Born to John H. Spath and Emily Viola "Ollie" Boyd
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CORPORAL FREEMAN SPATH:Chambers County Hero of World War I
By Kevin Ladd, Director,Wallisville Heritage Park: Veterans Day, which used to be called Armistice Day in recognition of the agreement that ended the First World War, should remind us of the local soldiers who served in the American military and particularly those who gave their lives for this nation.
The only local man to die in combat during the First World War was a popular, well-liked young man named Freeman Spath. President Woodrow Wilson tried to keep the nation out of the escalating European conflict, but finally yielded in 1917 and asked Congress for a declaration of war against Germany and its allies. Freeman Spath, who was then 22 years old was one of the first to enlist in the army.
Daniel Freeman Spath was born in Maryland and came to Chambers County with his mother, Ollie, in the early 1900s. The circumstances of their arrival here are shrouded in some mystery. Ollie was married in 1909 to Tom Land, a son of Martin and Josephine (Wiggins) Land of Eminence. The late Lorraine Barrow Silva always remembered Freeman Spath as a friendly young fellow, who was well-liked by his peers.
Spath underwent his basic training and was mustered into service in Company C of the 360th Infantry Regiment, which was part of the 90th Division of the American Expeditionary Force. The young man rose quickly through the ranks to become a corporal and took part in the battle of St. Mihiel. One of the most significant battles in the war, the engagement last five days, from September 12 to 16 on the Western Front of France. The engagement was the first battle in which American led forces used a concise and comprehensive operations order allowing for independent initiative from their front-line commanders.
The AEF was commanded by General John J. Pershing and faced several German armies who were defending a series of in-depth trenches. The trench boundaries started in the French fortified area southeast of Verdun, jutting south toward St. Mihiel, and then east to Pont-Au-Mousson.
Corp. Spath was killed on September 15, 1918, while leading an attack on Hill No. 327 and facing a fierce German artillery barrage. While Spath and his men were attacking the hill, a large artillery shell landed in their midst and exploded. The explosion killed or wounded all but one of the soldiers in the group. Corporal Freeman Spath died instantly.
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Willie Fritsche (1895-aft.1920) of Double Bayou, Chambers County, Texas, was beside Freeman Spath when he died. It is unknown where Freeman is buried. After his death his mother left Anahuac and returned to New Jersey.
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CORPORAL FREEMAN SPATH:Chambers County Hero of World War I
By Kevin Ladd, Director,Wallisville Heritage Park: Veterans Day, which used to be called Armistice Day in recognition of the agreement that ended the First World War, should remind us of the local soldiers who served in the American military and particularly those who gave their lives for this nation.
The only local man to die in combat during the First World War was a popular, well-liked young man named Freeman Spath. President Woodrow Wilson tried to keep the nation out of the escalating European conflict, but finally yielded in 1917 and asked Congress for a declaration of war against Germany and its allies. Freeman Spath, who was then 22 years old was one of the first to enlist in the army.
Daniel Freeman Spath was born in Maryland and came to Chambers County with his mother, Ollie, in the early 1900s. The circumstances of their arrival here are shrouded in some mystery. Ollie was married in 1909 to Tom Land, a son of Martin and Josephine (Wiggins) Land of Eminence. The late Lorraine Barrow Silva always remembered Freeman Spath as a friendly young fellow, who was well-liked by his peers.
Spath underwent his basic training and was mustered into service in Company C of the 360th Infantry Regiment, which was part of the 90th Division of the American Expeditionary Force. The young man rose quickly through the ranks to become a corporal and took part in the battle of St. Mihiel. One of the most significant battles in the war, the engagement last five days, from September 12 to 16 on the Western Front of France. The engagement was the first battle in which American led forces used a concise and comprehensive operations order allowing for independent initiative from their front-line commanders.
The AEF was commanded by General John J. Pershing and faced several German armies who were defending a series of in-depth trenches. The trench boundaries started in the French fortified area southeast of Verdun, jutting south toward St. Mihiel, and then east to Pont-Au-Mousson.
Corp. Spath was killed on September 15, 1918, while leading an attack on Hill No. 327 and facing a fierce German artillery barrage. While Spath and his men were attacking the hill, a large artillery shell landed in their midst and exploded. The explosion killed or wounded all but one of the soldiers in the group. Corporal Freeman Spath died instantly.
----------------------
Willie Fritsche (1895-aft.1920) of Double Bayou, Chambers County, Texas, was beside Freeman Spath when he died. It is unknown where Freeman is buried. After his death his mother left Anahuac and returned to New Jersey.
