I found no website for the Legion Post itself.
According to Kansas Genweb: (
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Lloyd Beaton was a 2nd Lieutenant with the Headquarters Company of the 119th Field Artillery killed in Action on 30Aug1918. (The entry is mistyped as PA for which their is no abbreviation).
According to Find-a-Grave:
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2LT Lloyd Beaton is buried in the Oise-Aisne American Cemetery,
Fere-en-Tardenois, Picardie, France.
The Oise-Aisne American Cemetery and Memorial is located 2.5 kilometers east of Fere-en–Tardenois, along the D2 highway near the hamlet of Seringes-et-Nesles, approximately 113 kilometers northeast of Paris.
The Cemetery, 36.5 acres in extent, is the second largest of eight permanent American World War I military cemeteries on foreign soil. Established initially on 2 August 1918 by the 42nd Division as a temporary battlefield cemetery, Congress authorized its retention as a permanent cemetery in 1921.
The majority of the 6012 War Dead interred in the cemetery died fighting along the Ourcq River and in the area between the cemetery and the Oise River during the Aisne-Marne Offensive (July-August 1918) and Oise-Aisne Offensive (August-September 1918).
The history of the 32nd Division, which the 119th Field Artillery was attached, describes the events of the 30th of April:
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General Mangin ordered a general attack by the entire 10th French Army (of which the 32nd was a part of at this time) to take place at 0525 hrs on 29 August, with the objective of a complete break through the German line. Two companies of tanks and a troop of Moroccan Cavalry were attached to the 32nd Division (several French Artillery units were also attached to the 57th Field Artillery Brigade of the 32nd Division). A tremendous artillery preparation had been delivered during the night, followed by a rolling barrage in front of the attacking infantry in the morning, but all this seemed to have little effect on the German machine gun nests, some of which took good advantage of numerous caves in the area. The Germans also laid down an effective counter barrage, just as our troops jumped off. The entire 10th French Army met a determined German defense occupying well sited and protected positions. Casualties were heavy on both sides and very little ground was gained. Because of the heavy casualties, the 63rd Brigade was relieved by the 64th Brigade on the night of 29-30 August in preparation for the next general attack, planned for 30 August. The 127th was on the right and the 128th on the left, each with two battalions in the line and one in support.
The planned attack for 30 August was not ordered. This situation left the 32nd Division front line still exposed on the hill west of Juvigny, with the troops suffering heavily. While corrective measures were being considered, word was received from the 59th French Division on our right that its right flank had advanced in close liaison with the division to their right, which had found a weak spot in the German line and had broken through. It became apparent that this movement was going to meet with success and preparations were made for the 32nd to participate in the shove. This would give us the opportunity to attack Juvigny. When the attack was launched, the left flank, together with the 66th French Division on our left, was held up by heavy fire coming from the northeast. The right flank, however, moved forward, and while it encountered determined opposition in going through the woods, it succeeded in making its way through the ravine to a position to the south of Juvigny with the extreme right partially enveloping the town to the east. One battalion of the 128th Infantry moved forward west of Juvigny and reached a position north of the town, in this way the village was practically surrounded. The enemy was taken by surprise by the attack, but recovered and delivered a counter attack on our left flank. This attack was repulsed by the 128th, which had been reinforced on its left by a battalion of the 125th Infantry. With Juvigny surrounded, the support battalion of the 127th Infantry entered the town from the southwest and mopped up, encountering some wicked fighting. Nearly all of the German troops holding the village were either killed or captured.
Finally, on the troopship coming home, a letter to the survivors of the 119th Field Artillery was written by their Commander, Colonel Chesester B. McCormick.
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It reads in part:
Consequently on the 24th of August, the regiment moved out and after four days of hard forced marches, covered approximately 140 kilometers on the 28th were again in support of the 32nd Division west of Juvigny fighting dead east and suffering flank fire from the north. Here, after bitter and determined fighting, in which the Division withstood several powerful counterattacks by some of the best enemy divisions, sent to "Hold the lines at all costs" you enabled our gallant infantry to capture Juvigny and reach Torny-Sorny. The brilliant support which our artillery brigade gave to the infantry enabled them to gain the heights of the plateau overlooking the Aisne. The 32nd was relieve on September 1st by the 1st Moroccan Division where the same determined spirit of the officers and enlisted men prevailed much to the admiration of the French Artillery Commander of the sector.
The people of Baldwin City, as well as the State of Kansas, are proud to have heroes like Lloyd Beaton in our history. It is well that his sacrifice for his country should be forever be remembered.