NEWS: Oscar E. DESHONG, 1918, Blair County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Judy Banja Copyright 2004. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/blair/ _______________________________________________ OSCAR E. DESHONG IS GASSED DURING DRIVE Mr. and Mrs. Harry Deshong Hear Son Is Doing Nicely in a Red Cross Hospital Oscar E. Deshong, son of Mr. and Mrs. Harry Deshong, of 1001 Sixth avenue, is numbered among the Americans who have been gassed during the great drive that is being made against the Huns in France. His condition is not serious and he writes a cheerful letter to his parents, telling them that he is in the base hospital at Vishy and is being well cared for. He was gassed on July 19. Oscar E. Deshong is a corporal in Company F, 103rd Engineers and received his training at Camp Hancock. He enlisted in the Sheridan Troop in May 1917 but when that command was disbanded he was assigned to a trench mortar battery and later transferred to the 103rd Engineers. He went to France several months ago. In the letter received by his parents he says that he went over the top on the first day the drive started, that he felt fine at first but then it became just like work. He said that it was on the 19th that he was gassed, was taken to the hospital and praises the Red Cross and the Y.M.C.A. and urges his parents to do all they can for the organizations. Altoona Tribune, Wednesday morning, August 7, 1918, page 1