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..."
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.
No comments:
Post a Comment