Clarence Roy Phillippi was born 3 April 1897. His parents are John & Lola M. (Myers) Phillippi of near LaRue, Ohio. Clarence was a Private (Pvt.) with D Company, on 31 May 1917, when they left Marion for service in World War One. Pvt. Clarence R. Phillippi would serve in France with D Company, until he was killed in action on 6 June 1918. Pvt. Phillippi was the first citizen from LaRue to be killed while serving in World War One. He was killed in a trench raid in the Baccarat Sector, near the village of Anclerville. Pvt. Phillipi was first buried in the French Military Cemetery, Amcervillers, France. On 16 February 1921, his remains were disinterred for return to the United States. On 18 May 1921, his remains arrived aboard the U. S. A. T. Wheaton, at Hoboken, New Jersey. On 4 June 1921, his remains arrived in LaRue, Ohio, for final rest. The American Legion Post 101 in LaRue, Ohio, would be named in his honor.
Pvt. Clarence R. Phillippi’s name can be seen on the LaRue Veterans Memorial Column, in the LaRue Cemetery. He is buried in the LaRue Cemetery, LaRue, Ohio.
American Legion Post 101- Phillippi-Clement, LaRue, Ohio, co-named it’s post to honor his memory. Clarence R. Phillippi 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.
Clarence R. Phillippi’s temporary grave at Ancerville, France. Grave #22 (behind Patrick Ferrel’s grave).
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)
Hubert Leland Taylor was born in Wood County, Ohio, on 30 August 1896. His parents were David H. & Hulda M. (Elarton) Taylor. Hubert L. Taylor would come to Marion, Ohio, in 1909. While in Marion, Taylor was employed with the Marion Powers Shovel Company for 26 years. On 24 June 1916, Taylor would marry Gertrude Estella (Whitt). They would raise four children. Hubert L. Taylor’s military career began when we see his name on the roster of Marion’s D Company, when it was called to mobilize on 19 June 1916, for the Border Campaign. At this time Taylor was serving as a private. Taylor would serve on the border with D Company and stay with them when they returned and shortly thereafter mobilized for World War One. Taylor would serve in Europe until the end of the war. He would return to Marion and continue to serve with D Company as a sergeant until he was commissioned and eventually take command of D Company. By World War Two Taylor would attain the rank of Colonel in the Ohio National Guard. Colonel Hubert L. Taylor would die in Marion County on 19 November 1959 and be buried at Chapel Heights Memory Gardens, Marion County, Ohio.
George Brunton Knapp was born on 4 May 1880, in Marion, Ohio. George B. Knapp was the oldest son of James A. Knapp & Rosetta (Tavenner). George’s Grandfather, John R. Knapp was an early settler of Marion County, as well as a former mayor and postmaster of the city. George B. Knapp graduated from Marion High School in 1898. He would work as a reporter for the Marion Tribune upon graduation from high school. Throughout his civilian career he would work in the field of journalism, office supplies and printing. George B. Knapp was married 4 May 1907, to Miss Edna (DeWolfe). George would continue the family tradition of military service. His great-grandfather, William Knapp of New York, was a private in the New York militia and a minute man during the Saratoga campaign in the Revolutionary War. George’s Grandfather, John R. Knapp, also of New York, was a veteran of the War of 1812. George B. Knapp does not appear to have served during the Spanish-American War or the Border Campaign, but he did assist in the planning of the homecoming for D Company, when they returned from the Border Campaign, in March of 1917.
