River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1919-01-09
Lieutenant Harvey
Fletcher Makes
Supreme Sacrifice

Mrs. Elsie G.. Fletcher received
word last Thursday evening from the
General that her son,
Lieut.. Albert H. Fletcher. 372nd
Inf, was killed in action Oct. 5,
1918, while serving as a member of
the American Expeditionary Forces.
Albert Harvey Fletcher, son of
Elsie Gates Fletcher and Albert
Horton Fletcher, was born in Maus-
ton, Wisconsin, September Is, 1894.
He, with his parents, moved to Riv-
er Falls in 1901. when his father en-
tered upon his duties as a professor
in the local Normal school. In June,
1906, Professor Fletcher met death
while on canoe trip on the Chippe-
wa river. Harvey. then a boy less
than twelve years of age. assumed
the responsibilities so suddenly
thrust upon him and became his
mothers comfort and stay.
Harvey, as he was familiarly call
ed by his numerous and devoted
friends, graduated from the state
normal school here in 1912, at the
age Of II years After two years of
successful teaching at Cedarsburg
and Lake Mills, this state, he enter
ed the Garrett Biblical Institute at
Evanston, ILL.,, to prepare himself
for the Christian ministry in the
Methodist church, of which he had
been a member nearly all of his life.
In the Fall of 1916 he was appoint
ed pastor of the Methodist Episcopal
church at Camp Douglas, which po-
sition he occupied in May, 1917, and
not withstanding the fact that min
listers of the gospel received honor
able exemption by the government,
he enlisted in the army as a private
in the Sd Wisconsin Regiment which
later became the 128th Infantry.
Being a fine musician, he played in
the band for some months. but just
before leaving for Waco with the
regiment he received the appoint
ment of Supply Sergeant for Head
quarters Co.
His promotion in the army was
rapid, and after leavin g
for France in February, 1918,
received warrants as Battalion Ser
geant- Major and then Regimental
Sergeant-Major in rapid succession.
In July, 1918, he entered an officers
training school and in the following
September, received his commission
as Second Lieutenant. When killed
he was commanding a platoon of
negro troops from Massachusetts,,
brigaded with the French. His last
letter, dated September "a, said,
"Will be in the big fight in a few
days"
Lieutenant Fletcher was BRILL
ant student and a fine speaker. He
had made a fine record in the army,
as we'll as in civilian life, and no
doubt, had he been spared, would
have distinguished himself as a lead
er among men. He was killed in
action, at the head of his troops,
October 5, 1918.
He married Miss Ruth Schroeder
of Oakdale, Wis, April Is, 1917,
and while his death comes as a great
shock to his girl-wife and widowed
mother, it must be great consola-
ton to them to remember his
prompt response to the call of his
country, his faithful application to
study and his exemplary conduct
necessary to receive the promotions
which he earned.
He has made the supreme sacrifice
but no doubt the gospel which he
was permitted to proclaim, for a
brief period, to others was sufficient
consolation in the hour of death.
He leaves to treasure his memory,
his wife, Mrs. Ruth Fletcher, Of
Oakdale; his mother, Mrs. Elsie G..
Fletcher of this city; a sister, Mrs.
Floyd Keith of Columbus, Wis,
and brother, Kenyon, at home, X x