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Published by www.EPlusPromotes.com www.TheCatoctinBanner.com The Catoctin Banner Newspaper November 2018 Page 35
1918
by James Rada, Jr.
Photo Courtesy of Bill Bollinger
Clifford Stitely Died Helping Others
100 Years Ago
history, involving 1.2 million With less than a month of news that Clifford had died “under
American soldiers. It was the largest training at Camp Meade, Private honorable conditions,” trying to
and bloodiest operation of World Stitely boarded a ship in Hoboken, help others.
War I. The men were worn down New Jersey, and headed overseas to Clifford is one of eleven men
and tired. Over the forty-seven days France as part of Company B, 312 that Thurmont lost during World
th
of the battle, more than 55,000 Machine Gun Battalion. War I. His name is inscribed on the
soldiers lost their lives, including In France, he fought in the WWI Monument in Memorial Park.
26,277 Americans. Avocourt Sector and Troyon Sector
Clifford Stitely of Thurmont of the Meuse-Argonne. His great- Roll of Honor
was a young private in the Army. nephew Bill Bollinger said that on Thurmont’s lost heroes of WWI:
He had been inducted into the 79 November 3, 1918, “He was on a
th
Division at Camp Meade just four detail picking up the wounded, and • Louis R. Adams
months earlier. he was killed by artillery fire.”
“The departure of 110 Sammies Records show that Stitely didn’t • Murry S. Baker
for Camp Meade on Saturday die right away. He was taken to a • Benjamin E. Cline
On November 6, 1918, the wrung tears from many women field hospital where he died three
peace talks between the Allies and and men alike,” the Frederick Post days later, with less than a week to • Edgar J. Eyler
Germans had been completed. Men reported. “They tried bravely to put go before peace was declared. • William T. Fraley
who had fought so hard for years up a cheerful front to their sons, His parents, Jacob and Mary,
looked forward to the peace that brothers and sweethearts, but many must have wondered why they • Roy O. Kelbaugh
would take place on the 11th hour eyes were red and many cheeks wet hadn’t heard from their son, • Jesse M. Pryor
of the 11th day of the 11th month. before the final goodbyes had been especially after peace was declared. • Clifford M. Stitely
The Meuse-Argonne Offensive said.” As the days turned to weeks, they
had started on the Western Front The newspaper reported that a might have suspected the worst, but • Raymond L. Stull
on September 26, and it continued crowd of 3,000 showed up to see luckily confirmation did not arrive • Stanley M. Toms
as peace fast approached. It was the draftees off at the Baltimore until after Christmas. A telegram
the largest in United States military and Ohio Railroad depot. arrived on December 28 with the • James Somerset Waters
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