Milford chronicle., 1954-12-10
To Name Guard
Camp liz '55
For Gen. LGnk
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First Delaware Infantry Regiment,
as the Milford unit was officially
\ designated.
4 He was a sergeant when the
/ Spanish-American War broke out
in 1898, and was elected" a cap
tain, and commanded the company
throughout the war.
The old state armory at Milford
was built and owned by the mem
bers Of Company B, under Captain
Lank. 1t was subsequently turned
over to the state, and is now used
by the Shore Theatre.
In 1904-05-06, Captain Lank won
the revolver championship of the
regiment, and was awarded the
Morning News Officers Trophy.
In 1867, as a major, he COM
manded the Second Battalion of
the First Delaware Infantry Regi-
ment on the Mexican border and
used his own. horse from Milford
throughout the engagement.
While at Admission, Ala. during
World War I, the Delaware troops
were split up among various units.
Major Lank was in constant con
tact with Delaware's congressional
delegation, which brought the sit
uation to the attention Of Presi-
dent Wilson. The President issued
a special order reassembling the
Delaware troops, and they went to
France under Major Lank as the
59th Pioneer Regiment.
Turned Down Promotion
His pride in the Delaware unit
was reflected again in France when
he turned down promotion to lieu
tenant-cOlonel because it would
have meant transfer to another
unit.
His son, Archibald Lank, served
under him during World War /,
and the woman who became his sec
ind wife in 1888 was serving as an
Army nurse at Fort Dix, N. j.,
when the Lanks and the Delaware
unit were there in 1918.
After World War II, he continued
as an OFFICER in the Guard for many
years before finally going on the |
inactive list.
Last Governors Day at Fort /
Miles, he received the honorary |
rank of brigadier general, retired. /
Similarly hOnOred at the same time
was John P. LeFevre, another vet
eran guard officer who served un-
der Captain Lank, also as a cap- /
tain, in the Spanish-American War. /
Two other former Delaware Nat
ional Guard brigadier generals.
George ]. Schulz and Harry b. Van
Solver, served under the Milford
soldier at some time during their
carers.
Although inactive, for MANY
years, General Lank was always a
familiar figure at the National
Guard encampments, and has NOT
missed a Governors Day ceremony
y the memory of the oldest officers.
For many years it was his custom
to establish a headquarters tent"
md invite all the active officers
n for a drink.
AS a boy, he served a printing
apprenticeship with the Milford
newspaper, went to Philadelphia
or a short time, but returned to
Milford because he didn't like the
.ity" He later went into the shin
business with his father.
IS David Lank and Son. in Mill
ORD, and later was with the Adams
express Company for many wears.
from 1884 to 1946 he was a Justice !
4 the peace, and still serves as a
rotary public. He was a member
i the Milford Fire Company in the
Id horse-and-hOse days.
With his son, he forms the Oldest /
ather-son team in the American
legion. He has been an active a
member of various Masonic organi-
ations and the Tall Cedars of I,e-
anon. a
His present residence at 1O2 East i
ront Street, Milford, is across the i
treet from the house where he was /
orn on March 8. 1863. a
Ihe guards encampment next
lmmer at Fort Miles will run d
rom July oath to August 7th. n