USA > New York > The world war book : being a record of the war activities of this community and a brief personal history of those who entered the service of their country > Part 4
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WILLIAM DANFORD HECOX
The son of Eugene D. Hecox and Hannah Hecox Brice, was born at Springfield Center, Otsego County, New York, on March 28th, 1890, and attended school at Springfield Center and Richfield Springs.
At the date of his call to the service, April 29th, 1918, he was the deputy postmaster at Springfield Center, N. Y.
He was assigned to Co. K, 311th Regiment, infantry, and was sent to Camp Dix for training. He was there but a few weeks and sailed for France May 20th, 1918, arriving at Southampton, England, June 4th, 1918. Soon left for Calais, France, where he trained for about three months. Was then moved to the St. Mihiel sector, where he put in twenty-one days in the front line trenches. Then moved to the Argonne and was in fighting trenches there for three weeks. Was being trans- ferred to another front when the armistice was signed, November 11th, 1918. Was sent to Cop-de Ore sector, where 78th Division was stationed, for six months. Went to Bordeaux May 4th, 1919, and in six days was shipped home, arriving in New York May 22nd. Was sent to Camp Merritt, then to Camp Upton, where he was discharged May 30th, 1919.
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PAUL WILLIAM HERDMAN
The son of Alexander Herdman and Nellie Herdman, was born at Springfield, Otsego County, New York, on November 18th, 1896, and obtained his education at the Cherry Valley High School.
He has followed farming and at the time of his call to the service, September 9th, 1918, was employed in a garage.
He was assigned to the artillery, Battalion D, 7th Regiment, F. A. R. D .; later to the 26th O. A. R. D., Headquarters Co .; then 3rd Regi- ment, F. A. R. D.
He was sent to Camp Jackson, South Carolina, where he was trained for two months and sent to Newport News. He was on board the transport when the armistice was signed.
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JOHN E. HIBBARD
The son of Emerson Hibbard and Vera Hibbard, was born at Vernon Center, Oneida County, New York, on September 15th, 1899. He was educated in the common schools.
Enlisted on August 7th, 1916, at the age of 16 years, and will there- fore be known as one of the youngest veterans with the A. E. F. He joined Co. M, 1st New York Infantry, but was later transferred to Co. M, 107th U. S. Infantry, of the famous 27th Division.
He was trained at Camp Wadsworth, at Spartanburg, S. C., and went to France on May 10th, 1918. At his training camp he was drilled in bayonet work for one and one-half years.
He was engaged in the battles at East Poperinghe line (from July 9th to August 21st) ; Dickebush sector, Belgium, August 21st to August 30th) ; Hindenburg line, Bony (September 29th and 30th).
He was wounded with shrapnel in the stomach and gassed.
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E. LOUISE HINDS
The subject of this sketch, is well known throughout the east as a reader of exceptional talent. Miss Hinds was born at Richfield Springs, Otsego County, New York, and is the daughter of the late Eugene A. Hinds, many years postmaster of Richfield Springs, and Mary Buchanan Hinds.
In June of 1917, she offered her services to the "Y" to entertain soldiers and sailors in the various camps of the East. She recited before large and enthusiastic audiences at Newport, R. I., Syracuse, N. Y., Camp Dix, Camp Upton and Camp Merritt.
Later she was summoned to the tidewater camps and did splendid work at Camp Lee, Newport News, Norfolk, Camp Meade and Camp Humphrey, receiving from the Director of the Southern Section Activities letters of most cordial appreciation.
Her efforts to strengthen the morale of the soldier and sailor in camp and station entitle her to the gratitude of every patriotic citizen and the place she won in the hearts of the men who listened to her is indeed a large one.
Her ambition was to go overseas and there is no doubt that her services would have been accepted had not illness in her family pre- vented. Her work before and after the armistice has endeared her to many thousands of the men who preserved the world's peace.
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HERBERT ELMER HOSFORD
The son of Frank D. Hosford and Clara L. Evans Hosford, was born in Warren, Herkimer County, New York, on May 21st, 1895, and received his education in the Richfield Springs High School.
