Fall Family War Files

This is a copy of the letter Mary Fall sent to the War Department requesting further information about her son John who had become a casualty on the last day of World War I.  At this point you can see that she still held out hope that John had survived his wounds.  Also note the dates that this was transpiring; 3 days before Christmas.  One can only imagine how heart wrenching it must have been for Mary Fall. 

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    This is the War Department grave registry for the burial of John Fall after he had fallen in battle. You can see he was laid to rest in the French town of Beaumont on November 14, 1918, three days after being killed in action. The document tells that Beaumont is in the Ardennes region of France and more specifically near the Lasarville farm.

    This letter from Mary Fall is requesting a photogrph of the grave where John is buried.

    This communique from the War Dept reads as follows:

    Dear Madam,

    Referring to your letter of March 5th, relative to your son John Joseph Fall, 356th Infantry , Company E, I beg leave to advise you that the plans for the transfer of the bodies of our soliders who have lost their lives in the service are being formulated, and the Department will have ready within a few days instructions which will be mailed to the emergency addresses.

    It is desired to express to you the deep sympathy of the Department on account of the loss of your son, and to commend you for the sacrifice and the contribution you have made to the cause for which he gave his life.

    This letter from Mary Fall informs the War Department that she wants to have her son's remains returned to this country when the government is ready to bring our soldiers home.

    This letter reads as follows:

    Chief, Graves Registration Service,3rd Ind. Hq.S.O.S.,A.E.F.,Mar,25,1919 - To:Central Records ACL:P Office, A.C.D.,A.P.O.902,A.E.F. Returned.

    1. Records of this office show Pvt. John Joseph Fall, (3512780), Co. E. 356th Inf, to have been buried November 14, 1918, in Commune at Beaumont, (Ardennes). Map reference: map B4SE; E306.2 N310.9 Grave number not shown. One identification tag attached to cross, which marks grave; one tag buried with body. This information has not been confirmed by the Graves Registration Service. Date of death : 11-11-18.
    Charles C. Pierce
    Lieut. Colonel, Q.M.C., U.S.A.