BIO: Homer Oswald HECK, Huntingdon County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Dave Wilson Copyright 2006. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/pafiles.htm ************************************************************** __________________________________________________________ McElroy, James Thomas Jr., McElroy's Family Memories, Huntingdon, PA: (Author), 1930, page 109. __________________________________________________________ HOMER OSWALD HECK Latta Grove, Huntingdon Co., Pa. Railway Mail Clerk: Born at Mapleton Depot, Pa., a son of Harry Heck, a plasterer for forty-five years, and of Georgiana (Dell) Heck. Both parents are living. His first entry into the realms of an education was at the Three Springs schools, followed at the Clearfield grade schools, and later on at the High School of Altoona, Pa. He taught school in Cass, Henderson and Porter townships. Was a plasterer for five years; teaching and farming occupied a good part of his life; at present he is a railway mail clerk, running between New York and Pittsburgh, Pa.; has been for one year. As stated, he was a plasterer; followed his trade in Ohio and Florida. He is a member of the United Brethren Church at Latta Grove; also its superintendent. He is a World War veteran. Enlisted at Huntingdon, Pa.; left for Camp Hancock, Ga.; there for eight months; left for Camp Upton, Long Island; embarked on (Aquitania): landed at Liverpool, England; went to Dover; to Calais, for a few days' rest. Left for Seningham, France; there for training under British officers; left for St. Pol, an instruction camp; thence to Trinity farms; to Chateau Thiery sector; was in reserve; then on to Belleau Woods sector; in action there for three days; then on to Fismes- Fismette; was gassed; the company took the town with fifty prisoners. Went back to rest camp, named Death Valley, on account of so many being shelled; left for Fismes-Fismette sector for one week; held this point as a quiet sector; left for Argonne Forest; in action for fifteen days; went to Gironville rest camp; to Thiacourt sector, a few miles from Metz; in action for ten days. Went on furlough to summer resort at Aix-les-Baines. Armistice signed. Moved back to Lemans; there for several weeks; thence to St. Nazaire, embarkation point; left on (Pocahontas) formerly (Princes Irene), a German ship; landed at Philadelphia, Pa.; to Camp Dix, N.J., for discharge. Enlisted as private; finished as corporal with twenty-six months' service. Was in Co. F, 112th Inf. He is a member of the American Legion Post, Huntingdon, Pa.; I.O.O.F.; Knights of Pythias, Huntingdon, Pa., and the P.O.S. of A. A Republican as regards politics. Brothers and sisters are as follows; Chester R., New York City; H. Hermit, Boston, Mass.; Mrs. Lillian Coder, Mapleton Depot, Pa.; Mrs. Vera Booher and Mrs. Hazel Dell, Mapleton Depot, Pa. He is single. His favorite sport is hunting.