New-York tribune., 1918-08-24
Lucky Born
Friday, the 18th,
Killed in France
New Yorker Who Laughed
at His Narrow Escapes
\ Is Victim Of Huns

Born Oh Friday. the 18Th. Private
samuel S. }. Levin, Of West 149th Street
nVed his twenty-five years IN the belief
that he was lucky
Inns impression was strengthened
alter he was drafted and ioired the
1o5th Infantry. Going across his shin
was attacked by U-boat, which was
SUNK. Then. in the trenches. he mad
several narrow escapes from shells.
gas bombs and rnashine-gun fire. But
nnally he was wounded, and yesterday
ms relatives learned that he had died
IN a hospital in France
illustrating his luck, he wrote to his
sister:
II was on outpost duty when I was
called away for fifteen minutes. When
returned the post was dem oIished. and
All that | could see was a large hole
III the ground. | call that luck.
esterday an air bomb dropped fifty
lcet from where ! stood, and We had a
SOD burying fourteen horses killed by
the explosion"
In another letter Levin explained the
operation OF enemy gas bomb After
telling OF their deadly effect, he added
ut they haven't got me vet. feel so
iucky | don't think they will"
The day alter this letter was received
~. 1 NeA4-iS l. CdD-c lIOIu MIN. W OUHG-
ed III both legs. Don't worry-will be
around soon" On the following day he
died.
Sergeant William O'Neill, of the
"fighting 69th.' killed in action. is
represented by third gold star on
the service flag that is shown in front
OF the residence of Mrs. James Cotter,
212 East Ninetieth Street WnIa1n
was one of four boys who came to
the United States from Ireland many
years ago. All were adopted by Mrs
Cotter. The others were Jerome and
Daniel, brothers of William, and Ber-
nard tlnnertv. a cousin.
The four enlisted in Company II Of
the o9th, and all were promoted to
sergeants when the old regiment
changed its battle numeral to 1855"
Daniel WAS killed in action in June.
Bernard fell in July, and ycster rday
Jerome arrived home on furlough with
the information that William had given
up his life at The Marne.
Jerome will return to his regiment
within few weeks. He wears a dis
tinguished service medal, awarded by
General Pershing in recognition of his
conduct IN manning a machine gun
alone and killing a number of Germans
after his officer and squad had been
put out OF action.
Private Harry Rubin. 30 Seigcl
Street, Brooklyn. reported missing in
action on July IS. cheered his mother
with letter dated July 29 in which
he wrote that he was in base hospital
with little nothing TO worry about"
He said that he hoped to be out soon
and give the Huns another crack"
Rubn Is nineteen years Old He en-
listed q year ago and was assigned to
I he II IuIaUtry
Edward A. Platkin, twenty-three years
old, Of the 106th Infantry. was orig
inally in the esd Regiment. His mother,
Mrs. Sarah Platkin, of Brooklyn. when
she learned yesterday that he had been
said: Il hope that he RECEIVERS
and will be able to get back to avenge
himself"
Private Martin DecIey, from larry
town, wounded while lighting with the
marines, is brave youth, according
20 a nurse in the Y. NJ. C. A. canteen
in France, who wrote to his mother,
Mrs. John Deelcy:
Your son Martin is a brave boy and
: ou should be proud OF him. He has
done his hit for his country and he
IS patient IN his suffering lie Will be
able to write in a lew days
~