John Courtwright

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

Birth: 11 February 1894 Wind Ridge, Richhill Township, Greene County, Pennsylvania

Parents: George Washington Courtwright and Matilda Caroline Huffman

Residence at time of enlistment: McCracken, Aleppo Township, Greene County, Pennsylvania

Physical description: Tall, medium build, brown eyes, black hair

Death: 29 September 1918 Verdun-sur-Meuse, Lorraine, France

Age at death: 24 years old

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

Military rank: Serial No. 2470156. Private. Company C, 320th Infantry, 80th Division.

Additional Information:

John grew up into his role as a farm hand in Richhill Township, ahead of the war. Families living in parts of western Greene County, Pennsylvania, at that time were given mailing addresses through the Cameron, Marshall County, West Virginia, post office.

John left the United States with his Company, aboard the Italia, out of Norfolk, Virginia, 18 May 1918.

SOURCES:

  • W. M. Haulsee, F. G. Howe, and A. C. Doyle, Soldiers of the Great War, 3 volumes (Washington D.C.: Soldiers Record Publishing Association, 1920), 3: 391, Pvt. John Courtwright entry.
  • Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery (Romagne-sous-Montfaucon, Lorraine, France), John Courtwright tombstone, Plot B, Row 25, Grave 4; personally read and photographed by Candice Buchanan and Glenn Toothman, 2018.
  • "United States, Army Transport Service Passenger Lists 1910-1939," digital images, Ancestry.com (http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=61174 : accessed 1 July 2018), John Courtwright entry, line 35, page 80 (stamped), Italia, departure 18 May 1918 Norfolk, box 542; 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 13 January 2018), John Courtwright draft card, serial no. 1511, Local Draft Board, Richhill Township, Greene County, Pennsylvania; citing National Archives microfilm publication M1509, FHL roll 1892939.
  • "WWI Veterans Service and Compensation Files, 1917-1919, 1934-1948," digital images, Ancestry.com (http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=60884 : accessed 13 January 2018), Mrs. Tillie Courtwright, mother of John Courtwright - application no. 190101; citing World War I Veterans Service and Compensation File, 1934–1948 (RG 19, Series 19.91), Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC), Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.