Military Monday ~ WW I ~ Fallen Heros

Following the aftermath of the Civil War; the United States began a period a peace and tranquility among its friend and foe. This resulted in one of the longest warfare free period (1865-1917) for our nation.

Yes, I know, we have the little spat with Spain called the Spanish-American War (April 25 – August 25, 1898) (3 months, 2 weeks and 4 days)[1]; but, from a societal impact point of view it had little impact on our day to day life and activities.

So from May of 1865 until 6 April 1917 (52 years) we lived our lives without the thought of war; without the loss of our loves ones and pretty much in peaceful coexistence with other nations.

On 6 April 1917, this peaceful state was shattered with the United States declaring War on Germany. Six weeks later the Selective Service Act (18 May 1917) was passed by Congress and the first registration took place on 5 June 1917.

All total there were 3 registrations;[2]

1st Registration: Men age 21 –31 years of age

2nd Registration: Men who had turned 21 since last registration

3rd Registration: Men age 18-21 and men ages 31-45

The declaration of war on Germany was to have a major impact on every American family. All able-bodied men of the household were subject to being sent off to War with little notification. America and its families were in an upheaval.

War causalities records for injured soldiers and those who were killed or died on the battlefield are not as readily available and they are for World War II and all current military engagement.

Chesterfield County, South Carolina sent its young men off to War and at least 9 of them gave the ultimate sacrifice – their lives.

KILLED in ACTION: KIA

1st Lieutenant Daniel O. Spencer – Oct. 21, 1918

Buried at: Plot B Row 33 Grave 19
Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery [3]
Romagne, France

1st Lieutenant William A. Mulloy – Brancourt, France – 8 Oct. 1918

Buried at: Plot B Row 10 Grave 2
Somme American Cemetery [4]
Bony, France

Corporal Hubert P. Terrell – Vaux Andigny, France – 12 Oct 1918

Old Saint Davids Episcopal Church Cemetery [5]
Cheraw
Chesterfield County
South Carolina, USA

Corporal Thomas J. Bundy – Brancourt, France – 8 Oct. 1918

Old Saint Davids Episcopal Church Cemetery [6]
Cheraw
Chesterfield County
South Carolina, USA

Private Colon L. Williams - September 25, 1918

Buried at: Plot D Row 22 Grave 15
Somme American Cemetery [7]
Bony, France

Sgt. Lenson C. Graves - Brancourt, France – 8 Oct. 1918

Buried at: Plot A Row 14 Grave 5
Somme American Cemetery [8]
Bony, France

Died from Other causes

Seaman Walter P. McIntosh – Naval Hospital, Charleston – 22 Sept. 1918

Old Saint Davids Episcopal Church Cemetery [9][2]
Cheraw
Chesterfield County
South Carolina, USA

Private Walter Pegues – Died of Disease – I October 1918

Buried at: Plot A Row 35 Grave 30
Oise-Aisne American Cemetery [10]
Fere-en-Tardenois, France

Corporal Fred O. Gaskins – 16 October 1918

Buried at: Plot C Row 8 Grave 4
Somme American Cemetery [11]
Bony, France

Nine young men, leaving their families behind, off to a war in a foreign land never more to see their love ones.

The American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) website is an awesome site if you lost one of you family members during WWI, WWII or the Korean War. Just click on the blue  embedded hyperlink to be taken to the state page to begin your search.

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[1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spanish%E2%80%93American_War
[2] http://search.ancestry.com/search/DB.aspx?dbid=6482
[3] http://www.abmc.gov/search/wwi_state.php
[4] http://www.abmc.gov/search/wwi_state.php
[5] Find A Grave Memorial# 53213887
[6] Find A Grave Memorial# 53103870
[7] http://www.abmc.gov/search/wwi_state.php
[8] http://www.abmc.gov/search/wwi_state.php
[9] Find A Grave Memorial# 53341175
[10] http://www.abmc.gov/search/wwi_state.php
[11] http://www.abmc.gov/search/wwi_state.php