Willis Floyd Woodward (1918)
WOODWARD
Posted By: Treva Patterson
Date: 3/6/2006 at 18:55:23
The Winterset Madisonian
Wednesday, October 23, 1918
Page 1, Column 4Floyd Woodward Dies of Wounds
Willis Floyd Woodward of Company A, has again been reported by the government; this time a death message arrived Saturday stating that he had died of wounds Sept. 15. Last week it will be recalled it was reported that two messages came to Peru, one stating that he had been wounded Sept 17, followed by a second one, which cancelled the first one. The family believe this last message is authentic.
Floyd Woodward enlisted in Company A April 10, 1917 when recruiting was going on in Winterset after the company came back from border duty. On May 19, 1918, he celebrated his twentieth birthday. He grew up in the neighborhood of East Peru, in popular, honored and respected young manhood. His parents have given an only son to the cause of humanity and liberty, and when a gold star adorns the Madison county service flag in his memory, saddened relatives and friends may obtain solace in their sorrow in the assurance that his death was a gift of self to others.
________________________The Winterset Madisonian
Winterset, Iowa
Wednesday, November 13, 1918WILLIS FLOYD WOODWARD
Willis Floyd Woodward was born May 13, 1899 in Scott township, Madison county, where he lived with his parents until called to serve his country, enlisting April 10, 1917.
He became a christian and united with the Church of Christ, Oct. 26, 1916 and continued steadfastly in the faith while here and we have every reason to believe, while he was in the army also.
While in the service he was gassed May 27, 1918, but was restored and continued to do his bit in helping to eliminate the Hun horror and preserve democracy and Christianity on the earth, until having been wounded and lying in the hospital for about one month, he was called to his reward.
He leaves to mourn his loss a father and mother, Mr. and Mrs U. S. Woodward and two sisters, Mrs. Opal Travis and Eva.
________________________The Winterset Madisonian
Winterset, Iowa
Wednesday, August 3, 1921Willis Floyd Woodward
Willis Floyd Woodward was born May 13, 1898. He was wounded in battle and died shortly afterward, on Sept. 15, 1918. Age 20 years, 4 months and 2 days.
He grew to manhood on a farm in Scott township, in what is commonly known as the Zion neighborhood. He was a regular attendant at the Zion Sunday school and was always identified with the social and church life of the community. He became a member ot the Church of Christ in 1915.
When the call came for volunteers in the late war, he enlisted in Co. A, 168th Infantry, April 10, 1917. It was on July 1, 1917, that he was called into active duty and then went into training at the golf grounds until Aug. 18th. The company was then ordered to Camp Logan, Des Moines. They left Des Moines Sept. 9th for Camp Mills, Long Island. Oct 18, 1917, they shipped for overseas on the transport, General Grant. After ten days at sea, they returned to Camp Mills. Nov. 14th, they again set sail for overseas and landed in Liverpool, England, Dec. 1st. From Liverpool they went to Winchester, England and remained there for eight days.
He landed in France with his company, Dec. 8, 1917 and went into training in what is known as the Back Area until Feb. 22, 1918 when they were ordered into the front trenches, up in Lorraine. It was there that he and his comrades served faithfully until May 27 when Private Woodward was gassed and sent to the hospital. Having recovered sufficiently, he returned to his company in time for the Chateau Thierry drive. From here he went to St. Mihiel, where in active service, defending his flag, he was mortally wounded. He died shortly afterward, either on the way to the hospital or in the hospital the same night.
His letters home were always filled with messages of love and comfort. His comrades will always think of Willis Floyd Woodward as a clean man, a good soldier, a loyal patriot, and a loving friend.
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Madison Obituaries maintained by Linda Griffith Smith.
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