Rusk County, WI
WWI Gold Star Listing
Compiled by Lieutenant. G. C. Maloney
1920 RUSK COUNTY JOURNAL
NAME PHOTO KNOWN INFORMATION BATHKE, (Wilmar) William Albert Born at Springfield, Minnesota, June 22 1895. He was the son of Fred and Susan Bathke, of Tony, Wisconsin. Before entering the service he was engaged in farm work, assisting his parents. Entered the service July 5, 1918. Assigned to 109th Company, Engineers, 28th Division Sailed for France Sept 15, 1918. Participated in the battle of St. Mihiel. Was gassed at Thiacourt, November 2, 1918. Suffered an attack of bronchial pneumonia, which resulted in his death, November 9, 1918. Age 23. BAXTER, Harry Dane Born in New York, March 30, 1887. He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Baxter. Entered service with the Canadian forces September 10, 1915, being assigned to 10th Machine Gun Company Sailed for France March 15, 1917. Participated in all of the battles of the Canadian forces up to the time of his death. Was promoted to the rank of corporal, and afterwards to that of sergeant. Was awarded military medal for conspicuous services in battle of Hill 70. Was killed in action at Hill 70, being the victim of a sniper's bullet. Was first Rusk County boy to lose his life. BRITTON, Matt Born at Hilbert Junction, October 8, 1891. He was the son of Nick and Kate Britton, Ladysmith, Wisconsin. Entered the service at Chilton, Wisconsin, June 28, 1918. Trained at Camp Grant. Assigned to Company B, 18th Regiment., Inf., 1st Division. Sailed for France July 29, 1918. Served at the front from the latter part of August to about October 1st. Contracted pneumonia while at the front near Verdun, from which he died October 8, 1918. CABANOWSKI, Stanley Born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, September 27, 1893. He was the son of Leo and Mary Cabanowski, Weyerhaeuser, Wisconsin. Entered the service August 26, 1918. Trained at Camp Sherman, Ohio. Was taken ill with influenza September 28. This was followed by pneumonia, from which he died October 8, 1918 at the age of 25. CONLEY, Earl James Born in Chippewa County, Wisconsin, May 11, 1893. He was the son of Peter and Ellen Conley, Apollonia, (Rusk County), Wisconsin. Enlisted in Troop K July 20, 1917. Transferred to Battalion A. 120th F. A., with which he served until his death. Promoted to rank of first class private. Was killed by a German shell on August 6, 1918, at 1:00 a.m. The shell struck his quarters while he was sleeping, the explosion throwing him about fifty feet. He was age 24 at the time of his death. CONNER, Melvin M. Born at Conner's Falls, Dunn County, Wisconsin, January 25, 1893. He was the son of David L. and Harriet Conner. Entered the service at Superior, Wisconsin, March 15, 1918, in the Canadian forces. Trained at Winnipeg, Manitoba. Sailed for Europe, April 18, 1918. Was sent to France September 1st, and assigned to the 44th Battalion. Was killed in action at Cambrai, September 27, 1918. CUNNINGHAM, Arthur - Photo Not Available - Born at Meboian, Michigan, September 25, 1895. He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. N.H. Cunningham. Entered the service at Milwaukee, Wisconsin, early in 1917. Assigned to 6th Regiment., U.S. Marines. Trained at Paris Isle. Sailed for France October, 19, 1917. Participated in battles of Chateau Thierry, Aisne-Marne, Verdun. Was wounded June 10, 1918, at Chateau Thierry. Date and cause of death are unknown. CUFF, Frank (Francis) W. Little information is available. Before the war he spent several years at Hawkins, and one year at Ladysmith, Wisconsin. He attended one of the earlier Officer's Training Schools, and was commissioned first lieutenant, 339 Inf; Archangel Expedition. Was killed in action, November 29, 1918 at Trogimovskaya, Russia. Age 26, married. FAABORG, Earl E. Born in Franklin County, Ohio, November 19 1894. He was the son of James and Mary Faaborg, Bruce, Wisconsin. Entered the service July 5, 1918. Trained at Columbus Barracks, Ohio, and Camp Hancock, Georgia Sailed for France