41st Division

Pvt. Harry (Henry) Victor Chambers Killed in Action, 1918

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Henry Victor Chambers was born in 2 August 1890, in Marion County, Ohio. His parents are William T. & Emma J. (Reber) Chambers of the LaRue/Meeker area. Henry moved west and was working and moving from town to town. Henry last wrote his parents while he was in Chicago. He was later reported as being a clerk at a restaurant in Oklahoma. After his letter from Chicago, his parents had not heard from him in three years and had thought he must have died somehow and was not identified.

Henry V. Chambers appears to have entered service from California. By December of 1917, Henry had returned to the east coast with the army. On 15 December 1917, he departed Hoboken, New Jersey aboard the USS Leviathan (ID# 1326). He was at that time assigned to the 41st Division “Jungleers” or “Sunsetters,” 164th Infantry Regiment, Company I. He was ranked a Private (Pvt.)

At some point Pvt. Henry V. Chambers was reassigned to the 26h Infantry Regiment, First Infantry Division “Big Red One.” During the Battle of Chateau-Thierry, Pvt. Chambers was killed by shell fire, on 18 July 1918. His parents did not learn of his death for three years. It appears his death was reported on the list “CASUALTIES OF AMERICAN ARMY OVERSEAS, REPORTED ON SEPTEMBER 30, 1918.” But his name was spelled “Harry,” not “Henry.” This may explain his parents not being notified.

His parents did receive a letter from Lieutenant C. Ridgley of D Company, 26th Infantry. The letter from Lt. Ridgley was dated 11 August 1918. He thought the parents had already been notified of their son’s death. He stated in the letter, “He was a most excellent soldier and was well liked by all who knew him.”
Pvt. Henry V. Chambers is buried in Oise-Aisne American Cemetery, Seringes-et- Nesles, France. A gravestone marker is also located in the Frame Cemetery, Meeker, Ohio.

Henry V. Chambers 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.
Note: Henry’s name appears as “Harry” on the Marion memorials.

Pvt. Thomas M. Kellogg Killed in Action, 1918

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Thomas Monnett Kellogg was born on 14 March 1896, near Caledonia, Ohio. His parents are Henry P. Kellogg, and Rosa (Monnett) Kellogg. He also had a brother, Clive W. Kellogg. He was the grandson of Thomas W. Monnett. Thomas M. Kellogg was know as a “Sunday-School Boy.” It was said that he was always interested in the church and regularly attended the “John Clark Sunday School.” When Thomas was eighteen, he completed his schooling at the Marion Business College. He was then employed at the Adams Express Company in Marion, Ohio. After working about a year with Adams Express, he was promoted and transferred to the Cleveland office.

On 28 May 1918, Thomas M. Kellogg was drafted into the military. Thomas attended training at Camp Gordon, Georgia, until 22 July 1918. While at Camp Gordon, he was assigned to 24 Company, 2nd Infantry Replacement Regiment. At Gordon he was then moved to 11 Company, 1st Replacement Regiment. He was then sent for service overseas on 22 July 1918, departing Brooklyn, New York aboard the HMS Diomed. While overseas he was serving as a Private (Pvt.) with Company D, 163rd Infantry Regiment, 41st Division until reassigned to a line unit. He went online with a combat unit, Company A, 26th Infantry Regiment “Blue Spaders.” The “Blue Spaders” were with the First Infantry Division “Big Red One.”

Pvt. Thomas M. Kellogg was killed in action on 5 October 1918, while fighting in the Meuse-Argonne. Defensive Sector. He was also a veteran of the battles at St. Mihiel.

Pvt. Thomas M. Kellogg was first buried on 12 October 1918 in the American B/A Cemetery, Exermont, Ardennes. His remains were then disinterred and reburied on 5 June 1919. This burial was at Argonne American Cemetery, Romgne-sous-Montfacon, Meuse, France.

Then on 20 July 1921, his remains were once again disinterred and shipped from Antwerp to Hoboken, New Jersey, aboard the U. S. A. T. Wheaton, arriving on 20 August 1921. The remains of Pvt. Thomas M. Kellogg then left Hoboken, arriving in Marion, Ohio, on 29 August 1921, for final rest in the Marion Cemetery.

Thomas M. Kellogg 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.