Egland, Earl (1893-1921)

EGLAND

Posted By: Debbie Greenfield (email)
Date: 2/7/2015 at 14:21:03

Jewell Record, Thursday, August 18, 1921

EARL EGLAND, JEWELL EX-SERVICE MAN, PASSED AWAY MONDAY MORNING

Earl Egland, only son of Mr. and Mrs. Ira Egland of Jewell, passed away at the Lutheran hospital in Des Moines at 8:15 o'clock Monday morning of this week, August 15th, 1921. Death came after a long sickness from double leakage of the heart, resulting from shell shock incurred while in active service in France in the World's War, of which Earl was a veteran. Earl was at the hospital five weeks and two days and had suffered severely from heart trouble for several months before going to the hospital where he was given the best of care by government physicians and nurses. His father was hurriedly summoned to Des Moines when it became evident that the end was near, arriving at the hospital about thirty minutes before Earl passed away, and was at the bedside of his son at the end. A few days before his death Earl was told that he could not live many days longer and expressed his gratification at being told so that he could, to use his own words, "be prepared to die." He met the end bravely like a true soldier, and his last words to his father were cheerful and optimistic.

Earl Egland was born in Jewell, August 26, 1893, and lived here all his life. He would have been 28 years old the 26th of this month. Within a very few weeks after this country entered the World War, Earl volunteered for enlistment, joining the Supply Co. at Webster City as a wagoner. He was trained at Camp Dodge in Des Moines and was sent to New York when a part of the men in the Webster City organizations were transferred to the 42nd, the famous Rainbow Division. He was in the Supply Co., 168th Infantry, 84th Brigade, 42nd Division. With that Division he sailed from New York for France October 18th, 1917, and saw active service in that Division until he was mustered out and given his Honorable Discharge at Camp Dodge, May 16th, 1919. In France Earl's record follows with the record of the Rainbow division, participating in all of the services in which that Division was engaged. The Rainbow Division was given intensive training after landing in France, first at Vaucouieurs training area, then at La Fauche training area, and later at the Ralampont area. On February 17th, 1918, after this period of training, the Division was moved to the vicinity of Luneville, joining a French unit. On March 23, 1918, the Division was withdrawn from French command and was sent to the Baccarat section to relieve the 128th French Division. There the Division had complete control of No-Man's Land but engaged only in light fighting.

On June 21st the Division was relieved by the 77th American division and the 61st French division. It was reassembled in the Chatel-sur-Moselle area from where it moved by rail to the area of St. Germain-la-Ville then to Camp de Chalons for special training. While on the verge of moving into position to carry out a minor operation near Olizy, news of the big attack of July, 1918, was secured and the Rainbow was thrown into line to back up the 170th and 13th Divisions in the Souain and Esperance sectors. Here the division occupied the second position and portions of the intermediate and outpost positions under the 21st French Army Corps.

Until July 15 the sector was quiet when the main force of the German attack was sent against the 21st Army Corps. The Rainbow fighters displayed such daring and confidence that the disheartened French took up a new spirit and despite terrific attacks the Hun drive was broken at that point.

The Forty-second was withdrawn on July 18, after it was definitely known that the Hun attack had failed and moved by train to the La-Ferte-sous-Jouarre area. From there it was moved to Epieds where it took over the front of the First U.S. Army Corps relieving the 26th U.S. division and 164th to 167th French division. It was over-the-top constantly here and every man in the outfit was working night and day to send the Fritzes back to Berlin. By some terrific fighting the Rainbow advanced on the 27th to an objective north of Oureq and again forced the Germans to withdraw, reaching the Mareuil-en-Dole-Chery-Chartreuve line, an advance of 15 kilometers.

In August the division was relieved again and went into intensive training in the Bourmont area. On August 30 it was moved by night marches to the Foret de la Reine. During the St. Mihiel salient operation it delivered the main attack from the south smashing a 19 kilometer hole in the German line during a two day drive.

Relieved on October 1, 1918, the division rested and went back into action again on the 13th on the Argonne-Meuse front where it advanced two kilometers and then was relieved.

In an attack which started November 1st, 1918, the Forty-second passed thru the 78th division on a general line. St. Pierremont to Oche and in a two day smash advanced 19 kilometers to the Meuse River and the heights south of Sedan.

