Arlington Boy Hun Victim

Telegram Officially Confirms Death of Henry F. Petersen

3:36 P.M. Washington, D.C. Aug. 31, 1918

Mr. Louis Sorensen, Arlington, Nebr., Deplore have to inform you that Private Henry F. Petersen, Infantry is officially reported as killed in action August sixth. Hatris, acting the Adjutant General 5:40 p.m.

The supreme sacrifice to his love of Liberty was made by Henry F. Petersen on August sixth “somewhere in France.”

Henry Petersen was a young Dane who came to this country only about four years ago and worked first for Fred Munson near Washington then for Mrs. John Toft and enlisted while working for Louis Sorensen east of Arlington. His parents reside in Denmark. When he left Arlington for service in the army of his adopted country he volunteered among the very first and joined the old 6th Nebraska but was later transferred to the 134th Inf. Deming, N. Mex. And left for France on June 21, 1918.

What this excellent young man has done for his country can never be equaled by all of us who stay at home. We can give all of our money, all of our food and clothing and if we still live we are still owing a debt to this young foreign born American who has stood between us and the cursed enemies of freedom and liberty and valiantly gave up his life and all that was dear to him that the world might continue to be free from the Huns and all other autocratic rulers who threatens liberty.

MEN – just stop a moment and look at the naked truth square in the eye. ARE YOU DOING EVERYTHING YOU CAN TO WIN THIS WAR? Are you advising your son to stay at home? Are you boys staying home honorably or do you feel conscious of making manufactured excuses for not going into the army? Men of money – are you truly letting go of your money in proportion to what you possess? Right now money and men are winning the war, but there is a long hard road to victory ahead and more money and money are needed. The money will be called first. Respond to the Fourth Liberty Loan with every dollar you can raise and that part of our victory will be won. There will be 18,000,000 men respond to the call for selective service on September 12th. It is your duty to lay yourself open for selection and not lay any excuses or obstacles in way of your being drawn into the army. You may be needed at home but you are needed more at the front just now. Be fair with Uncle Sam and he will only take the men he wants. If you have told him the truth on registration day and he does not select you for the army you are not to be called a slacker but the whole community is watching you and the brand of “slacker” will stay with you to old age if you do not do the right thing and hide behind petticoats or in other ways try to avoid your duty to your nation.

From American Battle Monuments Commission World War I Honor Roll

Henry F. Petersen

Private, U.S. Army

5th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division

Entered the Service from: Nebraska

Died: August 6, 1918

Buried at: Plot D Row 10 Grave 19, Oise-Aisne American Cemetery, Fere-en-Tardenois, France

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