USA > Tennessee > Davidson County > Davidson County women in the world war, 1914-1919 > Part 6
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55
*
PVT. HORTON ALLEN RITER was born in Nashville. Tenn .. in June. 1899. He was the son of Jame- E. Riter (deceased, and Mary J. Riter, who resides in Nash- ville. He volunteered his services in the Tennessee National Guard. June 11. 1917. at Nashville, and was attached to Troop A. Signal Cavalry, which later became Company A. 11 Ith Machine Gun Battalion. While in training at Camp Sevier. S. C .. he contracted tuberculosis. from which malady he died October 19. 1918. at the camp hospital. His remains were brought to Nashville for burial. Private Riter also served with Company C. Provisional Casualty Battalion. Camp Sevier. S. C .. and was attached to the School for Bakers and Cooks at Camp Sevier. at the time of his death. llis only regret at going was that of not getting to the front lines. He was a model soldier and popular with his comrades.
*
PVT. ANGELO SILVERMAN. son of Mrs. Annie Silverman. of Nashville. Tenn .. was born in Hust. Rumania. December 22. 1896. He was a traveling salesman when he entered the service at Camp MeClellan, Ala .. in October. 1918. Ile was a member of the 25th Field Artillery. 115th Brigade. Shortly after he entered the service he contracted pneumonia from exposure in military training. from which he died at the camp hospital. at Camp W Clellan. October 31. 1918. His body was sent to Nashville for burial. wrapped in the flag of his country. Private Silverman was Joval to duty. always cheerful and willing to serve regardless of sacrifice.
CORP. THOMAS G. SPECK was born February 6. 1897. at Livingston. Tenn .. and was the son of John W. and Lula Speck, of Livingston. He entered the regular army on December 13. 1916. at Jefferson Barracks. Mo. He received his training at Jefferson Barracks and at Camp Vogatese. Ariz. He sailed for overseas duty in June. 1917. being among the first troops of Davidson County boys to arrive in France. He was promoted to corporal after his arrival overseas. due to his splen- did record made in a French training camp. He was gassed and later wounded in union, dying of these wounds May 11. 1918. Until his death he was in practicaliv M the large battles fought by his detachment. He was a member of Headquarters Company. 18th Infantry. Signal Detachment. at the time of his death. and fought with marked comage and cheerfulness.
( 11)
DAVIDSON COUNTY WOMEN IN THE WORLD WAR. 1914-1919
SGT. WILLIAM JOHN SPIRE. JR., was born in Davidson County, Tenn .. September 13, 1896. and was the son of W. J. and Pauline Woolard Spire, of Nashville. He received his education in the Nashville public schools and at Montgomery Bell Academy. At the time of enlistment he was a valued employe of Phillips & Buttorff Manufacturing Company. of Nashville, and was among the first volunteers in David- son County to enter service in the World War.
The following complete military record of Sergeant Spire was sent to his mother by the Lieutenant Colonel of the Headquarters Department of the United States Marine Corps. at Washington, D. C .:
"June 2. 1917-Accepted for enlistment in Marine Corps at Recruiting Station. Nashville. Tenn.
"June 10. 1917-Enlisted for the duration of war, joining Company D at Ma- rine Barracks, Paris Island. S. C.
"August 10. 1917-Qualified as 'Expert Rifleman.'
"September 11, 1917-Joined Company C at Marine Barracks. Paris Island, S. C.
"September 24, 1917-Promoted to the rank of Corporal.
"February 23. 1918-Joined 137th Company at Marine Barracks. Quantico, Va.
"March 13, 1918-Embarked on U. S. S. Henderson at Navy Yard, Philadelphia, Pa.
"March 14, 1918-Sailed for foreign shore service.
"March 26, 1918 -- Arrived at Brest. France.
"March 27. 1918-Disembarked at Brest. France.
"March 30. 1918-Arrived in the Zone of Advance.
"April 12. 1918-Promoted to the rank of Sergeant.
