The Last of the Doughboys

An era came to an end on Sunday, February 27, 2011, when Frank Buckles, the last of America's "Doughboys" - the young men who went off to serve in World War I - died at the age of 110 in West Virginia.  Buckles was born in Missouri on February 1, 1901. He enlisted at the age of 16, and was an ambulance driver in France during the "Great War," often referred to as the "war to end all wars."  By the end of the war, in November 1918, Buckles had been promoted to the rank of corporal.  An exception to policy has been approved to honor Buckles with burial in Arlington National Cemetery with full military honors.

A total of 4,734,991 Americans served in uniform during World War I.  Of this number, 116,000 were killed in action while serving in France.  An additional 204,000 service personnel were wounded.

North Lewisburg contributed its share of "Doughboys" who served in World War I.  Their names were recorded on the original Service Roll which was painted on the exterior wall of a downtown building during that conflict.  Later, their names were cast in a bronze plaque which was affixed to the flag pole at Maple Grove Cemetery.  Now, these same names appear on the marble monument which stands in the Veterans Memorial park on East Street, in North Lewisburg.


Andrews, Fred

Ayres, Alonzo

Bahan, Travis

Barker, Earl

Beltz, Cecil

Benedict, Arthur

Bennedict, Emmett

Bishop, Bernice

Burris, Chester

Carter, George

Chapman, Charles

Chapman, Murell

Chapman, Olin

Cook, Bernard

Cook, Edson

Cooksey, Harry

Creviston, Louis

Creviston, Merle

Durnell, Aaron

Durnell, Frank

Embry, Francis

Evans, Donald

Ewing, Will

Fout, Clyde

Freeman, Harry

Glendening, Paul

Glendening, W. R.

Goldsberry, William

Hackley, Frank

Hackley, George

Heston, Hobart

Holycross, Isaac

Holycross, Pearl

Hunter, Robert

Immel, Howard

Impson, Justin B.

Inskeep, Harold

Jordan, Harold

Judy, Carl

Judy, Roy

Kennedy, Charles

Kennedy, Glade (died in service)

Kerns, Merle

Louden, Russell

Massey, George

McColly, Charles

McCrery, Chester F. (killed in action)

Morrow, John

O'Brien, Frank

Overfield, Lester

Poling, Clyde

Sager, Wayne

Snuffin, Ralph

Spain, Basil

Spain, Chester

Spain, Jesse

Spain, Theo

Steinberger, Alf

Townsend, Charles

Wilkins, Malcolm

Winder, C. B.

Wolford, Ralph

Note:  I created this list, in alphabetical order, when I last visited the Veterans Memorial in August 2009.  I am hopeful that I did not omit any names.  If so, I apologize.

The name of Chester F. McCrery is one of those names inscribed on that memorial.  Young Chet was born in 1898, and served with the 166th Infantry, Allied Expeditionary Force (AEF), in France.  He was killed in action in 1918, at the age of 21.  His remains were brought home to North Lewisburg.  He rests today in Square 8, Lot 2, Site 1, in the "old" section of Maple Grove Cemetery, his grave site shaded by nearby trees.  The local American Legion Post was previously named in his honor for many years.

They are all gone now, those four-million plus who answered the call to service.  They have all joined a grand parade of men and women who have worn the uniform of the Armed Forces of the United States.  It is well that we remember them - Frank Buckles, Chet McCrery, and so many others - and thank them most respectfully for their devotion to duty in the cause of freedom and liberty.