USA > Washington > Whitman County > An Honor roll containing a pictorial record of the loyal and patriotic men from Whitman County, Washington, U.S.A., who served in the world war, 1917-1918-1919 > Part 28
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Malden Man Lost Fingers in Plane.
Lieutenant L. A. Gunderson met with an acci- dent while flying in France which resulted in the loss of several fingers on his left hand. The acci- dent occurred while flying over the German lines on a trip for taking photographs of the trenches. The men were using an aeroplane with double propellers. Lieut. Gunderson was ahead, close to the propellor, and the pilot behind, depending upon signals for direction. While giving a signal to return to the allied lines, he forgot the pro- pellers whirling close and thrust his left hand into the nearest one. The result was the loss of the fingers. The shock of the contact to the machine was so great that the propeller was broken and the plane side slipped a quarter of a mile before the pilot regained control of it. They then went into camp with but one propeller. As a result of the accident, the officer lost the little finger en- tirely, the two middle fingers were amputated at the middle joints and the fore finger severed be- low the nail. He was treated in a French hospital.
CURIOUS PHENOMENA OCCURS TO MAN TWICE WHEN IN GREAT PERIL AT FRONT
Vision of Father Appeared to Ben Davis of Farm- ing, on Battle Fields, Warning Him to Seek Safety.
Those who followed the course of the World War will remember the Angel of Mons whom the British soldiers to this day solemnly affirm led them to victory, and of the White Captain who was seen on the different battle fields.
One of equal interest and fully as unexplainable was told by Ben Davis, foster son of Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Davis, of Farmington, regarding three ex- periences at the front.
The story recorded as follows was told by the proud father at his home at Farmington.
"Our son, Ben, was attached to the signal corps of the 91st Division. When he returned from ser- vice he and 1 sat up late that night, talking over many matters. In telling of his feelings under fire he said: 'Dad, I was terribly afraid, but I felt you step to my side and put your hand on my shoulder and say, 'Son, do not be afraid, but run to the right and throw yourself on the ground. Quick!' I did so and at that moment a high ex- plosive shell struck the observation post where I had been standing and completely destroyed it. When I was in action two other times I felt your presence as I did the first and was supported and sustained during the ordeal.' "
Pullman Man Escorts Brazil's President.
Capt. Harold Holt, altho one of the first men of the student body of the State College of Washing- ton to enlist in the regular army following the declaration of war, he never quite realized his ambition to get into action. He is one of the few commissioned officers to have remained in the regular army. He says of his experiences:
"I took the examination for second lieutenant in the regular army on March 23, 1917, and re- ceived my commission as a provisional second lieutenant dated August 9, 1917. I was sent to the school for provisional officers of the regular army at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, arriving there on September 6, 1917. While there I was assigned to the 22d Cavalry. On November 17 I joined my regiment at Fort Oglethorpe, Ga. (Chickamauga Park). Soon after joining the 22d Cavalry 1 was changed to the 80th Field Artillery and assigned to the 7th Division. About February 1, 1918, the 80th Field Artillery moved to Camp MacArthur, Waco, Texas. We remained there until June 15, when we moved to Camp Mcclellan, Anniston, Camp McArthur I took the course for artillery of- Ala. During the time that the regiment was at cers at the School of Fire, Fort Sill, Oklahoma.
"On August 23, 1918, we sailed for France from Hoboken, and on September 3, landed at Brest. We were then sent to Camp de Meucon for in- tensive artillery training, but were unable to get to the front on account of the shortage of horses. Early in February, 1919, we joined our division at Ponta Mousson, later moving to Commercy.
"Soon after arriving in France I received notice of the fact that I had been a captain since June, 1918. 1 was given command of Battery C, and have been in command of it ever since.
"We left France on June 12, on the Imperator and arrived in the United States on the 20th of that month. On the way home we found the president of Brazil in midocean, on a broken down French cruiser, and brought him to New York on our ship. As a consequence we had the pleasure of hearing a 21-gun salute fired at us as we entered the harbor.
"Upon our arrival in the United States we were sent to Camp Mills where, after the war, men were transferred to their home camps for dis- charge. On June 25, we left for Camp Funston, Kansas, the present home station of the 7th Divis- ion.'
At the time the above statement was made Capt. Holt was on temporary duty at the United States Discliplinary Barracks, Fort Leavenworth.
Page Two Hundred Forty-Five
Whitman County's Heroic Dead
An effort was made to secure a brief obituary and official records of each man from Whitman County, who gave his life in the great struggle. The following were obtainable:
CHARLES BOYD MAYNARD.
