The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1921-10-22
HARRY RAY
CONTINUED from Page One.)

whether they are members Of the
legion or not, to meet at the post
rooms at 100 O'Clock Sunday.
Former service men are asked to
keep in mind that the local post is
named after Corp. Ray, who was one
of the heroic men of this community
to be cited by his commanding officer
said Commander Mather, "and Private
Besselman also died overseas.
Richmond is paying honor to two
of its heroes Sunday, and the whole
community will be cognizant of the
spirit of sacrifice which animated the
hearts of the men to whom the last
final honors are being paid.
Call Service Men.
All former service men, whether
they belong to the local post or not,
are asked to meet at the post rooms
at 100 O'Clock in order that they may
proceed to the funerals
The funeral of Corp. Ray will be
held in the Reid Memorial church at
? o'clock. Rev. H. S. James, of the
United Brethren church, assisted by
Rev. MCLEAN Work, of Reid Memorial
church, will offciate. The body will
be borne to Earlham cemetery on a
caisson and limbre drawn by four
black horses.
The funeral of Private Besselman
will be held at the home of his par
ents, Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Besselman,
312 College avenue, at 3:45 o'clock
with Rev. G. NJ Woodman, of the West
Richmond Friends church in charge.
The former service men will proceed
from the Earlham cemetery to the
home of Mr. and Mrs. Besselman after
last honors have been paid to Corp.
Ray. Private Besselman died in
Fleury, France, of pneumonia. Dec.
%, 1918. Commander Mather attend
ed the funeral held in Fleury.
Harry Ray was indicted into service
here, Sept. 81, 1917, and was assigned
to the 159th Depot brigade at Camp
Taylor and was transferred to Com
pany H, Sixth Infantry. Fifth Division
sailing for France April s, 1918. He
saw practically continuous service at
the front until his death, Oct IS, 1918,
in the first battle of the Argonne. He
was a casual member of the Rainbow
Division, later permanently assigned
to the Fifth Division, regular army.
He was in the St Mihiel offensive.
Sept. II. and was mentioned in a re-
port by his platoon commander. On
the evening of Oct IS the division
took up position for an offensive to
be launched the next morning between
the towns of Romagne and Cuuel on
the west side of the Meuse river. The
American troops We're located 900
yards southeast of Romagne in a
valley.
Killed Almost Instantly
A sudden Smelling began, and the
men did not have time to complete en-
trenchments. A shell struck a groun
led by Corp. Ray and he was killed
almost instantly. Details of his death
were given by Capt Richard M
Wightman, U. S Inf.
He was cited in orders by the com.
handing general of the Fifth Division
for distinguished service in the 81
Mihiel offensive, and again in the
Meuse Argonne region on Oct. n
when he assisted in the capture of a
machine gun nest.
Family left consists of his widow
Mrs. Blanche Ray; parents, Mr.. and
Mrs. Frank Ray; four sisters. Mrs
William F. Maurer, Jr.. Mrs. Tennie
Hartzler, Miss Hazel Ray, Mrs. How.
ard Holtz; brother, Herbert F Raw
nephew. Ray Mathews, and a niece
June Mathews
He was born in Richmond, Oct, 81
1883.