Private Merle David Hay, A Soldier's Story


Private Merle David Hay was born on July 20, 1896, in Carroll County, Iowa. He worked as a mechanic for farm equipment before joining the US Army in May 1917, in response to the outbreak of World War I.

He was assigned to the 16th Infantry Regiment and deployed to France in June 1917. On November 3, 1917, while on guard duty near Bathelemont, Private Merle Hay's position was overrun by enemy troops.

He rests at the West Lawn Cemetery in Glidden, Iowa.



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a.d. elliott is a wanderer, photographer, and storyteller currently in Tonitown, Arkansas. 

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