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 6
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He was commissioned a First Lieutenant, M. C., May 9th, 1917; Cap- tain, M. C., November 13th, 1917; Major, M. C., June 13th, 1918; Lieu- tenant Colonel, M. C., February 26th, 1919.
At this writing, May 25th, Lieut. Col. Shaul is with Headquarters Ambulance Section, 306th Sanitary Train, France.
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WARD H. SHEPARD
The son of Mr. and Mrs. Nathaniel W. Shepard, was born in the Town of Wilmurt, Herkimer County, New York, November 23rd, 1891. In 1910 he married Miss Elvira Brown of Richfield Springs, now deceased.
He lived about ten years in the Village of Herkimer, N. Y., and for a considerable period previous to his call to the service he had been em- ployed in the Brockway Garage, at Richfield Springs, N. Y.
He left Cooperstown, N. Y., on September 9th, 1918, for Camp Jack- son, Georgia. Here he was stricken with Spanish influenza and died on September 28th, 1918, three weeks after he had left Richfield Springs for camp.
He was the first soldier from the Town of Richfield to give up his life in the great cause. His funeral obsequies were very impressive and were held from St. John's Church. The body was escorted by a squad from Co. M, of Mohawk, N. Y., who fired the military volleys over the grave in Lakeview Cemetery. At the grave the Masonic service was conducted by the Honorable Allen J. Bloomfield.
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JOHN A. SITTS
The son of George A. Sitts and Katherine Sitts, was born at Richfield Springs, Otsego County, New York, on July 18th, 1888, and was a pupil at the Richfield Springs High School.
At the time of his enlistment, June 12th, 1917, he was about to be assigned an engineer's cab on the Delaware and Hudson R. R., which he is now forever prevented from doing by the loss of the vision of the right eye, incurred in the service.
He enlisted in the Quartermaster's Corps and was later transferred to the Machine Gun Corps. He received his military training at Peeks- kill State Camp and at Spartanburg, S. C., under the supervision of French and Australian officers.
He has seen nine months' service overseas, and was fourteen times "over the top" in battles in Belgium and France, and in the last one, his Division, the famous 27th, broke the Hindenburg line.
He was seriously wounded by shrapnel in the shoulder and side, and lost the sight of his right eye.
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GREGORY PHILIP SMITH
The son of Michael Smith and Anna Smith, was born in the Town of Exeter, Otsego County, New York, on January 2nd, 1897. He obtained his preliminary education at the district school in West Exeter and the Schuyler Lake Union School, and is now a student at the Utica School of Commerce.
When he was called to the service, on November 13th, 1918, he was engaged in farming.
He was attached to the Infantry and sent to Camp Humphrey, Virginia.
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BRYAN CLINTON SNYDER
The son of Edward Snyder and Alice Snyder, was born at Cullen, Herki- mer County, on November 18th, 1896. He attended school at Cullen and Richfield Springs.
He was called to the service on May 10th, 1918, reporting at Fort Slocum, and after one week transferred to Camp Hancock, Georgia, in the 8th Machine Gun Corps. In two months he was sent to Camp Upton and then to Camp Merritt, where he was assigned to the 155th Infantry, 39th Division.
He went overseas on July 21st, 1918, landing at Brest. Here he was again transferred to the 355th Infantry, 89th Division, and moved to the front.
He was at St. Mihiel, September 12th to the 23rd; Argonne, Sep- tember 26th to November 11th. He was appointed a corporal on May 25th, 1918, at Camp Hancock.
He returned on the "Northern Pacific," leaving France on Christmas Day, landing on this side on January 5th, 1919, the boat being stranded for four days on Fire Island.
He was honorably discharged from the service on February 27th, 1919, from Camp Dix.
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OMAR ROBINSON SOUTHWELL
The son of George Southwell and Myrtle Robinson Southwell, was born at Richfield, Otsego County, New York, on February 19th, 1900. He was educated in the Richfield Springs High School.
He had been employed as a bookkeeper and had been working, previ- ous to his enlistment, August 5th, 1918, in the Remington Typewriter plant at Ilion, N. Y.
He enlisted in the Engineering Force of the regular United States Navy, and was assigned to the Naval Training Station at Newport, Rhode Island. Here he was under training for about two months when he was transferred to Ship's Company, in the Main Power Plant.
