Ralph E. Mabrey
Like so many others, Ralph reported to fill out his draft registration card on June 5, 1917, in Hicksville. He was 25 years old, single and worked as a laborer for the Miller Manufacturing Company in Hicksville. Ralph described himself as of medium height and build with blue eyes and dark brown hair.
He was first assigned to 13th Co, 4th Bn, 158th Depot Brigade where he stayed until July 17, 1918. Then he was sent overseas in Company L, 336th Infantry until October 5, 1918, when he was moved to Company C, 366th Division until his death.
One Defiance paper reported that he was first in Camp Sherman for training and then to Camp Mills before sailing for overseas with the 336th. The paper then noted his last assignment in the 360th Division when he was killed in action on November 4, 1918.
His story is told well in his obituary:
"MABREY
The remains of Ralph Mabrey arrived at Hicksville from France, Saturday, and were given a military funeral Monday morning by the American Legion.
The remains of Ralph Mabrey arrived at Hicksville from France, Saturday, and were given a military funeral Monday morning by the American Legion.
He was one more of our brave lads who made the greatest sacrifice that man can make.
Private Ralph Emerson Mabrey, son of G. J. and R. L. Mabrey, was born at Hicksville, O., April 15, 1892, and spent his whole life in this community. He was kind, obliging, and always willing to do his duty, and was a friend to everyone both young and old. He answered his country's call and left Defiance for Camp Sherman, June 24, 1918, where he was assigned to Co. L, 336th Infantry. There he remained until
August 23, 1918, when he was sent to Camp Mills, Long Island, New York.
Shortly after, he was sent to France with the 84th Division, arriving there in the early part of September. October 23, 1918. He joined Co. L, 360 Infantry, 90th Division, and from this time, till he made the supreme sacrifice, he was in the thick of the fight.
October 23, he was on the Meuse-Argonne front and November 1st and 2d, he was in the drive on what was called the Freyastelling near Dunsen-Meuse, and about two hundred yards to the left of a little French village called Villen-devant-Dun. It was at this place, while advancing up a hill against a raking machine gun fire from the enemy that he met his death on November 2, 1918, being in active service only nine days.
He died instantly without saying a word to anyone. Thus he died a true American soldier and died like a man for his country. The next morning, he was buried on the top of this same hill,but was later disinterred and reburied in the Argonne American Cemetery, Romagne, Montfacon, Meuse.
Surviving him are his father and mother, two brothers, Ray of Auburn, Harry of Lansing, Michigan, and one sister, Vida, at home. One brother preceded him to the Great Beyond. Funeral services were held from the home on Milford Road, Monday morning by Rev. J. W. Lilly. Interment at Forest Home.
CARD OF THANKS. We take this means to express our thanks to our neighbors, friends, the American Legion, the Ladies Auxillary, and all others who helped in any way. Also the donors of the flowers the pastor for his comforting words, and the singers for their beautiful music - Mr. and Mrs. George Mabrey and Children."
In Memoriam
Ralph E. Mabrey
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