The local post of the American Legion, Department of Iowa, on Monday, November 10, 1919, adopted the name of Harvey T. Rimel, Post 141, with a permanent charter membership of 120. Harvey T. Rimel, was the first local servicemen from Glenwood, IA killed overseas on the battlefield in France during World War I, and it is to his honor and memory that we name our Post. This, comrades of the American Legion, is the beginning of our local post organization.
History of Co. I
Compiled From the Official Records and Diary of SGT David N. Barnett
On the morning of May 15, 1918, Corporal Harvey T. Rimel was killed by enemy shell fire. Sergeant Ralph D. Linville, Privates Curtis D. Kier, Sotoro Navaro, and Roy F. Plumb were so severely wounded, they were immediately sent by ambulance to the French base hospital in Baccarat. This all happened it what seemed to be only a minute. The men were at a fresh water spring cleaning up and shaving only a few yards from the Company dugout headquarters or orderly room, when four or five German whizbangs or 77-caliber shells were dropped in, one of them making an almost direct hit at the spring and doing the above damage. No other serious wounds were reported. Harvey T. Rimel was buried near Pexone. His body was later transported to Glenwood where he was accorded the largest military funeral in the history of the town. The present American Legion Post in Glenwood, Iowa named in honor and remembrance of him.
