William D. Jones, Army Private
Images and notes from Bob Leathers
Let Us Remember
Army Private William D. Jones
Died of wound received in World War I
Army Private William D. Jones
Died of wound received in World War I
Jones, William D. PRIVATE, COMPANY E, 30th INFANTRY, from Hanna, Carbon, Wyoming died October 13, 1918, from wounds received in fighting at the Battle of Meuse-Argonne in France. He is buried in the Hanna Cemetery in plot 72. William is the son of David and Mary Ann (Hallier) Jones of Hanna. Age: 26.
1918 October 30: The 30th Infantry attacked the German lines and a huge battle ensued.
Private William David Jones was attached to Company E, 30th Infantry
which fought in The Meuse-Argonne Offensive in France. The following is quoted
from Sgt. James Dunigan III, Able Co., U.S. 30th Infantry Regiment.
“On the 10th of October, the 30th Infantry attacked the trench lines just North of Bois de Cunel. The 30th Infantry encountered heavy artillery fire and stubborn resistance from machine gunners. The 30th Infantry in this attack sustained heavy losses but took and held the trenches. The Germans on the morning of the 11th of October launched a mild counterattack which was easily repulsed. In this action the Regiment was assisted by the 7th Infantry, which had been attached to the 6th Brigade and had been assigned by the brigade commander to the 30th Infantry sector. The 7th Infantry would remain in this sector with the 30th Infantry and cooperate with the 30th Infantry until the brigade was withdrawn. It was also during this time on the line for the 30th and 7th Infantry's that artillery fire was almost incessant. On October 14th, assisted by the 7th Infantry the 30th Infantry made its attack on the Bois de Pultiere and some of the 30th and 7th Infantry's units advanced to its Northern edge. It was also here that the 30th Infantry encountered once again heavy resistance and sustained heavy casualties. On the afternoon of the 15th of October, the German artillery placed a heavy rolling barrage on the Bois de Pultiere, but no counterattack was launched. On the night of the 15th/16th of October the Regiment numbering some 400 men, was relieved by part of the 5th Brigade and marched from its position in the immediate vicinity of Cunel to just south of Montfaucon. When a muster of the Regiment was held on the morning of the 16th, it was found that a mere skeleton of the Unit remained. "E" Company was in command of a Corporal, while a Sergeant commanded "F" Company. There were no majors, no captains and only two 1st lieutenants. Ten companies were in command of 2nd lieutenants. On October 16th/17th and 18th, the men slept...etc. and got what rest they could. On the night of the 18th/19th of October the Regiment took up a front-line position along the Eastern front of Bois de Le Cote Lemont, relieving part of the 4th Infantry Division. Two battalions of the 30th Infantry were assigned to assist the 38th Infantry to help cleaning out the Western half of the Bois de Foret. The two detached battalion of the 30th would remain in that area patrolling and mopping up until the night of the 26th/27th of October when they rejoined the other Units of the Regiment just South of Septsarges. From the 22nd to the 27th of October the 1st battalion of the 30th Infantry maintained the original position of the Regiment in the Bois de Le Cote Lemont in direct connection with the 105th Colonial (French Infantry on the Meuse River holding the right flank and the 38th Infantry on the left flank). On the 26th of October the 1st battalion was relieved and sent to Septsarges to rejoin the rest of the Regiment. On November 2nd the 30th Infantry Regiment embarked on trucks for Stainville, France thus ending their combat actions in the First World War, the war would end nine days later on the 11th of November 1918. (Sgt. James Dunigan III, Able Co., U.S. 30th Infantry Regiment)
The casualties sustained by the U.S. 30th Infantry Regiment during the Meuse-Argonne Offensive are as follows: 48 officers and 1,438 men
William David Jones was one of those 1438 men.
William David Jones was one of those 1438 men.
