Charles L. Landon – Earns Distinguished Service Cross, World War One Casualty

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Charles Lee Landon was born in April of 1884, in Marion County, Ohio. Lyman & Olive D. (Eager) Landon. Prior to entering service Charles L. Landon was employed as a switchman with the Erie Railroad in Marion, Ohio. He was also listed as having been employed with the Marion Ice and Cold Storage Company. Charles was married to Lillian F. (Gilbert) Landon. They had three sons; Harold G. Landon; Carl V. Landon; and Raymond Landon.
Charles L. Landon was a member of D Company, 4th Ohio Infantry, while they served in the Border Campaign. Marion’s D Company would be called back to service for World War One shortly after their return.
Charles L. Landon was listed as a Private (Pvt.) on the roster for World War One. Pvt. Landon would stay with D Company and distinguish himself while in combat. He would respond to a call for help of a wounded comrade in D Company along with Private John C. Fischer, also of D Company. Pvt. Landon would be killed in the attempt when an enemy shell exploded nearby. During this rescue attempt on 13 July 1918, Pvt. Landon was killed in action. For his actions, Pvt. Charles L. Landon and Pvt. John C. Fischer would later be awarded the Distinguished Service Cross.
Pvt. Landon was first buried in Marne, France. His remains were reburied on 8 October 1920, in Aisne, France. Then on 14 May 1921, his remains were once again disinterred and sent to the United States. His remains arrived on 19 June 1921, in Hoboken, New Jersey, aboard the U. S. A. T. Wheaton (funeral ship).
Pvt. Charles L. Landon is now buried in the Marion Cemetery.
Charles L. Landon is remembered on the Honor Roll, at the Veterans Memorial Park in Marion, Ohio; and World War One Honor Roll, located on the second floor of the Marion County Courthouse.

MARION VETERAN AWARDED CROSS
Charles L. Landon Granted
Official Recognition 10
Years After Death
Although more than 10 years have passed since Charles L. Landon gave his life in an effort to save a wounded buddy in the last German offensive during the World war, his heroism will not go unrewarded.
Announcement has been made at the war department in Washington that a posthumous award of the distinguished service cross is to be made to Landon, a former Marion man who enlisted with Company D, 166th infantry, of the 42nd division. A number of Landon’s relatives live in Marion and vicinity.
Landon, a stretcher bearer, lost his life when he attempted to aid a wounded soldier of Company D, according to George T. Geran, a former major in the 166th infantry.
Landon died July 13, 1918, the day following the start of the last German offensive of the war. (sic)

From The Marion Star dated March 29, 1929

Distinguished Service Cross
AWARDED FOR ACTIONS
DURING World War I
Service: Army
Rank: Private
Division: 42d Division, American Expeditionary Forces

CITATION:
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Private Charles L. Landon (ASN: 93527), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company D, 166th Infantry Regiment, 42d Division, A.E.F., northeast of Chalons-sur-Marne, France, 15 July 1918. Private Landon with Private John Fischer, volunteered to rescue another soldier who had been severely wounded during the heavy enemy bombardment. With a total disregard for their own personal safety they courageously went forward and while attempting to reach the wounded soldier. Private Landon was hit by a shell which resulted in his death a few minutes later.

GENERAL ORDERS:
War Department, General Orders No. 3 (1929)