He was employed on his uncle's farm at the time of his being drafted into the service on September 6th, 1918. Was first sent to the Syracuse Recruiting Camp and assigned to the 92nd Co., 22nd Battalion. In a short time he was transferred to the Coast Artillery at Fort Totten, Long Island, where he served as a driver for officers and field clerks.
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KENNETH HOWARD HOUSE
Was born at Richfield Springs, Otsego County, New York, on January 14th, 1893. He attended the Richfield Springs school. Was employed by the Remington Arms for about five years and was with the Utica Knitting Company when he entered the service, in August of 1918.
He reported at Syracuse for training, and was later transferred to Camp Merritt, attached to the 340th Guard and Fire Company.
Was later transferred to Camp Upton and from that place discharged from the service on December 30th, 1918, returning to civilian life at Richfield Springs.
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JOSEPH HUGGICK
The son of Albert Huggick and Mary Huggick, was born at South Colum- bia, Herkimer County, New York, on February 20th, 1896, and attended the district school in his native township.
He was engaged in farm work on the home farm when he was called to the service, about October 18th, 1917.
He was attached to Co. F, 303rd Infantry, and sent to Camp Devens, Mass., and then transferred to Co. M, 60th Infantry, at Camp Green, N. C., shipping with that company for France.
But little is known about this young soldier after he arrived in France, but one letter being received by his parents, and this stated that he was in the 3rd line trenches.
He was killed in action about October 25th, 1918. On Sunday afternoon, April 18th, 1919, a memorial service was held in his home town under the auspices of the Red Cross, the program being in charge of Mrs. M. M. Hatch, the president of the South Solumbia Chapter, and the address being made by the Rev. Charles Niles of Jordanville, N. Y., who with all of the company present paid tribute to this brave son of Columbia.
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CLARENCE ROBERT HUYCK
The son of Edgar Huyck and Minnie Huyck, was born in Exeter, Otsego County, New York, on July 9th, 1896, and was educated in the district school in his neighborhood.
He engaged in farming, and at the time of his enlistment, June 8th, 1917, was employed in the Remington typewriter plant at Ilion, N. Y.
He enlisted at Schenectady, N. Y., and was sent from there to Pelham Bay, N. Y., and then to Camp Wadsworth, Spartanburg, S. C., where he was attached to Co. A, 105th U. S. Infantry, 27th Division.
Was discharged at Camp Jackson, and took up employment in the Remington Arms at Ilion, N. Y., when he was drafted and sent to Camp Jackson, where he remained for five months.
Was listed for overseas service when the armistice was signed and remained at Camp Jackson until sent to Camp Mills, Long Island, where he was discharged from the service on December 28th, 1918.
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FRED ABBOT JOHNSON
Was born at Ogdensburg, St. Lawrence County, New York, on March 3rd, 1893, and was educated in the Richfield Springs public school.
Previous to his enlistment, on July 15th, 1917, he was in the railroad service. He enlisted in Troop G, 1st N. Y. Cavalry, at Utica, N. Y., and was later assigned to Co. B, 106th Machine Gun Battalion. Was first sent to Brooklyn and then to Spartanburg, S. C., training there for seven months.
He left for overseas on May 10th, 1918, and landed at Brest, May 26th, 1918. He served in the East Poperinghe line from July 9th to August 20th, 1918; Dickebush sector, August 21st to August 30th. Was at St. Quentin and Cambrai in September of 1918.
He was sick in hospital in France from drinking the water from poisoned wells and was laid up with pneumonia for two months.
Was discharged from the service on April 2nd, 1919, as a member of the famous 27th Division, 54th Brigade.
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HARRY D. JONES
The son of David A. Jones and Carrie Baker Jones, was born at Yonkers, New York, on August 16th, 1894. He is the husband of Marguerite Sitts Jones.
He enlisted in July of 1917, in Toronto, Canada, and in September of that year was transferred to the Royal Flying Corps, graduating in the school for aviators at Toronto University.
