William Thomas Asbury was born in the fall of 1893, October 10, in the small community of Dunlow, West Virginia that is located in southern Wayne County on Twelvepole Creek. His parents, Thomas and Susan Finley, both natives of West Virginia were married in Wayne County on April 6, 1889 and had six other children, Sallie, Charles, Pauline, Arlie, Edgar and Margaret. Thomas provided for the family by faming as many others of the day did. Unfortunately he passed at the age of 47 in March 1917.
With the United States declaring war on Germany on April 6, 1917, nearly three years after the World War began in Europe, a national army through conscription was needed. William registered for the World War I Draft on May 28, 1917 while living in Akron, Ohio, employed as a Carpenter. He claimed exemption to the draft as he was now helping provide support to his mother and siblings. He was described as of medium built with blue eyes and light colored hair. Two months later, May 28, he voluntarily enlisted in the US Marine Corps and was sent to Parris Island, North Carolina for eight weeks of basic training. From there he was sent to Quantico, Virginia and assigned to the newly created 6 Marine Regiment, 83 Company, 2 Marine Division. Training continued at Quantico in preparation for overseas movement to France.
His brother Arlie pass on November 4, 1917 at the age of 17. With heavy heart I'm sure, William and his unit departed for France thirteen days later. Upon arrival William's unit, 6 Marines joined others to form the 4 Brigade, US 2 Division, American Expeditionary Force. The early spring was devoted to training under French tutelage. The Marine 4 Brigade entered the trenches of the Toulon Sector in March 1918 where it suffered its first combat casualties. The company billeting area where William was staying was gassed by the Germans on April 13, 1918. Surviving the gas attack he as a member of the 4 Brigade was ordered to shore up crumbling French lines near Château-Thierry in late May 1918. The 6 Marines took up positions southwest of Belleau Wood, then it was ordered to seize the town of Bouresches and to clear the southern half of Belleau Wood itself on June 6. These attacks were the beginning of a month-long struggle that eventually became a landmark battle for the U.S. Marine Corps. During this struggle Private William Thomas Asbury became missing in action on June 8, 1918. His remains have never been recovered or accounted for. William's Marine Corps comrades continued the fight until the signing of the Armistice on November 11, 1918. They returned to the United States the following June and the 6 Marines was deactivated at Quantico on August 13, 1919 after victoriously parading through the streets of New York and Washington D. C. "In all the history of the Marine Corps there is no such battle as that one in Belleau Wood. Fighting day and night without relief, without sleep, often without water, and for days without hot rations, the Marines met and defeated the best divisions that Germany could throw into the line"….US Secretary of the Navy Josephus Daniel.
Following the armistice families of fallen American Soldiers were given the choice of leaving their sons buried in an American Cemetery in Europe with their comrades or bring them home for reburial. Sadly neither choice applied to mother Susan. She could only hope and wait that William's remains would be discovered and of course the thought all of us would have is that he would be found alive. A widow of three years Susan remarried a Mr. James A. Napier in 1920 at the age of 49.
In 1929 Congress enacted legislation that paid the travel expenses to the grave sites for mothers and widows whose sons and husbands had died overseas as members of the American Expeditionary Forces (AEF) during the war and whose remains are now interred in such cemeteries. Congress later extended eligibility for pilgrimages to mothers and widows of men who died and were buried at sea or who died at sea or overseas and whose places of burial were unknown. The cost would be $5 million dollars and 6,693 eligible women would accept the invitation. The program would continue until October 1933.
Susan received a letter dated June 24, 1930 from the War Department asking if her deceased son William was survived by a mother? She completed the questionnaire by saying yes, Mrs. Susan Napier, Quaker, West Virginia. This was followed by another letter/questionnaire dated August 8, 1930 that asked five questions; (1) Do you desire to make this pilgrimage? Answer, Yes (2) Do you desire to make this pilgrimage in the calendar year 1931? Answer, Yes (3) Please give your age and state your health. Answer, age 59, health good (4) Do you speak English? Answer, Yes (5) What other languages do you speak? Answer, None. In the following months she received detailed instructions on all aspects of the trip including train schedules, who would meet her and what type of clothing to take as France had much cooler weather than the United States. Nothing was left to chance.