He is still in the service and stationed at Newport.
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DEWEY SPONBURG
The son of George S. and Maria Sponburgh, was born in Richfield Springs, July 4th, 1898. He received his early school training in the Richfield Springs High School after which he took up his duties as knitter with the Utica Knitting Company.
He entered the service June 21, 1918, and reported at Fort Slocum, N. Y., where he was assigned to Company 2. Shortly afterwards he was sent to Del Rio, Texas, and there assigned to Troop C, 313th Cavalry. Later he was transferred to Camp Knox, Ky., to the 69th Field Artillery, Battalion B, where he received training as a motorcyclist. He was dis- charged from the service Dec. 20th, 1918, and immediately returned to Richfield Springs, where he took up his former work with the Utica Knitting Company.
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ROY SPONBURG
The son of Elmer Sponburgh and Eva F. Sponburgh, was born in Rich- field Springs, Otsego County, New York, on November 28th, 1894. His wife is Alma Mae Ranney Sponburgh. He was educated at the Richfield Springs public school and left that institution after his second year of High School work. At the time of his entrance into the service of his country, on October 6th, 1917, he was engaged in farming.
He was first assigned to Co. G, 303rd Regiment of Infantry; later transferred to the 157th Depot Brigade, and finally sent to Camp Gordon, Ga., preserving the same military assignment. His military training was obtained at Camp Devens, Mass.
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RALPH SPRAKER
The son of Oliver Spraker and Emma Spraker, was born at Salt Spring- ville, New York, on September 1st, 1887. He was educated in the village school at that place. Previous to his call to the service on May 27th, 1918, he had been a farmer.
He was assigned to Co. D, 52nd Pioneer Infantry, and later trans- ferred to Co. G, as cook.
On September 26th, 1918, he sailed overseas with the 52nd Pioneer Infantry and was attached to the First Army and 5th Army Corps and was engaged with the 310th Engineers in road construction. He entered Argonne Forest during his experiences with A. E. F.
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FRED STEELE
The son of Mr. and Mrs. Richard Steele was born in the Town of Rich- field in 1896, and educated in the district schools of his neighborhood.
He was engaged in farming when he enlisted in the United States Navy in October of 1917.
After a preliminary training at a Naval Station he was ordered to the U. S. S. Oklahoma, and at this writing, May 15th, 1919, he is still in the service.
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WILLIAM FOLTS STEELE
The son of Richard and Florence E. A. Steele, was born in the Town of Richfield, Otsego County, N. Y., October 7th, 1899. He attended the district school after which he engaged in farming. He enlisted as a seaman May 30th, 1917, and was in training at Newport, Rhode Island, for some time. Later he was ordered to the torpedo destroyer Duncan where he is serving at this time.
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HAROLD DERTHICK STERNBERG
The son of Watson A. Sternberg and Harriet Derthick Sternberg, was born at Binghamton, Broome County, New York, on June 20th, 1891. His education was obtained at the Richfield Springs public school.
He enlisted in Troop G, 1st New York Cavalry, on July 8th, 1917, and was transferred to Co. C, 106th Machine Battalion. Later was assigned to Co. D, 102nd Ammunition Train and remained with that organization until the date of his discharge.
He was sent to Camp Wadsworth, S. C., for his training of nine months.
He left the United States on June 14th, 1918, with the 102nd Ammu- nition Train, a port of the 52nd Brigade, Field Artillery, and was at- tached to the 2nd American Army, on the Meuse, Argonne Sector.
He was in nineteen battles, among them being Le Claire, Chatten- court, Le Mort Homme 295, Bras Brabout, and Le Torge.
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CECIL H. TAYLOR
The son of Fearnley and Mary Ellen Taylor, was born at Richfield Springs, Otsego County, New York, on November 27th, 1890. He at- tended the Richfield Springs School and took up stationary engineering until he enlisted on May 11th, 1917. Reported at Fort Totten, Long Island, and in training there until July 14th, when he shipped overseas and landed at Plymouth, England, July 26th, 1917. Then was sent to Camp Borden, England, with the 11th Engineers for gas instruction. Ordered to Boulogne, France, and received supplementary gas training at Calais on the way to the front.
