John D. Huffman, Hickory Boy, Killed In Action, 1918

“Sergt. John D. Huffman Is Victim of Enemy Bomb,” from the front page of the Hickory Daily Record, July 27, 1918

Popular Hickory Boy and Brother of Capt. Geo. L. Huffman killed on Second Day of German Offiensive in Soissons-Rheims Salient…Memorial Sunday

Sergeant John D. Huffman, son of Mrs. Davidson C. Huffman, was killed by a German aerial bomb on July 16, according to a telegram received today by the other from Adjutant General McCain at Washington He was the first Hickory boy to be reported either killed or wounded. His death occurred on the second day of the German offensive, which press dispatches said at the time was accompanied by all sorts of bombardments from large naval guns and the air. He was tentmate of Sergeant John H.P. Cilley Jr. and was stationed, it was thought, in the rear of the actual battle at the time.

The New York Times of Sunday gave the list of units in General Pershing’s first army, which is operating in the big offensive of the Rheims-Soissons salient, and in the list were several North Carolina regiments, including the engineers regiment, of which the 105^th engineers train, though not mentioned, is a part. The list of units participating will be given at the close of this article.

Sergeant Huffman, who was a brother of Capt. Geo. L. Huffman, was in the command of First Lieut. Frank Laurence Cline, and was rated by him as the best mess officer in the United States. He was popular with his comrades and young John Cilley thought the world of him.

Many recall the fine young man as he appeared in Hickory. Handsome of stature, gentle but fearless, he commanded respect and won warm friendships. He had been in the service between six and eight years, enlisting in old Co. A while Capt. G.W. Payne was commander, and retaining his membership even while he resided at Waynesville for a time. As a boy he was employed as a Western Union Messenger and Manager Foster said today there was none better. Outgrowing his position, he became an employe of Hutton & Bourbonnaise Company and no man in that big plant was more respected by all.

Sergeant Huff was about 27 years old. He was a sterling young man in every way and he died as he would have preferred—fighting for home, country and right. Details of his death probably will not be received until some member of his company writes the facts home.

The famous “rainbow” division also is on the Soissons-Rheims front. The first army contains units from 31 states and the District of Columbia. The commander of the 105^th engineers is Col. Homer B. Ferguson, and second in command was Dr. Joseph Hyde Pratt, lieutenant colonel. Major Geo. L. Lyerly of Hickory is commander of a battalion and Lieuts. Cline and Joseph L. Cilley of Hickory are other officers in the engineers.

A memorial service will be held Sunday afternoon at 4 o’clock in Holy Trinity Lutheran Church for Sergeant Huffman, who was a member of this church. Dr. F.C. Longaker will conduct and friends of the young man are invited to be present.

The telegram from Adjutant General McCain reads:

“Mrs. Davidson C. Huffman, Hickory, N.C.

“Deeply regret to inform you that Sergeant John D. Huffman, engineers, is officially reported as killed by an enemy aerial bomb July sixteen.”

Other North Carolinians also on the list of killed and wounded this week include Private Turney Page of Wilson, who died of wounds, and Private Harry M. Joyner of Concord, who was wounded severely.

With First Army

In the New York Times of Sunday was published the list of North Carolina units in the first army, to which Sergeant Huffman was attached. The list includes:

30^th Division (North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee, Major Gen. George W. Reid commanding

59^th Brigade of Infantry:

117^th Regiment (3^rd Tennessee Infantry)

118^th Regiment (1^st South Carolina Infantry)

114^th Machine Gun Battalion (three troops of Tennessee Calvary)

60^th Brigade of Infantry:

119^th Regiment (2^nd North Carolina Infantry)

120^th Regiement (3^rd North Carolina Infantry)

115^th Machine Gun Battalion (three troops of North Carolina Calvary)

55^th Brigade of Field Artillery:

113^th Regiment (North Carolina)

114^th Regiment (Tennessee)

115^th Regiment (Tennessee)

105^th Trench Mortar Battery (one troop Tennessee Calvary)

Engineer Troops:

105^th Regiment (North Carolina)

Signal Troops:

105^th Field Signal Battalion (South Carolina)

Trains:

105^th Headquarters and Military Police (South Carolina)

105^th Ammunition Train (South Carolina)

105^th Supply Train (North Carolina)

105^th Sanitary Train (units from all three states)

Division Units:

Headquarters Troop (one troop South Carolina Calvary)

113^th Machine Gun Battalion (Tennessee and North Carolina Infantry)