On August 5, 1931 Susan sailed from New York Harbor with 105 other Gold Star Mothers and Wives aboard the SS President Harding. They arrived in Cherbourg, France at 6:30 a.m., August 15. Each day was carefully planned to give the pilgrim ladies time alone with their deceased sons, time to rest, shop, sightsee and dine each day. Of course Susan had no actual grave to visit but could spend time in the Chapel at the Aisne-Marne Cemetery and visit the Tablets of the Missing where the name of Asbury, William T. was inscribed. Her group arrived back in New York on September 4 and each returned to their homes. On September 9, Susan mailed the self-addressed post card to the Officer In Charge of the Pilgrimage, War Mothers and Widows informing them that she had returned home safely and in good health.
Epilogue: Susan Finley Asbury Napier passed on October 24, 1955 at the age of 84 never knowing the final ending to her sons life. Many generations have since passed and I wonder if any still remember William and the sacrifice made? It is gratifying that his mother was able to make the pilgrimage and stand on the same soil in France.
It was my honor to write this short biography from available documents found. I know it doesn't start to do William or his family justice. Lest we forget…Larry E. Hume, Chief Master Sergeant, US Air Force, Retired.
With the United States declaring war on Germany on April 6, 1917, nearly three years after the World War began in Europe, a national army through conscription was needed. William registered for the World War I Draft on May 28, 1917 while living in Akron, Ohio, employed as a Carpenter. He claimed exemption to the draft as he was now helping provide support to his mother and siblings. He was described as of medium built with blue eyes and light colored hair. Two months later, May 28, he voluntarily enlisted in the US Marine Corps and was sent to Parris Island, North Carolina for eight weeks of basic training. From there he was sent to Quantico, Virginia and assigned to the newly created 6 Marine Regiment, 83 Company, 2 Marine Division. Training continued at Quantico in preparation for overseas movement to France.
His brother Arlie pass on November 4, 1917 at the age of 17. With heavy heart I'm sure, William and his unit departed for France thirteen days later. Upon arrival William's unit, 6 Marines joined others to form the 4 Brigade, US 2 Division, American Expeditionary Force. The early spring was devoted to training under French tutelage. The Marine 4 Brigade entered the trenches of the Toulon Sector in March 1918 where it suffered its first combat casualties. The company billeting area where William was staying was gassed by the Germans on April 13, 1918. Surviving the gas attack he as a member of the 4 Brigade was ordered to shore up crumbling French lines near Château-Thierry in late May 1918. The 6 Marines took up positions southwest of Belleau Wood, then it was ordered to seize the town of Bouresches and to clear the southern half of Belleau Wood itself on June 6. These attacks were the beginning of a month-long struggle that eventually became a landmark battle for the U.S. Marine Corps. During this struggle Private William Thomas Asbury became missing in action on June 8, 1918. His remains have never been recovered or accounted for. William's Marine Corps comrades continued the fight until the signing of the Armistice on November 11, 1918. They returned to the United States the following June and the 6 Marines was deactivated at Quantico on August 13, 1919 after victoriously parading through the streets of New York and Washington D. C. "In all the history of the Marine Corps there is no such battle as that one in Belleau Wood. Fighting day and night without relief, without sleep, often without water, and for days without hot rations, the Marines met and defeated the best divisions that Germany could throw into the line"….US Secretary of the Navy Josephus Daniel.
Following the armistice families of fallen American Soldiers were given the choice of leaving their sons buried in an American Cemetery in Europe with their comrades or bring them home for reburial. Sadly neither choice applied to mother Susan. She could only hope and wait that William's remains would be discovered and of course the thought all of us would have is that he would be found alive. A widow of three years Susan remarried a Mr. James A. Napier in 1920 at the age of 49.
In 1929 Congress enacted legislation that paid the travel expenses to the grave sites for mothers and widows whose sons and husbands had died overseas as members of the American Expeditionary Forces (AEF) during the war and whose remains are now interred in such cemeteries. Congress later extended eligibility for pilgrimages to mothers and widows of men who died and were buried at sea or who died at sea or overseas and whose places of burial were unknown. The cost would be $5 million dollars and 6,693 eligible women would accept the invitation. The program would continue until October 1933.