He operated on the St. Quentin and Cambrai fronts for five months. Was accidentally injured here, breaking his leg, and confined to the Base Hospital, No. 9, at Rouen for six weeks.
On November 29th, 1917, the 11th Engineers, attached to the 3rd British Army, were the first American troops in an engagement in the battle of Gonsecourt. In April, 1918, was replaced in the 13th Engi- neers, attached to the 2nd French Army. Went to Verdun, where he was engaged in railroad operating.
Was later in the St. Mihiel, Meuse and Argonne drive. Sent to Mar- seilles, France, on March 17th, 1919, and sailed for the United States April 12th, landing in New York on April 28th. Was sent to Camp Mills, then Camp Upton, where he was honorably discharged from the service on May 14th, 1919, returning to his home in Richfield Springs, expecting later to take up his former vocation.
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HARRY ALBERT TAYLOR
The son of Spencer A. Taylor and Rosa House Taylor, was born in Rich- held Springs, New York, September 25th, 1893. He was educated in the Richfield Springs High School and later engaged in farming. He entered the service August 1st, 1918, and was sent to Camp Wadsworth, S. C. On September 1st he was sent to Camp Stuart, Newport News, Va., and on September 15th sailed for France. He landed at Brest September 28th where he remained for three days. He was soon sent up to the front and on October 17th was gassed and sent to Base Hospital, No. 4. After recuperating he was transferred to a training academy at Noyon and made an acting corporal and coacher on a rifle range. He was later held as a witness to the shooting of a corporal by the Military Police. He was sent back to Brest December 27th, 1918, and sailed for the United States January 17th, 1919. He arrived in New York January 26th, was first sent to Camp Mills and then transferred to Camp Upton where he was honorably discharged from the service February 5th, 1919. He immediately returned to Richfield Springs and resumed his duties on the farm.
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LEO ELMER TEFFT
The son of George Tefft and Eliza S. Tefft, was born in Richfield Springs, Otsego County, New York, on November 8th, 1894. He received his education in the Richfield Springs High School, and at the time the young man volunteered his services, he was engaged in farming.
He enlisted on June 3rd, 1917, and was assigned to the Infantry, Co. G, 49th Regiment, but on July 16th, 1918, was transferred to Co. C, 1st Division Battalion, and was sent for his training to Camp Upton, Long Island, spending nineteen months in the different army camps. He was stationed at Syracuse, Camp Merritt, New Jersey, in addition to the others mentioned above.
He received his honorable discharge at Fort Slocum on January 9th, 1919, and at once took up the duties of farming. He is now located at Nichols, Tioga County, New York.
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FRED S. TEN EYCK
The son of Salathiel Ten Eyck and Caroline Remington Ten Eyck Young, was born at Ilion, Herkimer County, New York, on March 19th, 1882, and educated in the Ilion public school.
Previous to his enlistment he was employed in the Remington Arms plant at Ilion, this great business having been founded by his ancestor, Eliphalet Remington. He enlisted on March 18th, 1918, and has the distinction of being the oldest man to enlist from the Town of Richfield.
He was assigned to the 50th Infantry, Co. K, 22nd Division, and was located at different times at Fort Slocum, Washington, Potomac Park, Camp Sevier, S. C., and Camp Dix.
He was one of the guards stationed to protect the White House and Government Buildings at the National Capital, and was about to go over- seas, when the epidemic of influenza broke out in his camp and he was detained until after the signing of the Armistice.
He was discharged from the regular army on the 24th day of Feb- ruary, 1919.
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WILBUR FISK TEN EYCK
The son of Salathiel Ten Eyck and Caroline Remington Ten Eyck Young, was born at Amsterdam, Montgomery County, New York, on February 4th, 1893, and educated in the district schools of that locality.
He was called to the service in May of 1918, and assigned to the 57th Engineers, Co. E.
He sailed for France from Camp Laurel, Md., and has participated in all the engagements credited to his company.
At the present writing, May 15th, 1919, he is with the American Army of Occupation.
This young veteran is the great grandson of Eliphalet Remington, who in 1816 forged the first Remington rifle.
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LESTER CLYDE TICE
The son of Horace and Anna Tice, was born at Schuyler Lake, N. Y., March 18, 1899. He received his school training at Richfield Springs after which he took up his duties as a sawyer and was engaged in this work at the time of his induction into the service April 16, 1917.