"June 8. 1918-Joined 49th Company, 8th Regiment. in the Chateau Thierry sector, France.
"June 16, 1918-Killed in action while participating in the engagements with the enemy in the Chateau Thierry sector. Had Sergeant Spire been discharged he would have been awarded character 'excellent.'
(Signed ) "H. LAY.
"Lieutenant-Colonel. U. S. M. C., Washington. D. C."
Sergeant Spire's father was honored by being made a life member of the Second Division of the U. S. Marines. of which his son was a member when he paid the supreme sacrifice. Accompanying the presentation was the following message:
"As a tribute to the heroism and sacrifice of your son, and in profound respect and affection for his memory. by his comrades."
Sergeant Spire's mother was awarded a "Victory Medal" (with ribbon). an "Aisne Defense Battle Clasp," one "Defensive Sector Clasp." and two "Bronze Stars" with citations. Mrs. Spire was also presented with a French Certificate.
Although he was barely nineteen years of age. Sergeant Spire received the recog- nition and commendation of many high officers of his division, which indicates that he possessed the superior qualities of maturity.
Sergeant Spire is the only Davidson County hero whose body was never officially located and who was classified among the "unknown." The memory of his heroism will never be "unknown" to those who knew him and will ever be cherished in the hearts of the people of Davidson County throughout endless generations.
( 45 )
DAVINSON COUNTY WOMEN IN THE WORLD WAR. 19141919
An extract from a tribute received by Sergeant Spire's family from his captain. which reveals the noble character of this young soldier. is as follows:
"He helped us make Marines that gained for our service fame that will last, and then he fought and died with them. As for his bravery-well, I only want men like him about me when the hours are dark and treacherous. His courage never failed."
Sergeant Spire was a brother of Mrs. Lewis MeCary, of Nashville, and Mrs. H. M. Raborg. of St. Louis, Mo.
IST LIEUT. CLAY G. STEPHENS, JR .. youngest son of Clay G. and Minnie Collins Stephens, of Nashville. Tenn .. was born on October 12. 1895. in Davidson County. Fenn. His early education was obtained in the Nashville schools. At the age of nineteen he entered the University of Pennsylvania. The degree of Bachelor of Science was conferred posthumously upon him by this university in 1920.
Lieutenant Stephens volunteered his service in the World War on the day Amer- wca entered the conflict and during the latter part of his senior year at Pennsylvania University. Desiring to go overseas with troops from his home state. he returned to Tennessee and enlisted at Columbia, Tenn., April 27, 1917. He entered the First Reserve Officers' Training Camp. at Fort Oglethorpe. Ga., on May 12, 1917. On completing his course he was recommended for First Lieutenant of Infantry, but before the commission was awarded he joined the Aviation Corps. July 23. 1917, and was sent to the U. S. School of Military Aeronautics, at Atlanta, Ga .. for ground training. Ile graduated there September 8 of the same year. Lieutenant Stephens was so eager for active service that he requested army officials to allow him to go to France for further training. His request was granted and he sailed with the Ith Detachment. Aviation Section of the Signal Corps, from Montreal, Canada. October 9. 1917. for duty on foreign fields.
This detachment reached Issundun, France. Friday, November 2. 1917. and in- stead of a camp equipped for teaching cadets to fly. the boys found "the muddiest hole" in France greeting them. For two of the coldest months in history these gal- lant soldiers built roads. hangars and camps. splitting rails, hauling logs and saw- ing timber, when the tools they used were covered in ice. Yet they endured these hardships without complaint.
In January, 1918. Lieutenant Stephens was sent to Chateau Roux, France, where he was trained in flying under a skilled monitor. On April 6 he was commissioned First Lieutenant in the Aviation Section of the Signal Officers' Reserve Corps of the Army of the U. S. A. Detained again from getting into active service, due to lack of planes and organization, he asked to be transferred to the Bombing Section. where there was need of trained pilots. Acceding to this request. he was sent to Clermont-Ferrand on June 29. where he spent two months more awaiting planes. 1 diary kept by him shows how discouraged he grew, and how impatient he was over the continued postponement of his supreme desire. to get into the "scrap."
