Category Archives: Honor a Veteran

In the News – December 8, 2022

Thank you for joining us in November for the Veterans Day program.

The Brunswick Beacon published a very nice feature in the December 8 edition, which can be read here:
NSDAR in Brunswick, area rifle range honor veterans

The State Port Pilot also published a story on November 16. It may be available online here:
Event at WWI site at Caswell Beach honors veterans

The next Roll Call is tentatively scheduled for Tuesday, April 6th, 2023, to commemorate the date the US entered World War I in 1917.

Wishing everyone a happy holiday season!

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Join us for Veterans Day 2022

The Friends of the 1918 Fort Caswell Rifle Range (FFCRR) and the Brunswick Town Chapter NSDAR announce their joint program for Monday, November 14, 2022, at 11:00am beside the rifle range in Caswell Beach. The public is encouraged to attend.
Note the new date, rescheduled due to tropical storm Nicole.

After a 2 year delay caused by the pandemic, they will resume the Roll Call of the names of the 718 men and women from Brunswick County who served in the Great War. FFCRR president Norma Eckard said, “We are excited to continue the program of honoring the men and women who served by calling their names. We also have a historic program to offer folks.”

Following the Roll Call, the cannon Thor, donated to the Southport Historical Society, will be fired by their crew members.

Brunswick Town Chapter NSDAR member Caron Myers will portray World War I Navy Nurse Susan Adkins Williams, who was raised in Southport.

Caron will also sing “God Bless America.” The words and music were written by Irving Berlin during the Great War but the musical piece was not used until 1938.

Taps will be played by Richard Slease at the end of the program.

FFCRR’s recently published book Brunswick County in the Great War will be available for sale after the program.

Those attending may park in condo parking lots but not on the grass. Please bring a folding chair to sit on.

The next Roll Call is tentatively scheduled for Tuesday, April 6th, 2023, to commemorate the date the US entered World War I in 1917.

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Memorial Day 2022

We will not forget.

The 23 Brunswick County men who gave their lives in World War I

Killed in Action: Died of Disease:
PFC Walter S Brock PVT William F Brooks
PVT Harvey T Chadwick PFC John W Carlisle
PVT Jimmie Griffin PVT Carl J Danford
PFC Erastus Iredell Nelson Cook David L Dosher
PVT Harry Langdon Pigott Seaman James C Edwards
CPL Herbert B Ward SGT Robert G Farmer
PVT Manning Hall
Died of Wounds: PVT Claudie Hall McCall
PVT William Cross Hewett PVT Elijah Milliken
PVT Benjamin B Smith PVT Kendrick W Outlaw
PVT Cecil Smith Pierce
PVT Samuel C Swain
PVT Guy Ellis Watson
PVT David Williams
PVT Fred Wilson

 

Soldiers on our WWI Wall of Honor who gave their lives

Killed in Action: Died of Accident:
CPL Russell Kellogg Bourne PVT James Hemphill
SGT Richard J. Dennis
PFC Louis “Lolly” B. Doerr Died of Wounds:
Mech Dona J. Dugal PVT Edward Clarkson Bonnell
PFC Wilmer H. Eicke
PVT Ben W. O. Hildebrandt Died of Disease:
PFC Robert Anthony Strzempek PFC Vito Copola
PVT Carl F. Greene

 

The Brunswick County World War I Monument

“Dedicated to the men and women from Brunswick County, NC
who served their country during World War I
with Honor, Courage, and Commitment”

Center photo courtesy of Christine Urick

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Veterans Day 2021: Taps Across America

On November 11, 2011, at 11:00 am, a group assembled at the Fort Caswell Rifle Range in Caswell Beach, NC, alongside the National WWI Centennial Memorial to honor veterans.

Norma Eckard, president of Friends of Fort Caswell Rifle Range, spoke to those assembled.

Martha Koletar, Regent of Brunswick Town Chapter of NSDAR, read The Story of Taps.