Sgt. George H. Chapman – World War Two Casualty, Okinawa

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George Harmon Chapman was born 21 February 1910, in Marion, Ohio. His parents were Thomas & Francis B. (Callahan) Chapman. George H. Chapman was employed with the Marion Star prior to entering service.
George H. Chapman would enter service in June of 1942, with the United States Army. Chapman would receive training at the following locations: Camp Pickett, Virginia; Camp Howze, Texas; Camp Blanding, Florida; Camp Livingston, Louisiana; and Fort Ord, California. Chapman was an infantryman with the expert rifleman badge. He would attain the rank of Sergeant (Sgt.) and serve in New Caledonia from June to September 1944, and Espiritu Santo, in the archipelago of New Hebrides, from September 1944 to March of 1945.
Sgt. George H. Chapman was assigned to the 27th Infantry Division, “the New York Division.” Sgt. Chapman would be part of Operation Iceberg. Operation Iceberg was the codename for the invasion of Okinawa in April of 1945. On 28 April 1945, while Sgt. Chapman was leading a squad on the Island of Okinawa, he was ambushed by a Japanese heavy machine gun emplacement. Sgt. Chapman was hit and died almost immediately. His squad was able to recover his body.
Sgt. Chapman’s brother, Thomas Chapman, Jr., received a letter from Captain David Rose, army chaplain. The chaplain expressed his regrets for the families loss and stated that a funeral was held on the island. He described the burial location as “overlooking the China Sea.”
Early on in the Battle for Okinawa, bodies of service members were buried in temporary graves. This was difficult at first due to the closeness to the battle front. Later weather and terrain became an issue in the preservation of identification. A typhoon, in October of 1945, would add to the difficulties. Nearly 95 percent of the casualties were recovered and identified. Sgt. Chapman was given a proper military funeral and most likely laid to rest, under the name, Harmon Chapman, in the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, Honolulu, Hawaii.
George H. Chapman is remembered on the Honor Roll, at the Veterans Memorial Park in Marion, Ohio; on the west wall of the Marion County Courthouse; and on the World War II Veterans Memorial Wall, at the Marion Cemetery.

Sgt. David S. Harris – Vietnam Casualty

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David Stanley Harris was born in Marietta, Ohio, on 24 September 1947. he was the son of Coleen D. Harris. Davis S. Harris graduated from Pleasant High School in 1966. Harris was a noted athlete while attending Pleasant High School. Harris would set numerous track and football records at the school. Harris was named first All-Central District as a senior. Harris was honored as an outstanding athlete at Pleasant by being added to the Hall of Fame and having his football number, “48”, retired.
Harris attended the University of Nebraska and worked at Tecumseh Products prior to entering service.
While in the service, Harris served in A Company, 6th Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment, assigned to the 9th Infantry Division, “Old Reliables.” On 24 March 1969, Sgt. David S. Harris and the A/6/31st were OPCONed (Operational Control) to 4th Battalion, 39th Infantry Regiment. Alpha company 6/31st was to set up a blocking position while artillery hammered the enemy. Alpha found itself in a minefield where two men were wounded; Sgt. Harris assisted in treating and removing the wounded to a chopper for evacuation. Sgt. Harris, Larry E. Bailey and Johnny Young were killed, and two other men were wounded when the litter bearers hit another mine. These men were killed while in an engagement with the enemy on the Ong Cong Creek which is 9 Kilometers Northeast of Sa Dec City, Vietnam.
Sgt. Harris was awarded the following medals among others: Silver Star, Bronze Star (Merit), Purple Heart.

“Sergeant Harris distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions … on a reconnaissance-in-force mission. When his company came under attack from a numerically superior force, sustaining several casualties, Sergeant Harris courageously exposed himself to the intense hostile fire to move to the aid of a wounded comrade. As he administered aid to the casualty, Sergeant Harris was wounded, but finished his life-saving treatment of the man and was moving to aid a second casualty when he succumbed to his wounds.”

Silver Star Citation

Sgt. Harris and A/6/31st were OPCONed to the 4th/31st, the battalion that Sp4 Dennis R. Richards of Battle Company was assigned. Sp4 Richards was another Marion Veteran and was killed in action the following day.
Sgt. David S. Harris is buried in the Chapel Heights Memory Gardens, Marion, Ohio. Sgt. Davis S. Harris is remembered on the Honor Roll, at the Veterans Memorial Park in Marion, Ohio; on the west wall of the Marion County Courthouse; on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, at the Marion County Admin building at 222 West Center St. in Marion, Ohio; and on Panel 28W, Line 026 of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall, Washington, D. C.
Also, Sgt. Davis S. Harris is honored by having a section of State Route 4, named in his memory. This section is located south of Marion, from Somerlot-Hoffman Road to Owens Road. This is in the school district that he was a star athlete.

