March 15, 2017 - World War I, also known as the “Great War” and the “War to End All Wars” had been raging in Europe for 21 months when the United States officially declared War on Germany on April 6th, 2017. When the fighting ended on November 11th, 1918, 53,402 Americans had died in combat or were missing in action. There were also over 60,000 more deaths from other causes such as accidents and disease.
Shelby County, Texas as in all wars before and since sent many of her citizens into harm’s way. Unfortunately, there is no one place that you can go for a complete list of those from our county that served our country during World War I or any war for that matter.
Shelby County Memorial Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8904 and the Auxiliary are undertaking a journey of remembrance and discovery by identifying all from Shelby County who served in World War I or those not a native but are now buried here. We believe that we currently have the names of all those who were killed in action (17), died during service (15) or are still missing in action (1). We also have the names of 358 others who served and of course have passed.
As we undertake this project that will culminate on the 100th Anniversary that ended the War, Veterans Day, November 11th, 2018 we are asking all citizens that know of or have ancestors who served to contact us. We may already have their name but you may also have additional information and/or photos, newspaper articles, etc. that we could add.
Please contact Post Quartermaster Larry Hume at 936-598-2976, email: chief@chiefimaging.com or on facebook at www.facebook.com/vfw8904.