Richard Slease performed “Taps.”

Richard organized his first Taps Across America tribute at the rifle range last year, when the pandemic prevented many commemorations.

Carl Mauney, WWI reenactor who has attended many of the rifle range commemorations, presented WWI gear in his full World War I reproduction woolen uniform. Carl is always a welcome addition to our events.

DAR chaplain Judy Holden offered this prayer.

O God, our help in ages past our hope for years to come. We praise You for Your Presence with us today and with those who serve our country.

We give special thanks for the 718 men and woman who served in World War I from Brunswick County and American heroes who from our beginning as a nation have paid the supreme sacrifice.

Comfort and protect those who struggle from their experiences and be with the men and women in hospitals. May they know they are not forgotten.

Let us remember the sacrifices of their time away from loved ones and their pride in what they were doing for our country.

As we gather today, may we not take our freedoms lightly, including even this right to gather as a group and the privilege to pray together.

Go with us, Lord, in our separate ways, give us grateful hearts for our wonderful heritage. Help us to realize our responsibilities to keep the fires of patriotism glowing brightly.

Lord God
Be with us yet
Lest we forget
Amen

Thanks to Teresa McLamb for some of the photos posted above.

You can see more photos of the event in the November 17th issue of the State Port Pilot, shown here.

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Join us for Veterans Day 2021: Taps Across America

Download the flyer here: Taps Across America 2021

Read about last year’s event.

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Memorial Day 2021

We will not forget.

The 23 Brunswick County men who gave their lives in World War I

Killed in Action: Died of Disease:
PFC Walter S Brock PVT William F Brooks
PVT Harvey T Chadwick PFC John W Carlisle
PVT Jimmie Griffin PVT Carl J Danford
PFC Erastus Iredell Nelson Cook David L Dosher
PVT Harry Langdon Pigott Seaman James C Edwards
CPL Herbert B Ward SGT Robert G Farmer
PVT Manning Hall
Died of Wounds: PVT Claudie Hall McCall
PVT William Cross Hewett PVT Elijah Milliken
PVT Benjamin B Smith PVT Kendrick W Outlaw
PVT Cecil Smith Pierce
PVT Samuel C Swain
PVT Guy Ellis Watson
PVT David Williams
PVT Fred Wilson

 

Soldiers on our WWI Wall of Honor who gave their lives

Killed in Action: Died of Accident:
CPL Russell Kellogg Bourne PVT James Hemphill
SGT Richard J. Dennis
PFC Louis “Lolly” B. Doerr Died of Wounds:
Mech Dona J. Dugal PVT Edward Clarkson Bonnell
PFC Wilmer H. Eicke
PVT Ben W. O. Hildebrandt Died of Disease:
PFC Robert Anthony Strzempek PFC Vito Copola
PVT Carl F. Greene

 

The Brunswick County World War I Monument

“Dedicated to the men and women from Brunswick County, NC
who served their country during World War I
with Honor, Courage, and Commitment”

Center photo courtesy of Christine Urick

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WWI Snapshot: Junius Jackson Adams Jr 1899-1941

NC WWI Service Card

According to his NC WWI Service Card, Junius Jackson Adams Jr was born in Southport, Brunswick County, NC. He enlisted in the National Guard in Charleston, SC, on July 24, 1917. His residence is listed as Whiteville, Columbus County, NC.

His father, Reverend Junius Jackson Adams Sr was born and raised in Wake County, NC. He married Margaret Ella Galloway in Southport, Brunswick County, NC, which explains why Junius reported that he was born there. His birth record can only confirm that he was born in Brunswick County. The family lived in Sampson County in 1900, then returned to the area, living in Whiteville in 1910.

His service card indicates he became a wagoner on May 8, 1918, serving in the 105th Ammunition Train in the 30th “Old Hickory” Division. The roster listed on the WWI Army/Marine Division Rosters for Brunswick County shows that Wagoner Adams was the only Brunswick County man serving in the 105th Ammunition Train. See Jackson Berry Potter’s WWI Profile to understand the demanding role of a wagoner.