His military training began at Fort MacIntosh, Laredo, Texas, where he was first assigned Company M, 37th Infantry, and later transferred to the Supply Company of the 37th Infantry.
His services in Texas consisted largely of guard and border duty and he has taken part in several of the border skirmishes with the Mexicans.
At this writing he is still occupied with his police duties on the border of Mexico and will probably be stationed there for some little time.
He has two medals, one for Mexican invasion and the other for marksmanship.
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EARL T. TINKER
Was born in Chenango County, New York, and was educated in the public school at Waterville, N. Y.
Previous to his enlistment he had been with the Borden Company and at the time of his entrance into the service was a trainman running between Richfield Springs and Binghamton, N. Y.
Sergeant Tinker is a member of Company A, 23rd Infantry, 2nd Division, the Division listed as losing the most men of any in the A. E. F. His record as an overseas officer dates back to the early part of 1918, when he had been three times over the top and in the trenches at Verdun for two months.
He fought with his famous Division at Chateau Thierry, the fourth most decisive battle of the war, and was in the thick of it for 41 days. The day of May 30th, 1918, they were located in a small French town and by daylight moved out in trucks and on June 6th, at 4 o'clock in the afternoon began the battle which lasted until the next morning. The next night followed another engagement and then on until the American forces began to drive the enemy back. Every night they brought back their dead at Triangle Farm, near Belleau Wood. They had been with- out eating or drinking for about a week and at the end of forty-one days, when relieved, they came out of the trenches like living skeletons, with uniforms nearly rotted away.
Next the 2nd Division went to Soissons, where they drove the enemy back 13 kilometers, and captured 10,000 prisoners. From Soissons they went to St. Mihiel, duplicating their action at the former field. Thence to Mt. Blanc, Champagne, and later to the Argonne Forest.
In the middle of April, 1919, Sergeant Tinker was across the Rhine, in a town named Vallendar, with the American Army of Occupation.
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ROBERT FEEKS TOWNSEND
The son of William Cocks Townsend and Mariana Seaman Townsend, was born at Locust Valley, Long Island, New York, on September 24th, 1884. He was educated in the public school at Locust Valley. He is the husband of Grace F. Richardson Townsend.
Previous to his enlistment he had organized the Matinecock Launch & Power Co., at Oyster Bay, N. Y., acting as its secretary and general manager. Retired in 1908 and organized the Nassau Oil Co., serving as its president. His health broke down and he came to Richfield Springs, N. Y., in 1911. He was the assistant general secretary of the Y. M. C. A. at Utica, N. Y., 1913 to 1915. From 1915 to 1917 he served as industrial secretary of the Central Branch, Y. M. C. A., Brooklyn, N. Y., which he had planned to make his life work, when the need of the hour made apparent that his former training in ship building was of greater emergency value and he enlisted, being called to active service on July 25th, 1917. He was sent, as assistant naval constructor, immediately to City Island, N. Y., to take charge of the conversion of yachts, taken over by the government, and the equipment of the same for naval crews and patrol work along the coast. Reconstructed and equipped twenty-three vessels by December 15th, 1917.
He was then ordered to Hoboken, Port of Embarkation, to supervise the reconstruction of German, and other ships taken over by the navy, making them into troop transports. These included the Leviathan, for- merly the Vaterland, the Mount Vernon, formerly the Kronprinzessin Cecelie, the Agamemnon, formerly the Kaiser Wilhelm II, the Von Steu- ben, formerly the Kronprinz Wilhelm, the America, Covington and others. Equipped and kept in care constantly, more than forty trans- ports, and at times had over a thousand mechanics to lay out work for and supervise. He was stationed there from December 15th, 1917, to February 12th, 1919, when he requested that he be placed on the inactive list.
He was commissioned a warrant officer being Chief Carpenter.
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WILLIAM ROBERT VAN DE WALKER
The son of Gary Van De Walker and Cornelia Cronk Van De Walker, who was the granddaughter of Hiram Cronk, the last survivor of the War of 1812, was born at Rome, Oneida County, New York, on February 11th, 1883. He was educated in the Rome High School and is the hus- band of Mary Angermier Van De Walker.
Previous to his enlistment on May 15th, 1917, and to his induction into the service on October 15th, 1917, he had for fifteen years worked with the New York Telephone Co., in the Utica district.
