World War I Series - Ralph E. Mabrey

 

Ralph E. Mabrey

Born in Hicksville, Ohio, on April 15, 1892, Ralph Emerson Mabrey was the son of George J. and Ruhamah Hollinger Mabrey. He was the third son, following older brothers, Ray and Charles, and he had a younger brother,Harry.

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.

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."

  Section 1, Lot 246, Forest Home Cemetery, Hicksville, Ohio

In Memoriam

Ralph E. Mabrey

World War I Series - Dallas D. Hamilton - Part 2, Remembrances From His Grand-Nephew

 We happily received correspondence from Jim Hamilton, a relative of Dallas D. Hamilton. Jim recounts:

"This is my granduncle.  We have a framed tribute in our home to him.  He was originally buried in France, exhumed, then returned to Defiance.  

I have so many letters between Dallas and his sister, Edna, who was a school teacher in the Fourth Ward School.

He had eight siblings.  His brother, Edward started the Hamilton Dairy.  His brother, John, was also a soldier in World War I, but returned safely to Defiance.

  

               Memorial Tribute for Dallas Hamilton

By the way, his mother's blood line goes to the pilgrims from the Winthrop Fleet/ Massachusetts Bay Colony.  Relatives for him included John Hancock and John Greenleaf Whittier.  A very rich heritage, indeed."

Dallas' sister,

Edna, commissioned one of the stained glass windows in what would have been the Brethren Church in Defiance in memory of Aerodyne Hamilton.

Aerodyne was the mother of Edna and Dallas. 

Jim has been in this church and was moved, just thinking about his earliest family worshipping there.

Jim goes on to say: 

"He (Dallas) and his sister, Edna, were very close. They co-owned a house on Hopkins Street.  My first five years of life were spent in this house.  I also believe Ralph and Karen Hahn lived in that house. Karen is my cousin.

Edna was very shaken by her brother's death.  She was instrumental in his body being returned to Defiance.  She became mentally unstable after this occurred.  So bad thet she was admitted to the Toledo Mental Hospital.  I have letters she wrote to her dad and mom, stating her struggles.

His mother died a couple years after this occurred. She was a woman of great faith. That was translated into Dallas as well as Edna.

I have written about a thousand-page documentation of our family history. It's in three separate volumes. I inherited all of the Hamilton family history. Edna had a signifiant amount of information. My aunt Eleanor got me hooked on genealogy.  She did outstanding research. I still use some of her information. There were times when I developed this I actually wept; it was so moving."

This is a picture of the cover of one volume written by Jim Hamilton of about 500 pages. He said it was "the good, the bad, the ugly of the Hamilton family."

To update on other members of the family, Jim added that there was a connection to Flint, Michigan. 

"My grandfather, Edward, another cousin, Grover English, and Dallas' brother, John F. Hamilton III also moved to Flint. John was a welder, a trade he learned at American Steel Package Co. in Defiance. John, Grover and Dallas went to war...Edward returned to Defiance to start the Hamilton Dairy."

Jim sent photos of interest to Dallas' life and death, shown below.

Guest Blogger - Jim Hamilton  

Thank you so much for helping to fill in Dallas' story.

World War I Series - Edward C. Smart

 

Edward C. Smart

Fort Wayne News-Sentinel, June 8, 1918, p. 2

Eddie Smart was the son of John and Luella Lytle Smart and just a boy of three when enumerated in the 1900 Federal Census of Marion Township, Marion, Ohio. Born in October, 1896, Eddie was their only child. His father died in 1904, and ,by the taking of the 1910 census, Eddie was enumerated with his mother and his new stepfather, Chauncy Delong, and two new siblings, Lelah, 3, and Elizabeth, 2, in Scipio Township, Allen County, Indiana. They eventually lived in Hicksville, Ohio, just across the state line.

At 17 years, 5 months old, Edward enlisted in the local National Guard on February 5, 1914.  He served in Company E, 2nd Infantry with his Hicksville National Guard until August 22, 1917. He went quickly up the ranks, and made sergeant by August 21, 1917.

Photo provided by Dianne Grimm

On September 30,1917, he was given an Honorable Discharge and commissioned into the AEF and sent overseas to participate in the Meuse-Argonne campaign. He wrote back to his family, and he was known for his descriptive letters. There he attended Officers' Training School and was made Second Lieutenant.

The Hicksville Tribune noted on Oct. 3, 1918:

"I had a letter from Edward Smart a few days ago.  He is well and doing fine and is bound to make good and get his commission.  The platoon sure hated to see him leave us although they all joined in wishing him the best luck in his new work."

