The Time Capsule | Roy Marshall

45 CO. M BOYS KILLED

Maj. Ross’ Complete
Casualty List Shows
a Total of 223
for the Company Alone.
14 Were
Killed in One Day.

The above headline appeared in The Red Oak Sun 98 years ago. It caught my eye, in part, because a standard military company is generally considered to consist of 100 troops.
Although that number can double when needed, experiencing 223 casualties in a unit so small during the time they were engaged – spring to fall of 1918 – offers some idea of the carnage they encountered.
The approach of Veterans Day, which was created to commemorate the cessation of hostilities, makes this a good time to revisit that article. It said:

The total number of casualties in Co. M. 168th Infantry, up to Oct. 23, 1918, were 223, according to a complete list sent by Maj. Ross and printed below. It shows 45 men killed in action, the others being wounded or gassed. One other, Private Norbert Wilson, died of disease before the boys got into action. Many of the boys who were killed or wounded were among the replacement troops with which the ranks of the company were filled after their earlier losses, the total number of replacements being 205. Some of the boys were wounded two or three times.
The boys whose names have never appeared in the casualty list are published below. Judging from the number killed and wounded, and what has already been learned through letters, these boys who were in all the fighting must have been through some terrible battles. Some are not with the company at present. The casualty list shows that Sept. 12 was the worst day for the company in point of losses. On that day 14 men were reported killed, and 29 wounded. The company lost six men killed March 9, their first engagement; one March 17, four May 15; one May 27; three July 15; one July 26; seven July 28; two July 29; one July 30; one July 31; 14 Sept. 12; one Oct. 13; two Oct. 18.

There follows a three-column list of casualties. One of the names is that of the officer who filed the report, Major Lloyd Ross of Red Oak. An earlier news item, under the headline “AGAIN CITED FOR BRAVERY,” tells us that Maj. Ross was recognized by General Pershing and received the bronze oak leaf (in addition to a Distinguished Service Cross awarded on March 25) for leading an attack that “made possible the successful capture of Hills 288, 242 and Cote de Chatillon, Oct. 14, 15, and 16, 1918, which was accomplished only after the most desperate fighting through wire and trenches against a resolute and determined defense involving frequent and bitter counter attacks. His brilliant and determined leadership was an example to the entire command. Home address: Mrs. L.D. Ross, wife, XXX Hammond Street, Red Oak, Iowa.

Cote de Chatillon was a sector, including hills 288 and 242, that Gen. Douglas MacArthur’s Rainbow Division was assigned to capture as part of the Argonne offensive. He called on the 168th Iowa and the 167th Alabama to lead the way and, over three days of intense fighting, they broke the German position. Although a unit history says they were too decimated to press the attack, the 168th had taken and held the high ground, helped crack the famed “Hindenburg Line,” which assured that the war would soon be over.
Census records show Lloyd and Martha Ross moving to Des Moines after the war, with his occupation listed as Assistant Secretary of State. He remained active in the National Guard, reaching the rank of Lt. General, and he was buried in Evergreen Cemetery.
The original article includes the Ross’ street address. I omitted the number as I don’t know how the present occupants would feel about having it published. The house is a grand old Victorian. I drove by the other day, saw a lady enter, and wondered if she was aware of Major and Mrs. Ross.

Roy Marshall is a local historian and columnist for the Red Oak Express. He can be contacted at news@redoakexpress.com.