He enlisted in the Signal Corps and spent a little time in Camp Sherman, Chilicothe, Ohio, and was there made cook in Co. E, 403rd Telegraph Battalion in May, 1918, was transfered to Camp Mills, Long Island. On June 7th, 1918, sailed for France, and on arrival was again transferred to Co. D, 403rd Telegraph Battalion.
While at Camp Sherman he was promoted. at First Class Cook, and served as such overseas.
He was stricken with influenza, which left him with a severe case of asthma, being confined several weeks in Base Hospital, No. 20, in France.
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KENNETH H. VEDDER
The son of William H. Vedder and Ida M. Vedder, was born in the Town of Stark, Herkimer County, New York, on June 3rd, 1892. His education was obtained in the common school, and at the time of his entrance into the service, August 26th, 1918, he was working on the home farm.
He was first assigned to the 157th Depot Brigade, and subsequently transferred to Auxiliary Remount Depot 309. Was sent for training to Fort Slocum and later to Camp Mcclellan, Ala., where he was a victim of the influenza epidemic, and was quarantined for twenty-one days.
He left Camp Mcclellan for Camp Upton on March 26th, 1919, and was honorably discharged there from the service on April 3rd, 1919.
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FRANK W. WALKER
Was reared on the old Derthick Homestead overlooking Canadarago Lake. He attended the Richfield Springs High School, and later took up his duties on the farm. He was also a licensed chauffeur. He enlisted in the Quartermaster's Division December 26th, 1917, and was first sent to Fort Slocum, New York, and shortly afterwards to Newport News, Va. He sailed for overseas April 12th, 1918, and has been stationed at Camp St. Sulpice, Gironde, France, with Company B, 312th Labor Bat- talion, Q. M. C., U. S. A.
At this writing a letter to friends advises he is in good health and hopes to get back to the good old United States about July 1st, 1919.
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LYNN WILLIAM WALKER
The son of George Walker and Cora Walker, was born in the Township of Richfield, Otsego County, New York, on November 24th, 1893. He attended the rural school and later entered the Richfield Springs High School. He is also a graduate of the Greeley School of Elocution and Dramatic Art of Boston. For a time he was employed in the Reming- ton plant at Ilion, and later went to Ithaca to work for the Thomas- Morse Aircraft Corporation.
He volunteered at the Syracuse Recruiting Station on December 10th, 1917, and entered the Aviation Section of the Signal Corps, which was later segregated into the Air Service, and was enrolled as a Chauf- feur. Afterwards was made an Airplane Machinist in the 349th Aero Service Squadron, later designated as the 110th.
During his term of service he was located at Fort Slocum, New York; Kelly Field, San Antonio, Texas; Dorr Field, Arcadia, Florida. He was honorably discharged from the service from Camp Upton.
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JAMES ARTHUR WATERMAN
The son of Horace V. Waterman and Florence Moore Waterman, was born at Winfield, Herkimer County, New York, on October 14th, 1892, but a large portion of his youth was spent at Richfield, N. Y., and his academic education was obtained in the Richfield Springs High School.
Enlisted in the fall of 1911 in Co. M, 1st Infantry, N. Y. S. National Guard, serving for three years, being honorably discharged therefrom.
Enlisted in Troop G, N. Y. State Cavalry, some time after and ar- rived with his troop at McAllen, Texas, on July 7th, 1916. This organiza- tion afterwards went to Hidalgo, Texas, and patroled the Rio Grande River for about twenty miles along its borders.
Enlisted in the U. S. Navy April 7th, 1917, at Albany, New York, and after spending one month on receiving ship at New York City was transferred to Submarine Base at New London, Conn. Later he was again transferred to U. S. Submarine G-3, and then took up optical repair work and finished a course in repairing periscopes and other instruments used in submarine warfare.
From the Sub-Base he was transferred to the U. S. S. Tonopah, a one-turret monitor, and a tender or mother ship for submarines. He arrived at Porila Delgade, in the Azores, on February, 1917, this being a U. S. Naval Base, No. 13. The port was shelled by a German submarine on July 4th, 1916, and two killed. The enemy was driven off by the Collier Orion.
He was last heard from at Valetta, Malta, on April 18th, 1919, and expressed himself as expecting to serve out the remaining two years of his enlistment.