Lieutenant Charles Boyd Maynard, who entered the marine corps from Colton, was the first man from Whitman county to give his life for his country. He received fatal wounds while engaged in an attack on Bouresche (Aisne) just outside of Belleau Woods. His death occurred on June 8, 1918.
Lieutenant Maynard was born near Colton, on Oct. 24, 1891, where he grew to manhood. He was educated in the Colton public schools and in the Lewiston Normal school. He was graduated from the school of pharmacy at the State College of Washington with the class of 1915. At the be- ginning of the war he enlisted in the marine corps at Bremerton and received a commission of sec- ond lieutenant. Shortly afterward he was pro- moted to first lieutenant. He then salied for France.
The captain of the 84th company, 6th regiment, Lieut. Maynard's company, having been wounded early in the year, the lieutenant was made acting captain. He was slightly wounded on April 1, but refused medical aid and remained with his com- pany. Of the last engagement in which he was a participant, the Colton News-Letter said:
"Charles Boyd Maynard was first lieutenant of the 84th company, 6th regiment of the U. S. ma- rine corps and in command of the company, lead- ing his men in that famous action of June 7, when 10,00 marines drove back five German divisions and held the ground taken. He fell at the head of his men, the first man from Whitman county to make the supreme sacrifice. He died like a soldier, an officer and a gentleman."
Charles E. Maynard, father of Lieut. Charles Boyd Maynard, received the following from . Har- ris A. Darche, chaplin of the 6th marines, in ans- wer to a query:
"In answer to a communication received from the graves registration service, A. E. F., I am writing to give a few particulars concerning the death of your son, Lieut. Boyd Maynard.
"He was wounded June 6, 1918, while his com- pany was engaged in an attack on Bouresche (Aisne) outside of Belleau Woods. His platoon was leading the front line attack and he was seen encouraging and cheering his men on to their ob- jective when he was hit in the stomach by a bul- let.
He did not seem to suffer very much when car- ried to the first aid station. He seccumbed to his wounds June 8, 1918, in the American hospital at Jouilly, France. He was buried in the American cemetery, Jouilly, Seine et Marne department, grave No. 34.
"Mr. Maynard, your son was one of our best of- ficers, and his loss was keenly felt, but like many Americans he laid down his life for right and
justice, and so we place the crown of victory on his grave."
His wife, Mrs. Helen Layton Maynard, whom he married just prior to sailing overseas, received a citation from the French goverment, together with the announcement that the Croix de Guerre had been awarded her husband.
A statement signed by Marshal Petain said: "During an attack on a village he gave proof of rare valor, remaining in command of his sec- tion, although wounded, until he was relieved by another officer."
FRED A. HOWARD.
Altho enlisting from Pocatello, Idaho, at which place he had made his home for some time, Fred A. Howard should be classed as a Whitman county man. He enlisted in the engineer corps May 21, 1917, and was assigned to the 2d regiment, F com- pany. He met his death on November 1, 1918, in France. He participated in the engagement that stopped the German march toward Paris and on October 10, 1918, was awarded the Croix de Guerre and a citation for bravery by the French govern- ment.
The story of Sgt. Howard's death is best told in a letter from Paul G. Marine, a comrade, who was an eye witness to his death. The letter fol- lows:
"I was on November 1, 1918, with your son and a companion by the name of Williams on duty sketching for the artillery. Their duty was to go ahead of the artillery, make drawings of all the trees, cross-roads, hills, buildings, and any place where the Germans might be in hiding. Your son and this man had finished and had taken the report back to headquarters. During all of this the men were under a heavy fire.
"They had started back to the front but had not gotten quite up to where I was, but at that he was only five or six feet away when he met his doom. The same shell killed your son and Wil- liams. We lost five more men in about four min- utes at the same place. A soldier by the name of Fonts and I were on duty at the bridge to take out German mines but the enemy shells were coming too fast and we sought shelter in an empty building near the bridge. The building was lo- cated in an apple orchard and we took shelter be- hind the trees. It was here that the German shell struck your son, killing him instantly. On the battle front it was our duty to go to them at once, if they were only wounded, to give first aid, but if killed to remove their pistols. Fonts re- moved the pistol from Fred's body and next morn- ing your son was buried on the spot where he fell.
