America’s Known Soldier: Finding the last soldier to fall in WW1 (23 Photos)

1 America’s Tomb of The Unknown Soldier had very different original plans… this is the story of “America’s Known Soldier”. 2 ...

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America’s Tomb of The Unknown Soldier had very different original plans…
this is the story of “America’s Known Soldier”.

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The original National plans directed that “America’s Known Soldier” be placed beside 
The Tomb of The Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery.

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Above is statue of a man named PVT Charles Graves.

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From Chiver’s e-mail:
Here’s the pics and some information about PVT Graves, “America’s Known Soldier”.
Some information varies (like Wikipedia, etc) about Private Graves, but by if you go by 
what is inscribed on his monuments it tells the story of one of America’s LAST casualties of 
World War I.

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I stumbled upon his tomb by complete accident nearly three years ago. The Army decided I 
would go on recruiting duty and be stationed in a little town in Northwest Georgia I had never
 heard of before, Rome. I rented a house just a few blocks from downtown Rome sight unseen. 
Upon arriving I saw Myrtle Hill Cemetery, a beautiful cemetery built into the sides of an 11 acre hill located across the Coosa 
river from downtown Rome.

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Myrtle Hill recalls a forgotten era when cemeteries were the outdoor gathering spots, 
it’s complete with walking trails, placards, monuments, even a couple picnic spots and scenic 
outcroppings. Being a history buff and a lover of anything outdoors I immediately investigated. That’s how I stumble upon Private 
Graves.

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Onto America’s Known Soldier:
Private Charles W. Graves was one of the last American Soldiers killed in action during World
 War I. A bronzed WWI Soldier stands ever ready, ever vigilant watching over our country’s
 representative of all her fallen sons and 
daughters.
A plaque beneath the Soldier reads:
“They went with songs to battle, they were young straight of limb, true of eye, steady and 
aglow.
They were staunch to the end against odds uncounted. They fell with their faces to the foe.
They shall not grow old as we grow old; age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the early morning we will remember them.”
-Lawrence Binyon
September 21, 1914

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Source Wiki: Thomson200

Private Graves is guarded by three 1904 water cooled machine guns and is held up by all the
 veterans of Northwest Georgia who served both before and after; their individual names are
 engraved on the bricks that make up Veterans Plaza.

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…their individual names are engraved on the bricks that make up Veterans Plaza.

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Private Graves monument reads:
Here lies in honored glory an American Soldier, PVT. Charles W. Graves. 

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In March, 1922 the troopship Cambria returned the 1,065 bodies of the known dead to the
 United States. The last body removed was Charles W. Graves, designated as 
“Representative of the Nation’s Known Dead of the World War.” 

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On April 2nd a memorial service was held at the Brooklyn Navy Yard. Four Army Generals
 and four Navy Admirals carried the body of Private Graves. Thousands of Gold Star
 Mothers, U.S. Senators, Representatives and Governors attended. 

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President Warren G. Harding’s eulogy delivered besides Graves’ flag draped casket, 
contained these lines: They have set for all of us the perfect example of serve and 
sacrifice and it is well that their associates should, through this tribute, remind the nation 
of its eternal obligation to prove worthy of the devotion its sons have shown for it. 

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National plans directed that America’s Known Soldier be placed beside The Tomb of 
The Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery. The Graves family requested his 
body be returned to his native Georgia. 

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Graves was interred at Antioch Church Cemetery, Callier Springs Road on April 6, 1922. 
Hundreds marched from Broad Street and Second Avenue to the small wooden church. 
Armistice Day (renamed Veteran’s Day after WWII) services were conducted there November
 11, 1922. 

On September 22, 1923 Grave’s body was removed from Antioch and interned at Myrtle Hill – his third burial. 

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On the fifth anniversary of the end of The World War, Armistice Day 1923 was observed at 
the Myrtle Hill site.
General E. M. Lewis, 8th Corp Area, who delivered the Address of Dedication, saying,
“He has given all that he had … what could any man do more?” 

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When I found his tomb I was first amazed, filled with pride and appreciation. I love American
 history, especially military history. I love it so much my plan is to teach American History after
 I retire from the Army. But my amazement quickly dissipated.

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How could I consider myself a history buff, a patriot and a Soldier yet know nothing of 
America’s Known Soldier? What’s even worse, I thought, is the country’s military history 
and the sacrifices of her sons and daughters is slowly fading from our collective memory.

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I decided I need to do everything I can to refresh that memory and keep the patriotic spark
 alive – which coincidentally is one of the reasons I immediately fell in love with our little 
drinking organization so many years ago. Where else do you find a bunch of dirty minded 
social miscreants with hearts of gold, set out on a self-appointed mission to save the world 
one random act of kindness at a time?  I’ll take my RAK with a side of hump dar and a pinch 
of under boob, thank you sir. 

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There are two bronze plaques on Private Graves’ tomb, they read: 

Charles W. Graves – Private Soldier – Born March 8, 1892 – Enlisted August 16,1917
 Company M 117 Infantry 3rd Tennessee Regiment 30th Division
Killed on the Hindenburg Line
October 5, 1918
near Nuroy, France 

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“The last of the nation’s dead to return to his native soil. This body was honored by the
 government of the United States of America as representative of its known dead in the 
World War.”

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Sorry the pics ain’t the best, just a dude taking pics with an old android phone.
Thanks again,
KCCO – Keith Doucette

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NO, thank you Keith…these photos are so powerful.