Pvt. James H. "Harry" Shuttlesworth (WWI)

In Memory of Pvt. James H. ("Harry") Shuttlesworth, who died in France merely one day before the end of WWI (November 10, 1918).

Harry Shuttlesworth was born July 29, 1895 in Ohio (though his gravestone reads 1896). He gave "mine laborer" as his occupation on his draft card, and listed his town of residence as Worthington, WV when he enlisted in the military on June 5, 1917.  His card also lists that he was of medium height with a slender build, gray eyes, and brown hair. At his time of death, he was a member of Company B of the 128th Infantry Regiment, assigned to the 32nd Division.

"In the closing months of the war, the 128th Infantry participated in several major campaigns including Alsace, Aisne-Marne, Oise-Aisne and Meuse-Argonne. For their fury in combat, the nickname "Les Terribles" or "The Terrible Ones" was given to them by the French. As they pierced the famed Hindenburg Line, the 32nd became known as the "Red Arrow" Division - a name that has remained to the present day and is reflected in shoulder patch." (Click here for full text)

Given that the Meuse-Argonne offensive took place September 26, 1918 until November 11, 1918, it seems likely that PVT Shuttlesworth was killed in that battle.

On February 23, 1919, a memorial service was held at the Teverbaugh Church (est. around 1807, rebuilt as Teverbaugh Chapel UMC in 1921) in Worthington, WV (Four States) to honor both Harry Shuttlesworth and Mac Merrifield.

The West Virginian (click here for full text) posted a long article on February 27, 1919, including the music and full program, as well as the contents of a poem written by Harry's brother, John. 

A gravestone was laid at the Historic Woodlawn Cemetery in Fairmont, WV for Harry, alongside the graves of his parents John R. Shuttlesworth and Hattie (Morgan) Shuttlesworth. 

SOMEWHERE IN FRANCE by John Shuttlesworth

He left his home in perfect health,
He looked so young and brave.
We little thought how soon he'd be
Laid in a soldier's grave.

Somewhere in France be is lying
Or may be on stale sod.
What a glory was his in dying
For Liberty, Country and God.

He dreaded not the battle field,
He went to make fierce vandals yield
Went like a man, a hero true
His part unselfishly to do.

Our hearts now feel exultant pride
That for humanity be died.
And though his grave we may not see
Our boy will never forgotten be.

 
A precious one from us has gone,
A voice we loved is stilled;
A place is vacant in our home
Which never can be filled.

Sleep on, dear brother, sleep, '
Till Jesus bids you rise;
And there with all the ones that blest,
We'll meet you in the skies.

Yes, the dreadful message came,
Mamma took it at the door.
Private Harry killed in action.
That was all, it said, no more.

In the house dry eyed and peaceful,
Grief and pride the story told.
People passing paid a tribute
When the blue star turned to gold.

Farewell, brother, thou hast left us
In this, sinful world below;
But with Jesus you are resting
Up in heaven, there I know.

But again we hope to meet you
In a home beyond the skies,
Where we clasp our hands forever

And never have to say good bye.

Fear little flag with a golden star

Stands for my brother who went afar,

Who gave his life for the red, white and blue,

For the noblest cause we ever knew.

May the stars and stripes

Of Old Glory wave

O'er the grave of a dear

One so true and brave.

All is dark within our dwelling

Lonely is our hearts today.

For the one we loved so dearly

Has forever passed away.

And we listen, softly listen.

For a sound we cannot hear,

For the music of his footsteps

Never more will greet our ear.

Somewhere in France they buried him

Within a quiet lonely grave,

Unknown save by his fighting mates

Who cheered the cause he died to save.

And for the sacrifice he gave

The stars and stripes

Still proudly wave

Somewhere in France.