The actions of Sgt. Davis S. Harris and the actions that lead to his death are mentioned in Steel My Soldiers Heart by Colonel David H. Hackworth on page 215.

Dr. James W. McMurray – Veteran Spanish American War, 1898

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Major James W. McMurray

James Wilson McMurray was born on 1 September 1867, in Steubenville, Ohio. His parents were John W. & Minerva F. McMurray, of Marion, Ohio. James W. McMurray would be raised and attend school in Marion. McMurray would graduate from the Starling Medical College in 1897. Later Starling would merge with the Ohio Medical College; and later they would merge with The Ohio State University College of Medicine in 1914. In 1897 McMurray would join the Ohio National Guard and become a member of G Company. He would see service as a Sergeant in the War with Spain. He would leave with Marion’s G Company for service in Puerto Rico. Prior to departing for Puerto Rico, G Company would encamp at Chickamauga, Georgia for training. It was here that Sgt. McMurray, aka Sgt. Jim to the members of G Company, would be sent back to Marion, Ohio, to recruit more members to bring the company up to the full 106 members. While in Puerto Rico he would be assigned to the Red Cross Hospital at Guayama, where he was in charge. He would be permanently detailed to the Regimental Hospital for the duration of the war.

Dr. James W. McMurray

McMurray would receive his officer’s commission and attain the rank of Major in the Ohio National Guard. He was a surgeon of the regiment. He would live in Marion, Ohio, and practice as a physician/surgeon. On 5 August 1915, Dr. James W. McMurray was elected vice-president of the Spanish War Veterans of the Fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He would remain active throughout his life in veteran’s affairs. He was a staff volunteer for the Ohio Soldiers & Sailors Home in Xenia, Ohio. He had a love for horses and was known for riding one of his thoroughbred horses representing veterans in local parades.

Dr. McMurray was a member of the Marion Volunteer Fire Department and also a member of the Star Hook & Ladder Company. The Star Hook & Ladder company was a champion company and a storied group in Marion, during the late 1800s.
Dr. McMurray was on scene of the Uhler & Phillips fire of 1908. Dr. McMurray reduced a dislocated shoulder of Chief T. J. McFarland at the scene of this fire. Dr. McMurray also manned a hose line, fighting the fire.

Dr. James W. McMurray would die on 26 June 1932. He was given full military honors and was recognized for his service to nation and his community. He is buried in the Marion Cemetery.

Sgt. Charles W. Stafford – Border Campaign, World War One Veteran & Marion Fire Dept. Veteran

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From The Marion Daily Star

Charles W. Stafford was born 11 January 1899, in Marion County, Ohio. His parents were Douglas S. & Jennie (White) Stafford. Charles W. Stafford was also known as “Bob,” “Woody,” & “Cricket.” Charles W. Stafford would later marry Maryanna Kalb. They would raise one son, Robert.
At the age of sixteen, young Charles Stafford would join D Company on 22 June 1916. He would serve with D Company when they went to serve with the 4th Ohio Infantry, during the Border Campaign. They left Marion in July of 1916. D Company returned to Marion, Ohio, in March of 1917.
Then in July of 1917, the National Guard was called back to Federal service. Charles W. Stafford would again, answer the call of his country. He would then move with D Company, 166th Infantry, to Europe with the 42nd Infantry Division aka The Rainbow Division. Stafford would attain the rank of Sergeant (Sgt.) While in Europe D Company would see service in many battles and Sgt. Charles W. Stafford would distinguish himself as one of the bravest fighters in the Rainbow Division. From The Marion Daily Star, dated 25 November 1918, Chester Danner another D Company veteran would praise “”Bob” Stafford, another Marion boy, who is said to be one of the bravest lads in the Rainbow division.” Among the valorous awards earned by Stafford would be the nations second highest, The Distinguished Service Cross (DSC). During the push to Sedan, the French and American forces were being held up by a key defensive position. At the base of an L-shaped position was a machine-gun nest. Sgt. Stafford would captured the machine-gun nest and six German soldiers, single-handed. The citation can be read below.
Before the action that lead to Sgt. Stafford’s DSC, he would refuse to be sent off the line until his unit was relieved from front line duty. He was then treated for his feet, which were in poor condition. But he would leave the hospital when he learned that D Company was to return to the attack on Sedan. He was with the company on 8 November 1918, for the advance. He was said to assist the lieutenant in encouraging the tired and hungry men to keep their moral up and stay in the fight.
After Sgt. Charles Stafford returned to Marion, he would become a firefighter with the Marion Fire Department. He would serve with the Marion Fire Dept. long enough that former Fire Chief, Phil Reid, would recall working with Stafford. Reid recalls as a young firefighter, that “Cricket” would tell stories about chasing Pancho Villa on the border. Reid wasn’t sure if the stories were true, until he found out that Stafford was a decorated World War One hero. Stafford was humble and did not talk much about his efforts in the Great War. But we are able to see in the records that he was indeed a modest hero.
Sgt. Charles W. Stafford died on 1 January 1977. Sgt. Charles W. Stafford spent his life serving his country and community and is an example of service.
Some journal entries by Charles Stafford are graciously provided by his Great-Grandson, Grant Kibby.

