Orval J. Boggs

Submitted by: Laurie Button {He was killed alongside a soldier I’m connected to.}

Orval J. Boggs born around 1887. Orval Boggs served in World War 1 with the United States Army. The enlistment was in 1918 and the service was completed in 1918.

Story of Service

 

Cpl. Orval J. Boggs, Company L (2660977, Greenup, Illinois) was killed on Nov. 10th by an artillery shell as the 11th Infantry fought to liberate the village of Louppy-sur-Loison during the Meuse-Argonne Offensive.

Five other American soldiers were killed by the same blast: Pvt. Thomas Wade also of Company L (3270565, Lake City, Arkansas); Pvt. Miles G. Goleman, Company L (2660865, Greenup, Illinois); Pvt. Walter Wave Miguel, Company L (3802505, Arnolds Park, Iowa); Cpl. Henry Wilson Company G (736096, Jacksboro, Tennessee); and Pvt. Sherman H. Turner Company G (400196, Knoxville, Tennessee).

They were initially buried where they fell but were reinterred next to each other at the Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery June 18, 1919. All six were repatriated and sailed back to the United States together on the U.S.A.T. Wheaton. The ship left Antwerp Sept. 21, 1921.

A seventh soldier—Pvt. Newton Powell (736642, Iron Mountain, Michigan)—also died in Louppy-sur-Loison on Nov. 10th but in a separate incident.