On November 10th the Forty-second was withdrawn and regrouped in the Buzancy region and when the Armistice was signed on November 11th it moved to the Brandenville region and became a part of the Army of Occupation being attached to the Third Army Corps, Third Army.

On November 20th the march toward the Rhine commenced. Thru Montmedy (France), Virton and Arlon (Belgium), Mersch and Gonsdorf (Luxemburg), Welsch-Billis, Spelcher, Birresborn, Dreis, (Germany), December 9. On December 13 the division was transferred to the Fourth Army Corps. It moved to the Krie sof Ahrweiler on December 15th headquarters being established at that point.

After a short stay in Germany the division was ordered home and on April 5th, 1919, began entraining for Brest, after which they sailed for New York.

Funeral services for Earl were held at the home of his parents at two o'clock yesterday afternoon, in charge of Hawkeye Post No. 550 American Legion. A quartet of Legion men in uniform, H. M. Kinzer, DeVere Kahl, M. E. Williams and I.H. Knudson, sang "Abide With Me" and "Jesus Saviour Pilot Me." Rev. G. A. McKinley delivered a brief address and Chaplain H. F. Risse of the Hubbard Legion Post read an obituary notice and an historical account of Earl's record in the service. Six Legion men in uniform, Tim Lund, Dave Glaman, Ed Blegelid, Tom McKay, Albert Larson and Anton Kallem, acted as pall bearers, F. G. Davis was color bearer, Henry Larson and Jens Jensen were color guard and M. E. Williams trumpeter. A firing squad of eight men under the command of Sergt. Martin Glaman, included Harry Allie, Clarence Bentson, H. E. Hermanson, Gus Wentzel, Henry Hoon, Byrd Allie, Verne Templer and Barney Holt. Twenty-eight other service men marched n uniform under the command of Sergt. Chas. McKay. At the cemetery prayer was offered and the burial service read by Chaplain Risse, and after the flag draped coffin was lowered into the grave Trumpeter Williams sounded Taps and a salute of three volleys was fired.

The out of town people here yesterday to attend the Earl Egland funeral were Mrs. Egland's nieces, Mrs. J. B. Miner and Mrs. Geo. Bishop, of Marengo, Iowa, and Mrs. Martha Olson, of Elmore, Minn, sister of Mr. Egland and niece, Mrs. Jenora Larson, of Fairbault, Minn, also P. K. Egland and family, Martin Olson and family, H. B. Hanson and family, all of Randall, sisters and brother of Mr. Egland, and Mrs. Cora Anderson and family, Mrs. Paggett and family, all of Randall, and Carl Thorson and family of Ames, Iowa, nephew of Mr. Egland; Mrs. Edna Thompson, of Ellsworth, Iowa, niece of Mr. Egland; Mr. and Mrs. Carl Egland and Mr. and Mrs. Shark, of west of Jewell, brother and niece of Mr. Egland and Ben Rifen of northern, Iowa; Mr. and Mrs. Holly Larson, of Malcolm, Iowa, niece of Mr. Egland, and C. T. Pearson, Vice-Commander of the Radcliffe American Legion Post.

CARD OF THANKS

We wish to extend our heartfelt thanks to all of the people of this community for the kindly help and generous sympathy evidenced in so many ways at the time of the death and burial of our beloved son, Earl; to the Legion boys who had charge of the services and Rev. McKinley and Chaplain Risse for their words of consolation; to all those who gave so many beautiful flowers; to all those who helped us in every way. We appreciate the kindness and sympathy of all more than we can tell. God bless all of you.
Mr. and Mrs. Ira Egland

RESOLUTIONS OF SYMPATHY
Whereas, an all-wise Providence has seen fit to remove from home and parents and from the ranks of Hawkeye Post No. 550, American Legion, our comrade, Earl Egland, and
Whereas, in his departure his parents have sustained the loss of a loyal, loving son; this Post has lost a true friend and comrade; and this community has lost a brave and patriotic citizen whose life has been sacrificed in the prime of young manhood in defense of flag and country; there,
Be it resolved, that Hawkeye Post No. 550 do hereby tender to the parents of our deceased comrade in their sad hour of sorrow expressions of our deepest and most tender sympathy; and
Be it further resolved, that a copy of these resolutions be given to the Record for publication, a copy be sent to the parents, and a copy be permanently filed in the records of this Post.
Hawkeye Post No. 550,
H. M. Kinzer, P. C.
Jerry House, Adjt.