September 22, 1918. While on ship he suffered an attack of bronchial pneumonia. Was taken to base hospital 65, near Brest, where he died on October (66), 1918. Aged 24. FELTON, Charles Born at Rowan, Iowa, January, 1888, He was the son of Daniel L. and Martha Felton, Bruce, Wisconsin. Entered the service at Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, April 20, 1917, in Company A, 4th Wisconsin Infantry. At Camp MacArthur was transferred to Company A, 197th Supply Train. Sailed for France February 7, 1918. Promoted to rank of first class private. Participated in all of the battles of the 32nd Division. Contracted pneumonia while in the Argonne Woods, from which he died October 16, 1918. FISHER, Arthur T. - Photo Not Available - Bruce, Wisconsin, Age 28; Recruit general service infantry attached to 18 recruit company, Jefferson Barracks, Mos.; U.S.; died of disease (pneumonia) October 25, 1918. "Wisconsin's Gold Star List published 1925." FOND, Moses Born in Norway, in 1887. He was the son of Bartil and Emrense Fond, Hawkins, Wisconsin. Entered the service at Sand Point, Idaho, June 24, 1918. Assigned to Company C, 120th Infantry. Trained at Camp Lewis, California. Sailed for France, July 5, 1918. Was killed in action in the Meuse-Argonne drive, October 7, 1918. GORDON, Clyde Born at Chetek, Wisconsin, February 29, 1888. He was the son of Mrs. Adeline Gordon. Enlisted at Camp Douglas, Arizona, April 1, 1917, in Company G., 18th Regiment. Infantry, First Division. Sailed for France in June, 1917. Participated in the battle of Chateau Thierry. Was killed in action on July 19, 1918. GORLA, Frank Born at Jadownski Mokne, Poland, August 29, 1899. He was the son of Michael and Catherine Gorla, Conrath, Wisconsin. Enlisted on May 9, 1917, in Company A, 16th Regiment. Regulars. Sailed for France June 14, 1917. Participated in battles of Cantigny and Soissons. Was killed in action at Soissons, July 18, 1918. A shell blew off both legs, death resulting immediately. He was the first Rusk County boy to lose his life while serving with the American forces. Age 19. GRAHAM, Earl Born at Portage, Wisconsin, June 6, 1889. He was the son of George W. and Harriet S. Graham. Graduate of Ladysmith High School. Enlisted in the navy on May 26, 1918. Trained at Great Lakes. Suffered an attack of influenza September 10, 1918, from which he died September 27. HENDERSON, Holden I. Born at Rice Lake, Wisconsin, December. 16, 1894. He was the son of James W. and Mahala B. Henderson. Entered the service July 5, 1918. Trained at Camp Hancock, Georgia. He went overseas. Suffered an attack of influenza October 15, 1918 from the effects of which he died October 19, 1918. Age 24. HOLLOPETER, Charles C. Born at Amsworth, Nebraska, January 1, 1896. He was the son of Curtis and Josephine Hollopeter. Enlisted at Stanley, Wisconsin, on July 8, 1917, in Company L. 128th Infantry. Sailed for France February 20, 1918. Participated in all the battles of the 32nd Division. Promoted to rank of corporal. Was killed in action in the Meuse-Argonne, November 7, 1918. Age 23. HOOPLE, Clifford A. - Photo Not Available - Bruce, Wisconsin, Age 22; Private 164 depot brigade; U.S.; died of disease (pneumonia) October 19, 1918. "Wisconsin's Gold Star List published 1925." HUNSBERGER, Fred Andrew Born at Rhinelander, Wisconsin, June 24 1899. He was the son of Andrew and Jennie Hunsberger, Weyerhaeuser, Wisconsin. Enlisted in the Canadian forces at Toronto, Canada, December. 