Wednesday, November 11, 2015

Remembering a Veteran: Bugler Wayne DeSilvey, 28th Pennsylvania Division, Wounded on the First Armistice Day


Of Course, It's Armistice Day, Too

For Veteran's Day, I thought it was fitting to remember someone who was fighting and was twice wounded just before the Armistice that ended the war, 97 years ago.

Bugler Wayne DeSilvey
Company I, 112th Infantry, 28th Division
112th Infantry on the March, Sometime Before the Armistice

His Diary Entry: Monday 11 November [The first Armistice Day]


From midnight until 11 o'clock absolutely the worst shell fire I have ever been under. Seemed as though every gun ever invented in the world was turned loose. Cap't. delayed in attacking until 10:40 when ordered by the Maj. to go over. Shells with gas. Gassed – insufficient to go to the Hqs. Rec'd 1st Aid. 

More men killed in these last 20 minutes than in any other day in the War. Returned to Co. again only to be wounded by a shell fragment near the end of the War. Laid on the field until after 1 o'clock before I was given aid. 

Guns ceased as quick as they started. Did not know what had happened. Germans came out of the woods and threw up their hands shouting in German, "Go back it is Not Good." 40 minutes later we learned why; they were busy blowing up mines of every description and everywhere between our lines. Did not or could not believe that the Armistice had been signed until we heard a band coming through the wood playing some good old American music. 

Grave Marker, Camp Hill, PA
DeSilvey Died an Early Death, It's Not Known If the Cause Was War Related

5 comments:

  1. Maria SchnellNovember 11, 2015 at 9:57 AM

    Check out the Fayetteville NC Observer - the photography editor Johnny Horne has a photograph of the sun rising through the arches of the Market House (local landmark) on Nov 11. The Market House was built in the 1830s, so this is a wonderful coinidence. Pretty significant for the home of Fort Bragg.

    http://www.fayobserver.com/blogs/features/backyard_universe/backyard-universe-market-house-sunrise-brings-photographers-and-a-helpful/article_3da06d50-8872-11e5-9cbc-7fe1f81e7838.html

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  2. AnonymousNovember 11, 2015 at 10:49 AM

    Roll On 28th!

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  3. bill o'neillNovember 11, 2015 at 1:10 PM

    Yes, he did die young. But who knows if his death caused by war related injury or what? perhaps shell shock/ PTSD?

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  4. Marc StorchNovember 12, 2015 at 7:44 PM

    His death certificate states he died of chronic pulmonary tuberculosis. One wonders at the cause.

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  5. David John HastieNovember 14, 2015 at 12:48 PM

    I had a relative who was a bugler at Camp Lewis Washington, James George Tracano. He served in the US Army 2 Sep 1918-Nov 1918. Possibly in the 13th Infantry Division as I believe the 91st was already deployed in France.

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