All About Harry Shuttlesworth

• Memorial Services for Two Soldiers (The West Virginian; February 27, 1919)
• French War Honors to Go Out Sunday (The West Virginian; February 18, 1920)
• Deep Solemnity Marked Legion's Tribute to Dead part 1 and part 2 (The West Virginian; February 23, 1920)
• Harry is honored in Veteran's Square in Fairmont, WV as well as on the "Million Dollar Bridge," which was originally dedicated to WWI veterans in 1921
• On May 12, 1922 and October 05, 1922, articles of The West Virginian listed the Worthington branch of the American Legion as "The Harry Shuttlesworth Post No. 46 of the American Legion"

More about the 128th Infantry Regiment:

• Brief History of the "Red Arrow"
• Department of the Army: Lineage and Honors 128th INFANTRY REGIMENT
• (LES TERRIBLES)
• "The Terrible Ones".. a coat of arms explained

Transcribed Articles:

Memorial Services for Two Soldiers (The West Virginian; February 27, 1919)

"A memorial service was held at Teverbaugh church on the evening of February 23, in honor of Mac Merrifield and Harry Shuttlesworth, who made the supreme sacrifice upon the battle field in France.

Appropriate music was rendered by the Teverbaugh and Harter Hill choir combined under the direction of Colbert Sturm with Miss Mabel Hubank as organist. The program was as follows:

Opening song, "The Dead Shall Rise Again;" invocation, R.E. Davis; song, "It is Well With My Soul;" address, Festus Parrish; song by choir, "Asleep in Jesus;" recitation, "We Shall Remember Them," Edna Brown; duet, "If I'm Not at the Roll Call," Marguerite Parrish and Herschal Board; poem by John Shuttlesworth in memory of his brother Harry; address L. H. Michaels; recitation, "When the Blue Star Turns to Gold," Marguerite Parrish; quartet, "I'll carry Mother's Bible Next to My Heart;" address, S.L. Bock; song by choir, "America;" eulogy, Chas. Shuttlesworth; male quartet "Sometime, Somewhere,"elogium, Mrs. Edward McElfresh; song by choir, "Will There Be Any Stars in My Crown?"

[Note: It then include John Shuttlesworth's poem, which is already included earlier in this post]

French War Honors to Go Out Sunday (The West Virginian; February 18, 1920)

"Plans have been completed for the presentation next Sunday afternoon of the French certificates of appreciation to the relatives of Marion county soldiers of the gerat [sic] war who died in the service. The exercises, of course, will be held under the auspices of Fred R. Heintzelman Post of the American Legion and the First Methodist Episcopal church on Fairmont avenue will be the place. The hour is 2:30 o'clock.

The French government selected Washington's birthday as the date for this presentation and services similar to the one held here will take place all over the country. Here a most interesting program has been provided.

Fred T. Norris, of The Times staff, a lieutenant in the army and bearing a wound, will deliver the eulogy for the dead. Judge William S. Haymond, veteran Fairmont jurist and prominent citizen, will deliver an address. The certificates will be presented by Captain Rollo J. Conley, local post commander, and there will be appropriate musical selections.

One of the features of the service will be the taking down of the church's service flag, which bears many stars.

The list of honored dead at present bears the names of thirty-one warriors. It is possibly not yet complete and other names may be added later. As it is now corrected the list is as follows:

Thomas Ray Arnett, Russell Arnett, George H. Barlett, Thomas Bennett, Lloyd Brown, Buie Boydoh, Earl Berry, Abbie Lee Burk, John R. Buckingham, Thomas conner, Charles Cartright, Harold Davis, William Elder, Arlington Fleming, Robert S. Fletcher, James Scott Grubb, Arlie Haught, Zellan Haught, Herschel Hamilton, Fred R. Heintezlman, Scott Ingram, Albert Jenkins, Clark Kemper, Lem Kincaid, Lonnie W. Lawrence, Carl Miller, Fred Miller, Paolo Morrone, Mac C. Merrifield, Lawrence A Petty, Roy L. Quinn, James H. Shuttlesworth, Hugh Talkington, Richard Talbott, Joseph Van Gilder, Frank Villers, Harry W. Wells, Zarah West, -- Wilson"