The Lost Faces of World War One — Part Seven

This is the continuation of a series of stories about men who died in World War 1, and whose photographs appeared in a publication called “Our Nation’s Roll of Honor.” The original post and explanation can be found at this link.  There will also be a complete listing of all the names researched at that same blog post.

LOST FACES OF WORLD WAR ONE: Our Nation’s Roll of Honor — Part Seven

Lieut. Henry Leslie Eddy
New Britain, Conn
Killed in Action

Henry Leslie “Les” Eddy was born 30 July 1894, at New Britain, Hartford CT, son of Horace W. & Agnes M. (Hodge) Eddy.

He graduated from New Britain (CT) High school, attended Colby College in Maine, and was a former student at Middlebury College in Vermont, entering in September 1915 and remaining only until January 1916. He was a member of Delta Kappa Epsilon. He graduated from first officer’s training school at Plattsburg and took advanced courses at the second camp. At the completion of his studies he received a second lieutenancy in the regular army.

As Second Lieutenant, Infantry, U.S. Army, he was sent overseas almost immediately and attached to a command of marines [82nd Company 6th Regiment, US Marine Corps, 2d Division]. It was in the first marine drive at Chateau-Thierry on June 6, 1918 that Lieutenant Eddy made the supreme sacrifice.

He was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross posthumously, “He gave the supreme proof of that extraordinary heroism which will serve as an example to hiterhto untried troops.” The medal was presented to his father, H.W. Eddy. He was also awarded a Silver Star citation.  He is buried in Fairview Cemetery, New Britain CT.

Private Richard Ellis
Janesville, Wisconsin
Killed in Action

Richard Wendell Ellis was born January 1897 in Missouri, son of Fred & Christina “Tina” (Haire) Ellis. In 1900 he was living with his family in Richland, Wisconsin, and in 1910 in Janesville.  He had one sibling, a brother Lisle/Lysle, b. May 1898.  Upon hearing of his brother’s death, Lisle enlisted in the military (US Navy).

Richard W. Ellis enlisted in Co. M, 1ST Wisconsin Infantry, WNG, at Janesville, WI on 15 June 1917. He was assigned to Co. M, 128TH Infantry when the 32d Division was organized. He transferred to Co. D, 28TH Infantry, 1ST Div. while 32D Div. was briefly designated a replacement division.

Richard W. Ellis was killed in action on 15 May 1918 near Cantigny, France at age 21. He was the first Janesville, Wisconsin soldier killed in battle in the war. He was interred at Somme American Cemetery. He is the namesake of Richard Ellis Post No. 205 of American Legion at Janesville, WI.

Private Harry H. Eschbach
Lancaster,  PA
Killed in Action

Harry Heintz/Heins Eschbach was born b. 10 Aug 1895/1896, at Barto, PA, son of Daniel Gehman & Emma (Heintz) Eschbach.   In 1900 his father Daniel was the railroad station agent in Washington, Berks Co. PA.

After going through F. and M. Academy, he entered Franklin and Marshall College in the fall of 1914. He was a member of the Marshall Club and the Porter Scientific Society. During his Junior year he was on the Junior Hop Committee, and was very well liked by all his classmates. He was studying for a Bachelor of Science Degree.

He enlisted late in April 1917, in the Naval Reserve. Impatient because he had not as yet been called to active duty, he applied for a transfer on May 7, 1917, from the Naval Reserve to the Hospital Corps. He was immediately transferred and sent the same day to Harrisburg without having time to say good-bye to his parents. He left Harrisburg for Columbus, Ohio, from where he was duly transferred to Fort Benjamin Harrison, Indiana. Here he was attached to the First Division Hospital Corps. He was given his rank of corporal and made orderly to Major Grissinger, Head Surgeon of the Post Hospital at Fort Benjamin Harrison. Corporal Eschbach was in training here from May to October 1917. On the 30 October 1917 he embarked for overseas duty on the Crown Princessen Cecelia, and arrived in Brest, France on 13 November. He was attached to the Second Battalion, Medical Dept., 28th Infantry, of the 1st Division of the A.E.F.

He was in and out of action from March 1918 until his death. During the heat of the battle on 28 May 1918, Corporal Eschbach was killed. A subsequent letter from the Red Cross states that “Corporal Eschbach was instantly killed on May 28th by a high explosive shell while carrying a little with a wounded man on it from the Battalion Aid Station to the Regimental Aid Station. He was buried in the vicinity of Villiers-Tourniel. He was exceedingly well liked by the men of the detachment. He died while splendidly performing his duty under heavy fire.” [Most of BIO from 1920 Franklin and Marshall College Yearbook, Lancaster, PA].    He is buried in Fairview Cemetery, Boyertown, PA.

Corporal Herman L. Evans
Lebanon Junction, KY (Bullitt Co)
Killed in Action

A Sept 5, 1917 newspaper showed he was ready to report for active duty.  The Big Sandy News (Louisa, Kentucky) 14 June 1918 shows: “Herman L. Evans was killed in battle in France, May 28. His father, John Evans, of Bardstown KY was notified by telegram. He was a brother-in-law of Seymour Price of this county. He had been in the service six years and was a First Lieutenant. He carried insurance to the amount of $10,000 made payable to his sister, Mrs. Price.”

Herman L. Evans, held the rank of  Corporal, U.S. Army, in the Machine Gun Company of the 16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Division.  He died May 28, 1918 in France, and is buried in Plot D Row 15 Grave 14, Somme American Cemetery.

I could not identify Corporal Herman L. Evans beyond this information.  If one of my readers can assist with more information, please leave a comment.

Private Clarence Fields
Ashland, Kentucky [Boyd County]
Killed in Action

Clarence/Clarance Fields was born December 1892 in Kentucky, son of Avery P. “Ava” & Susie Ella (West) Fields. In 1900 he was living with his family in Ashland, Kentucky, along with siblings: Mattie (b Feb 1890 West Virginia), and Oscar (b. June 1899 in Kentucky).

He served as a Private in the U.S. Army during WW1, 28th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division. He was killed in action on 29 May 1918.  He is buried in Plot A., Row 29, Grave 14 in the Somme American Cemetery, in Bony, France.

[end]