Samuel Howard Ewart

The following profile was researched and compiled by Candice L. Buchanan and Glenn J. R. T. Toothman III, for www.RainDayBoys.com.

Birth: 13 September 1889 Cumberland Township, Greene County, Pennsylvania

Parents: Francis Marion Ewart and Susan Amy Hewitt

Residence at time of enlistment: Cumberland Township, Greene County, Pennsylvania

Physical description: Medium height, medium build, blue eyes, light hair

Death: Killed in action 4 November 1918 France

Age at death: 29 years old

Last resting place: Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery, Romagne-sous-Montfaucon, Departement de la Meuse, Lorraine, France

A cenotaph also exists for him in the family lot at Glades Cemetery in Cumberland Township, Greene County, Pennsylvania.

Military rank: Serial No. 1786296. Corporal. Headquarters Company, 316th Infantry, 79th Division.

Additional information:

Though the death date they note is in conflict with military records, this tribute was published a year after Samuel's death by his family in the Democrat Messenger on 7 November 1919:

"In memory of our dear brother, Corp. Samuel Howard Ewart, of the 316th Infantry, 79th Division, who a year ago today, November 7, 1918, was killed in action by machine gun fire.

Mourn not dear ones whose star of thee has turned to gold

Twas but the changing of uncertain hope to victory.

Not since God's son made free eternal life from death unfold,

have men so honest died as those who fell for Democracy."

Samuel was posthumously awarded the Silver Star Citation for gallantry in action by the War Department on 12 March 1923 for the fighting near the Borne du Cornouiller, France (Hill 378), 2-4 November 1918.

SOURCES:

  • Glades Cemetery (Cumberland Township, Greene County, Pennsylvania; southeast of Carmichaels, at the site of the former New Providence Presbyterian Church), Samuel H. Ewart cenotaph; read and photographed by Candice Buchanan and Glenn Toothman, 2018.
  • Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery (Romagne-sous-Montfaucon, Lorraine, France), Samuel H. Ewart tombstone, Plot H, Row 16, Grave 21; personally read and photographed by Candice Buchanan and Glenn Toothman, 2017.
  • Tribute to Samuel Howard Ewart, Democrat Messenger, Waynesburg, Pennsylvania, 7 November 1919.
  • "United States, Army Transport Service Passenger Lists 1910-1939," digital images, Ancestry.com (http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=61174 : accessed 22 June 2018), Samuel H. Ewart entry, line 56, page 3 (typed)/12 (stamped), Agamemnon, box 367; citing Lists of Outgoing Passengers, 1917-1938. Textual records. 255 Boxes. NAI: 6234477. Record Group Title: Records of the Office of the Quartermaster General, 1774-1985. Record Group Number 92. National Archives, College Park, Maryland.
  • "United States, World War I Selective Service System Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918," digital images, Ancestry.com (http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=6482 : accessed 22 June 2018), Samuel Howard Ewart draft card, serial no. 1847, Local Draft Board, Dauphin Boro, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania; citing National Archives microfilm publication M1509, FHL roll 1877944.
  • "WWI Veterans Service and Compensation Files, 1917-1919, 1934-1948," digital images, Ancestry.com (http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=60884 : accessed 22 June 2018), I. O. Ewart, brother of Samuel Howard Ewart - application no. 236870; citing World War I Veterans Service and Compensation File, 1934–1948 (RG 19, Series 19.91), Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC), Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.