SLAYTON GIVES SECOND SON FOR WORLD FREEDOM

This was the headline taken from the Murray County Herald dated February 7 1918.

Twice Slayton has been called upon to give of its noble and respected sons that democracy might live. Sadness and gloom descended upon the city in a twinkling of an eye, when all seemed peaceful and serene; when hopes were high that our boys in France would soon return to us safe in body and clean of soul. The tiny sheet of paper bearing the woeful news of the death of Corporal Erwin March, while in action in France on January 30th, caused all to bow heads in sorrow and in memory of the lad whose name will go down in history as the first Minnesotan, under General Pershing, to die as the result of a German bullet. Others have made the supreme sacrifice, but it can be said of no other, to our knowledge, that death resulted while performing the duty of a Corporal and solider in No Man’s Land.

To add to the shock, a letter from Cor. March was received by his mother, but two hours before the arrival of the sad message, in which he told of his experiences, his good health, and his intention of soon being granted a furlough that he might visit other Slayton boys nearby.

It was on the afternoon of last Wednesday, Jan 30th. A detachment of American soldiers had taken over a sector of the French first line trench. No sooner had the boys in khaki taken their places, when the Germans commenced their first sortie against them.

Corporal March, together with six comrades had been assigned to a listening post in No Man’s Land.

Erwin March is buried or memorialized at Plot B Row 10 Grave 8, St. Mihiel American Cemetery, Thiaucourt, France. This is an American Battle Monuments Commission location.

CORP Erwin W. “Waxy” March

BIRTH: Mar 1896 Slayton, Murray County, Minnesota, USA

DEATH : 30 Jan 1918 (aged 21)

BURIAL: Saint Mihiel American Cemetery and Memorial Thiaucourt-Regnieville, Departement de Meurthe-et-Moselle, Lorraine, France

MEMORIAL ID: 56341024

SERVICE OVERVIEW

Erwin March

From: Murray County, Minnesota

Death: January 30, 1918

War: World War I

Rank: Corporal

Branch: US Army

Group: 1st Division, 18th Infantry Regiment

Cause: Hostile, Killed in Action

Awarded: Purple Heart