 5, 1895, Massillon, Ohio. Moved to Adams County, Ind. in 1898. Watchmaker. Entered service September 2, 1918, Decatur, Ind. Sent to Camp Grant, Ill., and was assigned to Company D, 5th Limited Service Regiment. Died of pneu- monia October 4, 1918, Camp Grant, Ill. Buried in Geneva, Adams County, Ind.
MILLER, RALPH THEODORE PRIVATE
Son of Martin and Louise Borne Miller; born February 26, 1894, Preble, Adams County, Ind. Merchant. Entered S. A. T.C. August 15, 1918, Cincinnati University, Cincinnati, Ohio; transferred to Carnegie Institute, Pittsburg, Pa .; assigned to 298th Aero Radio Squadron. Died of pneumonia October 20, 1918, Pittsburg, Pa. Buried in Woodland Cemetery, Decatur, Ind. Survived by widow, Lucy McCrory Miller, Fort Wayne, Ind.
MOSSER, VERNON SOLOMON COOK
Son of Solomon and Sarah Buehrer Mosser; born April 26, 1896, Geneva, Adams County, Ind. Served one full term enlistment in U.S. Regular Army, and re-enlisted following declaration of war against Germany. Assigned to Cooks Headquarters. Overseas in March, 1918. Took part in Second Battle of Marne, and Argonne Forest. Returned to U.S., and while stationed at Ft. Schuyler, N. Y., was acci- dentally drowned, July 30, 1919. Buried, Geneva, Ind.
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ADAMS COUNTY
MURTAUGH, CHARLES ANTHONY
- PRIVATE
Son of William and Mary Murtaugh; born September 28, 1897, Woodruff, W. Va. Later moved to Decatur, Adams County, Ind. (date not known), where he was an employe of the Chicago and Erie Railroad. Entered service September 5, 1918, Decatur, Ind. Sent to Camp Taylor, Ky .; assigned to 17th Company, 5th Battalion, 159th Depot Brigade. Died of pneumonia October 8, 1918, Camp Taylor, Ky. Buried in St. Joseph Cemetery, Decatur, Ind.
PARR, VERNON CHRISTOPHER - SERGEANT Son of John H. and Margueretta J. Parr; born February 6, 1890, Wapakoneta, Ohio. Moved to Adams County, Ind., in 1894. Railroad fireman. Enlisted in U.S. Regular Army April 27, 1917. Sent to Ft. Thomas, Ky .; assigned to 19th Cavalry. Transferred to Camp Ethan Allen, Vt .; assigned to 77th Field Artillery. Transferred to Camp Greene, N. C. Overseas in May, 1918. Died September 27, 1918, from wounds received in action. Body returned to U.S., and buried in Berkley, Va.
REUSSER, OMAR PRIVATE
Son of William and Sarah Reusser; born December 17, 1889, Berne, Adams County, Ind. Carpenter. Entered service September 21, 1917, Decatur, Ind. Sent to Camp Taylor, Ky. Transferred to Camp Grant, Ill. Overseas March 14, 1918; assigned to Company B, 18th Infantry, 3rd Division. Died of pneumonia February 8, 1919, Bordeaux, France. Buried in Talence, Gironde, France. Survived by widow, Emma Ryf Reusser, and one son, Omar William Reusser, Berne, Ind.
SCHWARTZ, JEFFERSON J. - PRIVATE Son of John J. and Maria Baumgartner Schwartz; born February 27, 1893, in French Township, Adams County, Ind. Farmer. Entered service May 25, 1918, Decatur, Ind. Sent to Camp Taylor, Ky .; assigned to 15th Company, 4th Battalion, 159th Depot Brigade. Transferred to Quartermaster Corps, Camp Supply Office. Died of pneumonia February 22, 1919, Camp Taylor, Ky. Buried in Christian Apostolic Cemetery, Wells County, Ind.
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