Susan received a letter dated June 24, 1930 from the War Department asking if her deceased son William was survived by a mother? She completed the questionnaire by saying yes, Mrs. Susan Napier, Quaker, West Virginia. This was followed by another letter/questionnaire dated August 8, 1930 that asked five questions; (1) Do you desire to make this pilgrimage? Answer, Yes (2) Do you desire to make this pilgrimage in the calendar year 1931? Answer, Yes (3) Please give your age and state your health. Answer, age 59, health good (4) Do you speak English? Answer, Yes (5) What other languages do you speak? Answer, None. In the following months she received detailed instructions on all aspects of the trip including train schedules, who would meet her and what type of clothing to take as France had much cooler weather than the United States. Nothing was left to chance.
On August 5, 1931 Susan sailed from New York Harbor with 105 other Gold Star Mothers and Wives aboard the SS President Harding. They arrived in Cherbourg, France at 6:30 a.m., August 15. Each day was carefully planned to give the pilgrim ladies time alone with their deceased sons, time to rest, shop, sightsee and dine each day. Of course Susan had no actual grave to visit but could spend time in the Chapel at the Aisne-Marne Cemetery and visit the Tablets of the Missing where the name of Asbury, William T. was inscribed. Her group arrived back in New York on September 4 and each returned to their homes. On September 9, Susan mailed the self-addressed post card to the Officer In Charge of the Pilgrimage, War Mothers and Widows informing them that she had returned home safely and in good health.
Epilogue: Susan Finley Asbury Napier passed on October 24, 1955 at the age of 84 never knowing the final ending to her sons life. Many generations have since passed and I wonder if any still remember William and the sacrifice made? It is gratifying that his mother was able to make the pilgrimage and stand on the same soil in France.
It was my honor to write this short biography from available documents found. I know it doesn't start to do William or his family justice. Lest we forget…Larry E. Hume, Chief Master Sergeant, US Air Force, Retired.
William Thomas Asbury was born in the fall of 1893, October 10, in the small community of Dunlow, West Virginia that is located in southern Wayne County on Twelvepole Creek. His parents, Thomas and Susan Finley, both natives of West Virginia were married in Wayne County on April 6, 1889 and had six other children, Sallie, Charles, Pauline, Arlie, Edgar and Margaret. Thomas provided for the family by faming as many others of the day did. Unfortunately he passed at the age of 47 in March 1917.
With the United States declaring war on Germany on April 6, 1917, nearly three years after the World War began in Europe, a national army through conscription was needed. William registered for the World War I Draft on May 28, 1917 while living in Akron, Ohio, employed as a Carpenter. He claimed exemption to the draft as he was now helping provide support to his mother and siblings. He was described as of medium built with blue eyes and light colored hair. Two months later, May 28, he voluntarily enlisted in the US Marine Corps and was sent to Parris Island, North Carolina for eight weeks of basic training. From there he was sent to Quantico, Virginia and assigned to the newly created 6 Marine Regiment, 83 Company, 2 Marine Division. Training continued at Quantico in preparation for overseas movement to France.
His brother Arlie pass on November 4, 1917 at the age of 17. With heavy heart I'm sure, William and his unit departed for France thirteen days later. Upon arrival William's unit, 6 Marines joined others to form the 4 Brigade, US 2 Division, American Expeditionary Force. The early spring was devoted to training under French tutelage. The Marine 4 Brigade entered the trenches of the Toulon Sector in March 1918 where it suffered its first combat casualties. The company billeting area where William was staying was gassed by the Germans on April 13, 1918. Surviving the gas attack he as a member of the 4 Brigade was ordered to shore up crumbling French lines near Château-Thierry in late May 1918. The 6 Marines took up positions southwest of Belleau Wood, then it was ordered to seize the town of Bouresches and to clear the southern half of Belleau Wood itself on June 6. These attacks were the beginning of a month-long struggle that eventually became a landmark battle for the U.S. Marine Corps. During this struggle Private William Thomas Asbury became missing in action on June 8, 1918. His remains have never been recovered or accounted for. William's Marine Corps comrades continued the fight until the signing of the Armistice on November 11, 1918. They returned to the United States the following June and the 6 Marines was deactivated at Quantico on August 13, 1919 after victoriously parading through the streets of New York and Washington D. C. "In all the history of the Marine Corps there is no such battle as that one in Belleau Wood. Fighting day and night without relief, without sleep, often without water, and for days without hot rations, the Marines met and defeated the best divisions that Germany could throw into the line"….US Secretary of the Navy Josephus Daniel.
