Killeen had an early encounter with War when World war I took some 140 young men into military service, with about 94 of those actually serving overseas.

Some died from the great flu epidemic which hit the nation and the world.

At least three died in combat.  
Among those killed was John Quincy Adams, son of Killeen gin operator S.R. “Dick” Adams. He was hit by machine-gun fire during a battle in France after Armistice had been signed but before word of the signing reached the front. He died in a hospital on November 22, 1918, a month shy of his 25th birthday.

Killeen American Legion Post 223 is named in his honor.

His tombstone in Killeen City Cemetery lists him as a private in the Machine Gun Company, 105th Infantry.

Ft Hood Texas is our close Military Neighbor