Tribute to World War I Veterans
*To Those Who Made the Supreme Sacrifice*
On April 6, 1917, the day on which America pledged the flower of the land, some four million stalwart Americans pledged the resources of its peoples, backed by the grim determination to withhold the impending hordes of a world crazed autocracy from America’s shores. Clay County’s boys gladly and eagerly offered their services in the hour of impending crisis.
Looking back to the first days of the war, we see hundreds upon hundreds of our brave boys boarding the trains for the first leg of their journey across the sea. Again we see the boys aboard the ships all eager for the coming fray. Then we see the smoke of battle followed by the anxious hours of waiting and scanning the casualty list for news of those near and dear to us.
The war is over. The ships return to harbor. Anxious mothers are gathered at the wharves. Other anxious mothers wait upon the depot platforms while others sit by their firesides awaiting with anxious hearts for word telling of the safe arrival of their loved ones. Many a mother’s heart is gladdened by the knock of the messenger boy carrying the message of love and cheer. In thirty-six Clay County homes no message comes. He who went to conquer gave his life for his country’s cause and wrapped in the folds of Old Glory sleeps the sleep of the just under the skies of Flander’s Field. Others lie in peace in the Clay County graves. A gold star in the window tells the silent story. To these brave boys, this article is dedicated.
THEIR NAMES LIVETH FOREVER MORE
Killed in Action
ROBERT E. ANDREW
WALTER W. CARPENTER
ELVIN A. FROST
ELMER P. BLAIR
AQUILLA DAY
CLAUDE GRIFFY
ALBERT CARMICHAEL
JAMES M. DUNCAN
EDWIN SHONK
Died from Wounds
CLIFFORD H. ALSIP
THOMAS L. BUSSING
FRED W. DIERDORF
EDWARD W. WALTON
WILLIAM G. WIDENER
Died of Disease
GLADYS BANDY
WILLIAM BROWN
CLARENCE BYERS
HARRY E. COOKSEY
JOHN DAUGHERTY
M. OSCAR GRIGSBY
ROBERT E. HARRIS
ROY C. HOLDEFER
JAMES JENKINS
STANLEY M. KEITH
JACOB KIRCHNER
SAMUEL KNIPE
RUSSELL McGRIFF
ROY J. MEYER
JACOB MILLER
HARRY J. MOORE
JOHN SCHERB
A. C. SCHOPMEYER
FARRIS SMITH
A. W. WERREMEYER
HARRY WHALEY
JOHN L. ZENOR
The purpose of the book, “Clay County’s Answer,” was to set forth facts of our participation in World War I, touching briefly the important happenings which transpired during the great war. Many weeks of devoted work was given to the task of securing pictures of Clay County service men. It was impossible to secure a picture of every Clay County service man, but over 900 individual pictures are featured of boys who fought the fight of right and justice. Visit the Clay County Genealogy Library, at 309 E. Main, Center Point, during its regular scheduled hours on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday, 10 am to 4 pm, for more information of World War I.
Source: Clay County’s Answer 1917-1919
Submitted by: Jo Ann Pell – Clay County Genealogy Library
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