Judson W. Dennis
Sergeant, Company L, 119th Infantry
American Expeditionary Forces
March 18, 1892 ~ October 17, 1918
“..for he was as brave and true as any man that has faced a German and was leading his men who loved him as a father when he met his death. …” Sgt. P. Andrews, France 19 Jan. 1919
January 19, 1919 Beaumont, France
Dear Mr. Dennis;
I received you letter lately and will try to give you the information you’re wanting.
Judson was killed October 17 while we were driving the Germans for all we could. He was struck by two machine gun bullets and they scarcely left a mark. He lived but a very few minutes and just passed away with a sigh. He was taken up by our army chaplain and carried back and buried. He now lies on a grassy slope overlooking the (Seone?) River, and Mr. Dennis you ask me about taking him home. I think it would be impossible to do this and it would cost you an enormous sum of money for he is over 200 miles from the coast and if it was me I would never attempt it. About what money he had will be with his final statement and his liberty bonds are paid up and are in the Federal Reserve Bank in New York and are all o.k.
Mr. Dennis I’m sorry that we have lost so many of our brave boys and you have my greatest sympathy. I know you must be grieved but you should be proud of the reputation your brother made for he was as brave and true as any man that has faced a German and was leading his men who loved him as a father when he met his death. And he leaves a reputation behind him that will always be remembered by his comrades. I hope to pay him a glorious tribute when I reach Stewart County. Perhaps you don’t remember me, but I remember you and your two sweet little girls. I wish I had time to write you a long letter but hope to see you all when I get back and that is not long I think. Give my love to all of Stewart Countians.
Yours Truely,
Sgt. ? P. Andrews? (paper worn through from repeated foldings)
Pride Won, Patriot Lost – Biography of Judson Dennis
Sept. 1917 Letter from Judson in Greenville S.C. to his brother Thomas Milton Dennis in Tip Top Tennessee,
28 Apr. 1918 Letter from Judson to his mother Minnie Dunkap Murphey in Granite City IL
28 Apr. 1918 Letter from Judson to his brother Thomas Milton Dennis in Tip Top Tennessee 28 Apr. 1918
6 May 1918 Letter from Judson to his mother
ca 1918 from Judson in Camp Merrit NJ to his brother
2 June 1918 Letter from Judson in France to his mother
21 June 1918 Letter from Judson in France to his mother
14 Aug. 1918 Letter from Judson in France to his brother
17 Aug. 1918 Letter from Judson in France to his mother
6 Sept. 1918 Letter from Judson in France to his mother
4 Oct. 1918 Letter from Judson in France to his brother
19 Nov.1918 Telegram from Army re Judson’s death
19 Jan. 1919 Letter from Sgt. P. Andrews in France to Thomas Milton Dennis re the death of Judson