OBIT: Caleb A. GRAY, 1918, of Altoona, Blair County, PA

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CALEB A. GRAY FELL FACING THE ENEMY
Sister in City Receives a Letter Disposing of Persistent Rumors

  Mrs. Mary Rupe, of 1411 Eleventh street, is in receipt of a letter 
from the first lieutenant of company A of the 305th signal battalion,
which confirms the official report received on November 7 of the death
of Caleb A. Gay, which occurred on October 6.  For some time there had
been persistent rumors that the young man was not dead, but was
severely wounded.  One rumor went so far as to say that he was in a
hospital in New York.  His friends here, naturally, would have been
glad to believe that he was not dead, and wrote to the company
commander, receiving the following in reply:
  Ancy Le France, December 25, 1918 - Dear Madam: I am in receipt of 
your letter of November 11.  Your brother, Caleb Gray, was hit by a
piece of bursting shell about 11 a.m. October 6, and died at 3 p.m.
the same day, without regaining consciousness.  He was hit on the
temple and the wound was small, but nothing could be done to save him.
Pat Davis, of his company, was with him and had him taken to the field
hospital within ten minutes.  This happened near Montfoucon, in the
Argonne.  He was buried near the hospital 1 1/2 kilometers south of
Very, on the west side of the road.  His grave is No. 18.  The field
hospital was No. 26 of the Third division.  His personal effects were
taken care of by the hospital and you will receive them eventually.
We all feel very badly about losing him, as he was a very good soldier
and a brace one and was well like by everyone.  I was his company
commander ever since the company was organized but at the time he was
hit I was in other duty and Lieutenant Bern was in command.  We have
many Catholics in the company and I personally know that Caleb went to
mass and confession as often as possible.
  Caleb was the only man lost by our company and I feel as if I had lost 
one of my own family, but I am proud to say he died as well all would
be glad to die and as many other good boys died - doing the work cut
out for them and facing toward Germany.
  I know that you will realize that you have my sincere sympathy.
  Yours truly,
    J. P. FERRITER.
First Lieutenant, S.C. Commanding Company A 205th Field Signal Battalion, 
U.S.A.
  Mr. Gray previously to enlisting in the service was a barber on 
Seventeenth street.  His boyhood home was in Hastings and he had many
friends in Cambria county.  Papers in that region are requested to
copy this.

Altoona Tribune, Tuesday, January 28, 1919, page 8