KAUFFMAN, Wayne E. 1895-1918

KAUFFMAN

Posted By: Tammy (email)
Date: 1/27/2017 at 12:06:31

Military Honors To Soldier Dead

Two of Her Soldier Boys Are Brought Home for Burial the Past Week

Sacrifices Were Great

Entire Community Saddened by the Death of These Brave Boys Who Died for Us

Saturday, at the Benson cemetery near Whitten occurred the funeral of one who gave his life as heroically to his country as one who fell on the field of battle. Wayne Kauffman worked to aid his stricken comrades, when he himself ought to have been ministered to. The body was brought to Whitten, accompanied by a squad of nine sailor lads and he was buried with full military honors. Sunday in Whitten a memorial service was held in honor of his memory.

The commandant at the station where he died, has written the following letter, telling of his acts:

"U.S. Naval Training Camp, Detroit, Mich., Oct. 4, 1918.--From Commanding Officer to Secretary of Navy. Subject: Heroic conduct of Wayne E. Kauffman, Seaman 2C:

"This young man died in the service of his country on Oct. 3, 1918, of pneumonia, contracted while serving as a volunteer to assist the hospital corps during the epidemic which recently raged at this camp.

"Shortly before the epidemic of influenza appeared, this young man had submitted to a minor operation, which kept him in bed for a few days, and when it was evident that help was needed by the hospital corps he promptly volunteered, although his full strength had not returned. A few days later the medical officer found Kauffman working to alleviate the distress of sick men when he himself had a temperature of 103.2. He made no complaint, but had worked under these difficulties, administering to the wants of his shipmates, many of whom were less in need of care than he himself.

"Influenza contracted under these circumstances developed into pneumonia, which resulted in his death.

"This service of Kauffman displays a spirit of self-sacrifice worthy of emulation and places him on the roster of our national heroes.

"It is recommended that an appropriate letter be sent to his people by the secretary of the navy and that a copy of the same be placed on his record."

Wayne Ernest Kauffman was born in Grundy county, near Whitten, January 4, 1895, and died at Detroit, Mich., October 3, 1918, at the age of 23 years, 8 months and 29 days.

In 1915 he graduated from the Union high school and the following year attended college at Grinnell, after which his time was spent in teaching and farming until his enlistment.

On May 31, 1918, he responded to the call of his country by enlisting in the navy at the Great Lakes training station, and was later transferred to the U.S. Naval training camp at Detroit. He is survived by his father and mother, three brothers, Owen of Campbell, Minn.; Ira of State Center, and Ralph of Whitten. And two sisters, Mrs. Mabel Olmstead of Whitten, and Mrs. Edna Meyers of Plainfield.

--The Hardin County Ledger (Eldora, Iowa), 10 October 1918, pg 1