In cities and towns across America it is not uncommon to find plaques and tablets listing the names of those who have given their lives in defense of their country and the liberty we all enjoy today. Fredericksburg has one of these memorials, a list of young men who are now only honored by what has become known as a Roll of Honor.
But what of them? In these cold stone and bronze tablets have we forgotten that these names represent individuals who once lived and worked in our community? Have we forgotten that each of these names represent a tremendous sacrifice, an individual who’s young life was cut short? How did they meet their fate, were they killed in battle, did they die from disease or fall victim to some untimely accident?
As we consider removal or perhaps changing the Fredericksburg War Memorial let us look at the individual behind those lonely names inscribed in bronze.
Urbane Bass was killed near Menthois France on Oct. 6, 1918 while serving as a medical officer with the 372nd Inf. 93rd Division. Too old to be normally considered for service in the field he had written President Wilson and volunteered his services as a doctor. He was truly a hero, succumbing to his wounds after going into no man's land, time and again to rescue and treat his wounded comrades. His action was recognized by France when he was awarded their medal for valor, the Criox De Guerre. Lt. Bass was also recognized by his own country with the posthumous award of our nation's second highest medal for valor, the Distinguished Service Cross.
Lt. Bass was also a member of a group who didn't receive the recognition they deserved for their great contribution in the, First World War, he was a Black Man. He served with the legendary all black 93rd (Red Hand) Division who fought valiantly alongside of French Colonial Troops on the Western Front.
In an era when the Afro-Americans of the community were only 50 years out of slavery, Bass had become a medical doctor and practiced medicine in Fredericksburg as early as 1905. His loss to our community was indeed a great one. Who knows what his potential or the contribution to society he might have made. Urbane Bass did return to his wife and community, he is buried in the National Military Cemetery on Lafayette Blvd
Pvt. Bleight serving with the 15th Gas Regiment in the front lines. A letter from the unit Chaplain to his mother was published in the Dec. 19, 1919 issue of Free Lance Star,. He was killed in action in the last days of the war, hit by a small piece of shrapnel from an exploding shell. He died instantly and was buried where he fell, somewhere in France. The Chaplain praised him as a man of highest character who worked tirelessly for Victory.
Pvt. Bowen knew soldering, he had been a member of the pre war Washington Guards, the 2nd Virginia National Guard unit based in Fredericksburg. He was wounded severely in the last month of the War, serving with Company K, 116 Inf., 29th Division. He died just 16 days before the War ended, wounded in the final push through the Argonne Forest. Bowen. One of the three heroes that the Fredericksburg American Legion, Post 55 is named after, Bowen rests in a soldier’s grave in the Fredericksburg National Military Cemetery on Lafayette Blvd.
The second of the heroes American Legion Post 55 is named after, Pvt. Franklin served with Co. D, 167 Inf. of the 42nd (Rainbow Division) He was severely wounded at the Battle of St. Mihiel on Oct. 18, 1918. He died due to the effects of his wounds on Dec. 18, 1918 after suffering two months.
The third hero that Post 55 is named after, Pvt. Knox was also the first man from Fredericksburg to fall in battle. He served with the 6th US Marines, 2nd Infantry Division. Described in the FLS as a young man of excellent character and an active member of St. George’s Church he was severely wounded during the action in Beleau Wood. He was moved from hospital to hospital around the Front until his death at the 1st Military Hospital at Juilly France on July 16, 1918. He was buried in France.
Pvt. Freeland served with the old 2nd VA National Guard and then with Co. K. 116th Inf. 29th Div. Freeland died of wounds received during the campaign in the Argonne Forest on October 30, 1918, just 10 days prior to the end of the War.
Pvt. Hall rallied to the call to the colors, he joined Company K. of the 116 Infantry on March 30, 1917. He was listed as killed in action on October 16, 1918 as the 29th Division fought in the Argonne Forest engaged in a brutal action at the Molleville Farm.
Pvt. Jenkins had been in the National Guard prior to the war and had served with Virginia troops in 1916 on the Mexican Border. Soldiering agreed with him but his military career and his life ended in a field in France. He was serving with Co. K, 116 Inf., 29th Division when he was killed in action on 10/16/18.
Pvt. Olive lived with his family north of Fredericksburg on White Oak Rd. in Stafford County. He had been a sickly boy but when the War broke out he was determined to serve. He wangled his way into Co. K and after going home for a farewell he set off to training camp in Alabama. He served with the 29th Division until he fell in October. The circumstance of his death was told to his family by a member of the Jett family who witnessed it. There had been heavy fighting all day on the Molleville Farm and the Germans were desperately trying to overrun Co. K’s position. There was a near by tree with an automatic rifle posed in it. After it had been knocked out of operation Olive moved up to take over and hold off the onslaught. Wave after wave hit the lines but Olive kept up fire and drove them back. The Germans soon identified his position and concentrated all their fire on him. He fell serving his gun, killed instantly by the concentrate fire. Olive did return from France, he is buried with the other fallen heroes of the AEF at Arlington Cemetery.
As a civilian, Middletown had been anxious to get into the war and had already miraculously survived a near disaster. He had been traveling to Europe before America entered the war when his ship was torpedoed in the icy waters off Ireland. Surviving this ordeal he return to the US and enlisted in the US Navy. Serving aboard the USS Nevada he met his fate when he was swept overboard during heavy weather and drowned off Yorktown VA in July 1917. He was only 18 years old and had been in the Navy only a month.
Circumstances of Brittenham’s death is unknown. Old newspaper articles mention only that he died while in service during the great Flue Epidemic of 1918-1919.
Pvt. Bundy never got to the front but he still met his fate as a result of the War. Another of the Afro-American members of our community he enlisted on Aug. 2, 1918 stepping forward when called to the colors. Unfortunately he also fell victim to the terrible flue epidemic, stricken while in training at Camp Upton, New York. He died in October 1918 after only two months of service.
Pvt. Cox was a resident of Stafford Va. While serving as a member of the 3rd Virginia Coast Artillery he contracted the flue. Without the benefit of modern medicine he died of Pneumonia while serving at the coastal defense position at Cape Henry Virginia on February 14, 1918.
Pvt. Hawkins was a young man described by articles in the Freelance Star as a man known for his intellect and patriotism, a young business man with a illuminating future. He served in France as part of the 104th Sanitary Train attached to the 29th Division. He survived the war seeing the Armistice and Victory without being harmed. However as influenza swept the American Army he died of pneumonia on Dec. 11, 1918 surviving the War by a month.
Pvt. Portch was from Stafford and served with the Virginia Coast Artillery at Fort Story VA. He too was cut down by the influenza, dying of Pneumonia. His remains were returned to Fredericksburg for burial on February 7, 1918.
Pvt. Wine was one of the first to register for service when the great draft was initiated. He left for service in the Great War on July 24, 1918. He didn't get to France, he died of Pneumonia at Camp Lee during training at the age of 21.
Each of these men gave his life for his country. Some in battle, some through circumstance. Each stepped forward to take up the challenge to defend their country. Gentlemen of the Fredericksburg City Council, I ask you. Who are we to change the nature of this memorial? Who are we to encroach upon the meaning of this monument set in place by our predecessors. Who are we to allow this sacred memorial to our heroes be shared with monuments of a lesser purpose?