John Joseph Buhr
Submitted by: Timothy A. Kensinger {grand nephew}
John Joseph Buhr born around 1891. John Buhr served in World War 1 with the United States Army The enlistment was in 1917 and the service was completed in 1918.
Story of Service
John Joseph Buhr (Joseph, Antone M., John Peter)
b. 14 April, 1891 Stacyville, Iowa
d. 20 July, 1918 Belleau, Aisne Picardie, France. Aisne-Marne Cemetery Plot B Row 4 grave 24
m, never married
Joseph enlisted in Wyoming in 1917 and was sent to France in 1918 where he was assigned to the 2nd Infantry Division, Company M, 23rd Infantry Regiment. The 2nd infantry Division was founded in 1917 as part of the 8th Army.
Several days before the Germans launched their abortive Champagne-Marne drive, the French high command had made plans for a general converging offensive against the Marne salient. Petain issued orders on 12 July for the attack to begin on the 18th, with five French armies – the Tenth, Sixth, Ninth, Fifth, and Fourth, placed around the salient from left to right – taking part. Spearheading the attack were the five divisions of the French XX Corps (Tenth Army), including the American 1st and 2d Divisions.
Early on 18 July the two American divisions and a French Moroccan division, jumping off behind a heavy barrage, launched the main blow at the northwest base of the salient near Soissons. Enemy frontline troops, taken by surprise, initially gave ground, although resistance stiffened after an Allied penetration of some three miles (5 km). Before the 1st and 2d Divisions were relieved (on 19 and 22 July respectively) they had advanced 6 to 7 miles (11 km), made Soissons untenable for the enemy, and captured 6,500 prisoners at a cost of over 10,000 American casualties. (Ref: Hutchinson News, Kansas 10/08/1918)
Lincoln County Boy Died From Wounds
A message from the war department, received in Hugo Tuesday evening, brought the sad news to the parents, Mr. and Mrs. Joe Buhr, who reside thirteen miles south of Hugo, that their son, Private J. J. Buhr of Company M, 23 Infantry, A.E.F., had died on July 20th from wounds received in action.
The young man had been working in Wyoming and was called in the draft from that state last fall. He went to Camp Lewis for a short time; was transferred to Camp Mills, New York, last winter, and then went to France with his regiment.
On July 6th, his father called at the Ledger office, and placed his name on our list as one of our soldier subscribers, and last winter we published two of the young man's cheerful letters to home folks.
He is a brother of Otto Buhr, called in the draft from this county and now in training at Camp Travis, San Antonio, Texas. He also leaves an older brother, John, who resides here in Hugo with his wife and several children. A sister, Miss Florence, graduated from the Hugo high school this year, and is now a school teacher in one of the country districts.
He leaves five brothers and seven sisters, besides his grief stricken parents to mourn the loss of a patriotic son who gave his young life to the great cause of American liberty and democracy.
To the bereaved family, we extend sympathy in their great sacrifice and deep sorrow. (Ref: Range Ledger, Hugo Colorado October 5, 1918)