The 1920 US Census shows he returned home to Whiteville. He was described as a solider in the US Army, yet there’s no indication on his military headstone application shown below to prove that he was in the Army from his discharge from WWI to his re-enlistment at the end of 1920. However, additional records can be used to prove this service.

His VA Index shown below does show this service. He actually has two VA Index records.

Together, they show his service dates are July 25, 1917 – April 3, 1919; September 23, 1919 – September 7, 1922.

The 1930 US Census shows that Junius had returned home, which was Southport at this time, and was working on a dredge boat.

The 1940 US Census in Southport indicates that he was unable to work.

According to his death certificate, Junius continued to live in Southport until 17 days before his death when he was moved to a VA Facility in Roanoke, VA. When WWI veterans pass away at such a young age, exposure to poisonous gas in the battlefields comes to mind as possibly having contributed to an early death. Could the chronic nephritis listed on his death certificate possibly be from trench nephritis? The 30th Division was often exposed to poisonous gas as the WWI Profile of Thedford Lewis shows. No confirmation can be made.

Junius Jackson Adams Jr passed away on June 14, 1941, in a VA Facility in Roanoke, VA, at age 42. He had never married. His headstone includes his military service, but because of his date of death (1941), his headstone does not include the WWI inscription. Before that time, only one world war had occurred. Inscriptions including WWI or WWII were added to military headstones after WWII ended.

He was laid to rest in Northwood Cemetery in Southport, Brunswick County, NC.
Source of photo: Findagrave


To view this or an earlier profile or snapshot at any time, click on the veteran’s name on the WWI Brunswick County Veteran list, which is also accessible by the blue button on the top right of the webpage.

If you would like to help us honor Junius Jackson Adams Jr or another Brunswick County WWI veteran, please use the following links:

Click here for the announcement:
Announcement: Honor a Brunswick County World War I Veteran
Click here for directions to donate and honor a veteran:
How to Honor a Brunswick County World War I Veteran

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WWI Snapshot: Phillip Thompson McKeithan 1893-1969

Phillip McKeithan served in World War I and World War II.

NC WWI Service Card

According to his NC WWI Service Card, Phillip Thompson McKeithan was born in Southport, Brunswick County, NC. He enlisted in the Regular Army at Fort Caswell on May 16, 1917. He served in the Medical Department at Fort Caswell throughout the war until August 8, 1919. At that point he was transferred to the Dental Department at Charleston, SC, until his discharge on October 4, 1919, as a private first class.

In 1920, he was living at home in Southport, working as an attendant at a US hospital. It is unclear whether he was continuing to serve in the US Army, although it seems likely that he was. His VA Index Card is unhelpful because it only shows he enlisted again in 1945. But that is incorrect, as explained in the following paragraph. His application for military headstone is not yet available in Ancestry to verify.

The 1930 and 1940 US Census show Phillip continued to serve in the US Army in New York: Fort Totten in 1930, and the post hospital on Governor’s Island in 1940. His activities after this date are unknown. From his flat military marker, he served during WWII and attained the rank of Technical Sergeant. His death certificate indicates he was a retired nurse.

Phillip Thompson McKeithan passed away on April 11, 1969, in Wilmington, NC, at age 75. He had never married.

He was laid to rest in Old Smithville Cemetery in Southport, Brunswick County, NC.
Source of photo: Findagrave


To view this or an earlier profile or snapshot at any time, click on the veteran’s name on the WWI Brunswick County Veteran list, which is also accessible by the blue button on the top right of the webpage.

If you would like to help us honor Phillip Thompson McKeithan or another Brunswick County WWI veteran, please use the following links:

Click here for the announcement:
Announcement: Honor a Brunswick County World War I Veteran
Click here for directions to donate and honor a veteran:
How to Honor a Brunswick County World War I Veteran

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WWI Snapshot: Allen Miles Simmons 1890-1963

Allen Miles Simmons was born in Mill Branch, Brunswick County, NC, according to his NC WWI Service Card (below).

