6 May 1918: Pvt Joseph William Welsh

Joseph William Welsh was born on 13 November 1894, Greensburg, Indiana.

Greensburg, Indiana

Joseph enlisted into the US regular army at Greensburg on 16 April 1917 and was sent to Douglas, Arizona where he was assigned to the 18th Infantry Regiment.

After being sent overseas in June 1917, he fought at Sommerville, Toul, Cantigny and Chateau-Thierry where he was wounded in action.

American soldiers of the 18th Infantry Regiment pinned down during their assault on Hill 240 near Exermont during the Meuse-Argonne Offensive, October 11, 1918.

Joseph died of these wounds on 6 May 1918; he was the first soldier from Decatur County to be killed in the war. Joseph's body was repatriated post-war.

Pvt Joseph William Welsh, Co G, 18th Infantry, US Army.

6 May 1918

Research by David O'Mara