First Casualty List Is Announced
Today;
Iowan Among The Dead
Washington, Nov. 5 -- Three American infantrymen are dead, five wounded
and twelve captured as a result of a sharp attack by the Germans on a
salient of front line French trenches held by Pershing's men on
November 3. One wounded German was captured.
Those reported killed were:
Private Merle D. Hay, whose father is D. Hay of Glidden, Iowa.
Private James B. Grescham of Evansville, Indiana
Private Thomas F. Enright of Pittsburgh, Pa.
Among the wounded was Private Dewey D. Kern whose mother is Mrs. Eva
Tilton of Collins, Iowa.
This report announced by the war department brought home to America
today the first casualties in dead and captured resulting from actual
fighting between the Sammies and the Germans. Attacking
before daylight under the protection of heavy barrage fire which cut
the American salient off from the rest of the line, the Germans
apparently completed their operations before reinforcements could
reach them. No word in Pershing's statements indicates the extent of
America's part in the fighting. An ordinary trench salient holds
between twenty-five and thirty men so it would appear the little
force of Sammies was practically wiped out. That a wounded German was
taken prisoner, however, showed that a fight was put up before the
Americans yielded. The size of the attacking force and the
German losses are not given. The war department has cabled for full
details.
Father of Iowa Hero Proud of His Son.
Glidden, Ia., Nov. 5 -- "I am proud of my boy that he has given up
his life for his country," D. Hay, father of Merle D. Hay, 21, one of
America's first three soldiers to die for his country told the United
Press today when informed that his son had been killed in France by the
Germans. Mrs. Hay, mother of the dead hero, collapsed when told of her
son's death. Young Hay enlisted in the army the 9th of last May shortly
after the declaration of war according to his father. He had been
working on the Hay farm but could not work any longer after war was
declared. "He had my consent to go and I am not sorry," said his father
today. "I won't object to his brother going although just now he is too
young." Young Hay is survived by a brother, Basil, aged 18 and a
sister, Opal, 14.
Not Sorry Son Enlisted.
Collins, Ia, Nov. 5 -- Chins were tilted just a little
bit and there was a satisfied smile on the faces of the sister and
mother of Private D. D. Kern reported among the captured or wounded as
a result
of the Sammies' first conflict with the Germans in France. "We are not
sorry Dewey enlisted. I should say not. We are more proud of him than
ever. We encouraged him to enlist," said his sister today. "Somebody
has to go to war. Somebody has to be killed or captured." |