Memorial Day Tribute

By Christopher Miller
Martin May was 25 years old when war took him at too young an age.

“Mr. and Mrs. Martin May of Avis received word from the war department announcing that their son, Army Private Martin J. May Jr., of Battery B, Sixth Field Artillery, had been killed in action November 6, 1918.”

Private May enlisted in the service in June 1917 and trained at Syracuse, New York. He arrived in France on November 27, 1917 and survived approximately seven months before being wounded and rejoining his command.

Less than six months later Martin found himself in the Argonne Forest near Mouzon, France when he was killed in action.

It wasn’t until April 1921 that his remains were returned to the United States for burial.

“One of the impressive funeral service held in this vicinity was that of Private Martin May, Jr., son of Mr. and Mrs. Martin May, Sr., of Avis, who was killed in France in the Argonne-Meuse offensive in France on November 6, just five days before the signing of the Armistice,” the newspaper article read.

Martin’s funeral procession was escorted by ex-servicemen of Avis and a delegation from the Jersey Shore American Legion Post. They left Avis for Lock Haven, and the mounted detachment of Troop K, 1st Cavalry, P.N.G. joined the procession at Great Island, with members of the local American Legion posting the colors at the courthouse, completing the funeral escort up Water Street to Immaculate Conception church.

“Interment was made in the St. Agnes cemetery, where the body was consigned to the grave with honors due those who give their lives to their country in military service,” the papers reported. “Private May was one of the Clinton county boys to see the front line and was killed in battle…the citizens of Avis honored the memory of this young man by suspending business from 7 to 9 on the morning of the funeral and all flags were placed at half mast.”

A few years later, it was reported that Martin J. May, Jr., lost his life with 5,585 of his comrades in his division, was the only Clinton County boy to have his name inscribed on the memorial monument for the dead of the division which was dedicated at Washington, D.C.

His parents were guests of the survivors of the First Division at the reunion and dedication ceremonies in Washington.

*This is four of five Memorial Day tributes. A new one will publish each week in May.