"Your son helped capture the town of Landres St. George. It was an awful place. The 42d Di- vision was driven out three times, so the 2d Division was sent in and we took it in about 20 minutes. ] am sending you a picture of Harry Slerder and myself, both of whom assisted in the burial of your son. I am glad to give you this in- formation concerning your son's death.
Page Two Hundred Forty-Six
WHITMAN COUNTY'S HEROIC DEAD
"We went overseas together and were in all the great battles on the front together, first on the Verdun and Toul Trayon sector March 12 to May 14; second at Chateau Thierry May 31 to July 9; third at Soissons sector, Marne counter offensive July 18-20; fourth on the Marbache sector August 9-24; fifth on the St. Mihiel sector Sept. 9-16; sixth on the Blanc Mont sector, Champagne ad- vance Sept. 30 to Oct. 9, and seventh on the Ar- gonne-Meuse offensive Oct. 9 to Nov. 11."
JOSEPH ELBERT CHRISTMAN.
Joseph Elbert Christman was born April 24, 1894, and was the son of Mr. and Mrs. E. B. Christ- man of Colville, Washington. He entered service from Pullman Dec. 10, 1917. He was killed in ac- tion Oct. 4, 1918, in the battle of Blanc Mont Ridge while crossing a machine gun swept valley to extend a threatened left wing. He was fre- quently offered clerical positions, far from the danger zone, hut preferred to stay on the battle line.
A history of the Second Division of which he was a member, said: "To the glory of the United States Marines let it he said that they were again a part of that splendid Second Division which swept forward in the attack which freed Blanc Mont Ridge from the Germans. It pushed its way down the slopes and occupied the level ground just beyond, thus assuring a victory, the full im- port of which can best be judged by the order of Gen. Lejeune following this battle. As a result of your victory the German armies east and west of Rheims are in full retreat, and hy drawing on yourselves several German divisions from other parts of the front you greatly assisted the victor- ious advance of the allied armies hetween Cam- brai and St. Quinten. To be able to say when this war is over, 'I fought with the Second Division, at Blanc Mont' will be the highest honor that can come to any army man."
IVAN D. LIVINGSTON
Born January 1, 1893; entered the service of his country May 13, 1918; made the supreme sacri- fice at Foggia, Italy, May 2, 1918.
Ivan D. Livingston was born near Palouse, Wash., on Jan. 1, 1893. He attended school near his birthplace until ten years of age. In 1903 the family moved to Pullman. He was graduated from the Pullman high school and entered the State College of Washington in the fall of 1913, enrolling in the department of electrical engi- neering. He entered the service on May 13, 1917, and received a commission at the officers' train- ing school at the Presidio. He then transferred to the aviation service and was graduated from the ground school at Berkeley, Calif., September 29, 1917. He was chosen for overseas service and shortly afterward left for England. He went to France and thence to Italy. He was stationed at Foggia, Italy, Eighth Instruction Center, and was just completing his final test when the distressing accident occurred.
Members of his family were recipients of doz- ens of letters, and a few are reproduced to give the details of the accident.
The first leter was written by the Y. M. C. A. secretary. It follows:
Dear Mr. Livingston:
I will introduce myself hy saying that I have heen the Y. M. C. A. secretary in the camp where your boy was a cadet. I became quite well ac- quainted with him because of his spending consid- erable time at the "Y." He, as you know, bet- ter than anyone else, was rather reticent and quiet and while here spent a great deal of his time outside of flying hours reading and writing in our rooms.
It was a sad day for me when he went on his raid and was brought home dead in hody. He was well liked by all; they were glad he was ready for his raid and he started off with the well wishes of many friends. An accident that none can ever explain occurred in the air, taking his life proh- ably before he landed, for the hiograph registered hetween three and four thousand meters.
We buried him with military honors, I being an ordained Congregational pastor, took the ser- vice. I am sure you would have been pleased to see the pains taken in doing honor to your boy. He has left us, but his spirit remains. I have a little picture that I will send you some day. One he gave me. He was a fine lad and God knows we are sorry to have him go, but He knows hest. Be proud of his memory for "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."
FRANK P. BEAL.
A splendid tribute was paid the young aviator by Lieut. O. H. Mitchell as follows: Dear Mr. Livingston:
As the chairman of the board to close your son's affairs, I deem it a privilege to write a few lines to you, his father. Your son, when he was killed, was finishing the last leg of his military brevet and was considered around the camp one of our most promising aviators. The reason for this, I think, was not due to the fact that he possessed any unusual qualities fitting him for an aviator, hut because he went at it as a duty to be per- formed and did it like he did everything else, thoroughly. Your son made the supreme sacri- fice and did it willingly and you can always he proud that he came to the end of his military life while faithfully performing his duties for his country.
