FULTON COUNTY OHIO - OBIT: GARDINIER, Heral Watson (d. 1918) *************************************************************************** OHGENWEB NOTICE: All distribution rights to this electronic data are reserved by the submitter. Reproduction or re-presentation of copyrighted material will require the permission of the copyright owner. *************************************************************************** File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Charles Paul Keller Corpmiz@aol.com March 13, 1999 *************************************************************************** HERAL WATSON GARDINIER (Nov 28, 1895-Oct 14, 1918) Sergeant Herald Watson Gordinier, son of Watson and Alice Gordinier was born November 25, 1895. He was killed while leading his men in an assault on hill No. 255 Argonne Sector by a machine gun bullet, October 15, 1918, at the early age of 22 years, 10 months and 16 days. He enlisted at Ann Arbor, Michigan with the national Guards in 1916 and served seven months on the Mexican border. He was mustered out of service in 1917 and was again called for duty in July the same year. He sailed for France the last of February 1918. He served with Co. E, 126th Infantry through all the engagements in which the 32nd Division took part. At the tender age of twelve years, Herald gave his heart to God and his hand to the church, uniting with the Mt. Pleasant United Brethren Church. He continued a faithful member of this church until the time of his death. Herald was of a happy disposition and was always ready to lend a helping hand when needed. He leaves to mourn their loss, a father, mother and four sisters Mrs. L.E. Carter, Mrs. R. D. Mizer, Mrs. C. L. Johnson and Mrs. J. H. Guthrie, all of Delta, Ohio and a host of relatives and friends. He left his home in perfect health, He looked so young and brave, We little thought how soon he'd be Laid in a soldier's grave. He spent and was spent, For truth and for right; He gave up his best, He fought the good fight. Funeral services were held from the church of Christ Sunday p. m. The American Legion had charge of the services. Rev. W. I. Spring, his pastor preached the funeral sermon. Interment was in Green Lawn Cemetery Delta, Ohio. Card of Thanks We desire to thank all who assisted us in the burial of our son and brother Sargt. Herald Gardinier. Special thanks to the American Legion, to Rev. Spring for words of consolation, to the singers and to all who furnished flowers. Mrs. Alice Gardinier Mrs. L. E. Carter Mrs. R. D. Mizer Mrs. C. L. Johnson Mrs. J. H. Guthrie (Newspaper clipping. From Ethlyn Mizer Finley) Heral is buried next to his mother, Alice Lucretia (Snyder) Gardinier (1857-1945) --------------------------------- SUPREME SACRIFICE __________ Fulton County Boy Shot In Brave Attack ___________ Germans Driven From Trenches __________ Weis, Germany, February 9, 1919 Mr. R. D. Mizer, Delta, Ohio. Dear Sir:-- Your letter regarding Harold Gardinier received and having known him personally I made a special trip over to Co. E in the second battalion stationed some distance from here to see if I could find out anything about the circumstances in which he met his death. Harold served with Co. E 126th Infantry thru all of the engagements in which the 32nd Division took part, including the Meuse-Argonne Offensive. He was made sergeant after leaving the Soissons front and given command of the second platoon. He made an excellent record and was accredited as being one of the best sergeants in his company. He had to his credit the capture of 35 men and 1 officer and 7 machine guns. At the time of his death he was leading his men in an assault on hill 255, Argonne sector, to capture a machine gun nest. He seized a rifle and advanced ahead of his men in order to get a good aim, stood up in front of the machine guns and emptied his rifle into the nest. He thus succeeded in driving out the gunners of the nest but was instantly killed himself by a machine gun bullet, and never spoke a word to any of his men after that. He was buried on the crest of hill 255 and his personal effects were taken care of by the Chaplain who buried him. These effects will reach you no doubt in the near future. Harold was admired by all his comrades and was to have been sent to the officers training school upon being relieved from the sector but unfortunately he did not live to enjoy the privilege. Very Truly, Arthur R. Schofield (Newspaper clipping, From Ethlyn Mizer Finley) -------------- MILITARY FUNERAL SUNDAY Delta people and A. E. E. E. W. Post of the American Legion paid loving tribute Sunday in the full military burial service of two of our soldier boys who gave their lives in battle, for the defense of the old flag in France. Charles Ageten, son of Mr. and Mrs. J. E. Ageten and Harold Gordanier, son of Mrs Alice Gordanier. For many months the body of private Ageten was counted among those lost in battle, later his burial place was found. The bodies were returned to Delta by the Government last week. The funeral service was a double one held in the Church of Christ. Rev. A. V. Wilson delivered an eulogy for private Ageten and Rev. W. I. Spring paid high tribute to Sergt. Gordanier. Rev. Lambert assisted in the service. The line of march lead to Greenlawn cemetery where the Legion Post conducted the military service. Rev. Dunham, of Wauseon officiating as Chaplain. A gun squad of eight soldier boys fired three volleys over the graves and taps were sounded for the lost comrades. In private life both of these young soldiers were exemplary young men and their death brought sorrow to every home in our community. ------------- Submitted by: Charles Paul Keller, Corpmiz@aol.com, March 13, 1999 Researching Surnames: BREITER, BITTIKOFER, BOEHM, ELLIS, FINLEY, GARDINIER, HARRINGTON, HOCHSTETLER, KELLER, KLINK, LEININGER, MCCONNELL, MIZER, ODEN, SCHROCK, SHIBLER, SNYDER, TITLOW, WIGGINS ==== OH-FOOTSTEPS Mailing List ====