Mark McCauliffe was born in Spafford, the son of Thomas and Susie McCauliffe. He spent most of his childhood in Spafford and attended school there. Later on the family moved to Preble and Mark attended school there. After finishing 8th grade he attended Homer Academy and graduated with the Class of 1913. The fall of 1913 Mark entered Cortland Normal School and graduated as a teacher with the class of 1915. He secured a position as principal of the school at Leonardsville, NY and taught there until he was called to the Colors.
McCauliffe was called for service in February, 1918 and on February 26, 1918 with about 80 other boys, many from Homer, he was sent to Camp Upton, Long Island. All were assigned to 77th Statue of Liberty Division. Many of this contingent were assigned to Company A-305 M.G. Battalion and Mark was one of these.
After one month training the Division was ordered overseas and on March 29, 1918 the Division left Portland, Maine for duty with the A.E.F. The Division had a stormy trip, both from the weather and the submarines. The 77th docked at Liverpool, England and continued on to France where it trained under the British Army. Later on the Division was sent to the front lines in Alsace Lorraine and trained under the French Army.
August 1, 1918 the Division received orders to move to the Chateau Thierry front. On August 12 they passed over the Marne River at Chateau Thierry and by Belleau Woods, where “Billie” Burns was killed.
The 77th fought over this rough territory and finally ended the drive at the Aisne River. At this time they were ordered out of the lines and ended up in the front lines of the Argonne Forest.
Mark and his buddies began the drive thru the Argonne that was to end the War. It was during this drive that Mark was killed by machine gun fire from a retreating German Army outpost.
Mark was buried in the woods about where he fell, and his body later removed to the U.S. Army Cemetery at Romagne. Several years later his remains were brought back to Homer and he was accorded at full dress military funeral. He is buried in St. Mary’s Cemetery at Cortland.
