Memorial Day Tribute
Pvt. William M. Crawford, Battery D, 109th Field Artillery, 28th Division (5 of 5)
By Christopher Miller
“Wm. M. Crawford makes the great sacrifice for the cause of world democracy,” read the headline of the September 13, 1918 newspaper.
“Deeply regret to inform you that Private William Marshall Crawford is officially reported as killed in action on August 14,” it went on to say.
Then, the writer of the article went on to eloquently say:
“The above telegram, which fully explains itself, was received by Mrs. Lynn Winters, mother of Private Crawford, at her home in Flemington, last Saturday. As this was the first name from among the great number of sturdy young men who went out from Flemington to appear on the casualty list it very naturally brought sorrow not only to the home of this young man, but a certain sympathetic sadness settled in the breast of every father and mother of our neighboring borough, who have sons “over there.”
Crawford crossed the sea under orders of a new captain and arrived at the front. He was instantly killed by a bullet and, “answered the summon of the great captain of the universe, he made the great and supreme sacrifice for his country.”
Private Marshall was the first Clinton County volunteer to meet death in battle, and the only other was Beal M. Darby, a drafted man from North Bend.
“Private Crawford left this city for service in the World War with Troop K, later being transferred to Battery D, 109th Field Artillery, 28th Division, with which outfit he went overseas. He met his death near the town of St. Gilles, France. The 28th Division was moving into position on the Vesle River sector and while on the road an enemy bombing raid took place during which Crawford was killed by an exploding bomb,” the obituary reported.
The funeral did not take place until August of 1921, three years after his death.
“The business places of the city will be closed during the time of the funeral, paying a fitting tribute to a world hero.”
Earlier, in 1919, the American Legion decided to take the name of the Flemington hero and was thereafter known as the William Marshall Crawford Post.
We Remember Pvt. William M. Crawford, Battery D, 109th Field Artillery, 28th Division
*This is five of five Memorial Day tributes. A new one will publish each week in May.
