Leo Freel (1920)

FREEL, DOLAN

Posted By: Pat Hochstetler (email)
Date: 5/15/2011 at 14:34:05

Winterset Madisonian – November 3, 1920
Pg 4

War Hero Meets Tragic Death

Leo Freel, son of Dr. and Mrs. C. O. Freel of Murray, Ia., was accidentally shot and instantly killed Wednesday afternoon, Oct. 20, near Indianola. He was en route to Indianola in a truck in company with his friend, Charles Graves of Osceola, and was within a mile of the town when the accident occurred.

The endgate rod of the truck became loose and young Graves crawled back through the curtain to fix it. While so doing he heard the shot but did not know his pal was killed until seeing the gun on the ground he jumped out, picked it up and ran around to the side of the truck, which was moving slowly. There he discovered that the gun, which had been in the cab between them had evidently slipped and fallen and in so doing was accidentally discharged, the shot passing through the right wrist into the back of the neck, causing instant death.

For the second time in two years death has visited the Freel home. On Oct. 12, 1918, Galen Freel, aged 26 years, preceded his elder brother in death, while in military training at Ames as a member of Company I of the S.A.T.C.

Elden Leo Freel, son of Dr. and Mrs. C. O. Freel, was born near Winterset, Madison county, Iowa, Aug. 6, 1894 and died near Indianola, Ia. Oct. 20, 1920 at the age of 26 years, 2 months and 14 days. He resided with his parents at Murray most of his life, graduating from the Murray high school in 1911 at the age of 16 years. Soon afterwards he became a drug clerk in Osceola.

When the United States entered the world war, he was one of those who answered his country’s call, and joined the Sixth marine corps, being attached to the Ninety-fifth company. He sailed for France on board the United States transport Henderson, upon which ship he met his future wife -------------- Red Cross nurse of the navy relief corps throughout the duration of the war.

Young Freel was a corporal and sergeant and fought in the terrible battles of Belieau Woods, Chauteau Thierry and Soissons. He was wounded five times and shell shocked. So serious was his condition that he was unable to participate in the Argonne battles, but recovered sufficiently to go with his company on the memorable march to the Rhine, where he was stationed for many months.

Countless times Corporal Freel went over the top, led trench raids, bombed dugouts and was for some time a shipper, which placed him in constant and deadly peril. Hundreds of times he escaped death by merely a hair’s breath. For months he faced the guns which poured forth streams of shot and shell, but he always laughed and said, “No Hun shell was ever made to get me. Some may have my initials on them, but not my full name.” He was greatly loved by his comrades and officers for his heroism and courage on the field of battle.

His sunny disposition, his stories, his songs, his wonderful sense of humor, his keen intellect and his many poems won for him hosts of friends wherever he went. Many a dark and dreadful hour, when the boys were drenched with rain, or standing knee-deep in trench mud, or worn and weary from days of continuous fighting and marching, or when they were homesick, heartsick, lonely and sad, they were cheered by the little corporal, of “In petite corporal”, as he was called by the French.

While in training at Paris Island, S. C. and Quantico, Va., he won the coveted expert marksmanship medal. He also received three citations from the French government for his deeds of valor. Only a few days before his death, he received a medal from the United States government for his sobriety, faithfulness and courage while in the service of his country. He had also been recently notified that he was one among sixteen men in the state of Iowa who were to soon receive further recognition and decoration by the French government.

After twenty-tree and one-half months of service overseas he arrived home Aug. 13, 1919.

On Oct. 6, 1919, he was united in marriage to Elizabeth Dolan of Jersey City, N. J. He leaves to mourn his loss his wife, parents, one brother, Cecil Roland and a wide circle of relatives and friends.