On September 10. 1918. this desire of his heart was gratified and he was as- Hled to the 20th Aero Squadron. Ist Daylight Bombardment Group. and made his first flight over the enemy's lines. After five days of active service for world free- dom from the Hun-, Lieutenant Stephens was called upon to make the Supreme Sacrifice On the morning of September 15. 1918. when starting on a bombing expedition gainst Gorze, a German town on the Moselle River, an overloaded plane. of which he was pilot, fell. and another heroic boy of Davidson County forfeited
(46)
DAVIDSON COUNTY WOMEN IN THE WORLD WAR. 1914-1919
his life. He was buried at Gondecourt. a nearby French town, where his body lay until the spring of 1921, when it was brought to Nashville, Tenn., to rest on his native soil in Mt. Olivet Cemetery.
On September 14, 1918, Lieutenant Stephens was awarded the brevet of full Bird-Pilot of the International Aeronautic Federation. This was a much-coveted honor and one which few American fliers ever won. He was posthumously awarded the brevet D'Aviateur Militaire by the French Minister de la Guerre.
Lieutenant Stephens' mother was chosen by the Davidson County Post No. 6, American Legion and the Legion Auxiliary, to represent the Gold Star mothers of Tennessee in the "Good Will" contest held in Nashville in the spring of 1922 by the National Devastated France Committee. This included a trip to the battlefields in France. While on this pilgrimage, Mrs. Stephens was the recipient of many honors in recognition of her son's loyal service and the sacrifice made by all Gold Star mothers of Tennessee which she represented.
*
PVT. KING J. SMITHI. son of Moses (deceased ) and Melissa H. Smith, of Nash- ville, Tenn., was born in Woodbury, Tenn., in 1892. He received his education in Nashville schools. On March 30, 1918, he was inducted into World War service, at Nashville, and was sent to Camp Gordon, Ga., for military training. He was transferred from the 20th Company, 157th Depot Brigade, to Company L, 327th Infantry, with which organization he sailed for the front line trenches April 29, 1918. He was killed in action October 10, 1918, on the battlefield, where he fought bravely for world freedom. He was beloved and highly commended for his devo- tion to service by his comrades.
PVT. IRVIN SMALL was born in Nashville, Tenn., December 15, 1896. He was the son of L. H. and Rosa Small, who reside in Nashville. He was inducted into service October 8, 1918. and entered Headquarters Company. 138th Field Artillery. He died October 26. 1918. as the result of a train accident, while still in training in a southern camp. His remains were brought to Nashville wrapped in the Ameri- can flag, to rest in his native county. His family is well known in Nashville, where his father is prominent in business.
JAMES E. SEATON ( Mechanic ) was the son of J. D. Seaton. of Nashville, Tenn., and Mrs. James Beals, of Louisville, Ky. He was born in Nashville in 1895. On August 21, 1917, he enlisted in the National Guard, at Chattanooga, Tenn., and sailed for overseas duty after several months' training at Camp Sevier, S. C., with Company L, 117th Infantry (formerly Company L, 3rd Infantry, Tennessee Na- tional Guard), on May 11, 1918. He was promoted to mechanic and was active with the 30th Division in the engagements of Bellicourt, Poncho and other sectors. He was killed in action on the battlefield, October 6, 1918, where he fought with skill and bravery.
* *
PVT. WILLIAM L. SHORES. son of W. C. and Mary C. Shores, of Nashville, Tenn., was born in Pulaski. Tenn., February 15, 1895. He was inducted into service June 20, 1918. at Local Board No. 2, at Nashville. He was first a member of the 872nd Replacement Squadron, and later was sent to the Aviation Mechanical Training School at St. Paul, Minn., where he contracted pneumonia. from which he died October 3. 1918. in the government hospital at St. Paul. Private Shores was of a
( 47 )
WILLSON COUNTY WOMEN IN THE WORLD WAR. 19141919
well-known Giles County family and was a model young man, and a courageous soldier. His duty to his country always came first with this hero.
