Sgt. Don D. McNay Dies of Influenza, 1918

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Don Denton McNay was born on 21 August 1892, in Chesterville, Morrow County, Ohio. His parents are Samuel A. & Addie M. (Brewer) McNay. Don D. McNay married Marion (Koogler) in 1917. Don was employed in Marion, Ohio, as a superintendent of the Marion Division of the Columbus, Delaware & Marion Railway Company (C. D. & M Railway Company).

Don D. McNay entered service on 22 November 1917, in Cleveland, Ohio. McNay served with
Headquarters Central Department, Chicago Illinois; 48th Receiving Company, Camp Johnston Florida; Quartermaster Corps., Fort McIntosh, Texas ; Student Company, 8th Quartermaster Corps., Camp Johnston Florida. He attained the rank of Sergeant (Sgt.). Sgt. McNay died of influenza while at Camp Johnson, Florida, on 25 October 1918.

Sgt. McNay’s brother, Fleet McNay, named his son, Don Denton McNay II, in honor of Sgt. McNay. Don D. McNay II went on to serve as an officer in the United Sates Marion Corps.
Sgt. Don D. McNay is buried in the Marion Cemetery.

Don D. McNay is remembered on the Honor Roll, at the Veterans Memorial Park, in Marion, Ohio; and on the World War One Honor Roll, located on the second floor of the Marion County Courthouse.

SF2C Leonard A. Hart Dies of Spanish Influenza, 1918

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Leonard Andrew Hart was born on 24 March 1891, in Sciotoville, Ohio. His parents are Charles E. & Alice C. Hart. He and his parents were residing in Marion, Ohio in 1910.

Leonard A. Hart reported for service in the United States Navy on 2 June 1917, in Cleveland Ohio. He was then assigned to the USS Hartford to 19 October 1917; Receiving Ship Norfolk Virginia to 31 October 1917; USS Pittsburgh (ACR–4) to 22 October 1918. He attained the rank of Ship Fitter Second Class (SF2C). SF2C Leonard A. Hart was assigned to the USS Pittsburgh, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. While here the ship failed to follow quarantine procedures, which lead to the infection of 80% of the ship’s crew. 53 of the crew died from the Spanish Influenza, including SF2C Hart when he died of pneumonia on 22 October 1918.
SF2C Leonard A. Hart is buried in the Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia.

Leonard A. Hart is remembered on the Honor Roll, at the Veterans Memorial Park, in Marion, Ohio; and on the World War One Honor Roll, located on the second floor of the Marion County Courthouse.

Pvt. Howard W. Shaffstall Dies of Pneumonia, 1918

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Howard W. Shaffstall was born around 1895. His mother’s name is Minerva Shaffstall. They were living in Pitt Township, Wyandot County, Ohio, in 1910. He had three siblings at the time. I have not yet found his connection with Marion County. He was a private (Pvt.) and assigned to M Company, 336th Infantry Regiment, 84th Infantry Division “The Railsplitters.” On 27 August 1918, he departed with the regiment for France. He was reported to have died of broncho pneumonia, on 13 October 1918.

Pvt. Howard W. Shaffstall was temporarily buried on 15 October 1918, in Dordogne, France. On 23 October 1920, his remains were disinterred and transported back to the United States. His remains arrived in Hoboken, New Jersey, aboard the U. S. A. T. Wheaton on 15 December 1920. His remains then arrived in Nevada, Ohio, on 13 January 1921, for final resting place at Nevada Cemetery, Nevada, Wyandot County, Ohio.

Howard W. Shaffstall is remembered on the Honor Roll, at the Veterans Memorial Park, in Marion, Ohio; and on the World War One Honor Roll, located on the second floor of the Marion County Courthouse.

Pvt. Charles F. Billings Dies of Pneumonia, 1918

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Charles Franklin Billings was born on 25 October 1896, in Harrod, Allen County, Ohio. His parents are Harry E. & Nancy Billings. Charles enlisted in the Army from Lima, Ohio, on 3 September 1918. He married Neva Billings. She was living in Marion, Ohio, at the time of Charles’ death. Charles was assigned to Camp Sherman, Chillicothe, Ohio, for training. He was assigned to Company 1, 1st Training Battalion, 158 Depot Brigade. Pvt. Charles F. Billings was reported to have died from broncho pneumonia on 8 October 1918. He had served a little over a month prior to his death. At the time of his death, the Spanish Influenza was tearing through the army training camp.

Pvt. Charles F. Billings is buried in the Harrod Cemetery, Allen County, Ohio.
Charles F. Billings is remembered on the Honor Roll, at the Veterans Memorial Park, in Marion, Ohio; and on the World War One Honor Roll, located on the second floor of the Marion County Courthouse.

Pvt. Tony L. Robinson Killed in Action, 1918

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Tony Lloyd Robinson was born on 22 September 1888, in Wilgus, Lawrence County, Ohio. His parents are Robert & Clarissa (Cron) Robinson. Tony married Sophia E. (Gossett) on 11 June 1910, in Lawrence, Ohio. Sophia died in 1916.

On 29 May 1918, Tony L. Robinson enlisted into United States Marine Corps, while in Marion, Ohio. Pvt. Robinson attended training at Parris Island in May 1918. He was then assigned to Company B, 5th Separate Battalion, Quantico Virginia, on 25 July 1918. He went to service in France, on 27 August 1918. He participated in action at St Mihiel; Meuse-Argonne. Pvt. Tony L. Robinson was killed in action on 3 October 1918, while serving with Company 96, 6th Marine Regiment.

Pvt. Tony L. Robinson is buried in the Fairview Baptist Cemetery, Wilgus, Lawrence County, Ohio.
Tony L. Robinson is remembered on the Honor Roll, at the Veterans Memorial Park, in Marion, Ohio; and on the World War One Honor Roll, located on the second floor of the Marion County Courthouse.