In looking over the estate he left, as was my duty, I remarked on the clean life he must have led from the property in his possession-all lit- erary, educational and of a religious nature, Let me tell you, Mr. Livingston, then is when you see what a man really is, when you look over his he- longings when he is not present. Your son more than came up to the test. He was a model for other men.
In losing Ivan you have lost a wonderful son, but his was a death without regrets. With all sympathy in your loss, I remain
Verey sincerely, LT. O. H. MITCHELL, 8th A. I. C., Am. E. F., Italy.
ARTHUR LEE DAY
Arthur Lee Day, son of Mr. and Mrs. H. G. Day of Pullman, Wash., was born May 7, 1896. He was asphyxiated while on a submarine chaser on duty in the English Channel Oct. 24, 1918. The remains
Page Two Hundred Forty-Seven
WITH THE COLORS FROM WHITMAN COUNTY
were shipped home, arriving Dec. 8, 1918. A mili- tary funeral was held Dec. 9, 1918, interment oc- curring at the Fairmount cemetery.
Of the young man Norman V. Donaldson, com- manding ensign, wrote:
"The death of your son came as a sudden and tragic shock to all of his many friends in service over here, especially to those of us on his own boat. We can hardly realize that he has been called upon to make that last sacrifice, the sacri- fice which each of us must stand ready to make at any moment; that he has been called to give his life for his country in this great struggle where only the sacrifice of fine young lives, such as his, can asure our final and absolute victory.
"He died like a true American soldier, in the very act of performing his duty, a duty which he might have left to another, but which he knew was hard any one else. He was overcome by the gasoline fumes while working in the engine room bilges. There is some small comfort in knowing that al- and which he felt he himself could do better than though he died a sailor's death-died at his sta- tion at sea in the war zone, yet there was no suf- fering. We know this because there were other men at hand who could have given him assist- ance had he made the slightest signs. As soon as it was discovered that he was unconscious, all pos- sible means were taken to restore him, but with- out effect. The doctors say that had they been there they could have done nothing we did not do under the conditions.
"Your son joined my crew just before we left for this side. From that time to the very last he proved himself reliable, consciencious, and a very hard worker. 1 placed him in full charge of the engine room with all the responsibilities of an engineer officer, and in spite of his somewhat lim- ited experience with marine motors and the fact that he was young, he filled the job in every re- spect. He handled the men under him with force and understanding and kept the engines in splen- did condition. He was very popular with both men and officers and highly respected for his clean-cut, straight-forward ways and open frank- ness.
"Death is hard only for those who are left, not for those who are taken, and as it is hard for us to lose a companion and shipmate, it is infinitely harder for you to lose a son. We extend to you and your family our most heartfelt sympathy, and we assure you that the memory of your son will ever remain with us, and be honored by us."
IVAN LEO PRICE
Ivan Leo Price, son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles A. Price, was born at Pullman, Wash., Feb. 27. 1897, and was killed in France Nov. 1, 1918. The young man left the State College of Washington, where he was in attendance and enlisted in the United States Marine Corps at Seattle in December, 1917. He went into training at Mare Island, remaining there until March, 1918, when he was transferred to the marine barracks at North Island, San Diego. In July he was sent to Quantico, Va., remaining at that place until August, when he sailed overseas.
In France he was a member of C company, First training battalion, First regiment, until October, 1918, when he was transferred to the 51st company.
Private Price met his death at 3:00 o'clock a. m., Nov. 1, while awaiting the lifting of the bar- rage, previous to an attack in the Argonne sector.
The following letter was received by his parents from Second Lieutenant F. Israel, following his death:
"In reply to your letter of the 22d ultimo, you are informed that the records of this office show that Ptv. Price, 4604310, Iva L., Company G, 5th Ma- rines, was killed in action presumably by machine gun fire of the enemy, on November 1, 1918, and was buried at 301.2-285.3, Buzancy Special Map 1|50,000. His death was in line of duty and he would have been entitled to character "excellent" upon his discharge, had he lived."
