On July 26, 1918, Private Loren O’Neil Hollister was killed in action at Sergy, near Rheims, France. Less than one month later, on August 13, 1918, Private Ralph Elliot Holcomb was badly wounded at Chateau Thierry. He would die a few months later en-route home. It is unclear if these two men knew each very well or ever even met. Their paths may have crossed as Loren’s sister, Stella Hollister would marry Ralph’s father, Reuben Holcomb, after Ralph’s mother had died (and when Ralph was only about eight years old).
Loren Hollister, U.S. Army
Loren grew up in far west Monona County, Iowa and Ralph came of age in south-central Monroe, Wisconsin. Though one was technically the uncle of the other (by marriage), they were only four years apart in age. Ralph was assigned to the 4th Division, 13th Field Artillery, Battery ‘C’. His unit would see plenty of action in July and August of 1918 at Noiroy, Hautevesnes and Chateau Thierry. Loren, on the other hand, served with the Headquarters Company of 168th Regiment, a unit of the Iowa National Guard. His Platoon’s job was keeping communications open. It would seem that his duties might keep him out of harm’s way but that was not the case. He was killed taking equipment to the advanced battalion when “a shell burst in the midst of the men of the telephone platoon.” Continue reading
