Summerville Post 21 Named in honor of Clarence A. Dunning.

Clarence A. Dunning was killed in action near Bellicourt, France on September 29, 1918. He was the only Summerville resident to die in World War I. This is his story:

In the late 1800s ad early 1900s, there was a tremendous amount of immigration into America. The largest immigrant population came from Germany. Clarence’s family immigrated to the U.S. at this time. While a number of the Dunning family immigrated to the United States, many family members (Cousins, Uncles, Aunts, Brothers and Sisters) remained in Germany for one reason or another, usually financial.

Clarence was born in Charleston on October 18, 1889. He was the son of Francis A. Dunning and the former Catherine D. Busch of Summerville.  Clarence grew up in Summerville, and lived on Gum Street. He had three brothers; John, Henry and Herbert, and one sister, Emma. Clarence was the second youngest child. He enjoyed a typical childhood, growing up in the small town life that Summerville offered. He attended Quakenbush Private School and Summerville Public School.  Life was good for the young Summerville man, and on April 30th, 1914, Clarence was married to Lottie Bell Berrie. At that time, Clarence was employed as a grocery clerk by J.M. Dawling at 29 Wentworth Street in Charleston. The 1917 Charleston City Directory also lists Clarence as working in a grocery store at 343 East Bay Street.  By 1917, almost all of the economic powers of the world were engulfed in “The War to end all War.” Although the United States had been supplying the allies with war materials and had armed US cargo ships to defend against German Raiders, she did not enter the fighting for the first 3 years of the war. During this time the country had been building its armed forces for possible entry into the war. Local draft boards were busy gathering candidates for military service. To comply with the Selective Conscription Law, 27 year old Clarence filled out a Registration Card for Local Board No. 1. All across America, young men were being classified by local draft boards. Clarence was called to report for a classification physical examination on August 29, 1917. He received his Class 1 candidacy on January 21, 1918. Clarence was ordered to report for Basic Military Training at Camp Jackson in Columbia, SC on March 30, 1918. His military service was about to begin.

He officially enlisted in the army on April 1, 1918. Camp Jackson was created in 1917 as the U.S. entered World War I. The site was announced by Douglas MacArthur, who was then a major but became one of the most famous generals in American history. The Columbia Chamber of Commerce raised $50,000 to purchase the former Hampton Estate. Residents donated 1,192 acres. And the federal government purchased 19,700 acres and leased thousands more for the facility.  After Basic Training in Camp Jackson for one month, Clarence was then transferred to the thirteenth division, which was then in training at Camp Sevier, in Greenville, SC. 

Clarenceproved equal to the task of learning to become a soldier. He wanted to serve his country, but because so many of his family members had not emigrated out of Germany, there was the real possibility Clarence would be involved in a shooting battle with his own family members. For this reason, Clarence requested duty in a non-combat role. This was quite common for the time and the US Government made every effort to comply with these requests. Many recruits were assigned to the Hospital Corps or the Signal Corps.  After training, Clarence went to France the last of May. He was assigned to the 118th Ambulance Corps, of the 105th Sanitary Train, in the 30th Division.

The Ambulance Corpsmen were responsible for evacuating the sick and wounded after receiving emergency treatment from the medical corps personnel at the regimental, battalion or support unit level. The Ambulance Section of the Sanitary Train consisted of a headquarters, one horse drawn and three motor ambulance companies.  If the travel time from collection points to the hospital was too long, the Ambulance Sections set up intermediate points that allowed for a continuance of emergency medical care called Dressing Stations. The ambulance companies were divided into two sections. One operated the Dressing Station while the other collected, coordinated and moved patients from the battalions to the Dressing Station and then on to a field hospital. Because the combat zone was dangerous, evacuation from the front for the first 500 to 1000 yards was done on foot by litter bearer squads sent forward from the ambulance company. 

In 1918, the Allies launched the Hundred Days Offensive. A series of advances followed as the Allies broke through the German defenses along the Hindenburg Line. A joint American-Australian force attacked at Bellicourt, France in late September. While continuously going back and forth, bringing wounded out of the battle zone, Private Dunning was killed by shrapnel near Bellicourt on September 29, 1918.