Following the armistice families of fallen American Soldiers were given the choice of leaving their sons buried in an American Cemetery in Europe with their comrades or bring them home for reburial. Sadly neither choice applied to mother Susan. She could only hope and wait that William's remains would be discovered and of course the thought all of us would have is that he would be found alive. A widow of three years Susan remarried a Mr. James A. Napier in 1920 at the age of 49.
In 1929 Congress enacted legislation that paid the travel expenses to the grave sites for mothers and widows whose sons and husbands had died overseas as members of the American Expeditionary Forces (AEF) during the war and whose remains are now interred in such cemeteries. Congress later extended eligibility for pilgrimages to mothers and widows of men who died and were buried at sea or who died at sea or overseas and whose places of burial were unknown. The cost would be $5 million dollars and 6,693 eligible women would accept the invitation. The program would continue until October 1933.
Susan received a letter dated June 24, 1930 from the War Department asking if her deceased son William was survived by a mother? She completed the questionnaire by saying yes, Mrs. Susan Napier, Quaker, West Virginia. This was followed by another letter/questionnaire dated August 8, 1930 that asked five questions; (1) Do you desire to make this pilgrimage? Answer, Yes (2) Do you desire to make this pilgrimage in the calendar year 1931? Answer, Yes (3) Please give your age and state your health. Answer, age 59, health good (4) Do you speak English? Answer, Yes (5) What other languages do you speak? Answer, None. In the following months she received detailed instructions on all aspects of the trip including train schedules, who would meet her and what type of clothing to take as France had much cooler weather than the United States. Nothing was left to chance.
On August 5, 1931 Susan sailed from New York Harbor with 105 other Gold Star Mothers and Wives aboard the SS President Harding. They arrived in Cherbourg, France at 6:30 a.m., August 15. Each day was carefully planned to give the pilgrim ladies time alone with their deceased sons, time to rest, shop, sightsee and dine each day. Of course Susan had no actual grave to visit but could spend time in the Chapel at the Aisne-Marne Cemetery and visit the Tablets of the Missing where the name of Asbury, William T. was inscribed. Her group arrived back in New York on September 4 and each returned to their homes. On September 9, Susan mailed the self-addressed post card to the Officer In Charge of the Pilgrimage, War Mothers and Widows informing them that she had returned home safely and in good health.
Epilogue: Susan Finley Asbury Napier passed on October 24, 1955 at the age of 84 never knowing the final ending to her sons life. Many generations have since passed and I wonder if any still remember William and the sacrifice made? It is gratifying that his mother was able to make the pilgrimage and stand on the same soil in France.
It was my honor to write this short biography from available documents found. I know it doesn't start to do William or his family justice. Lest we forget…Larry E. Hume, Chief Master Sergeant, US Air Force, Retired.
With the United States declaring war on Germany on April 6, 1917, nearly three years after the World War began in Europe, a national army through conscription was needed. William registered for the World War I Draft on May 28, 1917 while living in Akron, Ohio, employed as a Carpenter. He claimed exemption to the draft as he was now helping provide support to his mother and siblings. He was described as of medium built with blue eyes and light colored hair. Two months later, May 28, he voluntarily enlisted in the US Marine Corps and was sent to Parris Island, North Carolina for eight weeks of basic training. From there he was sent to Quantico, Virginia and assigned to the newly created 6 Marine Regiment, 83 Company, 2 Marine Division. Training continued at Quantico in preparation for overseas movement to France.
