31 Oct 1918, Thu The Marshfield News and Wisconsin Hub (Marshfield, Wisconsin) Newspapers.comHerbert Yaeger
What was the year 1918 about? It was about U.S. battalions assembling and training throughout the United States, getting ready to be shipped over to Europe to fight in 'The Great War.' The United States declared war on Germany on April 6, 1917, thus this is where the men were sent.

Where were our men transformed into soldiers? They were changed in training camps. Where were these camps located? Most camps were in the South. As a part of the south, Georgia played a big role during America's participation in World War I. The state was home to more training camps than any other state, and had more than 100,000 people contribute to the war efforts. The camps weren't the nicest or most sanitary places. This helped in the contribution of diseases and sickness throughout the camps. An example of this was on October 1st, in Augusta, Georgia's, Camp Hancock, when the number of ill soldiers jumped from 2 to 716 in just a few hours. On October 5th, the camp was quarantined with over 3,000 cases of Spanish Influenza. By this time it was too late and 52 men had already lost their lives to the sickness.

Herbert Yager, who resided in Yellow River, Wisconsin, died on Tuesday, October 22nd, in Camp Hancock, Georgia at the age of 22. He was a Private, but was shortly promoted to Corporal. He was never recorded as a member of the 127th Infantry 32nd Division because he never made it out of the camp due to his death from Spanish Influenza, a nasty sickness. He had a family that still lived in Yellow River, which consisted of Mr. and Mrs. Matt Yager and Herbert's three brothers at home; Roland, Carl and Walter, with the exception of brother, William who was also enlisted in the service with him, and was also stationed at Camp Hancock. He was known by others to be a young man of good habits and well liked.

There is a uncertainty about whether Herbert actually died a day later than was stated, making his date of death Wednesday, October 23rd, not the 22nd. Also, as found he died of pneumonia, not Spanish Influenza. Many soldiers contacted pneumonia as a result of getting Spanish Influenza. He died at the age of 22, from the information that was supplied, other documents showed he was 31 years of age.

Even though Herbert Yager didn't live to see the battle of France, he served his country bravely as a soldier in the United States Army. His sacrifice is worth remembering.

Joe Steinhilber, Student
East Junior High, Wisconsin Rapids

Things were tough during the years of 1914-1918. These were times of need uncertainty in the United States, due to World War I (The Great War.) This didn't only affect Americans, many places were touched by all the choices made during this war. Countries like Russia and Germany recruited men of all ages to fight, only the bravest were caught in the battlegrounds. For that, we should never forget the people who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country; people like Herbert Yager.

Born in 1896, Herbert was one of the many heroes of World War I. He was 18 years old when he was drafted into the war. Many soldiers who served in the war were of the same age as Herbert. He was a Private (which is one of the enlisted ranks), but quickly got promoted to the higher ranking of Corporal. Normally, it takes quite a while to get promoted a rank, but Yager did it! This just goes to show yet another reason to commemorate his success.

Herbert died in 1918 in Georgia of pneumonia, but there were many other dangers besides disease during the war. Most soldiers were killed during battle, or in hospitals due to wounds. Although, it doesn't make any difference where, when or how they died; if they were an active soldier at the time of death, they are considered a casualty of war. Whether someone died in battle or stateside, we should always remember them. These people were offering their lives, to improve ours.

Being only 22 at the time of death, Herbert never lived to see the end of World War I. He wasn't the only member of his family to serve in the war; his brother, William, was also stationed at Camp Hancock. Along with William, Herbert had four brothers, and loved them all very much.

Herbert Yager was an important citizen and solider before his death, and continues to be a hero long after.

By Kaya Inhoff
East Junior High School