Obituary Record

Roy Gifford (Marines WW I) Halstead
Died on 5/13/1922
Buried in Blair Cemetery

#1- Published in the Tribune 1 Aug 1918

Blair Boy Gives Life In Cause Of Liberty

The war was brought nearer home to us Saturday when the news was spread over the city that a Blair boy, Roy G. Halstead, of the U.S. marines, was killed in action on the battlefields of France.

Saturday afternoon Clem Halstead, father of the slain soldier boy, received a telegram from the war department stating that his son, Roy G. Halstead, was killed in action on June 12, 1918, in one of the fierce battles the marines were making on the Huns on the Marne.

Roy was the first Blair boy to lose his life in action in the great war that is consuming human life and energy, and devastating Europe and the world. He died in the cause of liberty; a cause in which men have fought since the beginning of time. A cause in which free men have for the past four years been pouring out their life’s blood, their wealth and their all that the “intolerable thing” – militarism and world domination – fostered and bred in the hearts of the Kaiser and his ungodly crew, shall be crushed from the earth. Roy did not give his life in vain for the cause for which he fought and died will triumph, and other men will carry on the battle where he fell.

Roy G. Halstead was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Clem Halstead of this city and was born in Blair in 1893, being twenty-four years and eleven months old at the time of his demise. He was educated in the Blair schools and enlisted in the marines at Portland, Oregon, on July 30,1917. He was sent to the Marine Barracks at Camp Fremont, Calif. for training and departed for France January 15, 1918, arriving overseas on February 27, 1918. He went into the battle line with the marines soon after the spring offensive started by the Germans, and went through the terrible battles where the marines took the measure of the kaiser’s minions and stopped them around Chateu Thierry.

The W.O.W. and Woodman Circle, of which he was a member, will hold memorial services for him at W.O.W. hall Friday evening, and his star on their service flag will be changed from blue to gold.

Roy has two brothers in the service of Uncle Sam – E. I. Halstead of the 16th U.S. Infantry, and Jesse Halstead, in the National Army at Camp Funston.

The sympathy of the entire community goes out to Mr. and Mrs. Halstead and the sorrowing family in their hour of bereavement.

#2-Published in the Tribune September 12, 1918

Roy Halstead, who was reported killed in action on June 12 is now reported to be in base hospital No. 20 in Paris, and the report of his death was a mistake. It is presumed that he was in a German hospital captured by the Americans recently and was taken to the hospital in Paris. It was certainly good news to his parents when they received the telegram from the War Department Saturday evening.

#3- Published in the Enterprise 13 Sept 1918

Mr. and Mrs. Clem Halstead received a telegram last Friday from a hospital nurse in France that their son, Roy, who was reported, by the government authorities, killed in action in June, is alive and in the hospital. His death was reported in June and a $1,000 insurance policy in the W.O.W., of which he was a member, paid to his parents. They are anxiously awaiting a promised letter containing particulars of his injuries.

#4- Published in the Tribune 7 Nov 1918

Roy Halstead Reported Dead, Still Lives

Roy Halstead, son of Mr. and Mrs. Clem Halstead, reported killed in the battle of Chateau Theery, still lives according to a telegram received by the parents from the War Department last week. The telegram follows:

Washington, D.C. 2:45 p.m. October 30, 1918

Clem Halstead, Gen. Delivery, Blair, Neb.

Regret to inform you message from abroad states Private Roy Gifford Halstead, Marine Corps, now reported in hospital, August 24, gunshot wound in head, and left thigh. No particulars available, but see general information mailed you today.

Chas. G. Long, Brigadere Gen.

#5- Published in the Tribune 11 May 1922

Ex-Soldier In Critical Condition In Omaha Hospital

Last week Roy Halstead was taken to Wise Memorial hospital for treatment, having been suffering with a pain in his head that would not yield to anything administered by the local physician. As everyone here knows, Roy was horribly wounded in one of the big drives in the late war, and for a time it was thought that he was dead and it was only by a careful search that his identity was discovered. His skull was badly injured and he lost one eye in the battle. Since his return to Blair he has had sever spells in which he would be unconscious, but medical attention brought about temporary relief. On Tuesday of this week a government surgeon came to Omaha from St. Louis to hold a clinic and ascertain whether an operation on the skull could be successfully performed, but found Roy was too weak at present to stand the ordeal. He diagnosed the trouble as congestion of the spine from brain pressure and treatment is being given his spine in hope of getting him in a condition to stand an operation. Today word comes that the patient is able to take a little nourishment. His parents, Mr. and Mrs. Clem Halstead, have been with him at the hospital.

