this page was updated 05/06/07

William E. Beck

Lansing, Iowa
Killed at Fismes, battle of Aisnes-Marine, August 4, 1918
Killed in Action

Brandt, Arthur F. 100943
Corporal Company E. Died at Field Hospital No. 165, October 17, 1918. Son of Mr. and Mrs. W.F. Brandt, Postville, Iowa. One of Company E's best soldiers. He always volunteered for the most dangerous missions. The final act of his life was of such daring that his colonel recommended he be given the Medal of Honor. He was awarded the D.S.C. He volunteered to act as guide to a position of security in the rear for his company. This was under heavy shell fire and he with four others were seriously wounded. After being placed on a stretcher and scarcely able to speak, he continued to direct the route.
(source: THE PRICE OF OUR HERITAGE" W. E. Robb, 1919 American Lithography and Printing Company, Des Moines, Iowa, pg 312)

On April 26th, 1918, Myron left Waukon for Camp Dodge, volunteering to fill a vacancy, as his draft number had not been reached, and just five months later he gave his life for his coutry in France. (source: Janet Koozer)

Note: in Soldiers of the Great War, Memorial Addition, pg 343, Myron J. Brooks is listed as being from Luana (Clayton co.)

Letter home from Myron J. Brooks

Hugh P. Kidder was born in Waukon, Iowa in 1897. He was awarded the Croix de Guerre with palm and star during World War I for courage and endurance while carrying orders to advanced positions under violent machine gun fire during a period of 9 days. Lt. Kidder was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for extraordinary heroism near Blanch Mont. France, 2 to 3 October 1918 when he led a small patrol into enemy trenches and captured two strong machine gun positions. First Lieutenant Kidder was killed in action 3 October attempting to better his position in the face of heavy machine gun and artillery fire. Burial is in Meuse-Argonne cemetery, Europe (source: Rachel Layman, g-niece)

~~~~~

Note: Hugh P. Kidder is listed as a Second Lieutenant in Soldiers of the Great War, Memorial Addition, pg 343

Note: Carl Kroeger, age 21, born in Iowa, is found on the 1910 U.S. census, Union City twp. Allamakee co. Iowa; he is living on the Herman Luetchenx farm.

Born 1895 Waterville, Iowa
KIA in France on Sept. 29, 1918 by a sniper's bullet.
Buried at Somme American Cemetery, France
Next of Kin - Thomas F. Slattery ( 1855-1941)
(source: Thomas C. Slattery)

Note: the page with his photo says he is from Postville,
the page with his text listing gives Frankville (Winneshiek co.) as residence.

news articles, funeral photo

Memorial services were held in the Norwegian church at Gunder last Sunday in honor of Theodore Wettleson, a young man of that locality who recently was killed in France fighting for Old Glory. The services were very impressive and a large gathering of friends were in attendance.
(source: Postville Herald, 08/23/1918)

USS Kidder
named in honor of Hugh P. Kidder

Kidder (DD-319) (click here for a photo) was launched 10, July 1919 by Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corp, San Francisco, Calif. ; sponsored by Miss Ethel Murry Jonstone : and commissioned 7 February 1921, Comdr. H. J. Abbett in command. After shakedown along the coast, Kidder was assigned to Destroyer Division 34, Battle Fleet, at San Diego. From 1921 to 1924 she operated along the West Coast between Washington and the Canal Zone engaging in training maneuvers, fleet problems, and gunnery exercises. The destroyer played an important role in the development of naval warfare through using experimental torpedoes in exercises.
Kidder transited the Panama Canal during January 1924 for fleet concentrations in the Caribbean, returning San Diego 22, April. She continued her training operations before clearing San Francisco 15, April 1925 for a fleet problem and joint exercises off Hawaii. Kidder then accompanied the Battle Fleet to Samoa, Australia, and New Zealand before returning Mare Island 25, September. For the rest of her naval service she was almost constantly at sea, including winter fleet concentrations in the Caribbean during 1927 and a joint submarine exercise off Hawaii in the spring and summer of 1928. The Navy gained valuable experience from the various exercises and experiments which Kidder conducted-information that made possible many of the great naval victories of World War II. During the final year of service Kidder operated out of San Diego and decommissioned there 18, March 1930. After scrapping, her materials were sold 31, October 1930 in accordance with the terms of the London Treaty limiting naval armament.
(DD-319: dp. 1,190; 1. 314' 5 ": b. 31'8" : dr. 9' 10" : s. 35 k.. ; cpl. 95 ; a. 44" , 12 21" tt.: cl.. Clemson)
- source: DANFS, Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships
- contributed by Rachel Layman, as a loving tribute for her Grandpa & her Great-uncle Hugh P. Kidder