Evening capital news. (Boise, Idaho) 1901-1927, 1919-04-27
MOTHER GETS FACTS.
ABOUT DEATH Of SON
IN FAR Off GERMANY
Neal Melvin Buncel Died of
Influenza-Buried on Hill
Overlooking City of Coblenz
Above Rhine.

Neal Marvin Buncel lies in a her
oes grave overlooking the city of Cob
lenz and the river Rhine. He died from
the dread malady, influenza, while in
the service of his country. The facts
concerning his death and burial are
contained in a letter received Saturday
by his mother Mrs. Minnie E. O'Keefe
of South Boise. He enlisted in the
United States cavalry September 20.
1917, in Boise, reported to Fort Doug
las and was sent to the Mexican border
where he served until this country en-
tered the war at which time he was
transferred and sent to France. He
was raised in Boise, attending the
public schools and making this city
his home up to the time of his enlist
ment.
Writing to Mrs. O'Keefe, Lieutenan.
Robert c. Knowlton, second cavalry,
now stationed at Ehrenbreitstein, Ger
many, says:
Your letter of February 81 ad-
dressed to First Lieutenant James S.
Rodwell has been turned over to me
for reply. The death of your son, Neal
touched all of use because of the ad-
miration and esteem which we all had
y
cheerful and fearless, he did much 10
keep up the esprit de corps of troop l
during the days when life and death
walked hand in hand; when many Of
us never believed that we would ever
see the homes we had left again.
HE Joined us on August u, 1918,
while we were in the woods near Arcis
lie Ponsart, near Fismes, and at which
latter place we received our baptism
OF fire. He was with us. continually
through the remainder of the Marnv-
Vesle offensive and during the Ar
COME Mouse affair and marched into
Germany when we formed the advance
guard for the Third army. Since ar
irving at the Rhine we have been do
ing routine garrison duties much sim
liar to what we would be doing If We
were in the States.
STRICKEN WITH FLU
During the months Of January and
February we were crippled by serious
influenza epidemic and it was a victim
to this terrible malady that your son
fell on January Is. He reported that
he was not feeling very well and was
marked quarters by the attending ply
stefan and his condition not being i'm
proved the next day he was evacuated
to one of the Coblenz hospitals. ] Wis
tied him a few days later and found
him in one of the influenza wards in
evacuation hospital No. .. l talked with
him and his nurse and though SER
iously i'll, hopes of recovery were cX-
cellent. l am sure that he had the
best OF care, for this hospital occupies
buildings which were formerly used by
the Germans as a hospital and is well
equipped in every way. The medical
and nursing staff is unequailed in the
A. E. Il.
1.-The records of the hospital shuw
that on February 3 he took Il decided
turn for the worse and was trans
ferred to the pneumonia ward where
he died on February 4. We received no
news of his death until the 1lth due to
our poor mail service and consequently
were not permitted to asss. In the
last rites. This has been a matter of sin
cere regret to all of US, for he was I'M
usually popular and had many friends
He was respected by men nnd off,
GERS alike. I always felt that when
sent him on any special mission that
it would be done in a faultless manner
and that he wouldn't return until 1t
was properly done. We had confidence
in his ability.
BURIED NEAR CoBLENZ
"He was buried in a plot Of ground
on hill overlooking the city Of Cob
LEM and commanding beautiful View
Of both the Rhine and Mos ellie valleys.