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SGT Roscoe Bledsoe
Birth:  Apr. 12, 1886
French Lick
Orange County
Indiana, USA
Death:  Apr. 18, 1918
Verdun, France

ROSCOE BLEDSOE, Gunnery Sergeant, 6 Regiment, U.S.M.C., 2 Division, Indiana, April 18, 1918, a casualty of World War I.

Roscoe (or Ross as he was called) was born to Delphus Adolphus Bledsoe (1851 - 1928) and Mary Elizabeth Cox Bledsoe (1855 - 1941) on April 12, 1886 near French Lick, IN.

Working as a 27 year old farmer, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps on February 22, 1914 in Louisville, KY. Roscoe trained at Parris Island, SC and Quantico, VA. After boot camp, he was assigned to the 74th Company 6th Regiment, 2nd Division.

In October of 1917, he was deployed overseas. In 1914, the powers-to-be in the war introduced poisonous gases as a method of mass destruction. Roscoe fell April 18, 1918, as a victim to the effects of these combined gases in the Verdun area of France.

An article from the Spring Valley Herald (April 25, 1918) related: BLEDSOE, Ross - News of the death of Ross Bledsoe of wounds received in the first line trenches in France on April 18 (1918) was received here this morning. His brother, John Bledsoe, received a telegram a few days ago stating that Ross was slightly wounded in action and stated that if anything serious developed, notice would be sent, and the telegram this morning is the sequel to the sad story. Ross is the first French Lick Township boy to lose his life in this war and brings home to us all what we have to expect hear frequently now. Ross had served a term in the regular army and re-enlisted last summer and was one of the first to go over with Gen. Pershing." www.InGenWeb.org/InOrange

U.S. soldiers numbered 72,807 in casualties and 1,462 in deaths. With the Armistice, the horrific and disgusting wartime use of poison gases was outlawed in 1925... Excerpted from FirstWorldWar.com.

It has been reported and recorded that Roscoe was buried in the Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery, Romange, France, in Plot H, Row 30, Grave 27...

It was previously reported that he was possibly buried at Fresna, France, Grave No. 168...

In honoring Roscoe Bledsoe's memory, strength, courage and patriotism, giving his life for our country, excerpts in this bio have been taken from the Bio and Links Commonwealth War Graves Commission and American Battle Monuments Commission, the creators of this memorial.

Also, credits go to the Orange Co. Indiana Gold Star Honor Roll 1914-1918, A Memorial to Orange Co. Soldiers and Sailors Who Died Serving Their Country in WW I (a wonderful tribute). This was introduced by www.InGenWeb.org/InOrange and made public for all to share in its honor for our service personnel. Credit also goes to some very special genealogists for their assistance.

A very, very special thank you to Marijke Taffein from France, who went to the cemetery (on my FindAGrave Photo Request) and took close-ups of the grave and cross on August 31, 2011, so all could read it. We're VERY proud!

Also contributed by S.I. Rider (#47464039) on April 18, 2013: Ross' wife was Sarah Iona (Drake) Bledsoe.
 
 
Family links: 
 Parents:
  Delphus Adolphus Bledsoe (1851 - 1928)
  Mary Elizabeth Cox Bledsoe (1855 - 1941)
 
Burial:
Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery and Memorial
Romagne-sous-Montfaucon
Departement de la Meuse
Lorraine, France
Plot: H, Row 30, Grave 27
 
Maintained by: Chiquita
Originally Created by: CWGC/ABMC
Record added: Aug 06, 2010
Find A Grave Memorial# 55990709
SGT Roscoe Bledsoe
Added by: soilsister
 
SGT Roscoe Bledsoe
Added by: Chiquita
 
SGT Roscoe Bledsoe
Added by: Chiquita
 
 
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In your honor - from a daughter of a father that also fought for the Red, White and Blue.
- Chiquita
 Added: Jul. 19, 2013
To all those who served, and especially the ones that gave their all - their lives. Proud you're in my family.
- Chiquita
 Added: Aug. 28, 2011
 
This page is sponsored by: Chiquita

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