Post 62 of Humboldt, South Dakota, is named for war hero William H Crippen, who was the first soldier to die in the line of duty from Humboldt.
The following is from "The Humboldt Journal" Vol XVIII, August 26, 1921, #39

BODY OF WAR HERO LAID TO FINAL RESTING PLACE AT HUMBOLDT WITH IMPRESSIVE SERVICES

William H Crippen, son of Mr & Mrs D W Crippen, was born at Bowen, Illinois, on January 28, 1888, and died on the battle line of duty on October 4, 1918.

William grew to young manhood in the state of his birth and when the family came west and settled in Nebraska, he accompanied them to the new home. Likewise, when nine years later, they came to Humboldt, he was still a part of the family. When the US entered the great war, William was at Vermillion working. But, with the same spirit which sent thousands into the battle line, young Crippen--after a few days with the home folks--enlisted in the Marines and was soon in the trying experiences and tragedies which were to end, all too soon, his life and service.

It is necessary to say little of the record of this man further than to state that he was in the Second Marines, than which was never formed a body of men truer to the traditions of our country, more faithful to our ideals.

It was the now famous Second Marines which were thrown into the broken line of the French Army--against the well nigh invincible German Army and from which the German Army reeled back, broken in spirit, to revise their estimate of the power of the new forces which they were soon to meet in closing battles of the greatest war the world has ever seen.

Before meeting the Marines, it was freely predicted by the German forces that the American troops, being unused to wars, unorganized in arts of European warfare, would prove to be but victims of the victorious forces of the Kaiser. It is not too much to say that the contact with the Marines broke the spirit of the German Army, and as they were soon to meet the countless thousands of Khaki clad soldiers who were of the same stuff as the advance guard there began at Chateau-Thierry, the defeat which was to prevail over the Germans until their armies were to be driven beyond the Rhine and the menace of their arms forever broken.

It was from the ranks of the Second Marines that the letters came, telling of the terrific scenes and terrible experiences of those days when so much was at stake and so much was being offered. And in the midst of the Argonne Drive the letters suddenly ceased, causing great anxiety at home.

Later came that message so much dreaded by all parents during those days, that William had been killed in action, and they knew that he would now live only in their hearts as a precious memory, that another life had gone out in the great cause of Liberty and Justice.

The sorrowing parents have since received from the government the Victory Medal, which would have been the privilege of William to have worn and honored as a memorial of his service to his country. The Medal carries five bars as follows; Defensive Sector, Aisle-Manne, St Milhiel, Meuse-Argonne.

Besides this, there came the French decoration of the Red and Gold, the colors of the French Croix De Guenne, which came through a special citation of this unit during action.

William was in Co. 17, Fifth Regiment, 2nd Div. Marines.

When the American Legion was organized at Humboldt, the Post was named The William H Crippen Post #62, in honor of this young soldier who was the first to give his life on the battlefield from this community.

The funeral was in charge of the American Legion and most nobly and beautifully did his comrades honor the fallen soldier. Not an error marked the carrying out the Ritual order of the Legion under the command of Post Commander Peter Hoveland and his assistants.

Henry Butt was in charge of the firing squad, and with the detachment of 8 men, carried out their part of the program like veterans.

Dr J C Hagin, an ex-service man, officiated as Chaplain, reading the burial service in a manner which did full justice to the beautiful sentiment of the ritual.

At the closing ceremony, no one present will ever be able to forget the sweet, haunting strains of "Taps" as given by Leo Rosum, who was, while in service, the company bugler.

The notes, sustained and carried until they were lost in space, were the most impressive close which could be imagined.

The last act was significant when Post Commander Hoveland, Representative of the Government, in a few, well chosen words, presented the American flag which had rested on the casket since it left the Cemetery in France, to the father, as a gift from the nation.

The funeral service was held from the new high school auditorium, and it was estimated that a thousand people came to do honor to the memory of the young man who had made the supreme sacrifice.

A large choir, in charge of Mrs C F Hahn, rendered beautiful music in three hymns, closing with "America".

Rev W S Harper gave the funeral address, which was a tribute to the young man and his comrades, and as well, to the citizenship, who at great cost and sacrifice, made the spirit of America live anew.

A rather touching aspect of the funeral was that the six fine young men, brothers of the fallen one, acted as pallbearers. One of these, Frank, was also in the service.

There is left of the family to mourn their loss, the father, mother, six brothers and one sister besides the many who knew and loved the young man as a friend.

In such a loss as this, there is great sorrow. But a sorrow not un-mixed with pride in the thought of a manhood like this son, and as well in the splendid young men who assisted in the last rites for the dead, doubtless not one of whom, had it been their fate to have been called as was he, would have wavered in their offering to God and country.

In such an ideal as this, a country may well be gratified. And to the parents who have made so costly a gift, there may well be a pardonable pride that the son whom they reared to manhood, was true to all that they could wish and ask in him.

And if he was taken from them in life, they have as a recompense, the most precious truth that his life, measured by the "plumb-line" of human sentiment and the "square" of the highest relationship of man to man, will stand in the memory of his fellows, as all that a man can be: and a fitting illustration of the Master's word; Greater love hath no man, than this. That a man lay down his life for his friends.

William H Crippen was killed on October 4, 1918, and was interred in the Humboldt Cemetery in August of 1921.

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