He served as an instructor in aviation at Fort Worth, Texas, and was discharged from the service in December of 1918.
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EDWIN CLIFFORD KENT
The son of Mr. and Mrs. Isaac J. Kent, was born at Richfield Springs, Otsego County, New York, on August 27th, 1887, and received his pre- liminary education at the Richfield Springs High School, later taking a course in the Albany Business College.
He was called to the service on March 15th, 1918, and was assigned to the Signal Corps, later being transferred to Department of Aeronautics and served with the 92nd Aero Service Squadron. He trained at Waco, Texas; Camp Greene, Charlotte, S. C .; Mitchell Field, Long Island.
Served overseas in England as chauffeur, 1st Class, at Yapton Aero- drome, Yapton, Sussex, England. He was made a chauffeur in August, 1918, and promoted to the 1st Class in September, giving him the rank of Sergeant, which he held at the time of his discharge.
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MORTIMER J. KEOUGH
The son of James Keough and Nora Keough, was born at Richfield Springs, Otsego County, New York, on December 12th, 1888. He at- tended school at the Richfield Springs High School and later assumed charge of the homestead farm.
He enlisted on July 8th, 1917, and was assigned to Co. L, 23rd In- fantry, 2nd Division, reporting at once at Syracuse, where he trained until September of 1917, sailing overseas on the 7th of that month, land- ing at St. Nazaire, France. He remained there nine days completing the military organization and was then transferred to Goncourt, France, for barracks building.
In February of 1918 he entered the 1st line trenches. He was en- gaged in the Verdun, Toule and Troyon sectors in the early part of that year. From June 1st to July 16th, 1918, he was in the continuous fighting at Chateau Thierry. He went over the top on July 18th on the Marne counter offensive at Soissons, then was sent to Nancy neighborhood for about three weeks. Was in the St. Mihiel drive on September 12th. In October entered the Champagne drive with the 4th French Army.
He was wounded on October 5th, 1918, in the Champagne drive by high explosive shrapnel in both arms, and was sent to the French hos- pital at Toulouse. After six weeks there he was transferred to the American hospital at Vichy, France, remaining in that institution until the first week of January, 1919. When again fit for duty was sent to replacement camp near Tours, and started back for the 2nd Division organization on the Rhine. En route he stopped at Toul three weeks and entered a casual detachment, and shipped home from Bordeaux. He landed in New York on March 24th, 1919. Was sent first to Camp Dix, then to Camp Upton, and from that place discharged in April of 1919.
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CHARLES AUGUSTUS KING
The son of Francis King and Anna King, was born at Richfield Springs, Otsego County, New York, on September 4th, 1887, and attended the public school at Richfield Springs for eight years.
Previous to his call to the service on May 27th, 1918, he was engaged as a cattle buyer and wholesale butcher.
He was assigned to Co. D, 52nd Pioneer Infantry, and was with that company and regiment from the time it was organized at Camp Wads- worth until it was disbanded at Camp Dix on May 19th. He trained at Camp Wadsworth at Spartanburg, S. C., and then left for overseas service.
He was for a time engaged in repairing roads for the artillery; helped break the Hindenburg Line at Avacourt and the Meuse and was in the great Argonne offensive.
He was discharged from Camp Dix, May 19th, 1919.
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GORDON I. KNOX
The son of Frank Knox and Ella Knox, was born at Rome, Oneida County, New York, on July 2nd, 1902, and was educated in the public schools of Utica and Richfield Springs.
He enlisted in Co. E, 9th Infantry, on April 18th, 1917, before he had attained the age of fifteen years. He was large for his age, and for this reason succeeded in passing the enlisting officer.
He was sent to Fort Slocum, then to San Antonio, Texas, then back to Syracuse in the 47th Infantry. From Syracuse he was transferred to Camp Greene, N. C., in October, 1917; then to Camp Mills, in April, 1918.
He sailed for overseas on May 10th, 1918, having been made a Ser- geant at Camp Mills the preceding January.
