Private Kenneth Witty

Cincinnati Enquirer, 16 July 1916. page 10

GUARDSMAN DIES AT FT THOMAS

One name was omitted in the roll call of B Company Third Regiment last night at Ft Thomas, and after Kenneth Witty, Private on the roster was written "Died Saturday, July 15, 1916, while stationed at Ft Thomas Ky."

He was only 18 years old and his home was Hopkinsville Ky.  The lad had been in the camp hospital for five days suffering from typhoid pneumonia.  He had been inoculated with the typhoid serum twice, but developed the fever before the injections were received.  Five days ago he complained of illness and was taken to the hospital.  As he grew worse, his mother was notified to hurry to the fort at once.

All through the night she traveled but arrived too late.  The boy had died a half hour before she reached the camp. The mother was escorted into the room where the body of her lad lay, hidden beneath the folds of the flag.  Older officers consoled the aged woman when she wept.  Brigadier General Roger D Williams ordered that the body be forwarded to Hopkinsville, accompanied to the train by a military escort and to the home by a Sergeant.