Sylvester Diemer

My Grandfather Harry Barlager, U.S. Army 1917-1919 was a founding member of this post. My father Vincent Westrick, USMC 1951-1953 is a current member.  I was told you are looking for information on post namesakes.  

Post 172 was named for Sylvester Diemer

Sylvester (Wes) Diemer was born near New Barvaria Ohio in Henry County on October 20, 1893.  As a young man he worked on the John Barlage farm near Miller City. He got along famously with the Barlage family.  He became close friends with Harry and caught the eye of Harrys’ sister Edith.  Sylvester and Harry were both drafted in 1917 and sent to Camp Sherman near Chillicothe Ohio.

While in basic training Wes developed appendicitis and was operated on in the camp hospital.  The delayed his deployment to France.  Harry and Wes returned home on a Holiday leave in December 1917, Edith and Wes became engaged to be married. He arrive in France in  the summer of 1918 and trained with the 83rd division.  He was assigned as a replacement to the badly used 101st infantry of the 26 Division.  The 26th was known as the “Sacrifice Division” because their losses were so high.

Wes turned 25 on October 20, 1918. his unit was on the line east of Verdun. The main American attack was to the north in the Ardenne forest. The 26th was slowly advancing and pushing the Germans back. On October 26th the 101st had word to expect a German counterattack, They formed rough defensive line using bomb craters as foxholes. The Germans laid heavy artillery  fire on the Americans followed by a massive gas attack. The 101st almost ceased to exist. Sylvester Diemer was killed.

His body was later retuned to the United 

States. He is buried in Sacred Heart Cemetery, 

New Bavaria, Row 3 number 18 

Sylvester is standing on the left in the following photo. His fiance is seated in front of him. My Grandfather PFC Harry Barlager is standing right. Christmas 1917.