He was in the second battle of the Marne and was in the front line at the time the armistice was signed, on November 11th, 1918. Since that time he has been with the Army of Occupation in Germany at Adenau.
This young veteran of the A. E. F. has never been sick or wounded since the date of his enlistment.
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AUGUST FRANK KURKOWSKI
The son of Anthony Kurkowski and Pauline Kurkowski, was born at Richfield Springs, Otsego County, New York, on February 12th, 1896. He attended the Richfield Springs public school.
At the time of his call to the service, September 9th, 1918, he was working on the home farm near this village. He was assigned to Co. B, 2nd Division, Camp Jackson, S. C., and transferred to Quartermaster's Corps, Barracks Co. No. 1, East Utilities Division, located at the same camp. Here he was employed as motor truck driver.
He was at Camp Jackson until March 22nd, 1919, when he was honor- ably discharged from the service.
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MAURICE LLEWELLYN LANE
The son of Henry D. Lane and Flora Llewellyn Lane, was born at Richfield Springs, Otsego County, New York, on July 5th, 1895. He attended the public school at Richfield Springs and later graduated from the Utica School of Commerce, accepting a position as clerk in the Citizens' Trust Company, Utica, N. Y., where in 1918 he was advanced to teller in the institution.
He twice tried to enlist in the service, but was not accepted. On September 4th, 1918, he was called under the selective draft. He was entrained from Cooperstown, N. Y., and sent to Camp Upton, Long Island, attached to the 27th Co., 152nd Depot Brigade. After four weeks of regular training he was ordered to report as a Company Clerk. In October a call came for men to serve as clerks on draft boards and he was detailed to his own Local Board in Cooperstown, N. Y.
Immediately after the signing of the armistice he was ordered to Camp Upton by the Personnel Office for duty connected with the dis- charging of soldiers.
On December 21st, 1918, he unexpectedly received the order for his discharge, and on the following day was discharged from the service, shortly resuming his position as teller with the Citizens' Trust Company of Utica, New York.
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CHARLES LAWSON
The son of Thomas W. Lawson and Susie Doxstater Lawson, was born at Fort Plain, Montgomery County, New York, on August 24th, 1882, and attended school at Johnstown, N. Y.
He enlisted on May 2nd, 1917, and reported at Camp Weller, Mo- hawk, N. Y., where he remained three weeks. He was then sent to Van Cortlandt Park, New York, and was there for one month. Was then transferred to Camp Wadsworth, S. C., for nine months' training, at the conclusion of which he was sent to Newport News, Va., where he sailed overseas in May, 1918. He landed at Brest and immediately went to the Belgian front.
He participated in the following battles and engagements: East Poperinghe line, July 9th-August 20th, 1918; Dickebush sector, Belgium, August 27th-30th, 1918; Hindenburg Line (vicinity of Bony), September 29th-30th; Le Selle River (vicinity of Souplet), October 17th, 1918; Jonc de Mer Ridge, October 18th, 1918; St. Maurice River, October 19th-20th.
He was a member of Co. M, 107th Infantry, of the famous 27th Divi- sion, and was graded as a Private, 1st Class. After the armistice was signed he was stationed at different points in France, doing police and guard duty.
He left Brest in March, 1919, for New York, and was discharged from Camp Upton on April 2nd, 1919.
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ARTHUR PAUL LEARY
The son of John R. Leary and Mary Curley Leary, was born in the town of Richfield, Otsego County, New York, on November 21st, 1897, and is a graduate of the Richfield Springs High School.
He was working on the home farm when he entered the service on October 5th, 1918, joining the Engineering Corps of the Students' Army Training Corps at Union College, Schenectady, N. Y.
He was discharged from the service on December 6th, 1918, and is continuing his course at Union College.
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JOHN JOSEPH LEARY
The son of John R. Leary and Mary Curley Leary, was born in the town of Richfield, Otsego County, New York, on November 27th, 1888. He is a graduate of the Richfield Springs High School and of Syracuse Univer- sity, Syracuse, N. Y.