FRANK J. HAMELIUS
In his experiences with the 91st Division, Lieut. Colin V. Dyment, Red Cross searcher for that or- ganization, wrote: "The town of Pullman, Wash., lost Corporal Frank J. Hamelius soon after noon (Sept. 28, 1918) when the company-always a dashing one-had come within 500 yards of Eclis- fontaine itself. A machine gun bullet or rifle sniper shot Hamelius through the body. He died without speaking in a few minutes. Hamelins was a good soldier-"You bet he was," said Pri- vate Perrine E. Moore of Los Palos, Calif., who was ten paces away. The corporal's body was picked up and carried back when E company re- turned. The night before he said 'I'll be glad when it's done with. I want to get in and break the ice.' "
CLAIR A. KINNEY
Lieutenant Clair A. Kinney was born Jan. 19, 1896, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Martin P. Kinney. Lieut. Kinney enlisted from Endicott at Seattle during the summer of 1917. He heroically at- tacked a patrol of seventeen enemy air craft in which engagement he sustained fatal wounds. He died in a German hospital at Stenay, Oct. 4, 1918.
The heroic battle in which Lieut. Kinney lost his life, is told in a letter to his mother (since de- ceased) from Captain George F. Fisher, as fol- lows:
"A description of your son's last combat is the most glowing tribute that can be paid to his extra- ordinary heroism and devotion to duty. He was a member of a patrol of seven planes from this squadron, which attacked seventeen enemy Fok- kers in the region of Doulcon, France. Regardless of his own personal safety, he unhesitatingly dove into the midst of the enemy formation. Firing into one of the enemy planes, he pursued it until he saw it crash to the ground. While pressing this attack, another Fokker set upon him from be- hind, firing a stream of bullets into his machine, one of which went through his leg. Exhibiting re- markable coolness and bravery, he manouvered to escape his pursuer and immediately attacked an enemy plane which he observed directly in front of him. Despite the wound which he re- ceived, he gallantly continued his attack, forcing the enemy to the ground. At this point, still an- other Fokker got on the tail of his machine and fired straight into his machine. Several bullets struck him in the body, while another set his gas tank on fire. Displaying exceptional grit, he re-
Page Two Hundred Forty-Eight
WHITMAN COUNTY'S HEROIC DEAD
tained consciousness long enough to land his ma- chine without killing himself."
RAYMOND P. CODD
Raymond P. Codd, son of Mr. and Mrs. P. Codd, of Colfax, was the first volunteer from Colfax, en- listing in old I company, 161st regiment, at Spo- kane on April 6, 1917. He was transferred to the Twenty-sixth division, 103d infantry, E company. He was killed in action in France.
A letter from Lieut. Fred R. Mast to the parents of the young man, said of him:
"No words that I can say or write can subtract from you the deep feeling of sorrow and regret you have undergone due to the death in action of your noble son, Raymond P. Codd, private first class.
"Raymond served with me since the date of his enlistment in I company, 161st infantry (formerly Second Washington infantry) up to a few days of his death, and no words seem good enough to ex- press his faithful service. He was always on hand to do his duty, never giving his officers or non-com- missioned officers the slightest cause for disci- pline. In spite of the utmost danger he always performed his duty with a great big smile, and time after time he showed that he was full of American blood. Although very young in years, he displayed the spirit and constitution of a full grown man for the cause for which he was fight- ing. Raymond was well liked by all the officers and men of his company and often I hear them praise his good work.
"Concluding, I extend to you the sympathy of his former 'buddies,' who have requested me to do so, and can assure you that the memory of Raymond P. Codd will always be cherished in the hearts of his former comrades."
GUY O. ENMAN
Corporal Guy O. Enman, son of David A. and Isabel Enman, was born April 5, 1894, near Deer Park, Wash. He was educated in the common schools of the district. For four years before be- ing called to the colors he was employed in the vicinity of St. John, by C. R. Lewis. He entered service Oct. 6, 1917, and was a member of the 91st Division, 361st regiment and E company.
Of his heroic death, Lieut. Colin V. Dyment, Red Cross searcher with the 91st Division, wrote:
"Company E. lost Guy O. Enman, a corporal from St. John, Wash. The last words of this man showed of what stuff he was made. It was just about noon. Enman and Robert Craig were lying together on a slope to the orchard. Craig is a pri- vate from Woodland, Idaho. In a tree to the right and 300 yards ahead was a Hun with a rifle, but no one had seen him. He shot the St. John boy in the head and as he did so his victim rose up on his knees and cried, 'I'm shot. There's a sniper out in that tree.' Then he sank down dead, but in less than five minutes another bullet, apparently from the same sniper, struck him in the top of the head. Craig ran to better cover and called to Lieutenant Royal Coffey that a Hun sniper was out in the tree. The lieutenant shot the sniper out of the tree, he told Craig.
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