The Hundred days offensive ultimately brought about the end of the war. But not soon enough for Clarence Dunning. He was only 28 years old. Clarence was initially buried in Templaux, France but was brought home and buried at Magnolia Cemetery in Charleston, SC on Sunday, April 17, 1921.  The funeral services were held in the morning at St. Luke's Lutheran Church, Summerville, SC. The funeral arrangements were looked after by Clarence A. Dunning Post 21 of the American Legion, the body of the gallant soldier having arrived at Summerville on Friday, April 15. The services at Summerville were attended by many who came to pay their last tribute of respect to the memory of the dead soldier, after whom the American Legion Post had been named. The Legion, the Red Cross, Business Men's League, Town Council and the school children of Summerville were represented in the funeral procession.  The body of Clarence A. Dunning, the only Summerville resident to be killed in action during World War I, was brought to Charleston on the 12:15 train, and was met at the Union Station by several members of Charleston American Legion Post No. 10, who with those from Summerville formed as escort. Clarence A. Dunning was honored by friends, family and fellow veterans. He was buried at Magnolia Cemetery on Sunday, April 17, 1921. Rev. Sigfrid. L. Blungren, pastor of St. Matthew's Lutheran Church officiated at the internment services. Clarence was cited for his heroic service. Taps were sounded, and a salute fired.

Later, Clarence’s brother Herbert F. Dunning received an answer to a letter he had sent to Clarence’s commander regarding how his brother was killed in action. Along with the letter of explanation, Lieut. William P. Mckay enclosed a copy of the citation for heroic service awarded to Clarence.

                                           THE SUNDAY NEWS, CHARLESTON, SC JANUARY 26, 1919

Details of the Death and Citation For Bravery of Private Clarence A. Dunning.

The Sunday News has received from Mr. Herbert F. Dunning, Summerville, the following letter received by him from Lieut. William P. Mckay, of Ambulance Company 118, 105th sanitary train, A.E.F., France, relating to the death of Mr. Dunning's brother, Private Clarence A. Dunning, who was killed in action September 29, 1918. Mr. Dunning also received a copy of the citation for bravery accorded by Major Gen. Lewis. The many friends of the brave young man who laid down his life in a glorious cause will be interested in the correspondence:

Clarence A. Dunning was born in Charleston, but had lived in Summerville since he was quite a small boy. He received his education in the Summerville schools. He was called to the colors on April 1, 1918, by local board No. 1. Was sent to Camp Jackson for one month and was then transferred to the thirteenth division, which was then in training at Camp Sevier, Greenville. He went to France the last of May.

The letter from Lieutenant William P. McKay reads as follows:

Headquarters Ambulance Co. 118, 105th Sanitary Train

American Expeditionary Forces,

Dec. 15, 1918.

Mr. H. F. Dunning, Summerville, SC —

Dear Sir: Your letter of November 4, 1918, received at these headquarters. Your brother, Private Clarence A. Dunning, of this organization, was killed in action on September 29, 1918, while serving as a stretcher-bearer in the forward area.

"We are enclosing your brother's citation for bravery by Major Gen. Lewis. This will show you the high sense of duty and his faithfulness as a soldier.

"Your brother was killed by shrapnel in the engagement which resulted in the breaking of the famous Hindenburg line. On October 1 he was buried at the American Cemetery at Templeux, France. At this time we were under heavy shell fire, but he was quietly buried at Templauex, and the American Government has erected a cross over his grave.

William P. McKay,

First Lieutenant, M. C. U.S.A.

Acting C. O., Ambulance Co. 118."

Citation For Bravery.

"Headquarters Thirtieth Division.

"American Expeditionary Forces, France,

December 10, 1918.

"General Orders No. 51—

"The following citation for act of meritorious conduct described are published to the command:

"Private Clarence A. Dunning (1S61565), Amb. Co. 118.

"During the attack near Bellecourt, 29th September, 1918, this soldier continued to bring wounded from the field to the regimental aid post under heavy enemy bombardment until killed. By his conscientious devotion to duty many wounded were speedily evacuated."

So ends the brief but gallant military career of Clarence A. Dunning, Private, United States Army.

In Summerville, there is stained glass window that was created in memory of Clarence Alexander Dunning. It resides in the sanctuary of St. Lukes Church.

Clarence A. Dunning, Born October 18, 1889. Died September 29, 1918.