Charles “Cricket” Stafford in front of Marion Fire Station

Near the front dug in that same night Sept 11th left these woods at 10 p.m. dropped our rolls went out in big field in front of our big guns 1 a.m.
[The following describes the Battle of Saint-Mihiel, during which Sgt. Stafford reconnoitered and captured single-handed a German advance position of 6 men. See Distinguished Service Cross citation at end.]
Morning 12th the barrage started up this drive lasted two days liberated 130 square miles of French territory. Captured thousands of prisoners and equipment layed in big woods in holes dug in ground until 16th then came back to German Barracks in woods arriving at 2 p.m. was given my Sgt. stripe here.
Stayed in the Barracks until Sept 27th at 5 p.m. started to the front, relieved the 167 Inf. at 10 p.m.
Sept 30- 9:30 p.m. 89th Div. relieved us at St. Mihiel.
Oct 1st at 12:30 p.m. left woods hiked about 15 miles and got in trenches at 6 p.m. got off trenches at 7 a.m.
Oct 2nd hiked four kilos to Neuville-en-Verdunois at 9 a.m.
Oct 4th left here for Jubecourt.
Oct 5th left Jubecourt for a big woods Argonne near Verdun.
Left these woods Oct 10th arriving in thicket close to the front Oct 11th at 6 a.m. American Soldiers laying dead all through the woods.
Oct 14th went over the top in Argonne Forest Oct 15th advanced and dug in a big bank out side of an unknown town.
Oct 24th was relieved dropped back a couple of kilos behind big hill #240.
Oct 30th marines relieved us at 11p.m. from hill 240 Ar. on a hill side 2 a.m. Oct 25th 9 kilos to the rear very near all in everybody was sick.
Nov 3rd left this hillside at 6 a.m. arrived at Verpel at 5 p.m. hiked all day had mess at 3 a.m.
Nov 4th left Verpel at 7:30 a.m. dug in along a small tramway at dark had hard tack and willie for supper no water.
Nov 5th left tramway started to follow the Huns things started to get interesting just outside of Lanany [Tannay] spent the night of 5th Nov in a woods rained all night.

A Page transcribed from Sgt. Stafford’s Journal


Distinguished Service Cross
AWARDED FOR ACTIONS
DURING World War I
Service: Army
Rank: Sergeant
Division: 42d Division, American Expeditionary Forces
GENERAL ORDERS:

War Department, General Orders No. 21 (1919)
CITATION:

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Sergeant Charles Stafford (ASN: 93392), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company D, 166th Infantry Regiment, 42d Division, A.E.F., in the St. Mihiel offensive, 12 September 1918. Personally reconnoitering an enemy position, Sergeant Stafford encountered and captured single handed six of the enemy.