In January 1919, the Tribune noted that no one had heard from or about Edward Smart.  It was worrisome, as the last letter received from him was October 8, 1918. Months... Then word arrived that Edward C. Smart had been killed in action on October 15, 1918, while leading his company in France. The chaplain of the command had informed his family.

Scipio Cemetery, Allen County, Indiana - not far from Hicksville, Ohio

Edward's friend, Ralph Schumaker, wrote to the newspaper in Hicksville, giving information on his friend's decease. What a gift that must have been to his family.  From a part of the letter printed in the Hicksville Tribune, April 3, 1919:

"RALPH SHUMAKER WRITES IN MEMORIAM

GLOWING TRIBUTE IN HONOR OF HIS COURAGE, LIEUTENANT EDWARD C. SMART

... It was my good fortune to have known Lt. Smart ever since May, 1915, when he, as a Corporal of Company E, 2nd Infantry of Hicksville, became my military instructor.  He proved a good instructor as many present members of the company can testify.  He had earned a Sergeantcy by June 19, 1916, when we were called into the service of the United States for Mexican border patrol.  He remained with the company till the end of his enlistment on February 4, 1917, when he was furloughed to the National Guard Reserve.

As First Sergeant of the company, he made a friend of every member of the company, and we one and all missed him even if it were for only a little afterwards that the company remained on the border.

July 15, 1917, when the active members of the old company were called to the service of the United States for participation in the great world war, he was eager to volunteer again, but as a Reservist, he could do nothing until the Reserves were called.

August 15, 1917, he, with the Reserves, were called and he reported for duty with the company that he had always labored so hard for.  As an old member of the company, his knowledge of military instruction proved almost indispensable in the training of the many new men that the company had acquired through the influence of such soldiers as he had always been.

On August 14, 1917, he, with fifteen other members of the company, of which I was one, was transferred to Company E,4th Ohio Infantry at Camp Perry, O.

August 23, 1917, he was again transferred to Headquarters Company, 4th Ohio, now 166th Infantry.  I was one of the eight Hicksville boys that were transferred with him.  He was made Sergeant of the Signal Platoon and continue till his being detailed to Officers' Training School.

Ohio 4th Infantry 1917

October 18, 1917, he, with his regiment left the Land of Liberty to do battle with the Hun who had outraged humanity and civilization.  He arrived in France Nov. 1, 1917.  After a period of training in which he played no small part, we entered the trenches in the Lorraine sector on Washington's birthday, 1918, and remained there for almost 4 months.  He participated in the Champagne defensive of July 4 - 20, having charge of the platoon since June 14th.  By forced marches, we were taken to the Chateau Thierry sector which we entered on July 23rd.

After pushing the Hun for 22 kilometers, we were allowed to drop back into the Reserve where he left us on or about August 12 for Officers' Training School near Langres.  This closes the history with the company that he had served so faithfully...

By frequent letters, we learned that he was successful at school, being commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant and assigned to the 7th Infantry of the 3rd Division.

In the Argonne-Meuse offensive, there were many hard places to be taken.  He, with his platoon, were ordered to make the attempt and in the fulfillment of that task, he was mortally wounded while at the head of his command.  Although he was fast sinking away, he urged his command onward, and by his inspiration, he gave them the courage to rout the Hun from his nest.  After the stronghold of the Hunt had been taken, he allowed himself to be taken to a 1st Aid Station where he was treated without success.

After death had claimed him for his own, his remains were given a hero's burial by the men of his platoon, and at Cunel, France, he awaits the judgement day and a home eternal..."

U.S. Army Transport Steamer, The Crook

But it's not quite the end of the story.  Lt. Edward Smart's body wa disinterred on August 17, 1921, and shipped from Antwerp, Belgium on the ship, Crook, leaving on December 28, 1921. The body was shipped, addressed to the Hicksville undertaker, J. M. Hoack, arriving at Hoboken, New Jersey, on January 14, 1922.  It arrived in Hicksville on January 28, 1922, and a funeral service was held on February 1st.

"Lieut. Edward C. Smart, whose funeral was held Sunday under direction of the American Legion Post which bears his name, was a Hicksville High School boy when he enlisted in company E.

The funeral service at Huber Opera House was the most largely attended of any ever held in Hicksville.

Rev. G. W. Whyman of Bryan delivered the funeral oration and W. L. Manahan read the obituary.  Prayer was offered by Rev. W. H. Bransford and the music was furnished by the Legion Band.  Harmonic quartet, a duet by Mrs. Daisy Tuttle and Mrs. Jeff Hoff and a piano solo by A. W. Roper.

