OBIT: Francis A. BENDER, 1918, Altoona, Blair County, PA

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ALTOONAN DIES IN ACTION ON BATTLEFIELD

Sergeant Francis A. Bender, of 1424 Thirteenth Avenue, Makes Supreme 
Sacrifice

HAD SERVICE RECORD OF 18 YEARS

  Sergeant Francis A. Bender, of Company G, 110th U.S. infantry, died in 
battle in France on July 30.  This was the news that was received by his 
wife, Mrs. Elizabeth Bender, of 1424 Thirteenth avenue, and his brothers and 
sisters, in the city, yesterday afternoon.  The intelligence came from 
Adjutant General McCain, from Washington.
  Sergeant Bender was a veteran of the Spanish-American war and had the 
distinction of having a service record of eighteen years in the army of his 
country.  He was enlisted by Captain John S. Fair for the Forty-third 
regiment for service in the Philippines during the Spanish-American war.  He 
saw service on the islands and when mustered out he enlisted in Company M., 
Eighteenth U.S. infantry and saw service in the Philippines and Alaska and 
was also on duty at San Francisco after the earthquake.  He came back to this 
city three years ago and when the Mexican trouble began he enlisted in 
Company G, Tenth regiment and went to the border.  He continued to serve with 
Company G, went with the command to Camp Hancock and then to the Other Side.  
He was every inch a soldier and his long service was very valuable in the 
training of the company and making it fit to make the great showing it has 
made on the front line in France.
  Sergeant Bender was the son of John and Barbara Bender, deceased, and was 
born on December 31, 1875 at Carrolltown, Cambria county.  His younger days 
were spent in this city.  He was a member of St. John's Catholic church.  He 
was married three years ago to Miss Elizabeth Bance who survives with one 
child, Marian.  They reside at 1424 Thirteenth avenue.  He is also survived 
by these brothers and sisters: V. J. Bender, of 1316 Thirteenth avenue; A. E. 
Bender, of Ebensburg; Mrs. Charles Byrne, of 1503 Eighteenth avenue, and Mrs. 
Maude Bradley, of 1413 Eleventh street.

Altoona Tribune, Monday morning, August 19, 1918, page 1

SERGEANT F. A. BENDER MADE THE SUPREME SACRIFICE IN FRANCE

FRANCIS A. BENDER [photo]

  Sergeant Francis A. Bender, of Company G, 110th regiment, whose home was at 
1424 Thirteenth avenue, gave his life to his country in France on July 30 when 
the Americans were making their great drive in the Chateau Thierry sector.
  He was a veteran in the United States army service, having had eighteen years 
of a service record.  He enlisted in the Forty-third regiment, United States 
volunteers, and went to the Philippines with Captain John S. Fair.  When he was 
mustered out he enlisted in the United States regulars, being enrolled in 
Company M, Eighteenth infantry, with which he served in the Philippines, Alaska 
and this country.  He came home three years ago and when the trouble with Mexico 
came he enlisted with Company G, 110th infantry.  He was every inch a soldier 
and in his death the company lost one of its best non-commissioned officers.  He 
leaves a wife and child, two sisters and two brothers.

Altoona Tribune, Thursday morning, August 22, 1918, page 12