DECAMP, Corp. Roy 1897-1918

DECAMP, DE CAMP

Posted By: Joe Conroy (email)
Date: 8/21/2010 at 17:13:14

The Evening Courier and Reporter
Waterloo, Iowa
27 Dec 1918
Page 9

Corporal Roy De Camp, son of Mrs. L. O. De Camp, 261 Locust street, died of pneumonia in France Dec. 3. He was a member of the 77th field artillery, fourth division. Corporal De Camp was just 22 years of age. He enlisted here in April 1917 and had seen active service in France.

Waterloo Evening Courier
Waterloo, Iowa
13 Mar 1919
Page 14

Roy De Camp Died of Pneumonia, Captain Writes To Mother

Mrs. L. O. DeCamp is in receipt of a letter from Capt. Robert P. Marshall, 77th field artillery, giving her details of the death of her son, Roy W. De Camp. His death occurred in an American hospital in France Dec. 17, following pneumonia.

The letter, written from Kalsersesch, Germany, and dated Feb. 13, reads as follows:

"De Camp had been with the regiment the entire time we were on the front and had enjoyed the very best of health during that time. After the armistice was signed the regiment was ordered to Portsur Meuse to be re-equipped for the army of occupation. We rested at this point about a week. Then, after a week's marching, reached the town of Hyange, in Lorraine, where we again rested a week. It was at this point that Roy, much against his will, was taken to a hospital with what seemed to be only a slight cold. The next news we had of his was official notification of his death which occurred at Evacuation hospital, No. 18, A. E. F.

"I know there is nothing I can say that will really comfort you or make your loss any lighter, but I can assure you that he had the best of care while in the hospital and that everything possible was done for him. I can say that should God call me, I would like to leave behind me as fine and as clean a record as your son. There is not an officer or man in this regiment who knew Roy who has not felt his loss and who does not extend sympathy to you."

Waterloo Times Tribune
Waterloo, Iowa
16 Oct 1921
Page 7

Corporal De Camp Is Brot home For Burial

The body of Corp. Roy DeCamp of Headquarters Co. 77 field artillery, 4th division, has arrived at Hoboken, N. J., according to a telegram received by his mother, Mrs. L. O. DeCamp, 201 Locust street.

Corp. Roy DeCamp died of pneumonia at evacuation hospital No. 18, Lorraine, France, Dec. 3, 1918.

Corp. DeCamp was born May 10, 1897 in Negaunee, Mich., and enlisted in service April 1, 1917. Funeral services will be in charge of Becker-Chapman post, American Legion.

Waterloo Evening Courier
Waterloo, Iowa
22 Oct 1921
Page 3

Legion To Honor Corp. R. De Camp

Military Funeral at First congregational Sunday for Soldier of Great War.

The body of Roy DeCamp, who died in France, lies in state at memorial hall, with a guard of legion men in charge. It will rest there until 2:30 p.m. tomorrow when military rites will be said at First Congregational church by Becker-Chapman post. Rev. Fred J. Clark, pastor, will speak the eulogy. Interment will be in Fairview, with a salute of rifles and taps by legion men.

Members of Woman's auxiliary, Becker-Chapman post, will meet at the church at 2 p.m. to attend the funeral in a body. An appeal is made by legion officials that as many members as possible report to Memorial hall in uniform for the military procession. With Armistice day approaching, it is desired to make the solemn import of the occasion as impressive as possible. Emphasis is laid on the fact that one of the chief purposes of the American Legion is to keep green the memory of comrades who made the supreme sacrifice.

Corp. Roy DeCamp was born May 10, 1897, at Negaunee, Mich., the son of Mr. and Mrs. Lester O. DeCamp. With his parents he came to Waterloo several years ago. He enlisted in the heavy artillery, Fourth division of regulars. He took part with his division in the St. Mihiel, Meuse-Argonne and Alsace-Lorraine campaigns. He died of pneumonia at evacuation hospital No. 18 in Lorraine Dec. 3, 1918, at the age of 22 years.

Surviving are the parents, Mr. and Mrs. L. O. DeCamp, 201 Locust street, and one sister, Mrs. Arch Ricks, residing in Wisconsin. Mrs. Ricks is unable to attend the funeral on account of illness.

Corp. DeCamp was buried in the hospital cemetery, at Briey, Lorraine. The body arrived from Hoboken early Friday and was taken to Petersen Bros.' undertaking parlors.

Waterloo Times-Tribune
Waterloo, Iowa
25 Oct 1921
Page 3

Pay Tribute To Soldier

Military Services For Cop. Roy W. De Camp Sunday Afternoon.

Highest honors were paid to Corp. Roy W. De Camp, who died in the service of his country during the great world war, Sunday afternoon at a joint service of Becker-Chapman post, American Legion, and First Congregational church.

A large throng heard the impressive military funeral rites by Legion officials and an address by Rev. Fred J. Clark, pastor. Dr. E. L. Rohlf, commander, gave the eulogy and A. A. Zimmerman, post chaplain, spoke the invocation. Mrs. Prudence E. Clark and Henry R. Iblings sang solos. A floral tribute was presented by four Boy Scouts in behalf of the church following the sermon and taps were sounded by a Legion bugler.

A folder was distributed to members of the congregation reciting something of the life and deeds of the decedent and giving the program of the service. The front page of the folder read as follows: Roy De Camp, 77th Field Artillery, U. S. A., "died December 17, 1918, of pneumonia, in an American hospital in France after serving his country with honor throughout the war."

A brief biographical sketch was on page three, which read, "Roy De Camp, son of Mr. and Mrs. L. O. De Camp, tho but 1(?) years of age, enlisted about a week before our government declared war on Germany and so succeeded in reaching the front at an early date, having been assigned to a field artillery regiment of the regular army. He served through the terrible scenes at Chateau Thierry, St. Mihiel and the great Argonne offensive without a wound, and with the best of health. Being sent on toward Germany with his regiment, after the armistice had been declared, he contracted pneumonia and died in the glory days of victory. He is represented on the Service Flag of the church by a gold star. In such as he our church and our nation become great. May his sacrificial spirit help to lift the church and nation above all selfishness and pettiness into the grandeur of a sublime self-dedication to Christ and humanity.

Rev. Clark, in taking his text from the words of Jesus at the last supper, declared that Roy De Camp died for us and for God. In a letter from his commanding officer, and also by many of his comrades in arms, to the bereaved mother, high tribute was paid his fine and true record.

While marching with his regiment into Germany Corp. De Camp was stricken by a cold and was sent to Evacuation hospital No. 18 at Briey, Lorrainne, France. Pneumonia developed later and death resulted, December 17, 1913. The body arrived here last Friday.

Burial was in Elmwood cemetery, with a salute of guns by a firing squad of Legion men.

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