1st Lt. George B. Knapp
George B. Knapp was enlisted as a private with D Company, 4th Infantry on 21 August 1899; he made Corporal on 7 December 1899; and Sergeant on 16 January 1900. Knapp would become a First Lieutenant on 7 August 1900. Sometime after, George B. Knapp would become a Captain and have command of D Company. But when The Great War broke out he is shown to enlisted again as a private and attended the first officer training camp in Indiana. He would report to Fort Benjamin Harrison, in May of 1917. By 15 August 1917, Knapp would be a Captain of Infantry and was ordered to report to Camp Sherman. On 31 December 1917, Knapp would be promoted to Major. As a Major, he would command two different battalions of the 330th Infantry, and also would later command the 330th Infantry Regiment at different periods during 1918 and 1919. Major George B. Knapp would serve overseas from June 1918 to January 1919, with the 83rd Division. He would again become regimental commander of the 330th Infantry upon his return to Camp Sherman until his discharge on 31 March 1919. After his Honorable discharge from the Army, he would return to Marion, Ohio, and work in real estate. He would serve as Head of the Chamber of Commerce, President of Marion Real Estate Board, serve as secretary of the Vernon Heights Realty Company, Vice Chair of the Marion Chapter American Red Cross, and on the executive committee of the Harding Memorial Association. Under the administration of Mayor T. F. Andrews, Knapp would serve as the Director of Public Safety in Marion, Ohio. In 1928 Knapp was on the primary ballot for Congressman of Ohio’s 8th District as a Republican. George B. Knapp would die on 1 March 1929, at his home in Marion, Ohio. Knapp would be recognized for his civic activities and his military service while he laid in state. He would be buried with full military honors at the Marion Cemetery on 4 March 1929.
Major George B. Knapp
MAJOR GEORGE B. KNAPP TELLS ABOUT HIS TRIP Captain of the Boat Going Over Is Acquaintance of Dombaugh.
SEES DAN LAMARCHE AND EARL SYCKS EVERY DAY
Billeted in Picturesque French Town of 2,000 People – Sees Other Countries.
James A. Knapp today received a letter dated, July 4, from his son, Major George B. Knapp, of the 330th infantry, now in France. This letter is as follows: “Just time to let you know I am well and that everything is well with us here. We are billeted in a beautiful, quaint old French village of about 2,000 souls, and as we are the first troops of our army to be billeted in this town, the people here seem to be as interested in our army as we are in these people. “Our trip during the past month has been full of interest and we have had some experiences that all the men will always look back upon as real days in their lives. The time we spent in England was, I think the most interesting part of our journey to this point, I was on leave a while, while in England, and saw a little of Liverpool and South Hampton and Winchester. My visit to Winchester was by far the most interesting. “We have also seen a little some of the other countries and while we have been on the go most of the time I have had opportunity for some side trips during our travels, while the troops were resting and camps for short periods. “I had command of all the troops on board the ship we came over on and while too busy all the time to be seasick. I spent three hours each day after meals with the captain of the ship and my association with him made the trip more interesting and pleasant as well. He knew Allen Farqueher, of Bucyrus, at the naval academy and also Captain Dombaugh and his executive officer was in the same class with Reinecke of Marion, at Annapolis “I see Dan LaMarche and Earl Sycks every day. I saw Fred Scott last night for a few moments. He is not far from us with his regiment. “Hope everything is O. K. I will be glad to hear from you at any time. “
George H. Shuster was born 13 March 1872, in Delaware, Ohio. His parents were George A. & Olive (Strickney) Shuster. George H. Shuster was not listed in The Marion Daily Star article covering G Company’s forming up just prior to departing for Camp Bushnell. Shuster may have joined with the second call or transferred into the company later. Pvt. George H. Shuster was with the 4th O. V. I. when it captured the city of Guayama, Puerto Rico, on 5 August 1898. He would remain with G company until they reached Ohio. Shuster was admitted to a Hospital in Delaware, Ohio, where he died of typhoid fever on 5 December 1898. Pvt. George H. Shuster is buried in Soldier’s Circle at Oak Grove Cemetery, Delaware, Ohio. At this time the author is not aware of an Honor Roll, for those who died in service in the War with Spain, in Marion, Ohio. But there is a memorial bearing the names of those from Fourth Ohio, who died in service. The Memorial of the 4th O. V. I. in Guánica, Puerto Rico.
Honoring Marion Ohio Veterans 