World War I War Veterans
We Honor Our Troops
Please follow links for additional information.
Best, Charles Hobart
Born 1896
He entered the U.S. Navy in 1914. He was a boxer on-board ship as a past-time
pleasure. He boxed with the Prince of Wales of that time.
Contributed by Mike Thomas
COURTNEY, PVT. RALPH - 158th Depot Brigade
He was from Elnora served on active overseas duty with the 158th Depot
Brigade during WW I. His Brigade was in support of a coast artillery
unit in France during the war. His enlistment covered the period from
July 15th, 1918 to January 1919. During his combat he was gassed by
the German's and never fully recovered from the disability during his
life. He received a military pension some years after he was honorably
discharged from the army. He passed away in 1954 and is buried at Fairview
Cemetery in Elnora.
Contributed by Wayne Courtney
Dillon, Pvt. John Wesley - 1st and 25th Infantry
Division
6 Mar 1895 - 6 Dec 1976
He is buried in Oak Grove Cemetery. Served in the 25th Infantry, 1st
Infantry Division (The Big Red One) in France and Germany during WWI.
He took his basic training and advanced individual training (as a cook)
at Camp Shelby, Hattisburg, Mississippi. After the war Mr. Dillon worked
for the B & O Railroad in Washington, IN until his retirement. He
was married to the former Bertha Hubbs of Haysville, Daviess County,
IN.
Contributed by Stephen Bennett
Fegan, Pvt.John P. - 6th Co. 2nd Tr.Bn, 159th
Depot Brigade
1897 - 1931
Contributed by Mary Arvin
Gregory, Orvil - Rainbow and First Division
1895-1958
Grew up in the Glendale Area; however enlisted in the Army at Redford
South Dakota. He was in the Rainbow division and later in the First division.
He was in teh A.E.F. after his Army service, lived in Daviess County
until late in his life. He died in Lafayette, IN.
Hagerty, Herman Francis - 1st Infantry 30th
Brigade
He was a WWI Veteran from Montgomery.He was awarded the Silver Star for
gallantry at the Muese-Argonne. He served with the 1st Infantry 30th
Brigade as a machine gunner.
Contributed by Bill Hagerty
Lavely. James William
25 May 1899 - 26 Jun 1987
He was born May 25,1899, in Cannelburg, IN, and died June 26, 1987, in
Joliet, IL. He enlisted in the US Army on October 15, 1918, at Washington,
IN while still in high school. His serial number was 5319069. He was
sent to Jefferson Barracks, MO, and then stationed at Lake Winona, IN.
He was discharged December 12, 1918, due to the Armistice declared on
November 11, 1918. He received a bonus of $60 and then returned home
and finished high school with his senior class at Montgomery, IN.
Contributed by Jerry Lavely
Littell, William G.
A patriot of World War l.Washington IN
Contributed by family
Love, William Paul
Of Canelburg, Indiana
Contributed by: Lester E. Love
Mahan,James - 2M Corps
Served in World War I. He was a Sergeant Detachment - 2M Corps. He enlisted
on October 3, 1917 at Washington IN. He was 29 years of age. He was
station at Camp Shelby, Mississippi and was Honorably Discharged 6th
Day of March 1919.
Contributed by Mary Ann Watkins
McWilliams, Sergeant Ralph J.
27 Aug 1896 - 12 Apr 1973
Serial number 2019356. Born and raised in Plainville, Ralph McWilliams
enlisted at Washington,IN May 11,1917 and served with the 340th Ambulance
Company in France. Discharged April 26,1919, he soon afterward married
Rose Flint of Odon. Several years later he went to work for the Goodyear
Rubber Co. in Akron, OH until his retirement. Spending the last years
of their lives in Plainville, Ralph and Rose are both buried in the Plainville
Cemetery. Donated by: Brett R. McWilliams Wilmer, AL
Perkins, Gordon -
A career service man serving in WWI and WWII
1891 - 1949
Riester, Oliver
Washingtion IN. He was stationed in Mississippi and overseas.
Contributed by his niece
Yeager, William B.
1892 - 1979
Daviess County, IN. He served in the US NAVY WWI. William joined the
Navy on 5-2-1918. His Basic was at Great Lakes ILL. from 8-31-1918 to
11-11-1918. William was assigned as a carpenters mate in Minneapolis
Minn. On 12-10-1918, he was assigned to Charlestown S.C. as 2 class aviation.
MR. YEAGER after the war, worked at the B & O shops in Washington
IN. "Bill" and his wife, Eldene, raised a family of 4 boys, all of who
were veterans of WW2.
Contribued by Steve Yeager
Navy and Army Enlistments
The following is a transcription from an article contributed by Coleen and William Galbreth. You may click on the link above to view the article
37 MEN ENLIST IN THE ARMY AND NAVY THURSDAY
Thirty-seven men enlisted in the navy and army Thursday. The are:
NAVY - Ola E. Skipton, Winfield; Geo. R. Melin, Rockford Ill.; Otto Hanegger,
Kingfisher, Okla; Harold A. Brodrick, Villisca; Carl Heitman, Keystone;
Geo. F. Beers, Mystick; Arthur R. Jenson, Hurley, S.D.; George F. Curry,
Winthroupe; Chalrence E. Logan, Parkersburg; Archie B. Burk, Vinton;
Geo. L. Nodruft, Harry K. Nodruft, Oxford Junction; Joseph P. Roach,
Elkader; Ole Garo, Ruthven; Vernon P. Willett, Centerville; Frank F.
Goerner, Congress Park; Charles L. Wolf, Luverne; Everett W. Callison,
Phillip A. Thorpe, Grinnell; Everett E. Fisher, Des Moines; William H.
Yates, Humeston.
ARMY - Robert L. Steer, Ottawa, Ill; Glenn T. McColl, Princeton, Ill;
John H. Gustafson, Clement A Delong, Des Moines; James Smillie, Hocking;
Carrol G. Galbreth, Penville, S.D.; Otto B. Kelley, Woodward; Clifford
C. Johnson, Pilot Mound; John L. Oliver, Des Moines; Floyd G. Schnarr,
Leonard M. Cox, Alfordsville, Ind; Henry J. Gowans, Cylinder; Raymond
W. Black, Burt; Kenneth M. Wood, Redfield; Ralph J. Knouf, Robert A White,
Des Moines