The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1923-12-06
PVT. D|LBOY'S BRAVE
SERVICE
Rotarian's Learn Of
War Time Incidents
CoL Shumway Gives Personal RecOI-
lectiOns and Tells OF Notable
Burial In Arlington


privileged to listen to a splendid ad-
dress Tuesday noon. following the
regular luncheon, by Lieut.. Col. Sher-
man y. Shumway who attended the
funeral of Private George Dilboy OF
CO. II. 103rd Infantry at Washington.
d. {. Col. Shumway was at one
time captain of the company and
was able to tell his listeners OF the
dead mans experiences. Col Shum-
way represented General Edwards
and the Governor of Maine at the
burial
Col. Shumway spoke of what SEEM
ed to be oftentimes the forgetfulness
of nation for individual service but
cited the case of Private Dilboy as
being an example of loyal remem-
brance. And he added that It was
the impression upon the minds of the
foreign born people. which seemed to
him of great importance. He spoke
intimately of Dilboys early life and
his actual army work. which he him
self. had come in personal contact
with. Dilboy was a native OF Asia
Minor. his father first coming to
America and Dilboy later joined him
in Massachusetts, Subsequently he
went to Keene, New Hampshire and
the day our country declared war.
enlisted in the New Hampshire guard
and eventually became one OF the II
Co. of the End Maine National Guard
which was subsequently the 103rd In
fantry. Col. Shumway said he first
came in contact with Pvt. Diiboy in
January, 1918. He quoted him as
being wonderful soldier and added
that men will only fight for two rea-
sons. the first because of fear and
the other because of hate. He be-
lieyed that the spirit of hate anim-
ated Dilboy and recalled the incident
where the Turks had raised havoc in
Asia Minor and that Dilboy's sister
had been carried away and killed by
the Turks, while his mother had been
separated from her family and had
become a refugee mo other soldier
had the spirit to do what he did.
continued Col Shumway. 'he always
went the limit" He believed that
the citation which was given Dilboy.
represented only minor part OF
what he had done. Col. Shumway
then took his listeners overseas and
gave them a vivid description of the
conditions on July Is, 1918 when the
second battalion was detached from
the 103rd infantry and with subse-
quent maneuvers Strengthened the
line for an attack The Germans
were holding a railroad station in the
town of Beresch although the 102nd
held the town Three squads, in
one of which was Dilboy. started for
the station and in the grayest dan
ger Dilboy ran as fast as he could
and threw two grenades into the sta
ton and this made possible the en-
tire operation of the morning. Col.
Shumway then explained how Dill
boy lost his life in cleaning out a
machine gun nest for which he was
awarded Il Congressional Medal of
Honor. Dilboy. again without orders
following his wonderful service at the
railroad station. started out alone to
take the machine gun nest and on his
way was struck in the right leg in
such way that the limb was almost
cut off. before he fell. That didn't
stop him. however. He fell in
low place. dragged himself up to
position where he could fire, within
thirty yards of the machine gun and
living prone started to fire. One
German was killed, probably by Dill
boy. but the enemy finally got
range on him and almost riddled him
in two The first bullet that hit
Dilboy killed him and he lay with
his gun pointed as il alive. He was
the first American soldier TO receive
medal
Col Shumwav then in very in
teresting manner told of how the re-
mains came TO be buried in the Arl-
ington Cemetery at the National Cap
itol After the war Dilboy's mother,
who was still in Asia. asked TO have
the body returned 10 that country.
The Greeks wanted to give il proper
burial but the Turks smashed the
easket and strewed the homes around,
AT the same time descecratng the
American flag America demanded
an apology which the Turks gave.
Then America wanted to bring the
remains TO the United States for bur
ial and the mother also expressed
a desire that this should be done.
Accordingly the remains were buried
on Armstce Day and very interest
ingly Col Shumway told of the rever-
ential ceremonies for the fallen hero.
From first to last Col. Shumway's
talk was listened to with the closest
attention and many of the Rotarians
learned much of the real life history
and heroic movements on the battle
field of one of the country's hravesl
soldiers
Announcement was made that the
next meeting of the Rotary Club on
Tuesday noon would be held at the
Centenary Methodist Church when
the members will partake of the chic
ken pie dinner to be served by the
Ladies Social Circle Prin H. A.
Foster of the high school will be the