Corporal Company L 362d Infantry 91st Division
John Edward Newman was born in Dayton, Lyon County, Nevada, June 3, 1894. He moved to Carson City, Ormsby County, with the family when a small boy. After receiving his education in the public schools, he was given a position as desk clerk in the Arlington Hotel. In that position he made many friends among the transient public as well as among the townspeople. His ready laugh and natural courteous ways made him a favorite everywhere. On June 5th, 1915, he was married to Miss Georgia Sherman. They made Carson City their home until he answered the call to the colors. "Johnnie" left for Camp Lewis, Washington, on September 6th, 1917, in company with his comrade Tom O'Hara. They were the first two boys from Ormsby County to go to American Lake, and both gave their lives in the cause of their country. John was assigned to Company L, 362d Infantry, of the 91st Division. A month after his arrival there he was made a corporal. He served continuously in the same company, going to France in its ranks in July, 1918, and entering the Argonne fight with it on September 26, 1918.The following extract from the report of Lieutenant V. D. Dyment of Company L, tells of the circumstances under which Johnnie laid down his life for the flag."On the morning of September 29, Company L was on the right side of a line running just north of the Bois de Cierges and was waiting for the great attack upon Gesnes. The third battalion of the 362d, including Company L, was in a column of companies with Company L in front, the position throwing the company at the right edge of the Cierges Woods. The Company got into a ditch for protection from shellfire, the position being chosen because they could not retire and could not go ahead without further orders. The narrow ditch was crowded and the men stood up in it to put on their light packs just as an order came to attack---about 8 a. m. As the Company L men stood up, however, a shell came along, killing Corporal Newman and Private Smith instantly. This same shell wounded eight other men. Lieutenant Cole told the writer that Corporal Newman was one of the original men of Company L, that he was well liked by all, that he was always cheerful and was one of the gamest men of the Company. He had had a chance at Camp Lewis to stay behind because of an operation performed on his ankle but he gave up his sick leave to stay with the Company. He always kept up on hikes, and in fact had to be ordered out of the line two or three times because of the condition of his ankle. He was senior corporal in the platoon." One of his closest friends in the company asserts that Johnnie was "One of the most dependable non-commissioned officers and one of the most popular men in the Company." The description was no more than one of his civilian friends would have given of him. Those who knew him could not but notice how hard he tried to give the best he had to his Country. John's father, A. J. Newman, is well known throughout Western Nevada. His residence is in Yerington