This photo is shown in Findagrave, undated.

Exact dates of his service are difficult to determine. Three documents shown below were used to piece together possible enlistment and discharge dates. It’s unusual to have such disparate dates, although it is seen more often for those who were serving in the Regular Army or National Guard when the US entered WWI. Allen was serving in the Regular Army. That is the assumed explanation for the discrepancy.

His NC WWI Service Card shows he enlisted on February 23, 1916, at Columbus Banks, Ohio. His discharge is listed as November 21, 1918, and shows he re-enlisted.

His Application for Military Headstone shows his enlistment date as November 22, 1919, with discharge date as November 21, 1920. The back of the application continues that his re-enlistment was November 24, 1920, with a final discharge date of July 18, 1921. (Click on photos to enlarge.)

Finally, his VA Index Card shows he enlisted on April 6, 1917, and was discharged on November 21, 1920.

Combining all reports of his service, the assumption is he served from his initial enlistment on February 23, 1916, through his honorable discharge on November 24, 1920.

Corporal Simmons served in the Coastal Artillery Corps (CAC) in Narragansett Bay in Rhode Island, which explains why his military flat marker indicates Rhode Island.

By 1930, he was married and farming in Bolton, Columbus County, NC. The 1940 US Census shows he and his wife continued to raise a family in Bolton. He was employed by the government for road work.

Allen’s gravesite has a headstone pictured in Findagrave, which reads, “Here lies the greatest deer hunter.”

Several local newspapers included articles mentioning his hunting skills. One from 1941 is printed below.

“Allen Simmons, who lives on the ‘Possum Island plantation about nine miles south of Bolton, has seen much evidence of wild deer where they have been roaming over his potato patch, not far from his home. They seemed to like to frolic there. And, since he was an experienced hunter, and especially fond of deer steak, he let them romp at will until the law came off [deer hunting season began].

“One morning last week he went out to this potato patch, hoping, and feeling very confident, that he would find at least one nice buck in there. But no, it wasn’t a deer this time. Instead, there was a black bear in there. Whether the bear was grabbing spuds, or not, we have not been able to learn. But, if he was, they were his last.”

Source: Joseph Hufman. “Farm Reporter Picks up Interesting News Items.” The Wilmington Morning Star [Wilmington, NC], 1941 Oct. 20, p. 8.

Allen Miles Simmons took his life on June 1, 1963, at age 73.

He was laid to rest in Griffin Cemetery in Ash.


To view this or an earlier profile or snapshot at any time, click on the veteran’s name on the WWI Brunswick County Veteran list, which is also accessible by the blue button on the top right of the webpage.

If you would like to help us honor Allen Miles Simmons or another Brunswick County WWI veteran, please use the following links:

Click here for the announcement:
Announcement: Honor a Brunswick County World War I Veteran
Click here for directions to donate and honor a veteran:
How to Honor a Brunswick County World War I Veteran

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WWI Snapshot: John Duren Reynolds 1894-1952

NC WWI Service Card

John Duren Reynolds was born in Southport, Brunswick County, NC, according to his NC WWI Service Card.

John’s brother David Reynolds also served in WWI. He enlisted in the US Navy on April 23, 1918, as a machinist’s mate second class. He was honorably discharged on February 18, 1919. He was laid to rest in Salisbury National Cemetery in NC after his death on September 8, 1957.
Source of photo: Findagrave

John was ordered to report for duty on July 6, 1918, then sent to Camp Greenleaf in Georgia. He reported for duty along with three Brunswick County men, as shown in Calvin Peel Willetts’ WWI Snapshot. Three, including John, were trained for the Medical Department.

