Harry Clyde Horton
1918
Attended Clemson his freshman year (1914-1915); member of the Columbia City Club.
Richland, South Carolina
Parents: Mr. and Mrs. H. I. Horton
Army, Second Lieutenant
Machine Company, 11th Infantry, Company E, Fifth Division, Tenth Brigade; Regimental Intelligence Officer.
Purple Heart; Victory Medal
Jun 16, 1897
Sep 13, 1918
Killed in Action from enemy artillery fire just north of Vierville on Hoye, France.
Buried in St. Mihiel American Cemetery, Thiaucourt, France, Plot D, Row 3, Grave 29
NW
Personal Remembrances
He left Clemson to enlist in the South Carolina Militia. Was given a Regular Army Commission. Sergeant, SC Militia 1917; Second Lt., United States Army.
In letter to parents, he wrote, “Don’t worry about me; just remember what we are fighting for. One could not choose a more glorious way of closing the book of life.” - From the Clemson Alumnus, Volumes 1-2
Additional Information
The St. Mihiel Operation 113At 8 o’clock the enemy had penetrated slightly the northeast corner of Bois Gerard. But here the attack was overcome. Infiltration was stopped and the reinforcements enabled the Eleventh to cover the invaders with superior fire. Our steady machine gun fire at last silenced the enemy in Foret de Vencheres. The Boches withdrew, leaving five men from three different Saxon regiments prisoners in our hands and a dozen or more dead in our front line trench. The number of dead and wounded in the Bois de Bonvaux and to the north and east thereof could not be determined. By 10 o’clock the attack was completely repulsed and the Germans had all withdrawn by their routes of approach in Hanido and Bonvaux. The tanks arrived about 11 o’clock, too late to participate in the fight. Midnight saw the front almost quiet again with only an occasional exchange of shots. All our objectives were firmly held. The day had brought our regiments two hundred casualties. Second Lieutenants Robert A. Davis and Harry C. Horton of the Eleventh Infantry had lost their lives.
From the book: Society of Fifth Division, United States Army. (1919). THE FIFTH U.S. DIVISION IN THE WORLD WAR 1917-1919. Society of the Fifth Division: New York. Pages 85 – 113, 394: We are greatful to Keith B. Short – Archivist/Historian – for providing the above information.Related Images Click to Enlarge
The State 10/22/1918 Page 5, Column 3
Grave marker at St. Mihiel American Military Cemetery, Thiaucourt, France
