Briefing Document: Harry Weakly Beavers - World War I Service and Life

Subject: Summary of the life and military service of Harry Weakly Beavers during World War I.

Date: October 26, 2023

Sources: https://hotvetsmem.com/ww1cas/ww1brown/hotww1hrbiobrown.html#HWB

Summary:

This document details the life and military service of Harry Weakly Beavers, a young man from Texas who served and died in World War I. The source provides a personal glimpse into his life before the war, his military experiences, and his ultimate sacrifice. Key aspects include his family history, his military training, his deployment to France, his combat experience, his death, and the subsequent efforts to honor his service.

Key Themes & Facts:

Early Life & Background:Harry Weakly Beavers was born on September 17, 1895, in Brownwood, Brown County, Texas to Joe E. and Lillian V. Beavers.

He was described as a "single white male" of "medium height and build with brown hair and gray eyes," and likely tanned from working outdoors.

He moved with his parents from Brown County to the Milano area in Texas sometime between 1900 and 1910.

Prior to being drafted, he worked as a "section laborer for the I&GN Rail Road."

He married Ophelia B. Stemmons in Milam County on November 26, 1917.

Military Service:Harry was drafted into the US Army on April 26, 1918, in Milano, Texas.

He underwent boot camp at Camp Travis in San Antonio.

He was assigned to the 345th Machine Gun Battalion, specifically Company B, of the 90th Infantry Division. The source states, "May 13, 1918 Harry was in Camp Travis for training with the 345th Machine Gun Battalion and on September 2, 1918 he was assigned to Company B 345th Machine Gun Battalion in the 90th Infantry Division."

His unit moved to Camp Mills, New York, and then to the port of embarkation in Hoboken, New Jersey, boarding a transport ship to England on June 13, 1918. The voyage to England took 11 days.

After reaching England, his company moved to France for training near Rouvres, with training sessions of eight hours per day for six weeks.

On August 19, 1918, his division moved to the vicinity of Toul, France.

His division relieved the 1st Division in the Villers-en-Haye sector north of Toul by August 24, 1918.

He participated in the St. Mihiel operation from September 12-16, 1918.

Wounding & Death:Harry was wounded during the St. Mihiel operations.

He died of his wounds on September 29, 1918. His wife, Ophelia, was notified of his death.

Burial & Remembrance:Harry was initially buried in a temporary grave in France.

His remains were later reinterred on July 18, 1922, at the St. Mihiel American Cemetery in Thiaucourt-Regnieville, France.

The source notes the role of the Graves Registration Service (GRS) in the post-war efforts, noting "The Graves Registration Service of the US Army was Harry's new unit. The GRS did an awesome job during and after the battles of WW1."

The American Legion Post in Milano was named in his honor, highlighting the local community's remembrance of his sacrifice. A cenotaph was also placed in his memory in the Milano Cemetery.

His mother, Lillian, was among the Gold Star Mothers who visited his grave in France in 1930 as guests of the US Government.

Family:He was survived by his mother, Lillian V. Beavers, and his wife, Ophelia. His father had predeceased him.

Key Quotes:

"Mr. Harry Weakly Beavers, a single white male living in Milano, Texas and working as a section laborer for the I&GN Rail Road as of June 5, 1917."

"Harry was drafted into federal service for the US Army on April 26, 1918 at Milano Texas."

"Harry was wounded during the division's St. Mihiel operations and died of those wounds on September 29, 1918."

"The Graves Registration Service of the US Army was Harry's new unit. The GRS did an awesome job during and after the battles of WW1."

"The American Legion Post at Milano was named for Harry Beavers..."

Analysis:

The text paints a picture of a young man's life tragically cut short by World War I. It highlights not only his personal sacrifice but also the larger historical context of the war, including the draft, training, deployment, and the eventual efforts to honor and remember the fallen. The detail about the Graves Registration Service also underscores the important, often unsung, logistical work done after the war. The naming of the American Legion Post and the installation of a cenotaph demonstrates the enduring impact of his sacrifice on his local community. The trip of Gold Star Mothers to France speaks to the lasting grief experienced by families who lost loved ones during the war.