Source: Library of Congress
Camp Greenleaf, GA

In only 18 months of operation, Camp Greenleaf trained 6,640 officers and 31,138 enlisted men.
Source: WWI Centennial Commission

John Duren Reynolds served overseas, first in Evacuation Hospital No. 25 in Vichy, France, as shown on his Army Transport Passenger List – outgoing, shown at right.  Notice that his NC WWI Service Card above incorrectly shows “Base Hospital 25.” The correct name, Evacuation Hospital No. 25, was confirmed with the 1928 US Army Medical Department volume (first source at bottom).

The source volume also included some interesting details about Vichy and the evacuation hospital.

“Vichy had many advantages as a hospital center. The location, although apparently somewhat distant from the battle lines, was well chosen owing to favorable railroad connections. Patients were received in some instances within 24 to 36 hours after receipt of injuries, and frequently they arrived with their original dressings, although a very large proportion of the patients had passed through evacuation or base hospitals.

“Vichy, being a famous watering resort, established for many years, was a well-developed small city. The streets were well paved and well lighted, thus greatly facilitating the handling of patients arriving on trains at night. There also was an excellent water supply; gas and electric current were obtainable in abundance.”

On February 11, 1919, Private Reynolds was transferred to Base Hospital No. 214 in Savenay, France (see second source at bottom). The hospital treated patients with mental and neurological conditions.

“Base Hospital No. 214 came into existence November 6, 1918, at Savenay, Department Loire Inferieure, in the base section No. 1, when the neuro-psychiatric service of Base Hospital No. 8 was organized into an independent unit, and designated Base Hospital No. 214. This hospital functioned as a special hospital for mental and neurological patients and occupied a plant consisting of 10 wooden, knock-down type of barracks. In January, 1919, when the admission rate increased, the unit was assigned to a type A, 1,000-
bed hospital, the construction of which was not completed; and as special construction was necessary, this was done chiefly by the patients.

“The personnel of the institution changed a great deal, as it furnished officers and enlisted men to supervise transportation of convoys of patients to the United States, and exercised supervision until patients were delivered to their destination there. The convoys consisted as a rule of from 50 to 200 cases, occasionally more. From November 1, 1918, to February 28, 1919, this hospital admitted 6,093 cases; the greatest number treated at one time was 700, including 40 officers.

“Base Hospital No. 214 ceased to function June 21, 1919.”

As mentioned in the excerpt above, Private Reynolds did actually serve as an attendant for casualties at the base hospital who were returning to the United States. This can be seen in the Army Transport Passenger List – incoming, shown at left.

Click on the passenger lists to enlarge. It may be necessary to download the images and zoom onto areas to view the details.

Pvt Reynolds debarked USS Leviathan on June 12 or 14, 1919, presumably accompanying his patients to Camp Merritt, NJ. He was honorably discharged on June 27, 1919.

The 1920 US Census shows that John returned home to Southport. He later married and raised several children in Brunswick County, where he lived throughout his life.

John Duren Reynolds suffered a heart attack while home on June 2, 1952, and was laid to rest in Georgetown Holden Cemetery in Supply.
Source of photo: Findagrave

Sources:
Base and evacuation hospitals formed at Camp Greenleaf:
US Govt Printing Office (1928) The Medical Department of the United States Army in the World War, Volume VII, Training. Washington D.C.: US Govt Printing Office. p. 31, 56.

Base hospital information:
US Govt Printing Office (1928) The Medical Department of the United States Army in the World War, Volume II, Administration American Expeditionary Forces. Washington D.C.: US Govt Printing Office. p. 618, 744.


To view this or an earlier profile or snapshot at any time, click on the veteran’s name on the WWI Brunswick County Veteran list, which is also accessible by the blue button on the top right of the webpage.

If you would like to help us honor John Duren Reynolds or another Brunswick County WWI veteran, please use the following links:

Click here for the announcement:
Announcement: Honor a Brunswick County World War I Veteran
Click here for directions to donate and honor a veteran:
How to Honor a Brunswick County World War I Veteran

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