Swisher, Basil 1897-1918

SWISHER

Posted By: Linda Ziemann (email)
Date: 5/19/2006 at 13:12:43

Source: LeMars Sentinel
Dated Tuesday, Sept. 3, 1918

DIES FROM WOUNDS
Basil Swisher, Succumbs to Blood Poisoning

E. M. Swisher, of Merrill, received a telegram from the United States war department yesterday stating that his son, Basil Swisher, had died July 20, of blood poisoning, the result of a wound received in battle in France. Basil was a trifle over twenty-one years of age and enlisted with a South Dakota company at Pierre at the beginning of the hostilities and like the Merrill boys has been in the thickest of the fight.
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LeMars Semi-Weekly Sentinel
June 7, 1921

TWO HEROES ARE BURIED

The body of Basil Swisher, who died from wounds sustained while fighting in
France, was interred with military honors at Merrill on Tuesday.

Basil Allen Swisher was born August 17, 1897, near Bismark, Ill. At the age
of 14 he came to Iowa with his father; his mother having passed away during
his early childhood. While working in South Dakota he answered his country’s
call by enlisting in the 4th South Dakota Infantry during the month of May,
1917. Later he was transferred to the 174th Field Artillery. He participated
with honor at two sectors of the battle line, Toul and Alsace. He was
wounded on July 17 and died July 20, 1917 (sic=correct death year is 1918.)
His remains were interred amid the poppy fields of France until this spring,
when a request was made that they be shipped to the homeland.

He is survived by his father, E. M. Swisher, of Merrill, a brother, John O.,
of Lebanon, S.D., and two sisters, Mrs. P. C. Van Driel, of Gettysburg,
S.D., and Miss Gladys, of Merrill.