Lieut. Smart's remains were borne to Scipio Cemetery where they were placed beside his father who died several years ago."

In Memoriam

Edward C. Smart

 

World War I Series - Sergeant Fred McFeters, KIA

 

Fred McFeters

Freddie, as he was called, was born in Washington Township on August 18, 1895, to George and Christina McFeters. According to the 1900 Federal Census, the family lived then in Paulding County, the parents with sons, Fred J. and Carl Ward. By 1910, the family lived on Jackson Street in Ney, now with two daughters, Helen and Margaret. A third daughter, Annie, died as an infant in 1905. At this time, Fred was 14 and working outside the home as a farm laborer for a local farmer.

On June 19, 1916, at the age of 20, Fred enlisted in the army and became a private in Company G of the 6th Infantry of the Ohio National Guard. He was involved in U. S. Army activity along the Mexico-Texas border in 1916-1917. When the 6th Ohio National Guard returned from that assignment, they were transferred to the 147th Infantry, 37th Division, later to be called the "Rainbow Division." A promotion to Corporal followed on April 15, 1917.

In late December of 1917, he took a furlough home to get married to Miss Nellie Young of Defiance on December 31.  Theresa Rosella McFeters was born from this marriage.

After returning to his company, Fred was promoted to sergeant.  On June 22, 1918, he and several men from the area departed from Newport News, Virginia on the troop transport, "Pocahontas," for France. Once there, he joined his unit in the Argonne Forest region.

Company G was engaged with the Germans near the town of Cierges in late September near the Argonne Forest. It was there Fred McFeters was killed in action on September 28, 1918.  

He was originally buried in a cemetery in Cierges-Meuse. In June, 1919, his body was reburied in the Argonne American Cemetery in Romagne-sous-Montfaucon.

His commander sent a heartfelt letter to Fred's wife, and it was printed in the Sherwood Chronicle on December 27, 1918, page 5:

"Captain McKay Pays Beautiful Tribute to Sgt. Fred McFeters

Somewhere in France, November 20, 1918

Mrs. Fred McFeters, Ney, Ohio

My Dear Mrs. McFeters- was just informed this morning of Fred's death while leading his section on the Verdun front sometime in October. It was an awful shock to me, for he was one of my best men.

I have been away from the company since September 1st, and owing to our strict censorship, did not receive any notice of casualties until this a.m.

Fred has been with me since June, 1916, and was always ready and willing to perform the task allotted him cheerfully and willingly.

Was one of my best boys, a credit to his country, our flag and himself.  I realize your irreparable loss in this, your sacred offering to the cause we all feel is right and just.  And hope that it may be some condolence to you and his parents to know that your husband and their son fulfilled with that splendid spirit and determination so characteristic of the American soldier, his great part in this terrible drama.  His memory will never be forgotten by his comrades.

Kindly accept my dearest condolences and kindly convey the same to the bereaved parents.

Yours for deepest sympathy,

Albert B. DeKay

Captain U.S. Infantry, American E.F., France"

In 1921, his body was disinterred and and sent home by request of the family. He was put to rest with many of his family in the Moats Cemetery, north of Sherwood, Ohio.

The Defiance Crescent reported on December 7, 1918 on the front page:

"At the M.E. church at Ney Sunday afternoon, very appropriate memorial services were held for Sergeant Fred McFeters, who went west at the fighting in Belleau Wood (Argonne Forest) in France, October 1, (*September 28).  Fred was a Washington township boy and saw service on the Mexican border in 1916-1917, while in the machine gun company of the old Sixth Ohio. 

At Camp Sheridan, Ala., he was transferred to the new famous Rainbow division, which did such effective work.  While at home on furlough, he was married Jan. 1 (*December 31, 1917) to Miss Nellie Young of Defiance.  His mother lives near Ney, where he has numerous relatives in that vicinity."

The Sherwood Chronicle also noted on September 23, 1921 on page 1:

"A number from Sherwood attended the funeral of Sgt. Fred McFeters who was killed overseas, at Moats M.E. church Sunday morning, Rev. Morris, officiating, assisted by Rev. Dentel.

The body had arrived on Friday at the home of his mother, Mrs. Lee Poast on the LaVergne farm. The funeral, it is claimed was the largest ever held in this church.  Interment was made in Moats cemetery."

