World War I Series - A. C. Gecowets

 

A. C. GECOWETS

A.C. Gecowets was born on January 28, 1893, in Washington Township, Defiance County, Ohio. A.C. was always just A.C. in all the documents found on him, no other name. His father was Charles Abraham Gecowets, so were his initial a reversal of his father's?  We just don't know. His mother was Alice McFeters Gecowets. 

By the 1900 Federal Census, A.C. lived with his grandmother, Ida McFeters, and his uncle, LeRoy McFeters who farmed in Washington
Township. A.C. was 7, and his sister Delta was 5. 

On June 5, 1917, he filled out his World War I Draft Registration in North Richland Township, Defiance County.

In May, 1918, he was assigned to the 18 Company, 5th Battalion, 159th Depot Brigade until June 17, 1918. In the war, he belonged first to Company C, 153rd Infantry until September 13, 1918, when he was moved to Company C, 127th Infantry. The 153rd was a replacement company to use as needed when regiments had lost soldiers who needed to be replaced. A.C. either volunteered or was assigned to the 127th in September where he fought until death in the Argonne Forest.

In a letter home to W. P. Rath, father to Francis Rath (see his post), A. C. Gecowets was mentioned by Pvt. George M. Long, the author:

"Mr. A. C. Gecowets of Defiance was killed near the same spot that Francis was hit and Gecowets died on the field. This happened about 11 a.m., October 5.  Gecowets was hit by machine gun bullets and they broke both his legs."

(Defiance Crescent-News, April 10, 1919, pg.5)

This account gave his date of death as October 5, 1918; other more reliable documents stated he died on October 12. But his sister was not informed until January 1919.  The Defiance Crescent News reported on January 4, 1919:

"WAS BROTHER OF MRS FRED WAHL OF DEFIANCE

Private A. C. Gecowets, who was reported in yesterday's casualty list as killed in action, met death on the battlefield October 12th. He was a brother of Mrs. Fred Wahl of this city. Before going to war, he was employed in the vicinity of Jewell."

A.C. was first buried near the battlefield in Geshes, France in Grave 13, but he was reburied in the Meuse-Argonne Cemetery later. His sister was notified of the reburial on January 28, 1919.

In Memoriam

A.C. Gecowets

Guest Blogger - Dawn Hasch

World War I Series - Francis T. Rath

 

FRANCIS T. RATH

Frances T. Rath was the fifth of six children born to his parents, William Philip Rath and Louisa Elizabeth Hockman Rath.  The family farmed in Tiffin Township, and that is where Frances was born on February 21, 1894. His middle name was either Turco or Turche, but its significance, if any, to the family is unknown.

Frances filled out his draft registration card on June 5, 1917, when he was 23 years old.  He helped with the farming on the W. F. Mujers farm at Rt. 4, Defiance at the time.  Described as tall with a medium build with gray eyes and auburn hair, he was a single man.

His enlistment day was May 28, 1918, into the 18th Regiment, Company B, Battalion 159, the Depot Brigade where he served until June 17, 1918.  On August 6, 1918, he embarked from Newport News, Virginia, overseas, now part of the 153rd Infantry, Company C.  Soon he would be moved to Co. C, 127th Infantry where he served until his death. Deployed to the Meuse-Argonne area where the fighting was heavy, he died from wounds sustained on October 5, 1918, and passed away five days later on October 10.

He was first buried in the American Cemetery at Montfaucon, then moved to the American Argonne Cemetery. Eventually, he was disinterred and sent home on the ship, "Somme," to Hoboken, NJ.  His final burial place is Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia in Section 18, Site 2013.  

Later, Francis' father, W. P. Rath of Rural Route 2, Defiance, wrote a letter to the Army asking for an account of what happened to his son. The letter was answered by Francis' friend, Private George M. Long, and printed in the Defiance Crescent News on April 10, 1919, on page 5:

"Sir,

I have just received your request of February 27th handed me by Mr. Butler of Defiance, Ohio, who is a member of my company.  I will now endeavor to tell you all I know about your son, Francis, who was wounded on October 5th, while we were in the Argonne Forest.

I first met him at Camp Taylor, Ky. and we immediately became the best of friends. I bunked with him both at Camp Taylor and Camp Bearugard, was in the same squad with him, he being the squad leader. We were in the 'first squad' account of both of us being such tall men. We were together after we got over to France and I continued to be his bunk-mate until he was wounded.

We went over the top the first time on the 3rd or 4th of October and our second time we went over the top on the 5th when he was wounded by a piece of shrapnel which hit him over the left breast which penetrated his body deep enough for one to lay his hand in it.  I assisted in carrying him to a place of safety.  He was nearly unconscious at the time and the only thing he said was, 'Where's my rifle?'  He asked me if I thought he was hit bad, and I told him he was not, that he would be alright  as soon as he received 'first aid', but I well knew that he was in a critical condition and possibly could not endure it very long.

He was wounded in the attack on the town of Genes and there was a heavy loss of life on both sides.  Possibly more Company C men were wounded at Genes than any place I know of.  A certain lieutenant, whose name I do not remember, asked for some one to volunteer to go to a certain place, and Francis is the one who volunteered and he had only gone a short distance from the platoon when the shell struck him.

Mr. A. C. Gecowets of Defiance was killed near the same spot that Francis was hit, and Gecowets died on the field.  This happened about 11 a.m. October 5th. Gecowets was hit by machine gun bullets and they broke both his legs.

I can say this for Francis, that he behaved himself like a gentleman, was a brave soldier as you can tell from what I have already stated, that he actually volunteered to do a certain thing which finally resulted in his death.

Pvt. George M. Long"

In Memoriam

Francis T. Rath