He is rated as a Machinist's Mate, First Class.
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JOHN HENRY WEEKS
The son of Mark and Anna Weeks, was born in Milford, New York, October 15th, 1898. He received his early education in the schools about Milford. He entered the service in the summer of 1917 when only nine- teen years of age. He was sent to Camp Wadsworth, South Carolina, and attached to Company M, 1st New York Infantry, June 21st, 1917. In October, 1917, he was transferred to Company F, 102nd Engineers. He was shipped overseas and engaged with his company in making roads, bridges, etc., to facilitate the moving of men and supplies to the front. He was under heavy fire at the construction of the bridge over the La Salle River.
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WILLIAM THOMAS WELDEN
The son of Richard Welden and Catherine Dillon Welden, was born at Richfield Springs, Otsego County, New York, on May 4th, 1875. He attended the District School and the Richfield Springs High School and graduated from the University of Buffalo with the degree of LL.B. He is the husband of Mary S. Elwood Welden. He was practicing law and serving as postmaster at Richfield Springs when the U. S. declared war, and immediately tendered his services as a volunteer. Was notified to appear at Manlius, N. Y., in April, 1917, for examination for Officers' Training Camp, and was accepted on May 4th. On May 8th, 1917, he was called to the service and sworn in for duration of the war. He was assigned to Co. 14, U. S. Infantry, 3rd Provisional Train Reg., O. T. C., and stationed at Madison Barracks, Sacketts Harbor, N. Y.
He was mustered into the Officers' Training School and received in- tensive training in military strategy and other branches of the service.
While in training, varicose veins developed and in consequence of a medical examination, he was honorably discharged from the service on account of this physical disability.
Returning to Richfield Springs he was appointed by Governor Charles Whitman as one of the members of the Otsego County Home Defense Committee. He also served in registering the alien Germans for this district, and was a member of the Liberty Loan Committees and a Four-Minute Man. He was engaged in the recruiting service and en- listed a large number of volunteers. When the draft law, in the fall of 1918, increased the age for enlistment to forty-five years, he waived all exemptions and was expecting to leave for Camp Lee, Va., when the Armistice was signed.
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CHARLES LESTER WESTCOTT
The son of Walter Westcott and Martha A. Baker Westcott, was born at Hartwick, Otsego County, New York, on April 6th, 1889. He attended school at Hartwick and Cullen, and later took up farm work for a time. He is the husband of Bessie Newkirk Wescott.
At the time of his call to the service, he was employed at Herkimer, N. Y., and reported for service on September 27th, 1917, being sent to Camp Devens, Mass., where he was promoted to Wagon Master.
Was sent overseas early in July of 1918. Attended automobile train- ing school in France for about two months.
He is attached to Co. B, Headquarters Battalion, G. H. Q., stationed at Chaumont, France, and is engaged in driving and repairing automo- biles.
At this writing, May 15th, 1919, he expects to be detained for service in France for at least six months longer.
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WILLIAM BAKER WESTCOTT
The son of Walter Westcott and Martha A. Baker Westcott, was born at Cullen, Herkimer County, on March 31st, 1895. He attended school at Cullen and Richfield Springs and became a licensed chauffeur, em- ployed in Rochester, N. Y.
He enlisted in the N. Y. State National Guard, 3rd Infantry, on March 9th, 1916, and sent to Camp Whitman for two months. He was then sent to Pharr, Texas, with the 3rd N. Y. Infantry, Co. G, for police border duty, remaining until November, 1916. He then returned to civilian life and resumed his former duties.
In April, 1917, Co. G was called out to do guard duty at Clyde, N. Y., and Private Wescott was included in this call. After a few months he was relieved from this duty and sent to Spartanburg, S. C. On January 28th, 1918, he was transferred to Camp Hancock, Augusta, Ga., and at- tached to the Motor Mechanics Corps. He was then sent to Camp Greene, N. C., April 7th, 1918, and in July, 1918, was sent overseas to France, with the Motor Mechanics Corps.
His duty took him to within fifteen miles of the front lines, where he was engaged in the repairing of motors. He experienced three dif- ferent air raids without personal injury.
At this writing, May 15th, 1919, he is stationed at Niver, France, with the 412th Machine Shop Truck Unit, and expects to return to the States in July, 1919.