In Memoriam

Fred McFeters

Guest Author - Dan Hasch

World War I Series - Dallas D. Hamilton

 

DALLAS D. HAMILTON

John Franklin Hamilton, Sr. and wife, Aerobyne (Keezer) Hamilton welcomed their eighth child, Dallas Delore Hamilton on 17 August 1890 in Defiance, Ohio. Dallas was the fourth son to be born to the large Hamilton clan of nine children. The family lived in the 4th Ward of the city of Defiance from the 1870s until both parents died in the 1920s.

Dallas took a job in 1913 with the B&O Railroad and moved to Garrett, Indiana. By June, 1917, he and older brother, Edward, were living in Flint, Michigan. Dallas was an acetylene welder with the Buick Motor Company.

Dallas registered for the draft as required. He was called to serve and placed in Company F of the 338th, assigned to the 169th Infantry Brigade of the 85th Infantry Division, also known as the "Custer Division, named after the cavalry commander, George Armstrong Custer.

The regiment was formed 5 August 1917 at Camp Custer, Michigan. In this regiment, there were 3,755 officers and enlisted men. On 22 July 1918, Corporal Dallas D. Hamilton left New York City on the "Carmania," heading for France. The Doughboys of the regiment deployed to France as part of the American Expeditionary Forces and were billeted in the cities of Nevers and Cosne. The regiment didn't participate in any named campaigns during the war. Its infantrymen were used as individual replacements to the fighting divisions.

In a letter home to his sister, dated 12 November 1918 (one day after the Armistice was signed in Europe), Dallas expressed his relief at being spared. He wrote of his hopes to be home by Spring, 1919, and longed for news of the family. Ten days after Dallas penned this letter, he was was listed as missing in action. His letter arrived in Defiance and was published in the Crescent-News on 2 December 1918.

"Dallas Hamilton of East Defiance, who is in the service in France, and who was reported 'missing' has written the following letter to his sister. The letter is dated November 12th which is since the day he was among the missing.

'France, November 12th, 1918

Dear Sister and All,

Things have made quite a change in this country lately. From war to peace certainly cheered people up. I'll bet they celebrated in the States  Would like to have been there to help.

It came in time to make a very pleasant Thanksgiving for some and of course the loss for others will make it very much different. I consider myself lucky to getting thru alive and if God permits will be home by spring.

Did you notice the peace came on the eleventh hour, the eleventh day, eleventh month? I think that by the time I write again, I will be able to tell a little more and tell you almost where I am located.  Mail service should be better now since the boats can make the trip across in six days instead of twelve or thirteen. There is one thing that I am anxious to know and that is to hear about you people for it seems as tho my mail fails me. Am transferred around so much, it makes it impossible to get it, but from now on, I think I will be pretty much settled.

Hope you enjoy your Thanksgiving dinner.

Love to All,

Your Brother'"

In the 11 January 1919 issue, the Sandusky Register listed Dallas as being wounded, previously reported MIA. Then on 17 January 1919, Dallas was listed as dying from his wounds. Actually, Dallas had succumbed to his wounds on 8 December 1918 near Bourgoyne, France.

Communication was sometimes slow to get back to the U.S.

The Hamilton family had suffered another tragic loss. John and Aerobyne had already lost four children before they received news of Dallas' death in 1918. To make matters even more difficult, they had to wait over two years to finally lay their son to rest in Defiance.  His remains arrived at Hoboken, NJ aboard the "Wheaton" on 15 December 1920. His body was interred at Riverside Cemetery in Defiance on 13 January 1921.

In Memoriam

 Dallas Delore Hamilton

 

Guest Blogger - Rhonda Casler

 

 

 

World War I Series - Tracy J. Clark

 

Tracy J. Clark

Tracy James Clark was born January 22, 1893, near Prattville, Hillsdale County, Michigan to Finn F. and Rilla A. Clark. On the 1900 census of Hillsdale County, Tracy was listed as a seven year old, along with his parents and a brother, Archie L., aged 10, and sister, Eva N, aged 2.

Just half way through his 24th year, while living near Hicksville, Ohio, Tracy enlisted in May, 1917, as a part of the Ohio National Guard.  His first training for the Army was at Camp Sheridan, Alabama, where he was assigned to Company E. and later, Company F of the 145th Infantry. Tracy left for France with fellow Hicksville soldier, Ellis Dull, on June 15, 1918, from Hoboken, NJ on the ship, "Leviathan."

Tracy quickly advanced to corporal, and then on October 18, 1918, to the rank of sergeant. His final service in the American Expeditionary Force came at Ypres-Lys, Meuse Argonne from June 1918 to November 4 when he was killed in action.

