FIRST - Warren Co. Boy Mentioned for Bravery, World War I - Warrenton, MO
Posted by: 
YoSam.
N 38° 48.935 W 091° 09.607
15S E 659737 N 4297919
Text of FIRST is on top of the stone, very hard to read because of weathering. New photo
Waymark Code: WM1C6DE
Location: Missouri, United States
Date Posted: 06/15/2025
Views: 1
County of tombstone: Warren County
Location of tombstone: MO-MM (Booneslick Rd.), City Cemetery, just E. of Gazebo, Warrenton
There is also a star on the top of the tombstone which represents the award given. Please read the newspaper article below for full explanation. Star reads: "OUR COUNTRY'S SAVIOR"
Tombstone Text:
top of the Gravestone:
Erected by Wm. L. Morsey Sr.
and Dr. J.H. Dyer for the first
Warren Co. boy mentioned
for bravery World War
1914 - 1918
-------------------------------
front of the Gravestone:
CORP. JOHN W.
HUMPHREY,
OCT. 2, 1895
JULY 18, 1918
------------
Born in Warrenton, Warren Co,
Mo. and died on the battlefield,
Of Cantigny, France.
------------------------------
back of the Gravestone:
Corporal John W. Humphrey, Co. E.
16th, U.S. Infantry, gave proof of the
Greatest bravery and finest loyalty
Toward his comrades on May 12, 1918
In the Cantigny sector, one of his
Comrades having been buried alive
Under a mass of debris and earth,
He worked to get him out in spite of
The bombardment, without care
For his own safety and succeeded
In rescuing him. Signed by order of
The Marshal of France, Commander
In Chief, with the approbation of the
Commander of the A.E.F.
"The final rites in honor of Corporal John Humphreys, who made the supreme sacrifice in the late war, were held here Monday afternoon. Corporal Humphrey was killed in the terrific battle of Chauteau-Thierry, July 18, 1918. He enlisted in the state of Montana July 5, 1917, and was one of the first Warren county boys to reach the battle front. He did heroic service, and on several occasions distinguished himself for bravery. In one of the big battles in France he distinguished himself by rescuing a number of his comrades at the risk of his own life, and for this won a medal of honor from the French War Staff.
After the close of the war his body was returned to his own beloved land, and arrived at the home of his mother, Mrs. Roy VanBibber, in Truesdale Saturday evening, and the funeral services were held Monday afternoon.
The services were under the auspices of the Warrenton American Legion Post and a large number of ex-soldiers took part. At the cemetery and in the home short and appropriate talks were made by Congressman Theo. W. Hukriede, Rev. Herman Specht of the Evangelical church, Rev. Father Dieckman of Jonesburg and Dr. J. J. DeVereaux. As the body was lowered to its resting place, a squad of the Legion Post fired a salute in honor of the brave young soldier, and he was left for his eternal sleep.
"Shortly after the entrance of the United States in the World War, the late Col. Morsey and Dr. J. H. Dyer each made a public announcement that they would give a fifty dollar U. S. Bond to the first Warren county boy who would receive honorable mention for heroic services rendered in this war. This honor fell to Corporal Humphreys, who received honorable mention from the French Government for bravery in action. Since this reward cannot be given to this brave soldier, Mrs. Morsey and Dr. Dyer have agreed to erect a suitable monument to his memory in the city cemetery. This is a very commendable action to take in this matter and we are sure will meet with the approval of all concerned." ~ Published in The Warrenton Banner, Friday, May 20, 1921, Page 1, Column 2
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