CORP. WILLIAM H. STEPHENS, son of Joe T. and Mary L. Stephens, of Nash- ville. Tenn .. was born in Woodbury. Tenn .. March 18. 1890. He was inducted into service in the World War at Nashville. May 13. 1918. He was a member of Com- pany H. 51st Infantry, and sailed for duty on the battlefields of France July 6. 1918, where he was promoted from private (Ist class) to corporal. He was engaged in the battles of the Gerardner sector (Vosges). He was the victim of an accident, from which he died March 25. 1919. in France. Corporal Stephens was a brother of Joe T. Stephens, who resides in Nashville. *
PAT. BOYD E. STUART. son of Doford and Sallie Stuart (both deceased). was born in Waverly. Tenn .. September 21. 1893. He was inducted into service May 11. 1918. at Nashville. Tenn .. and was sent to Camp MeClellan. Wa., for training. Ile was attached to the Medical Corps. While in training at this camp he contracted broncho-pneumonia. from which he died January 21. 1919. He was buried at Goodlettsville. Tenn. Mrs. Lizzie Owens, an aunt. of Goodlettsville. is the nearest of kin of this soldier.
SOT. LIST CLASSI PAUL TERRY. Son of Felix R. and Martha Terry. of Nashville, Tenn .. was born in Smithville. Tenn .. in 1886. He was a member of the regular army. having enlisted at Fort Leavenworth. Kans .. August 18. 1913. lle received his training at Fort Leavenworth and sailed for overseas duty in the World War February 27. 1918. He fought with distinction in the second battle of the Marne, and was cited for bravery, and also fought in the advance from the Marne River to the Vesle River, where he was killed in action. October 12. 1918. He was attached to the following organizations: Army Service School Detachment. Fort Leaven- worth, Kan -.: Detachment Company. Ist Signal Corps. Fort Leavenworth. Kans .: and was with Company 65. Field Signal Battalion, until his death. Sergeant Terry rame of a well-known family, who received many letters from high army officials and comrades telling of Sergeant Terry's splendid record as a soldier and as a comrade. News of his death was received during the Fourth Liberty Loan in David- con County. and the love of the citizens of the community felt for this brave hero la-pired splendid results in the campaign.
Pvr. EST GLASS) WILLIAM REED TERRY was born in Nashville, Tenn. in Sep- Foodper. 1890. and was the son of James Terry. a resident of Nashville. He was ostyled into service September 10. 1917. and received a part of his training at Comp Sevier. S. (. On May 11. 1918. he sailed for duty on the front lines. He Geht with distinction in the engagements of Bellicourt and Premont sectors. with Le famous 30th Division. and was killed in action October 8. 1918. on the battle- held of France. hehting for world freedom. He was at first attached to Company k. 25th Infantry. and later with Company \. Il Ith Machine Gun Battalion. with which organization he served in France. He was popular with his comrades and stipul- and was a splendid soldier, devoted to duty, and fearless.
Par DASIEL WASSERMAN was the son of Benhard Wasserman (deceased) and Crerie Wasserman. of Nashville. Tenn. He was born in Amsterdam. N. Y .. Janu-
( 18)
DAVIDSON COUNTY WOMEN IN THE WORLD WAR. 1914-1919
ary 5, 1874. For eighteen years previous to his enlistment in the World War he was a resident of Durban, Natal, South Africa, where he was engaged as an agent for a large shipping company. Private Wasserman had had military training as a member of the Imperial Light Horse during the Boer War. His love for the land of his birth and the American flag caused him to give up his business career in a foreign country and return to his former home, when his country became involved in the World War. He enlisted the day America entered war, April 6, 1917, and was attached to Company A, 3rd Infantry. His death occurred January 10. 1918, at Gonzeaucourt, France, and he was buried in a military cemetery near that place.