19, 1917. Assigned to the "Young Soldiers' Battalion." Was taken ill with lymphatic leukemia on March 1, 1918, while in training a Branshott Hauts, England, from the effects of which he died on April 10, 1918. JOHNSON, Victor Earl Born at Interior, Michigan, January 31, 1894. He was the son of Eric and Marie Johnson, Weyerhaeuser, Wisconsin. Enlisted in Troop K, April 14, 1917. Transferred to Battalion B, 120th F. A. Sailed for Europe, March 4, 1918. Was taken ill with mumps at Southampton, England, March 16, 1918. Before he recovered, diphtheria set in, from which he died at La Havre, France, May 15, 1918. JONES, Edward Charles Born at St. Cloud, Minnesota, February 11, 1891. His mother died when he was a young boy, and his father shortly afterward abandoned him. He was adopted and reared by Henry and Belle Ross, of Glen Flora, Wisconsin. Enlisted in the navy July 15, 1918. Trained at Great Lakes. Transferred to Hampton Roads, Virginia. Suffered an attack of influenza, from the effect of which he died September 30, 1918. JORDAN, William Russel Born in Richland County, Wisconsin, July 6, 1893. He was the son of Isaac L. and Lousia Jordan, Ladysmith, Wisconsin. Enlisted on September 19, 1917, at Livingston, Mont., in Company A. 436th Machine Gun Battalion. Trained at Camp Lewis, Washington. Sailed for France, July 10, 1918. Was killed in the action of the Meuse-Argonne, on October 2, 1918. He had just stepped out of his dugout to get fresh air, and was struck by a high explosive shell. KERSLAGER, Ernest A. Born at Eau Claire, Wisconsin, December 28, 1889. He was the son of Matt and Katherine Kerslager, Eau Claire, Wisconsin. Graduate of high school and business college. Was cashier in Ingram State Bank, Ingram, Wisconsin prior to entering the service. Entered the service July 6, 1918. Trained at Camp Hancock, Georgia. Promoted to rank of corporal. Contracted influenza at Camp Grant, from which he died January 9, 1919. LOHFINK, Louis J. Born at Vanceburg, Wisconsin, December 14, 1892. He was the son of Ernest and Emma Lohfink, Vanceburg, Wisconsin Entered the service July 23, 1918. Assigned to 4th Prov. Battalion, M. P. Trained at Camp Grant and Fort Benjamin Harrison. Contracted influenza, from which he died October 16, 1918. MOORE, Vinton, J. Born at Warrens, Wisconsin, August 15, 1898. He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Warren Moore, Grand Rapids, Minnesota. Graduate of Ladysmith High School. After graduation, worked for a time with his father surveying, afterward taking a position as timekeeper for the Bucyrus Steam Shovel Company, South Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Enlisted in Company F, 1st Regiment. Wisconsin Infantry, April 2, 1917, before the Declaration of war. Transferred to Company F, 127th Infantry Sailed for France, February 14, 1918. Was in all actions of the 32nd Division up to time of his death. Was made a machine gunner April 2, 1918, and promoted to rank of corporal. While leading his squad in the battle of Cierges, July 31, 1918, himself operating a machine gun, he fell a victim to a sniper's bullet. NATER, Herman Born at Big Bend, Rusk County, Wisconsin, May 8, 1889. He was the son of Gus and Louise Nater, of Big Bend, Rusk County, Wisconsin. Prior to entering the service was a farmer. Entered the service August 8, 1918. Trained at Camp MacArthur. Became ill from a complication of measles, pleurisy, and bronchial pneumonia, from which he died October 9, 1918. PHILLIPS, Leslie James Born at Menomonie, Wisconsin, June 15, 1888. He was the son of Jerome C. and Rosalie C. Phillips of Chetek, Wisconsin. Graduate of Queen's University, Kingston, Canada. Wife's name, Elizabeth V. Phillips. Is survived by three children. Prior to entering the service he was a practicing physician located at Weyerhaeuser, Wisconsin. Enlisted at Fort Riley, Kansas, August 27, 1917, in Ambulance Company 132, 108th Sanitary Train, with rank of 1st Lieutenant. Sailed for France June 4, 1918. Participated in the Meuse-Argonne and St. Mihiel drives. Cited for gallant action at Doumartres. Received distinguished service medal. Promoted to rank of Captain, commission arriving a few days after his death. Suffered an attack of influenza, followed by pneumonia, from which he died on October 6, 1918, after six days' illness. PLOHAR, Anton Born at West Kewaunee, Wisconsin, April 8, 1887. He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Matt Plohar. Prior to entering the service was a machinist. Entered the service July 8, 1819. Trained at Camp Hancock, Georgia, and Camp Meade, Maryland. Assigned