Born to John H. Spath and Emily Viola "Ollie" Boyd
------------
CORPORAL FREEMAN SPATH:Chambers County Hero of World War I
By Kevin Ladd, Director,Wallisville Heritage Park: Veterans Day, which used to be called Armistice Day in recognition of the agreement that ended the First World War, should remind us of the local soldiers who served in the American military and particularly those who gave their lives for this nation.
The only local man to die in combat during the First World War was a popular, well-liked young man named Freeman Spath. President Woodrow Wilson tried to keep the nation out of the escalating European conflict, but finally yielded in 1917 and asked Congress for a declaration of war against Germany and its allies. Freeman Spath, who was then 22 years old was one of the first to enlist in the army.
Daniel Freeman Spath was born in Maryland and came to Chambers County with his mother, Ollie, in the early 1900s. The circumstances of their arrival here are shrouded in some mystery. Ollie was married in 1909 to Tom Land, a son of Martin and Josephine (Wiggins) Land of Eminence. The late Lorraine Barrow Silva always remembered Freeman Spath as a friendly young fellow, who was well-liked by his peers.
Spath underwent his basic training and was mustered into service in Company C of the 360th Infantry Regiment, which was part of the 90th Division of the American Expeditionary Force. The young man rose quickly through the ranks to become a corporal and took part in the battle of St. Mihiel. One of the most significant battles in the war, the engagement last five days, from September 12 to 16 on the Western Front of France. The engagement was the first battle in which American led forces used a concise and comprehensive operations order allowing for independent initiative from their front-line commanders.
The AEF was commanded by General John J. Pershing and faced several German armies who were defending a series of in-depth trenches. The trench boundaries started in the French fortified area southeast of Verdun, jutting south toward St. Mihiel, and then east to Pont-Au-Mousson.
Corp. Spath was killed on September 15, 1918, while leading an attack on Hill No. 327 and facing a fierce German artillery barrage. While Spath and his men were attacking the hill, a large artillery shell landed in their midst and exploded. The explosion killed or wounded all but one of the soldiers in the group. Corporal Freeman Spath died instantly.
----------------------
Willie Fritsche (1895-aft.1920) of Double Bayou, Chambers County, Texas, was beside Freeman Spath when he died. It is unknown where Freeman is buried. After his death his mother left Anahuac and returned to New Jersey.
------------
CORPORAL FREEMAN SPATH:Chambers County Hero of World War I
By Kevin Ladd, Director,Wallisville Heritage Park: Veterans Day, which used to be called Armistice Day in recognition of the agreement that ended the First World War, should remind us of the local soldiers who served in the American military and particularly those who gave their lives for this nation.
The only local man to die in combat during the First World War was a popular, well-liked young man named Freeman Spath. President Woodrow Wilson tried to keep the nation out of the escalating European conflict, but finally yielded in 1917 and asked Congress for a declaration of war against Germany and its allies. Freeman Spath, who was then 22 years old was one of the first to enlist in the army.
Daniel Freeman Spath was born in Maryland and came to Chambers County with his mother, Ollie, in the early 1900s. The circumstances of their arrival here are shrouded in some mystery. Ollie was married in 1909 to Tom Land, a son of Martin and Josephine (Wiggins) Land of Eminence. The late Lorraine Barrow Silva always remembered Freeman Spath as a friendly young fellow, who was well-liked by his peers.
Spath underwent his basic training and was mustered into service in Company C of the 360th Infantry Regiment, which was part of the 90th Division of the American Expeditionary Force. The young man rose quickly through the ranks to become a corporal and took part in the battle of St. Mihiel. One of the most significant battles in the war, the engagement last five days, from September 12 to 16 on the Western Front of France. The engagement was the first battle in which American led forces used a concise and comprehensive operations order allowing for independent initiative from their front-line commanders.
The AEF was commanded by General John J. Pershing and faced several German armies who were defending a series of in-depth trenches. The trench boundaries started in the French fortified area southeast of Verdun, jutting south toward St. Mihiel, and then east to Pont-Au-Mousson.
Corp. Spath was killed on September 15, 1918, while leading an attack on Hill No. 327 and facing a fierce German artillery barrage. While Spath and his men were attacking the hill, a large artillery shell landed in their midst and exploded. The explosion killed or wounded all but one of the soldiers in the group. Corporal Freeman Spath died instantly.
----------------------
Willie Fritsche (1895-aft.1920) of Double Bayou, Chambers County, Texas, was beside Freeman Spath when he died. It is unknown where Freeman is buried. After his death his mother left Anahuac and returned to New Jersey.
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