Private Wasserman came of a well-known Davidson County family. Nashville citizens feel a special pride in his patriotism and loyalty to America. Private Was- serman was a successful young business man, but his duty to his country was his first thought.
PVT. JAMES WILLIAM TURBEVILLE was born on the Mill Creek Valley Road. in Davidson County. Tenn., in November, 1891. He was the son of James K. and Marv Minton Turbeville and brother of Miss Mary and G. R. Turbeville, of David- son County. He received his high school education at Hume-Fogg High School. at Nashville. Tenn. He was inducted into the service of his country March 20, 1918, at Nashville, and was sent to Camp Gordon, Ga., where he was in training for only two weeks when he was sent to Camp Upton. N. Y. After a week in this camp be sailed for overseas and was trained for a month in a French camp. He participated in the engagements of the Toul, Lorraine, St. Mihiel and Pont-a-Mousson sectors. and was killed in action in the St. Mihiel drive, September 12. 1918.
Private Turbeville fought in more battles than many who were in service much longer. His military record is a source of pride to Tennesseans, and especially to Davidson County citizens, where his family is well known and prominently con- nected and where he had many friends.
PVT. JOSEPH W. WILKINSON was born at Joelton. Tenn .. February 2, 189]. His parents. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas J. Wilkinson, reside at Joelton. He was inducted into World War service September 22. 1917. at Nashville. Tenn. He was the victim of an accident while in training, from which he died December 3. 1917, in a govern- ment camp. His remains were brought to Joelton to rest in his native State. He was first attached with Company G. 327th Infantry, but was later transferred to Battery B, 317th Field Artillery, with which organization he was attached at the time of his death. Private Wilkinson's short service was well performed. and he was considered a model young man in the community in which he lived. and also in the army camp.
PVT. LYCURGUS M. WALTON was the son of Mr. and Mrs. B. T. Walton. of Nash- ville. He was born at Lexington. Ky., in 1893. He was inducted into World War service June 27. 1918. and received military training at Camp Gordon. Ga .. and Aberdeen, Md. He was one of the many victims of the influenza and pneumonia epidemic. from which he died October 6. 1918. while in an army training camp. He was of a prominent and patriotic Davidson County family and was a young man with many noble traits of character. He was first attached to the 157th Depot Brigade, at Camp Gordon. Ga., but was a member of the Ordnance Department at Aberdeen Proving Grounds. Md .. at the time of his death.
( 49 )
07FIRSAT COUNTY WOMEN IN THE WORLD BIR. 1911/019
PVL. LAWRENCE A. W MIR was born at Antioch. Tenn .. in March. 1891. and was inducted into World War service Max 28. 1918, at Nashville. Tenn .. and was sent to Camp Pike. Ark .. For military training. He was at first a member of Company D. Ith Training Regiment Infantry. Replacement Draft. Camp Pike. Vik .. and was later transferred to 2nd Company. Camp Pike July Auto Replacement Draft. While on the transport en route for overseas duty he contracted meningitis and died Angust 11. 1918. on the ship and was buried at sea. He was a model soldier and was held in high esteem by army officials and by his comrades, as well as all citi- zens of Antioch.
SGT ROBERT B. WARREN was born in Davidson County. Tenn .. in May. 1881. and was a member of one of the oldest and most prominent familie- of the county. He was the son of Joseph M. Warren. president of the well-known firm of Warren Bros. Co .. of Nashville. Ihis mother passed into the Great Beyond only a short time before the message came that her son had given his life in France. He was a brother of Mr-, Jordan Stokes. Jr .. of Nashville. Tenn.
