Charles Henry "Harry" SHEIL entered the U.S. Army and was inducted on September 4, 1918 at Mount Ayr. He was promoted to the rank of sergeant on July 2, 1918. Harry was assigned to the American Expeditionary Forces in France, leaving the United States on August 23, 1918 and returning on January 28, 1919. Harry was honorably discharged March 14, 1919.

Harry SHEIL of Des Moines saw his son Don, aged 21, off for military duty as one of a group being inducted by Polk County. SHEIL saw to it that his son was carrying a crucifix that already had gone through two wars. Harry SHEIL carried it himself during World War I, including six months in France. Then in World War II, Harry gave it to a cousin, Edward SHAY, when he entered the service. SHAY, son of Charles SHAY of Des Moines, lost the crucifix when he was wounded in 1945 at Saint Lo, France. The crucifix was returned to him through the mail by an unknown person months later while SHAY was recovering in a U.S. hospital. SHAY returned the crucifix to SHEIL.

SOURCE: Maloy Centennial book, p. 90

Submission by Sharon R. Becker, April of 2010