#6-Published in the Pilot 17 May 1922

Roy Halstead Given Military Funeral Today

Roy Halstead, who was taken to the Wise Memorial hospital in Omaha last week, died Sunday from the results of the terrible wounds received while in the service of his country and the remains were laid away with military honors in the Blair cemetery today.

Stanley E. Hain Post of the American Legion had charge of the funeral service at the B.F.D. opera house. Elder P. J. Elliott, of Omaha, president of the northeast Nebraska district of the reorganized Church of Latter Day Saints, preached the funeral sermon, being assisted in the service by Rev. LeRoy Crocker, of the Christian church. The sermon was a masterly effort and proven the speaker to be a man of exceptional ability.

Six ex-service men served as pallbearers, Carl Sihmidt, R. H. Robinson, Ruthven Anderson, Wilhelm Beck, Jean Paul Jipp and Herbert Henningson. A firing squad fired a salute at the grave and taps were sounded by Earl Fleege.

A good delegation of ex-service men appeared in uniform and a few members of the G.A.R. were in line also. The Woman’s Auxiliary attended in a body and the wives of Spanish American war veterans were invited to attend with them.

There were many floral offerings and the hall was fittingly decorated with flags. The Blair band played a funeral march as the procession marched out of the city toward the city of the dead and again at the cemetery.

Roy Gifford Halstead was born at Blair, Nebraska, July 12, 1893, and was therefore, past 28 years of age at the time of his death.

He leaves to mourn his early death his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Clem Halstead, of this city, two sisters, Mrs. J. Good, of Omaha, Mrs. Ed Kirk, of Blair. Also four brothers. Of these Everett and Jess are ex-service men having served through the late World War, and both have now received an honorable discharge and are at home; Floyd and Clifford, the two remaining brothers, both live at home with the parents. A large number of other relatives and friends mourn with the sorrowing parents and family.

At the beginning of the World War Roy was at Great Falls, Montana, and, hearing of the enlistment of his brothers and friends at Blair he hastened to Great Falls and answered the call to the colors. He was immediately sent to Mare Island, California, on August 3rd, 1917, and was soon on his way to the scene of battle with the 1st Battery, U.S. Marine, serving with the marines in the fall of 1917 and spring of 1918 in the Verdun sector.

He was with that gallant company of marines, the 34th, which made Belleau Woods a place in history. In June he was in the battle of Chateau Thierry, where on June 12, 1918 his whole company of marines, a picked patrol of expert marksmen, were almost wiped out of existence by a flock of Zeppelins and other air craft, with bombs and machine gun bullets.

A body supposed to be that of Roy Halstead was picked up with Roy’s identification tag near by and was buried on the field of battle. The government sent a telegram to the Washington County Chapter of the American red Cross to the parents that their son had fallen in battle.

Months went by and one day in the fall the Paris field secretary of the Red Cross fund a badly wounded boy in the base hospital there who had been transferred from several hospitals, who claimed to be Roy Halstead of the marines. She then notified the mother at Blair and Clark O’Hanlon, local and County Red Cross Chairman, instructed the secretary to cable and write and to use every means within the power of the Red Cross to identify the boy and to request his transfer.

Mrs. J. P. Jensen then county secretary of the Red Cross, now Post War Service secretary of the American Legions Post 154, succeeded in establishing the boys identity, and asked for a furlough home. Since the government and the army still contended Roy was dead the Red Cross officers of Blair, brought him home to Blair and some months later, after they had filed his claims with the government, at last the commander of the marines issued Roy and honorable discharge.