Although Private Warren was beyond the draft age. he wanted a part in mak- ing the world -ale for democracy. He enlisted in the Tennessee National Guard. at Nashville. May 22. 1917. with Company F. Ist Tennessee Infantry, which later became Headquarters Company. 115th Field Artillery. He received his military training at Camp Sevier. S. C., where he was transferred to Battery C. 115th Field Artillery. He sailed for overseas service with the famous 30th Division on Jimne 1. 1918. After several months' training with his organization in a French camp, he engaged in a number of battles in which the 30th Division gained fame. After serving throughout the World War with distinction. he died of pneumonia, March. 1919. at a port of embarkation. Sergeant Warren's untimely death was deeply mourned by a large circle of friends in both his regiment and in Nashville, where he had a large family connection.
PVT. EDWARD J. WALSH. son of James (deceased) and Ellen Walsh. of Nash- ville. Tenn .. has the distinction of having served his country as a volunteer in two wars. He enlisted with the 1st Tennessee Volunteers in the Spanish- American War. and served with distinction. When the United States entered the World War. he vol- unterred immediately and went overseas with the famous Rainbow Division. He was in the thickest of a number of the battles of this division. which was the first division of the United States Army to engage in battle. Private Walsh contracted tuberculosis and died at Longwy. France. a month after the signing of the Armis- tice, His untimely death was keenly Felt by his comrades. His remains now rest in Mt. Calvary Cemetery. at Nashville, where he has a large and well-known family connection. Private Walsh's record is an honor to his country and to the State of Tennessee.
SET JOSEPH BAKER WARREN, Son of Samuel W. and Annie Brown Warren. of Springhill. Tenn .. volunteered for World War service with the first David-on County troops at Nashville. Max 30, 1917. He enlisted in the 79th Company. 6th Regiment, U. S. Marine Corps 2nd Division, and received his military training at Pari- Island. S. C .. and Quantico. Va. After several months' training he was com- manded for overseas duty. sailing January 19. 1918. He fought with conspicuous bravery in the engagements of the Verdun. Aisne and Marne defensive sectors and
( 50 )
DAVIDSON COUNTY WOMEN IN THE WORLD WAR. 1914-1919
at Soissons. He was awarded two personal citations for distinguished service. He was killed in action while fighting for world democracy in the noted battle of the Soissons sector, July 19, 1918. He was buried in the American Cemetery at Ploisy. Aisne. France. Sergeant Warren's fearlessness on the battlefield and his ability as a soldier was often commented upon by officers and comrades of the A. E. F.
PVT. JOHN WALKER WEBER was born in Davidson County. Tenn .. December 24. 1892. and was the only son of John Walker, deceased. and Maude Johnson Weber, of Nashville, Tenn. He was among the first volunteers to answer the call to arms after the United States entered the World War. He entered Camp Bowie. Fort Worth, Texas, for training, and was a member of Company 142, 36th Field Ar- tillery. While in training at Camp Bowie he was injured in an explosion of a trench mortar, from which he died May 8, 1918.
The following is an extract taken from a letter written by Private Weber's cap- tain to his mother after his death, which expresses fully the sentiment of all who knew John Weber, both as a soldier and as a private citizen:
"He was an admirable and model soldier and as such he died. I was with him in his last moments, anl although badly hurt as he was, there wasn't one whimper passed his lips. He died as a soldier should. with a smile in his eyes and with these words on his lips, "Captain. we'll call it square.' And his death was an example to all of us, and I can say for myself and the officers and men of his company that. should we pay the supreme sacrifice in this great struggle, if we can meet it with the courage and bravery that John Weber did, we will indeed have left a glorious heritage for the future generations."
Private Weber's mother. a popular and beloved teacher of the Nashville public schools, inspired many by her courage in so bravely "carrying on" after the death of her son. Her pride in having given her only son to the canse is a beautiful example of true patriotism.
The following account comes from a lifelong friend of the Weber family in Cal- vert. Texas, where Private Weber was in business when he enlisted for World War service, and where he was as popular and well known as in Davidson County:
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.