NUGENT, Leon John 1889-1918

NUGENT

Posted By: Joe Conroy (email)
Date: 5/30/2010 at 18:39:53

Waterloo Evening Courier
Waterloo, Iowa
17 Apr 1918
Page 1

Washburn Boy Dies On Texas Airplane Field

Lieut. L. J. Nugent Was Nearly Ready For Service Abroad; Once Lived in Waterloo.

Lieut. Leon John Nugent, Washburn, was instantly killed in an airplane accident at Ellington field, Tex., yesterday, according to a telegram from the commanding officer to his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Michael Nugent. No details of the accident are known to the parents as yet. The body will be brought to Washburn for interment.

Lieut. Nugent entered the aviation service at Omaha in September, 1917, and was recently commissioned at Ellington field. His training was almost completed and he expected to see service in France at an early date.

Lieut. Nugent was 28 years old. He had resided in Black Hawk county practically all his life and was well known in Waterloo, where he was employed at his profession of civil engineer at one time. A brother, Francis, age 23, is now in France, having been with the first increment to reach that country from America. He enlisted in Waterloo May 15, 1917. Francis Nugent is with the infantry. There are also a number of cousins of the dead officer in active survice.

Surviving Lieut. Nugent are his parents, brother, two sisters, Miss Agnes Nugent and Mrs. John E. Burger, Washburn. There are also several uncles, J. J. and James O'Connor, Waterloo; P. J. O'Connor, Raymond, and R. F. O'Connor, Washburn.

Funeral services and burial will be at Washburn. It is expected the body will arrive Friday or Saturday.

Waterloo Evening Courier
Waterloo, Iowa
22 Apr 1918
Page 9

Funeral Services for Lieut. Nugent Conducted Today

Funeral services for Lieut. Leon John Nugent, who was killed in an airplane accident at Ellington field, Tex., last week, were conducted at Gilbertville Catholic church this morning by the pastor, Rev. Father Nemmers, assisted by Rev. E. J. Slattery, Waterloo, and other clergymen.

Knights of Columbus of Waterloo council attended in body. The church was filled and a large number was unable to gain admission, remaining outside during the service. Lieut. W. R. Harpline, S. R. C. A. S., who accompanied the body from Texas to the home at Washburn, was in charge of the military ceremony. A salute guard was composed of Messrs. Zimmerman, Anderson, Faust, Dickinson, Sorenson, Strandbow, Lindsey, Brooks and Jorgensen, Cedar Falls.

Pallbearers were Albert, James, John and Jack O'Connor, J. McKevitt and George Youngblut. Interment was in the churchyard at Gilbertville.