Minonk's past
|
|
|
A look at Minonk's past |
Minonk High School Memorial 1919 for Veterans of World War 1 |
|
Dean Memmen attended the High School from 1910 to 1914. He went to the University of Illinois for one and a half years. He enlisted with the Marines, May 28, 1917, and went to Paris Island, South Carolina, for training, sailing for France during the month of September of the same year. He finished his training at the camps of St. Nazaire and Nantes, France, after which he did guard duty for a few months. In March, 1918, he entered the trenches with the 76th Co., 6th Reg't. of Marines. He was wounded June 6, 1918, in the battle of Chateau Thierry and sent to the hospital at Paris. Upon being discharged from the hospital, he returned to his company and took part in the drive at St. Mihiel. He was then sent to fight near Rheims where he was again wounded October 3, 1918. He died from the effects of his wound the next day, October 4, 1918, at the age of 23 years.
Dean made the supreme sacrifice for his country while courageously fighting at the battle of Blanc Mont. Wherever he was, in civil life among us at home, or in the battle line in France, Dan bravely and willingly did his whole duty. When the call came for volunteers for observation work on the battle line, Dean answered unhesitatingly. Click here for a letter written by Dean Memmen while he was overseas |
|
|
George E. Wilcox attended Minonk High School from 1903 to 1907, graduating with the class of 1907. He attended the University of Illinois and the Chicago Dental College. At the time of his enlistment he was practicing dentistry in Roanoke, ILL.
He enlisted in the Dental Reserve Corps in September, 1917. On November 10 he received his commission as first lieutenant. He was called into service in June of that year and was assigned to the "Black Hawk Division," the 86th, 332 Machine Gun Battalion Dental Reserve Corps, stationed at Camp Grant. In August, the 86th Division was ordered overseas and after a few weeks at Camp Upton on Long Island, they sailed for overseas, landing safely on September 21. Lieutenant Wilcox was taken ill on ship-board with Spanish influenza, and while at a rest camp at Southampton, England, he became so ill he was taken to Shirley hospital at that place, where he died of pneumonia, September 28. He was buried in the Magdaline Hill Cemetery, Winchester, England, on October 2 with full military honors. Lieutenant George Wilcox made the supreme sacrifice honorably and courageously. He freely offered his service and as freely gave his life for the great cause. |
|