1918
HANNA BOYS LEAVE
A farewell dance and programme given in honor of the boys leaving for service in the Army and Navy, was held at the Hanna Opera House Saturday evening. Dancing began at 9 o’clock sharp and continued until 3 A.M. At ten o’clock a recess was taken and the programme consisting of speeches and singing was opened by the huge crowd gathered, rising, and singing the National Anthem. This was followed by Roy Painter, who in a rousing speech on the war, and full of good sound advice to the boys (fourteen of whom were seated on the stage) told them that no matter in what branch of the service they belonged, that no matter in what part of the world called upon to do their bit, to remember that the whole country was behind them in their battle for democracy and that the thoughts, the prayers and the best wishes of every man, woman, and child in Hanna would be with them, who would back them in their stand to whip the German Bully and imp of the devil to the last dollar they possessed. At midnight the boys, their mothers, sisters, and sweethearts were invited to partake of an elegant supper at the first table which was presided over by the ladies of Hanna, after which the public were also invited to partake in the supper. The entire expenses were covered by popular subscription and there is quite a balance left over for a similar affair when the next bunch are to leave. Sunday evening the picture show was started 30 minutes earlier to allow everyone an opportunity to be at the train at 3:20 P.M. After the show, the boys were escorted to the depot accompanied by the strains of inspiring music rendered by the American Band, who as usual, were to the fore in offering their services. The goodbyes having been said, the best of wishes extended, the silent prayers having been offered, the train steamed out of town to the cheers of at least a thousand of Hanna’s residents, who were in accord that a cleaner, more upright, and conscientious bunch of young men never left a town anywhere in the United States. The names of those who left Sunday are as follows: Jack Cook, Harry Sharratt, Bill Wright, Bob Milligan, Andy Royce, Alex Greenwood, Jim Gaskell, Frank Rider, Jr., William Jones, and August Lappala. Next week we expect to have a picture of these boys which we will publish in the Hanna columns of the Republican. (Rawlins Republican, March 28, 1918)
1919
Honoring the Dead and the Heroes
Mr. Dickenson held his listeners spellbound during this recital, proving himself an orator of rare ability. Then came the awarding of the medals, as Mr. Dickenson called the names of the forty-eight soldiers; each came forward and received his decoration from Mr. Briggs, who was assisted by Prof. Burford and Ira Clarke. A pathetic feature was the calling of two names, the owners of which had made the supreme sacrifice: Edward Wilkes and William Jones. Their mothers were led forward, and amidst the sobs of the audience received the mementos of their boy's heroism. During this ceremony, the soldiers stood at attention and continued so, as the curtain slowly rose, to the strains of the “Star Spangled Banner,” and revealed the silken flag presented to our boys by the Hanna people and which had guarded them through all their vicissitudes over there. Master Raymond Clarke acted as color bearer, while standing guard were Jack Cook, Barney Bailey, and Will Johnson, representing the Army, Navy and Marines, the whole forming a beautiful and impressive tableau. (Rawlins Republican, November 13, 1919)
Hanna Basin Death and Burial Records
Jones, William David
Cemetery: Hanna
Monument: "Sep. 14, 1892 - Oct. 13, 1918; Pvt. Co. E 30th Inf."
Plot: 72
Born: 1892
Died: 1918
Age: 26
Note: Jones, William D. PRIVATE, COMPANY E, 30th INFANTRY, from Hanna, Carbon, Wyoming died October 13, 1918, from wounds received in fighting at the Battle of Meuse-Argonne in France. He is buried in the Hanna Cemetery in plot 72. Age: 26. William is the son of David and Mary Ann (Hallier) Jones of Hanna. (BL)
Note: The body of W. D. Jones, who was killed in France three years ago, arrived in Hanna Tuesday evening and will be buried Sunday with full military honors. All of the ex-service men will participate in the services which will be attended by practically everyone in Hanna. This is the first and probably the only body of Hanna boys killed in the war to be returned to this country. (The Rawlins Republican, July 28, 1921)
Cemetery: Hanna
Monument: "Sep. 14, 1892 - Oct. 13, 1918; Pvt. Co. E 30th Inf."
Plot: 72
Born: 1892
Died: 1918
Age: 26
Note: Jones, William D. PRIVATE, COMPANY E, 30th INFANTRY, from Hanna, Carbon, Wyoming died October 13, 1918, from wounds received in fighting at the Battle of Meuse-Argonne in France. He is buried in the Hanna Cemetery in plot 72. Age: 26. William is the son of David and Mary Ann (Hallier) Jones of Hanna. (BL)
Note: The body of W. D. Jones, who was killed in France three years ago, arrived in Hanna Tuesday evening and will be buried Sunday with full military honors. All of the ex-service men will participate in the services which will be attended by practically everyone in Hanna. This is the first and probably the only body of Hanna boys killed in the war to be returned to this country. (The Rawlins Republican, July 28, 1921)
2nd great uncle