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LESTER WINFIELD WHITCOMB
The son of Arthur Whitcomb and Bertha Whitcomb, was born at Cairo, N. Y., on December 19th, 1897.
He was a member of the famous 27th Division, and enlisted in Mo- hawk, N. Y., in Co. M, March 3rd, 1916, with the National State Guard until June 27th, 1916. He went to Camp Whitman and returned to Mohawk, August 4th, 1918.
On December 26th, 1916, was promoted to Corporal, and from Feb- ruary 4th, 1917, to April 12th, 1917, guarded the New York Aqueduct at Peekskill, N. Y.
On July 15th, 1917, was mustered into the Federal service; August 18th, went to Van Cortland Park; September 25th, to Spartanburg; Jan- uary 15th, 1918, in School for Cooks, qualifying on March 4th.
On April 23rd, 1918, he married Lillian Tefft, of Richfield Springs, and on April 25th was ordered to camp, being transferred from Camp Wadsworth, S. C., on April 30th and sent to Newport News, Va.
On May 11th, 1918, embarked and sailed for France on the U. S. S. Susquehanna, landing at Brest, May 25th. On Sept. 25th he was trans- ferred to 107th Medical Detachment, as first aid man. Went "over the top" with Cos. L and M, and helped dress wounds of men who had be- longed to his old Co. M of Mohawk, N. Y. Was in severe engagements at St. Quentin and once had canteen shot off his hip, with a bullet through his emergency kit. On October 18th, 1918, was gassed and on the following day again gassed, being taken to hospital at Rouen. From its effects he developed pneumonia and was transferred to South Hamp- ton, England, American Base Hospital 37. Here he was ill until he started for home on December 14th, 1918, from Gravesend, on the hos- pital ship Saxonia, landing on December 26th. He was transferred from Debarkation Hospital to Camps Merritt and Upton and on January 25th, 1919, was honorably discharged from the service.
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JOHN EVERETT WILLIAMS
The son of John David Williams and Harriet Heacox Williams, was born at Richfield Springs, Otsego County, New York, on December 29th, 1889. He was educated at the Richfield Springs High School, and after became an expert operator of automobiles, serving several well known families of Utica as private chauffeur.
He enlisted May 16th, 1917, and was sent to Fort Slocum, New York. Was transferred to Camp America, University of Washington, D. C., and attached to the 6th Engineers, Co. D.
He was sent to France in December, 1917, and was attached to the Thirty-fourth British Army Corps. He was severely wounded near Amiens on March 28th, 1918, suffering a permanent disability. In addi- tion to his wound in the shoulder, upper arm and elbow, he was badly gassed, seriously affecting the heart action. He was taken to the dress- ing station at Amiens and afterwards transferred to the Hospital at Rouen, from which institution he was sent home, arriving at New York on August 15th, 1918.
He was made a Corporal in Co. D, 6th Engineers, at Washington, D. C., on August 1st, 1917. He has been sent to several hospitals since his arrival in the United States for examination but in spite of his dis- ability has secured employment as an automobile salesman.
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EARL WALTER YEOMAN
The son of John Yeoman and Anna Pearl Johnson Yeoman, was born at Utica, Oneida County, New York, on November 3rd, 1898, and was educated in the Utica Grammar Schools, supplementing his course with three and one-half years in the Utica Free Academy.
He was a student at the Academy when war was declared and en- listed before the end of the term, on April 26th, 1917. He enlisted at Utica in Troop G, 1st N. Y. Cavalry, was made into Co. B, 106th Ma- chine Gun Battalion, of the famous 27th Division. Was sent to Camp Bliss, Brooklyn, and later to Camp Wadsworth, Spartanburg, S. C.
He sailed overseas on May 10th, 1918, and did front line duty the last part of June, 1918, in France and Belgium. Was in the East Poper- inghe line, July 8th, 9th and 20th; Dickebush Sector, August 21st to the 30th; and was at St. Quentin and Cambrai in September of 1918.
He was wounded at St. Quentin on September 27th, 1918, while in action, on advance.
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The following men entered the service from this community but the Committee was unable to secure any further data:
WILLIAM NORTON LESTER BRIGHAM JOSEPH OUILLET NILES D. MORTENSEN GLENN B. COLE
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