At the time of his entering the service, on July 10th, 1918, he was a member of the medical staff of the Utica State Hospital.
He entered the Medical Corps, Camp Greenleaf, Georgia, remaining there for two months; entered State Psychopathic Hospital, Camp Wads- worth, S. C., for intensive course in neurology and psychiatry, with hospital work. He has also been located at Fort Ontario, N. Y., and General Hospital No. 43, National Soldiers' Home, Va.
In June of 1917 he was commissioned a 1st Lieutenant, and at this time, June 1st, 1919, is located in the Hospital at Hampton, Va.
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LEO V. LEARY
The son of Richard Leary and Mary Ellen Horen Leary, was born near Richfield Springs, Otsego County, New York, on January 14th, 1896. He was educated at the Richfield Springs High School.
At the time of his call to the service, on August 26th, 1918, he was working on the home farm.
He entered a machine gun school at Camp Hancock, Georgia, finished in double time, and was transported from Camp Merritt, N. J., for overseas service on November 8th, 1918, as a member of the 138th Machine Gun Company. He arrived in England after the signing of the Armistice.
He was taken into France in a replacement division and at this writ- ing is serving as a P. E. S. at Bourges, France.
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JOHN MARCUS LEE
The son of George Lee and Lida King Lee, was born at Cranberry Creek, Fulton County, New York, in November of 1894. He was edu- cated in the country schools of his neighborhood.
Previous to his call to the service, on May 27th, 1918, he had been employed at farming and was later an employe in the Remington Arms Company plant at Ilion, N. Y.
He entered the Red Cross Ambulance Corps, in Co. 40, 6th Division. He was sent to Spartanburg, S. C., transferred to Camp Mills and went overseas in July of 1918. He was in the trenches for a time, but prin- cipally was engaged in bandaging the wounded men and carrying them back to motor ambulances for transportation to the base hospitals.
At the present time he is with the Army of Occupation in Germany.
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BENJAMIN PAUL LENT
The son of James and Harriet Lent, was born at Richfield Springs March 25, 1892. He received his early schooling at Richfield Springs, after which he took up his duties as a chef and meat cutter and prior to his entering the service was working in the Remington Arms plant at Ilion, N. Y.
He entered the service July 31, 1918, and was sent to Camp Upton, L. I., where he entered the school for bakers and cooks, taking up this training for a regular army cook. He succeeded in this particular line of work and passed the examination, graduating as a Mess Sergeant. He was honorably discharged from Camp Upton December 13th, 1918, and returned immediately to Richfield Springs.
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DELMONT LENT
The son of James and Harriet Lent, was born at Richfield Springs June 20, 1894. He received his early education at the High School at Rich- field Springs, after which he learned the trade of a barber. He was engaged in this work when he entered the service, April 29, 1918. He received his first military training at Camp Dix, N. J., being assigned to Co. L, 311th Infantry, then later attached to the 36th Co., 9th Battalion, 152nd Depot Brigade.
His work at Camp Dix included drilling and guard duty. He was discharged from Camp Dix January 13th, 1919, and returned to Richfield Springs.
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ERNEST LEONARD
The son of William Leonard and Julia Leonard, was born at Richfield Springs, County of Otsego, New York, on January 15th, 1887.
He enlisted as a Machinist's Mate, 2nd Class, on November 21st, 1907. Served in the first cruise on the U. S. S. Connecticut. Discharged as a Chief Machinist's Mate.
He re-enlisted on March 19th, 1912, and served on board the U. S. S. Florida two years and six months.
Was appointed a Machinist on December 28th, 1914, and served three years as Engineer Officer of the U. S. S. Ontario.
He received a temporary commission as Ensign on August 15th, 1917; made a Lieutenant (junior grade) on March 1st, 1918, and a Lieu- tenant on September 1st, 1918.
Served on board the U. S. S. Housatonic as Engineer Officer from December 1st, 1917, to March 15th, 1919.
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RALPH EDWARD LEONARD
The son of Gilbert Leonard, was born at Gilbertsville, Otsego County, New York, on January 15th, 1894. He attended the Gilbertsville High School for two years.