His brother Arlie pass on November 4, 1917 at the age of 17. With heavy heart I'm sure, William and his unit departed for France thirteen days later. Upon arrival William's unit, 6 Marines joined others to form the 4 Brigade, US 2 Division, American Expeditionary Force. The early spring was devoted to training under French tutelage. The Marine 4 Brigade entered the trenches of the Toulon Sector in March 1918 where it suffered its first combat casualties. The company billeting area where William was staying was gassed by the Germans on April 13, 1918. Surviving the gas attack he as a member of the 4 Brigade was ordered to shore up crumbling French lines near Château-Thierry in late May 1918. The 6 Marines took up positions southwest of Belleau Wood, then it was ordered to seize the town of Bouresches and to clear the southern half of Belleau Wood itself on June 6. These attacks were the beginning of a month-long struggle that eventually became a landmark battle for the U.S. Marine Corps. During this struggle Private William Thomas Asbury became missing in action on June 8, 1918. His remains have never been recovered or accounted for. William's Marine Corps comrades continued the fight until the signing of the Armistice on November 11, 1918. They returned to the United States the following June and the 6 Marines was deactivated at Quantico on August 13, 1919 after victoriously parading through the streets of New York and Washington D. C. "In all the history of the Marine Corps there is no such battle as that one in Belleau Wood. Fighting day and night without relief, without sleep, often without water, and for days without hot rations, the Marines met and defeated the best divisions that Germany could throw into the line"….US Secretary of the Navy Josephus Daniel.
Following the armistice families of fallen American Soldiers were given the choice of leaving their sons buried in an American Cemetery in Europe with their comrades or bring them home for reburial. Sadly neither choice applied to mother Susan. She could only hope and wait that William's remains would be discovered and of course the thought all of us would have is that he would be found alive. A widow of three years Susan remarried a Mr. James A. Napier in 1920 at the age of 49.
In 1929 Congress enacted legislation that paid the travel expenses to the grave sites for mothers and widows whose sons and husbands had died overseas as members of the American Expeditionary Forces (AEF) during the war and whose remains are now interred in such cemeteries. Congress later extended eligibility for pilgrimages to mothers and widows of men who died and were buried at sea or who died at sea or overseas and whose places of burial were unknown. The cost would be $5 million dollars and 6,693 eligible women would accept the invitation. The program would continue until October 1933.
Susan received a letter dated June 24, 1930 from the War Department asking if her deceased son William was survived by a mother? She completed the questionnaire by saying yes, Mrs. Susan Napier, Quaker, West Virginia. This was followed by another letter/questionnaire dated August 8, 1930 that asked five questions; (1) Do you desire to make this pilgrimage? Answer, Yes (2) Do you desire to make this pilgrimage in the calendar year 1931? Answer, Yes (3) Please give your age and state your health. Answer, age 59, health good (4) Do you speak English? Answer, Yes (5) What other languages do you speak? Answer, None. In the following months she received detailed instructions on all aspects of the trip including train schedules, who would meet her and what type of clothing to take as France had much cooler weather than the United States. Nothing was left to chance.
On August 5, 1931 Susan sailed from New York Harbor with 105 other Gold Star Mothers and Wives aboard the SS President Harding. They arrived in Cherbourg, France at 6:30 a.m., August 15. Each day was carefully planned to give the pilgrim ladies time alone with their deceased sons, time to rest, shop, sightsee and dine each day. Of course Susan had no actual grave to visit but could spend time in the Chapel at the Aisne-Marne Cemetery and visit the Tablets of the Missing where the name of Asbury, William T. was inscribed. Her group arrived back in New York on September 4 and each returned to their homes. On September 9, Susan mailed the self-addressed post card to the Officer In Charge of the Pilgrimage, War Mothers and Widows informing them that she had returned home safely and in good health.
Epilogue: Susan Finley Asbury Napier passed on October 24, 1955 at the age of 84 never knowing the final ending to her sons life. Many generations have since passed and I wonder if any still remember William and the sacrifice made? It is gratifying that his mother was able to make the pilgrimage and stand on the same soil in France.
It was my honor to write this short biography from available documents found. I know it doesn't start to do William or his family justice. Lest we forget…Larry E. Hume, Chief Master Sergeant, US Air Force, Retired.
Inscription
ASBURY WILLIAM T PVT 6TH MARINES
Gravesite Details
Tablets of the Missing
Family Members
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