to Company D. 33rd Mach. G. Battalion. Suffered an attack of pneumonia from which he died on January 1, 1919. ROEHRBORN, Ralph Born at Sheboygan, Wisconsin, May 29, 1892. He was the son of Emil and Hannah Roehrborn, Ladysmith, Wisconsin. Prior to entering the service was a carpenter. Applied for enlistment in Troop K when it was being organized, but was rejected for physical disability. Entered the service July 15, 1918. Trained at Columbus, Ohio, and Camp Hancock, Georgia. Suffered an attack of peritontis, from which he died on August 7, 1918. SHATTUCK, Ernest Born at Hawkins, Wisconsin, September 30, 1894. He was the son of George and Alice Shattuck, Hawkins, Wisconsin. Enlisted at Detroit, Michigan, on June 8, 1916, in Baty F, 21st Regiment., Prov. Field Artillery. Trained at Columbus, Ohio, Fort Riley, Kansas, Sam Houston, Texas. Promoted to rank of corporal. Contracted influenza at Fort Sam Houston, from which he died on October 31, 1918. SINGER, Mike Born at Big Bend, Rusk County, Wisconsin, September 28, 1886. He was the son of John and Mary Singer, Big Bend, Rusk County, Wisconsin. Entered the service March 4, 1918. Trained at Camp Grant. Sailed for France May 28, 1918. Was killed in action July 30/31, 1918. SMITH, Paul Born at Gladstone, Michigan, November 3 1895. He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. W.F. Smith, Ladysmith, Wisconsin. Graduate of high school. Enlisted in Company C. 5th Field Signal Battalion, at Detroit, Michigan, February 23, 1918. Trained at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. Sailed for France, April 20, 1918. Participated in the battles of Aisne-Marne, St. Mihiel, Meuse-Argonne. Promoted to rank of first class private. Killed in action by a high explosive shell on October 6, 1918. SNIEZEK, Joseph Born in Poland, March 8, 1895. He was the son of Anton and Anna Sniezek, Hawkins, Wisconsin Enlisted in Company C, 62nd Regiment., Infantry, at Escanaba, Michigan, on April 20, 1917. Trained at Jefferson Barracks and San Francis Company. Promoted to rank of corporal. Was killed by being struck by a street car on September 13, 1917. SOLTIS, John Steve Born at Connorsville, Pennsylvania, June 18, 1890. He was the son of Jack and Elizabeth Soltis, Glen Flora, Wisconsin. Entered the service July 5, 1918. Trained at Camp Hancock, Georgia. Contracted pneumonia, from which he died on October 24, 1918. SOUKUP, John Born at Cleveland, Ohio, October 19, 1894. He was the son of Anton and Anna Soukup, Weyerhaeuser, Wisconsin. Entered the service July 23, 1918. Trained at Camp Grant. Assigned to Company A, 342nd Infantry. Suffered an attack of influenza, followed by bronchial pneumonia, from which he died on October 19, 1918. TIEGS, Paul M. Born at Persia, Iowa, August 14, 1895. He was the son of Fred and Augusta Tiegs, Bruce, Wisconsin. Entered the service September 5, 1918. Trained at Camp Grant and Camp Hancock. Contracted influenza September 29. This was followed by pneumonia, from which he died on October 5, 1918. VOS, Arrie Born at Glennallan, Mississippi, January 8, 1897. He was the son of John and Anna Vos. Entered the service at Sibley, Iowa, September 3, 1918. Trained at Camp Dodge, Iowa. Contracted influenza, from which he died on October 14, 1918. WATERS, John Born at Melvina, Wisconsin, January 19, 1887. He was the son of Carl and Elizabeth Waters, Glen Flora. Entered the service May 29, 1918. Trained at Camp Grant. Sailed for France, August 10, 1918. Suffered an attack of appendicitis, from which he died on January 16, 1919. WATERS, William Born at Melvina, Wisconsin, August 1896. He was the son of Carl and Elizabeth Waters, Glen Flora, Wisconsin. Enlisted in Company L. 128th Regiment. Infantry, July 15, 1917. Sailed for France February 5, 1918. Participated in all of the battles of the 32nd Division. Died as a result of an accidental gunshot wound on January 12, 1919, at Coblenz, Germany.
Return to Rusk County WI Military Records
©  Copyright, 2002 by R. Marie Mickalunas, Webmaster
Last Revision Date: 05/05/02