STRAYER, Dwight Leslie 1897-1918

STRAYER, ARMSTRONG

Posted By: Joe Conroy (email)
Date: 9/11/2010 at 19:15:17

Waterloo Evening Courier
Waterloo, Iowa
13 Dec 1918
Page 10

When Dwight L. Strayer enlisted in the marines last spring he was sent to Minneapolis for induction into service, but there was a delay of a few hours in issuing his papers and he returned to Waterloo in order to take part in the spring communion service of First Brethren church Sunday morning, leaving that night for service. His death in France of pneumonia, Nov. 24, occurred on the day for the fall communion service in the local church.

Memorial service for the young soldier will be conducted Sunday at 7:30 p.m. His pastor, Rev. H. L. Goughnour, and S. M. Wallace, principal of west high school, from which he graduated a few years ago, are to be the speakers.

Waterloo Evening Courier
Waterloo, Iowa
4 Jan 1921
Page 7

Will Bring Body of Strayer Home

Waterloo Boy, Who Served With Marines in France, Will Be Buried Here.

Another one of Waterloo's deceased veterans of the world war will find a resting place in this city when the body of Dwight Leslie Strayer, son of Mr. and Mrs. Paul Strayer, 1202 Birch avenue, is brought here from Brooklyn, N. Y., in a few days. Word has been received by the Strayer family that the ship on which the body was being transported from France was scheduled to arrive at Brooklyn, Dec. 28. The army authorities will notify them when the body will be forwarded to this city.

Mr. Strayer died Nov. 24, 1918, at base hospital 54, Meaves, France, after a brief illness from influenza and bronchial pneumonia. He left for France with his organization, Fifth marines, Aug. 15, 1918, and they were immediately sent to the front upon their arrival there. The marines were attached to the Second division and engaged in the St. Mihiel drive and the Argonne forest battle. Mr. Strayer served as a dispatch carrier on the western front.

Upon joining the marines in May, 1918, he was sent to Paris Island, N. C., for training.

Dwight Leslie Strayer was born in this city Jun 25, 1897, and attended Waterloo west schools. He was graduated with the class of 1915. He was a member of First Brethren church. In addition to his parents, he is survived by the following brothers and sisters: Mrs. W. B. Armstrong, New Providence, Ia.; John W. Strayer, Canada; L. G. Strayer, Waterloo, and Miller Strayer, Central City, Ia.

Becker-Chapman post, American Legion, is preparing to honor the memory of Mr. Strayer with the usual military services at the funeral. E. L. Barthe, adjutant of the post, made a request today that all former service men in the city watch for the announcement of the funeral date and attend the services.

Waterloo Evening Courier
Waterloo, Iowa
17 Jan 1921
Page 11

Homage Is Paid To Hero Of War

Former Comrades, Friends Attend Strayer, Who Died in France.

All that was mortal of Dwight Leslie Strayer, a Waterloo veteran of the world war, who "went west" just 13 days after he had been relieved from the front line trenches on the western front, received the solemn homage of an assembly of Waterloo people that filled First Brethren church yesterday afternoon. The young marine, who had taken part in a number of engagements in the world war, succumbed to influenza and pneumonia less than two weeks after the armistice was signed, Nov. 11, 1918.

Becker-Chapman post, American Legion, furnished the military touch to the obsequies with a troop of men in uniform, many of them armed. The casket, draped with the flag for which Strayer gave the last full measure of devotion, was banked with a mass of floral tokens that gave evidence of lasting remembrance of his Waterloo friends and others. Rev. W. H. Beachler officiated at the services, giving a short resume of Strayer's life and pointing out the pathway for the living as it has been directed by those who have given their lives to keep this country on its sure foundation.

Services at the church were preceded by a short prayer service at Memorial hall, in which A. A. Zimmerman, post chaplain, officiated. The services were attended by the entire post in the presence of Strayer's body, which had been lying in state at the hall since Saturday afternoon. From the hall the casket was borne to the church on a caisson followed by the entire post.

The funeral part that proceeded to Elmwood cemetery from the church for the last rites was headed by the stars and stripes with an armed escort, followed by former service men. At the grave the usual military form was followed with a firing squad giving the last salute to the dead comrade and the blowing of taps as the body was lowered into the grave.