He was a foreman in the Utica Knitting Co. plant at Richfield Springs at the time of his call to the service on June 28th, 1918.
He was sent to the recruiting camp at Syracuse, N. Y., and later to the Poison Gas Plant at Edgewood, Maryland. Was later discharged from the service.
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BENJAMIN HARRISON LEWIS
The son of George E. Lewis and Emerette Murdock Lewis, was born in Otsego County, New York, on November 19th, 1894, and is the husband of Marion Schooley Lewis. He was educated in the Cooperstown High School.
He was called to the service on July 1st, 1918, and entered a training school at Buffalo, N. Y. Attached to band as Chief Musician and also had charge of electrical wiring detachment. On August 25th, 1918, was transferred to Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, Signal Corps. On November 5th, 1918, sent with battalion to Camp Benjamin Franklin, Md., prepara- tory to going overseas.
In the electrical class at the Buffalo Training School he stood second highest.
He was made Director of Band on September 12th, 1918; promoted to 1st Class Private on September 29th, according to Signal Corps regu- lations, and again advanced by examination on November 6th, 1918, to Corporal.
He was honorably discharged from Camp Benjamin Franklin, Md., January 6th, 1919.
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DIO ALONZO LEWIS
The son of A. S. Lewis and Flora E. Lewis, was born in the town of Columbia, Herkimer County, New York, on March 5th, 1892, and was educated in the district school of his neighborhood, later attending the High School at West Winfield.
He has been employed at farming and in the Library Bureau at Ilion, N. Y.
He was called to the service on October 5th, 1917, assigned to the 303rd Infantry and sent to Camp Devens, Mass; transferred to the 60th Infantry and sent to Camp Greene, N. C., and later to the 79th Field Artillery at Camp Merritt, N. J.
Sent overseas in August of 1918. Landed at Brest and was in train- ing in France until the close of the war. Is at this writing, May 15th, 1919, with the Army of Occupation.
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GUY WALTER LLEWELLYN
The son of Frank and Elizabeth Llewellyn, was born at Richfield Springs, Otsego County, New York, on August 10th, 1893. He attended the public school at Richfield Springs and was employed by the Utica Knitting Company.
He entered the service on August 26th, 1918, was sent to Camp Gordon, Georgia, and assigned to Co. E, 3rd Infantry, Replacement Regi- ment. Trained at Camp Gordon until October 24th, 1918, and then sailed for overseas. He did not reach the front, as the armistice was signed on November 11th. Almost upon his arrival in France he was sent to Bordeaux and transferred to the cavalry. Later was sent to Romagne, France, where he is doing guard duty at this writing, May 25th, with Co. 16, O. A. R. D., and hopes to reach the United States by August 1st, 1919.
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JOHN FRANCIS M'BRIDE
Was born at Richfield Springs, Otsego County, New York, in 1890 and attended the Richfield Springs public school.
He was engaged in farming when he enlisted in Troop G, 1st N. Y. Cavalry, and served in Mexico in border warfare. Was again placed in civilian life and enlisted at Utica in the World War forces and was a member of the famous 27th Division throughout the war. Was in East Poperinghe sector July 9-August 21st; Dickebush sector, August 21st- 30th, and helped smash the Hindenburg Line, at Bony, September 29th- 30th.
He has been discharged from the service and is now with the N. Y. State Railway Co.
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CHARLES LYNN M'CREDY
The son of Harry McCredy and Nettie Hilsinger McCredy, was born at Richfield Springs, Otsego County, New York, on November 27th, 1889. He was educated at the Richfield Springs High School. He is the hus- band of Clara Lewis McCredy.
At the time of his call to the service he was engaged as salesman for a wholesale saddlery and harness company. He entered the army on June 23rd, 1918, and was assigned to the 8th Co., 152nd Depot Bri- gade, Camp Upton. Transferred to Co. G, 348th Infantry, Camp Dix, and while there was again transferred to Machine Gun Co. 348 of the Infantry.
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