At Ypres- Lys

The following is an account of Sgt. Carl W. Roberts of the 145th who died on the same day as Tracy J. Clark:

"On 26 September the last great Allied offensive of the war began in Meuse-Argonne Forest area.  It was this attack that started the Germans on their final retreat leading to collapse.  When the Meuse-Argonne offensive started the Regiment moved into the front line.  In this battle the 145th Infantry distinguished itself in the capture of Montfaucon, an action so heroic that it has been commemorated in the Regimental Coat of Arms by a falcon, representing the town which bears the name Falcon Mountain or Montfaucon.  Following the Montfaucon action, the 145th was relieved on Oct. 1 1918, returning to the vicinity of Recicourt where it remained for two days

On 3 October, the Regiment moved to the U.S. Second Army area and was attached to the U.S. IV Corps.  On 7 October, it relieved an infantry regiment of the 89th Division in the Pannes Sector, and remained in the front line for 10 days...The 145th moved on 18 October to the Ypres area in western Belgium, arriving on 21 October..."

Sgt. Tracy Clark was killed in action 4 November 1918 in France along with his Hicksville comrade, Ellis Dull.  According to the Army,
Tracy was buried in Flanders Field, the American Cemetery in Belgium, and is on their list of burials.  However, there is also a memorial stone in the Waldron Cemetery located in Waldron, Hillsdale County, Michigan.

From an unnamed newspaper:

"HICKSVILLE BOY KILLED IN ACTION IN FRANCE

(Special to the News)

HICKSVILLE, O. - Dec. 5

Tracy Clark, one of the Hicksville boys killed in action Nov. 4 on the field of battle in France, was a son of Mr. and Mrs. F. F. Clark and was born at Prattville, Mich. Jan. 22, 1893, and was aged 25 years.

He enlisted in Company F, here on Decoration Day 1917, and left for Camp Sheridan Sept. 30.  He arrived overseas June 22 of this year.  

When the Clark family moved to Hicksville a few years ago from Michigan and entered the feed store business, the son took charge of the delivery service for the firm, which he looked after until the entered the service for his country."

In Memoriam

Tracy James Clark

Guest Blogger-

Mary Williams

In Flanders Fields

BY JOHN MCCRAE

In Flanders fields the poppies blow

Between the crosses, row on row,

    That mark our place; and in the sky

    The larks, still bravely singing, fly

Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago

We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,

    Loved and were loved, and now we lie,

        In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:

To you from failing hands we throw

    The torch; be yours to hold it high.

    If ye break faith with us who die

We shall not sleep, though poppies grow

        In Flanders fields.

• • 
    

World War I Series - Sergeant Edgar "Gray" Swingle

 

Edgar Gray Swingle

Gray Swingle was born in Hicksville, Ohio, on July 27, 1894, to Albert (Bert) and Mary Edith Gray Swingle.  By 1900, the family had moved to Newark, Ohio, where they were found on the census. Gray was eligible for placement on the monument because of his beginnings in Defiance County.  

Gray grew up in Pickering County and later attended Wittenberg College at Springfield, Ohio. He was an excellent student, and upon his graduation, he decided to enlist in 1917.

On May 13, 1917, he reported to Fort Thomas, Kentucky at the age of almost 23. He was made Private First Class on July 6, 1917 and quickly worked his way up through Corporal to Sergeant.  Soon Gray was overseas in the Defensive Sector in France in the Somme as part of the American Expeditionary Forces.

As he was leading his patrol in the spring of 1918,they came under mortal fire from the Germans. Gray didn't make it; the day was March 28, 1918.

With his Distinguished Service Cross was this anecdote:

"For extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company B, 6th Engineers, 3rd Division, AEF near Bois-es-Tailoux, March 28, 1918.  The patrol came under hostile machine gun fire and Sergeant Swingle was mortally wounded.  He gave instructions to the patrol to return to their company commander and ordered them to leave him, as the patrol was under fire and would all probably be wiped out."

He also was awarded the Purple Heart and the World War I Victory Medal. Word did not travel back to the United States until almost two weeks later.

The Hicksville Tribune carried this poignant message:

"Telegrams received here bring news of the death of a former Hicksville boy, Gray Swingle, son of Mr. and Mrs. Bert Swingle, residents here until a few years ago when the family moved to Zanesville, Ohio.  The young soldier, aged 23, was killed in action.  This is the first death of a Hicksville born soldier on foreign soil and is the first to bring to our very doors the horrors of this war..."

