This is the continuation of a series of stories about men who died in World War 1, and whose photographs appeared in a publication called “Our Nation’s Roll of Honor.” The original post and explanation can be found at this link. There will also be a complete listing of all the names researched at that same blog post.
LOST FACES OF WORLD WAR ONE: Our Nation’s Roll of Honor — Part Five
Private Desire Cloutier
Somerset, Mass
Killed in Action
Desire Cloutier was born 5 June 1892 at St. John’s Canada, son of George and Delima (Geautier) Cloutier of Fall River, Massachusetts. He was the brother of Mrs. Delia (Cloutier) Lagasse of Fall River, Mrs. Adele C. (Cloutier) Fournier of Somerset, Mrs. Melvina (Cloutier) Forcier of Pawtucket RI, Mrs. Carma (Cloutier) Abel of Manchester NH, George B. Cloutier, and Joseph Cloutier. He had been a resident in Massachusetts for twenty-one of his twenty-five years, by the time of his death.
Prior to military service, Desire Cloutier had been employed by the Swansea Dye company. He was killed in action 27 Aug 1918, near Bazoches, France. He enlisted 26 Feb 1918, and was assigned to the 151st D.B. He was transferred 15 March to Co. G 305th Inf 77th Division, and sent overseas 16 April 1918. He was buried at the Oise-Aisne American Cemetery, at Picardie, France.
Trumpeter Charles C. Coe
Chicago, IL
Died of Wounds
Charles Clarence Coe was born March 1898 in Chicago, IL, son of Charles R. & Lelia C. (Bayston) Coe. He grew up and attended schools in Chicago. In 1900 he was living there with his parents, and did not seem to have any siblings.
Charles C. Coe enlisted in the USMC on 9 Jun 1917, and went through boot camp at Parris Island in SC. He was assigned to the 96th Co., 2nd Battalion, 6th Regiment, Marine Barracks at Quantico, Virginia. He sailed to France aboard the USS Henderson for expeditionary service, arriving 8 February 1918.
He participated in engagements at Chateau Thierry, Bouresches, and Les Bois de Belleau. He was killed in action on 14 June 1918. He was buried 14 June 1918 in American Section, French Civilian Cemetery at LaFerte, France, Grave #29.
According to the Chicago Daily Tribune of 22 June 1918: Sergt. Charles C. Coe enlisted in the marine corps as a trumpeter, but because of his physical fitness was later appointed a runner, his duties being to carry messages through barrages, machine gun fire, and gas bombardments when other means of communication had failed. His parents, Mr. and Mrs. Charles R. Coe, yesterday received notification of his death from wounds received in action. Letter to Mother. Here is a letter his mother received from his a short time ago: “You say, pray; I do. When I am give a message I do not know what it contains. It may contain an order that will save the lives of my comrades, or it may be a trivial order. I do not know. Sometimes my path is shelled and sometimes I am in plain sight of the enemy.”
Private James D. Coleman
Jerseyville, IL
Died of Wounds
James D. Coleman was born October 26, 1894, at Ruyle Twp., Jersey Co. IL, son of William Patrick & Catherine (Mohr) Coleman. In 1910 he was living with his family in Fidelity, Jersey Co., IL along with siblings, William P. Coleman, Etta Coleman, and Andrew Coleman.
He enlisted in the United States Army and was assigned to the 128th Infantry Regiment, 32d Division. He died of wounds on 22 November 1918 in France, being buried at Suresnes American Cemetery, Suresnes France, Plot A, Row 7, Grave 11. [His obituary can be found at Genealogy Trails.] Let us not forget.
Private Ralph Cooke
Boston, Mass
Died of Wounds
Ralph Cooke was born 16 May 1897 at Cambridge, Massachusetts, son of William and Margaret (Quinn) Cooke (Irish immigrants). He was the brother of Mrs. Eveline Dunn of Bar Mills, Me., Florinda D. Harriot, Alfred W., Ernest, and Mrs. Dorothy Allen, all of Cambridge MA. Before the war he worked as an elevator operator.
22 June 1918 Boston Post newspaper, page 5
Ralph Cooke enlisted in the United States Marine Corp. on 25 March 1917.
On 5 June 1917 he was assigned to the 16th Company, 5th Regiment stationed at Philadelphia PA. He was sent overseas on 3 July 1917. Ralph Cooke died on 12 June 1918 of wounds received in action on 6 June, in or near Belleau Wood. He is buried at Suresnes American Cemetery and Memorial, Suresnes, France.
Ralph Cooke Square in Boston, Massachusetts, was named in his honor, and memory.
[Photos of Ralph Cooke Square: [No. 1] [No. 2] [No. 3]
Private Lloyd R. Coulbourn
Salisbury, MD [Wicomico Co]
Killed in Action.
Lloyd R. Coulbourn, aka Joshua Lloyd Coulbourn, was born 28 February 1896, Salisbury MD, the son of Joshua James & Mary Ellen (Timmons) Coulbourn.
In 1900 he was living in Nutters, Wicomico Co., MD with family, parents Joshua J. & Mary Coulbourn, and siblings Joseph, Isaac, Rutha, Clara and Thomas. [His father married twice had had many children].
He enlisted in the regular United States army as a private, and on 18 January 1918 he was a Private 1c in Co. I, 3rd Infantry. He was transferred to Co A 26th Infantry on 29 May 17, and was sent overseas on 14 June 1917. He was involved in battles at Sommerviller Sector, Ansauville Sector, and Cantigny Sector.
Private Lloyd R. Coulbourn was killed in action 27 May 1918, receiving a 1st Division Citation for Gallantry in Action during the operations connected with the capture and defense of Cantigny, May 27-31, 1918. At a time when it was necessary that the enemy obtain no identification, went over the top, under machine gun fire, and brought in the body of one of our men who had been killed in action. He was decorated with the Order of St. Sava (Serbian).
His burial place is unknown. His name appears on the Wicomo War Veteran’s Memorial, located outside of the Wicomo Youth & Civic Center, and erected in 2003.
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These posts really always bring home how costly is the price of war. So, so sad.
Thank you , Thank you !
I have been looking for my family genealogy for over 20 yrs and had hit to many brick walls .
Desire Cloutier is my great great Uncle .
Audelia Cloutier Fournier is my Great grandmother.
Now I know his name he will never be forgotten .
Thank you.
Diana, so glad to know you are ‘reunited’ with your family, and that Desire Cloutier’s name will never be forgotten.
Thank you .
Desire Cloutier is also Maliseet Frist Nations Native of Canada.
He has a right to be honored as a brave warrior .
I am working on a ceremony in his honor .
When I saw his pitcher I was taken back at how much he and my brothers look alike .
One brother looks like his twin and both were in military and died at early 20’s.
I founf out ..Uncle Desire had a very hard and sad life .
I look at his pitcher and I smile every time he is loved and his name will be whispered my 3 children know his name .
The past is only forgotten if we let .
Diana, I am so glad you and your family are reunited with the photograph. I reason I post the Lost Faces stories are to do exactly that. These brave men and women deserve to be remembered. I agree, the past is only forgotten if we let that happen.