Iberia County Louisiana Archives Obituaries.....Lietemeyer, Lieut. Ireanus Joseph - August 6, 1918 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Mary K. Creamer marykcreamer@yahoo.com September 30, 2018, 11:54 pm source: New Iberia Enterprise and Independent Observer. (New Iberia, La.) 1902-1944, September 14, 1918, Image 4 LIEUT. IRENUS JOSEPH LIETTEMEYER. Far across the sea, on the battle-field in France, Lieut. Irenus J. Liettemeyer, has given up his life, as a holocaust, that the world might be made safe for Democracy. He was a native son and a resident of Iberia, and we of Iberia feel a poignancy of grief over his tragic end. But, withal, we rejoice that in these times - when heroic souls throughout this land are called upon to consecrate their lives to eternal principles of justice, Iberia Parish, in a signal way, responded and in the heroic death of Lieut. Liettemeyer, has given, like a Spartan mother, one of her most precious jewels. Our hero boy entered into the military service of our Country through the urge of his patriotism and love of the cause at stake. He was beyond the drafted age when he enlisted and his business career was most successful and alluring. He entered the first Officers Training Camp and was given a commission as 2nd Lieutenant upon the completion of the course of training, but soon thereafter was promoted to a 1st Lieutenancy. After his assignment to his regiment - he went overseas and with his regiment, was soon in the thick of the battle on the Western front. Magnificent type of the American soldier - he proved to be of heroic mould. In personality, he was charming, and in courage, he was stout. No greater legacy has ever befallen Iberia than that Irenus J. Liettemeyer was her native son. source: New Iberia Enterprise and Independent Observer. (New Iberia, La.) 1902-1944, February 01, 1919, Image 4 EXPLAINS DEATH OF LIEUT. IRENUS LIETEMEYER. Selters, Germany, Dec. 27, '18. Fred M. Lietemeyer, New Iberia, La.: Dear sir - Was in my room tonight writing a few letters home when the C. O. of F. Co. brought me your letter inquiring about Lieut. Lietemeyer. I will give you all information I can and not even wait for the clerk to type - write it. Lieut. Lietemeyer and I were just like brothers, for we were both in the same Company ever since last October in Waco, Texas. We came over here in the same stateroom,roomed together after we got here. Went on raiding parties together in Alsace, in fact wherever one of us were you could find the other. Wel, we moved up into the Chateau-Thierry sector and went over the top the 31st of July, all went along fine, we drove the Boche back towards the Vesle river every day. That was our objective. On the second day our Captain was wounded, I took command of the Company, there was only Lieut. Lietemeyer and myself left of the Company officers. We were resting in back of a hill at St. Gilles and had orders to go over and get them at three P. M., August 2nd. We got nicely started over the top of the hill and Lieut. Lietemeyer remarked: "Say, Norm, Fritz is using a lot of machine guns today and not so much artillery, thats pretty soft." And he was right, everything went lovely till we got about one-half mile from Fermes, then Fritz opened up from our right flank. The two of us dropped, like one man. Lieut. Lietemeyer said: "Norm, they got me in here" and he pointed to his left chest. I stopped and cut his clothes off and dressed his wound just above the heart and gave him a drink of water. He seemed to be all O. K. and said: "Look out for yourself Norm, and don't take any fool chances, so long." And I left to go with the Company. A few days later I received word from the hospital that he was dead. We were in that battle five days and six nights and I lost thirty- three killed and 106 wounded including all of our officers excepting myself and we were the original Company, trained together and new (sic) each other for many months. To-day (sic) there are 22 men and no officers who came over with the original 246 last February for the march into Germany. I now have Company E. same regiment. The army lost a very capable officer and I lost a very dear friend. Charles S. Normington, Captain Co. E. 127 Inf. A. P. O. 734 source: New Iberia Enterprise and Independent Observer. (New Iberia, La.) 1902-1944, July 23, 1921, Image 1 REMAINS OF WAR HERO LIEUTENANT IRENAUS JOS. LIETEMEYER AT REST. MEMBERS OF AMERICAN LEGION, ELKS AND MULTITUDE OF CITIZENS PAY TRIBUTE TO HIS MEMORY. Last Tuesday evening, July 19th, 1921, the remains of Lieutenant Irenaus Joseph Lietemeyer, was peacefully laid to rest in St. Peters Catholic cemetary (sic). The funeral ceremonies were conducted by Very Rev. Canon Langlois, V. G., assisted by Reverend Fathers Brudizzoni of Louisa, P. O., St. Mary Parish as Deacon and Reverand W. Allen as Sub-Deacon, in the presence of a multitude of citizens members of the local Post American Legion and Elk Lodge of New Iberia, Father Baudizzoni delivering the sermon. Long before the hour of the arrival of the S. P. train bearing the remains, the members of the two societies mentioned, formed in a body and marched to the depot to receive Iberia's fallen hero. Lieutenant Lietemeyer was one of the first young patriots in this city to volunteer to give his services to his country, leaving his home during the early part of 1918. On August the 6th, while leading his Company in a charge on the enemy, he fell mortally wounded. The subsequent day his soul went to its Maker. Deceased was one of our most exemplary and promising young men and when the sad news of his death was cabled to his brother, Mr. Fred Lietemeyer, it cast a pull over the whole community. The casket which contained his earthly remains arrived clothed with the American flag and the funeral was the most imposing ever held in New Iberia. After the religious rites were concluded by Father Langlois at the grave, Hon. Jules Dreyfus then delivered a eulogy in behalf of the honored dead. The pall bearers wearing their overseas uniforms were Messrs. Joe Daigre, Warren Jefferson, Lionel Delcambre, Julius Meyer, J. S. Valente and Niesla Frittells, members of the American Legion. CARDS OF THANKS. New Iberia, La., July 23d, 1921, The undersigned takes this opportunity to extend the appreciation of the family to our friends and those who participated in the funeral obsequies of our deceased relative, Lieut Irensus Joseph Lietemeyer. - FRED M. LIETEMEYER. source: The Weekly Iberian. (New Iberia, La.) 1894-1946, July 23, 1921, Image 5 IRENEUS LIETEMEYER. The funeral services of Mr. Ireneus J. Lietemeyer were held here on Tuesday afternoon, upon the arrival of Train No. Seven, from New Orleans. Mr. Lietemeyer was one of the first of Iberia's boys to volunteer when we entered the war, and he was also one of the first to lay down his life for his country. He was killed in action while leading his Company into a charge. The remains which were shipped from France by the U. S. government were met at the train by the American Legion, the local lodge of Elks, and a vast number of friends and relatives. Forming a procession at the depot, led by the Legion with a large American flag, several hundred of the friends and admirers of this splendid young patriot marched to St. Peter's Church where the Catholic funeral ceremonies were administered. Mr. Lietemeyer had been a life long member of this Church. At the cemetery an oration of much eloquence was delivered by Hon. Jules Dreyfus. The pall bearers, in full overseas uniform, were Joe Daigre, Warren Jefferson, Lionel Delcambre, J. S. Valenti, N. Fritella and Julius Maier. The deceased leaves two brothers, Fred Lietemeyer of this city, Frank Lietemeyer of Dallas, and a sister, Mrs. John R. Taylor of New Iberia. Among the out-of-town relatives who came in for the funeral of Mr. Ireneus Lietmeyer this week were Mr. Frank Lietemeyer of Dallas, Mrs. John Newman of Scooba, Miss, and Miss Cora Moran of New Orleans. Additional Comments: NOTE: www.findagrave.com memorial # 71302673 File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/la/iberia/obits/l/lietemey7497gob.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/lafiles/ File size: 7.0 Kb