He came home to rest from his honorable service to his country, having been wounded very badly in the head, having lost one eye and sustained life long injuries from which he never recovered. He was brave and cheerful, always thoughtful of his mother and never complained of his sufferings.

On Wednesday, May 10, the officers of Stanley E. Hain Post of the American Legion arranged for his emergency hospital care, as he was suffering greatly from a pain in the head. Everything possible was done for his welfare but he passed away Sunday as above stated. Thus another Blair boy gave up his life for his country.

#7-18 May, 1922 - The Enterprise - Roy Halstead - World War I

EX-SOLDIER MAKES SUPREME SACRIFICE - MILITARY FUNERAL HELD MAY 17

As mentioned in the May 4th issue of The Enterprise, Roy Halstead, a Blair boy who was actively engaged in service during the late war, was taken to the government hospital section at the Wise Memorial hospital in Omaha for immediate attention, suffering with severe pains in his head.

Word was received last Sunday of his death, and a military funeral was held on Wednesday afternoon, May 17, at two o’clock at the R.F.D. opera house.

Elder T. J. Elliot of Omaha of Re-Organized Latter Day Saints church delivered the sermon, assisted by Rev. Leroy Crocker of the Christian church.

The American Legion, Stanley E. Hain Post, had charge of the services, and the Woman’s Auxiliary also participated. The remaining boys of the Grand Army of the Republic attended in a body, and all joined in the funeral cortege.

The ex-service boys who acted as pallbearers were Carl Schmidt, W. Beck, J. P. Jipp, R. H. Robinson, Ruthven Anderson and Herbert Henningson.

The salute at the cemetery was fired by the firing squad and taps were sounded by Earl Fleege.

Roy Gifford Halstead was born at Blair, Nebraska July 12, 1893, and died at the Wise Memorial Government Hospital Section, Omaha, Nebraska, Sunday, May 14, aged 28 years at the time of his death.

He leaves to mourn him his mother and father, Mr. and Mrs. Clem Halstead of Blair, Nebraska, two sisters, Mrs. Jake Good of Omaha, Mrs. Ed Kirk of Blair and four brothers; of these brothers, Everett and Jess are ex-servicemen who served through the late world war and both have now eye and sustained other life long injuries from which he never recovered. He was brave and cheerful and thoughtful of his mother, and never complained of his sufferings. On Wednesday, May 3, the officers of Stanley E. Hain Post of the American Legion arranged for his emergency hospital care as he was suffering greatly from a pain in his head. All that was possible for kind hearts and willing hands to do was done, but he passed away Sunday as above stated, thus another of our boys has given up his life for his country.

(a line is missing here)

received honorable discharges and are at home (assuming this refers to the 2 injured brothers); Floyd and Clifford are the two remaining brothers, both living at home with their parents. A large number of other relatives and friends mourn with the sorrowing and bereaved parents.

At the time of the beginning of the World War, Roy was at Great Falls, Montana, and hearing of the enlistment of his brothers and friends at Blair, he hastened to Great Falls and answered the call to colors and was immediately sent to Mare Island, Cal. on August 3, 1917, and was soon on his way to the scene of battle with the 1st Battery U.S. Marines, and was serving with the Marines in the fall of 1917 and spring of 1918 in the Verdun Sector.

He was with that gallant company of the Marines, the 34th Co., which made Belleau Woods a place in history and in June was at the battle of Chateau Thierry where on June 12, 1918 his whole company of marines, a picked patrol of expert marksman, were almost wiped out of existence by a flock of Zeppelins and other aircraft, with bombs and machine gun bullets.

A body supposed to be that of Roy Halstead was picked up with Roy’s identification tag near and was buried on the field and the government sent a telegram to the Washington County Chapter of the Red Cross, and to the parents that their son had fallen in battle.

Several months went by and one day in the fall the Paris Field Secretary of the Red Cross found a badly wounded boy in the base hospital there who had been transferred from several hospitals, and who claimed to be Roy Halstead of the Marines. The Paris Red Cross Field Secretary then notified the mother at Blair, and Mr. Clark O’Hanlon, local and County Chairman who instructed his secretary to cable and write and to use every means within the power of the Red Cross to identify the boy and to request his transfer.