Sergeant Gray Swingle was buried in the Somme American Cemetery in France, Block D, Row 16, Grave 15.  

His mother, Mrs. Mary Swingle, also applied to go to France on the Mothers' Pilgrimage in 1930.  It is not known if she did go.

The Newark Advocate, Newark, Ohio printed a lengthy obituary for Gray on April 12, 1918 on page 3. It supplies more insight into his service, so sections of it are here:

"SERGEANT GRAY SWINGLE OF THIS CITY KILLED IN ACTION ON THE FRENCH BATTLE LINE MAR. 28.

OUR FIRST SACRIFICES...

Just a few hours before the casualty lists from 'over there' were made public Thursday, a telegram was received by the family of Mr. and Mrs. B. S. Swingle of 20 North Street, telling of the death of their son, Sergeant Gray Swingle, 24, who was killed in action in France on March 28.

The telegram from Adjutant General McCain stated: 'Deeply regret to inform you that Sergeant Gray Swingle, Engineers, is officially reported as killed in action March 28.'  The message was filed in Washington at 2:24 o'clock Thursday afternoon and was addressed to Mr. Bert Swingle...  It was received at the Munson Music Company where Mr. Swingle is a salesman, and as he was out of the city, Mr. E. H. Frame of the company intercepted the telegram as he did not wish Mrs. Swingle to receive it while she was alone at her home.

Her daughter, Miss Mary Swingle, of the Public Library was located in Granville, and with her father, assisted in softening the blow to the mother...

...The Sixth Regiment of Engineers, which was stationed at Washington D.C. A splendid body of troops, they did guard duty at the White House for a time and were known as the 'President's Pets."

Sergt. Swingle left this country about the third of December with the Engineers and from the first, the regiment has been in the thickest of the fray.  A few days ago, a rumor was prevalent that he had been captured by the Germans, but the fact was discredited by his family, who continued to receive letters from him.  The family knew he was in a precarious location, as he called on Mrs. Andrews of the Smith College Unit, and she wrote the family from Nesle in the Somme country saying he had called.  Just on Wednesday this week, Mrs. Swingle received a cheerful letter from him which had been written on March 18.

He was killed while in action when his regiment of engineers joined Canadian and British troops in repulsing the Germans.

He visited his home here in November while stationed at Washington and proved himself as thoroughly a soldier as he had been a student.

His brother, Robert F. Swingle, followed his brother's example and enlisted shortly afterwards and is now a member of Battery B, 61st Coast Artillery Company..."

Kent Miller, local historian from Hicksville, gave an account of Swingle's last day in an article published on October 22, 2018, in the Bryan Times. It reads in part: 

"...On March 27, 1918, Swingle was leading a patrol to scout enemy positions near Hamel, right after U.S. forces occupied the front lines in that section of the Somme. They heard a German patrol pass by at about 2 a.m. 

'There's something over there and we must know what it is,' Swingle said, according to Miller's account of the day's action. 'You fellows can stay here if you wish, but I'm going to find out.'

He crept out alone and immediately came under fire. His squad fell back to the line and reported him captured. The next morning, a Captain Harris, spotted him on the other side of No-Man's-Land within 50 yards of the German line, trying to crawl back with two broken legs.

Private Frank J. Goldcamp and Wagoner, Carl G. Duncan volunteered to go get him and ran out without weapons while three others provided covering fire.

'Boys, why didn't you bring a stretcher?' Swingle asked, according to Miller's account.

Goldcamp responded, 'We'll get in Sergeant, if you can stand it.'

Swingle gritted his teeth and growled, 'I'll stand it, you boys should never have come out after me.'

They dragged him by his arms for about 15 yards before the Germans opened fire again. They hit all three men.  Goldman died on the spot and Duncan fainted with two broken ribs.

They laid still and played possum for about two hours, waiting for stretcher bearers to come out after dark. 'If they don't come for us soon, we'll freeze to death,' Swingle is reported to have said, so Duncan decided to go get one himself.  He stumbled about 400 yards before he passed out again. His own brother came out after him with a doctor in tow. The brother carried him back, while the doctor crept forward and found Swingle dead next to Goldcamp.

Duncan spent 10 months in the hospital before he was medically discharged.  Swingle and Goldcamp were among the first Americans killed in action. They were buried in Somme and posthumously awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, the nation's second highest honor for heroism."

Posthumously, Gray appeared in War Bonds advertisements to support the cause.

In Memoriam

Edgar Gray Swingle