Mrs. J. P. Jensen, County Secretary of the Red Cross, now Post War Service Secretary of the American Legion Post 154, succeeded in establishing the boy’s identity and asked for a furlough home.

Since the government and the army still contended Roy was dead, the Red Cross officers of Blair brought him home, and some months later, after they had filed his claims with the government, and at last the Commander of the Marines issued Roy an honorable discharge. He had been wounded very badly in the head and lost one ??? (more missing)

#8-18 May, 1922 - The Tribune - Roy Halstead - World War I

ROY HALSTEAD PASSES AWAY IN AN OMAHA HOSPITAL

Roy Halstead passed away at Wise Memorial hospital on May 14, 1922, aged 28 years, 7 months and 2 days. Roy Halstead was born in Blair, Neb. July 12, 1893, and was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Clem Halstead, who reside near this city.

In 1917 at the beginning of the World war, while employed at Great Falls, Mont., he enlisted in the marines and was sent to Mare Island, Calif., and embarked with the first battery. In the fall of 1917 and the spring of 1918 he served in the Verdun sector with a company of marines which at Balleau Woods was almost entirely wiped out. He was then attached to the 34th Marines and at Chateau Thierry on July 12, 1918 they were attacked by an air squadron and all but two were killed, Roy was one of the two, but even he was left on the battlefield for dead. Later he was picked up and taken to a base hospital near Paris, and the field secretary of the Red Cross notified the local Red Cross here that Roy was there and badly injured, and while this organization knew that he was alive, the government contended for a long time that he was dead.

Finally, however, he was honorably discharged, receiving citation for bravery and received all the decorations to which he was entitled, but he had more than earned them in his horrible experiences. In this battle he lost one eye and his skull was badly crushed. He had spent considerable time in hospitals trying to obtain relief, and only a few days ago was taken to Omaha for treatment. A government surgeon came up form St. Louis and an attempt was being made to raise the skull which was pressing on the brain and causing unconsciousness. A slight operation was made at the base of the brain, and it was discovered that nothing more could be done. Roy was too weak and he soon gave up his life, just as much for his country as though he had died on the battlefield.

Roy was accorded a military funeral which was held at the opera house Wednesday afternoon and was conducted by the American Legion, and Rev. J. T. Elliott of Omaha, presiding elder of the Reorganized Church of Latter Day Saints, assisted by Rev. Leroy Crocker, pastor of the local Christian church.

The pallbearers consisted of ex soldiers, sailors and marines, young men who had been associates and acquaintances of Roy since his boyhood. A double quartet sang several appropriate selections and Rev. Elliott preached one of the most practical sermons ever heard in the city. His text “Let Not Your Hearts by Troubled” was one which has afforded so much consolation to those in sorrow, ever since it was spoken by Christ before he left his disciples. Rev. Elliott stated among other good things that Roy Halstead was one of the true patriots, as his life had shown since he came out of the service. He was a hero in every sense of the word.

The stage was decorated with beautiful flowers - emblems, designs and bouquets - both the hot house blossoms and the spring flowers being used. Mr. Campbell, who officiated as undertaker, had artistically arrayed them, together with the flag for which Roy gave his life. The flag draping the casket was covered with dishes, emblematic of the order of the ladies auxiliary, and members of the order also wore the flowers. The Blair band headed the procession of more than a thousand persons who went to the cemetery to witness the last sad rites of one who had done his best and gave his all in defense of our country.

The ex servicemen in their uniforms brought back vivid recollections of the war we would all so gladly forget, but we do not wish to forget the brave boys, both dead and living, who have made peace possible, and as we “Cover them Over With Beautiful Flowers” - those who are sleeping the last long sleep - let us sprinkle a few bright flowers of kindness and love along the pathway of those who are living.

Surviving are his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Clem Halstead, four brothers, Everett and Jess, both ex servicemen and Floyd and Clifford who are at home; two sisters, Mrs. Jake Good of Omaha and Mrs. Ed Kirk of Blair.

Note: Find a Grave #50495993.

~~~ Obituary courtesy of the Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings on file in the Blair Public Library at Blair, Nebraska.~~~

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