Samuel Leland Pettit

The following profile was researched and compiled by Candice L. Buchanan and Glenn J. R. T. Toothman III, for www.RainDayBoys.com.

Birth: 10 June 1895 Holbrook, Greene County, Pennsylvania

Parents: John Thomas Pettit and Nancy Staggers

Residence at time of enlistment: Aleppo Township, Greene County, Pennsylvania

Physical description: Tall, slender, blue eyes, light brown hair

Death: Influenza epidemic, 2 October 1918 France

Age at death: 23 years old

Last resting place: 14 November 1920 Sugar Grove Cemetery, Aleppo Township, Greene County, Pennsylvania

Later removed to Greene County Memorial Park, Morgan Township, Greene County, Pennsylvania

Military rank: Serial No. 2902143. Private. Company M, 164th Infantry.

Additional information:

Samuel's mother died only months after his birth. He was the baby brother raised and beloved by his elder siblings.

He sailed to Europe and war on 31 August 1918 out of New York City aboard the Ortega. While serving with his Company in France, Samuel was stricken by the influenza epidemic, which took his life 2 October 1918.

SOURCES:

  • "Body of World War Veteran Laid to Rest at Aleppo" article, Waynesburg Republican, Waynesburg, Pennsylvania, 25 November 1920.
  • "United States, Army Transport Service Passenger Lists 1910-1939," digital images, Ancestry.com (http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=61174 : accessed 28 June 2018), Samuel L. Pettit entry, line 180, page 11 (typed)/32 (stamped), Ortega, box 521; citing Lists of Outgoing Passengers, 1917-1938. Textual records. 255 Boxes. NAI: 6234477. Record Group Title: Records of the Office of the Quartermaster General, 1774-1985. Record Group Number 92. National Archives, College Park, Maryland.
  • "United States, World War I Selective Service System Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918," digital images, Ancestry.com (http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=6482 : accessed 28 June 2018), Samuel Lyland Pettit draft card, serial no. 96, Local Draft Board, Aleppo Township, Greene County, Pennsylvania; citing National Archives microfilm publication M1509, FHL roll 1892940.
  • "WWI Veterans Service and Compensation Files, 1917-1919, 1934-1948," digital images, Ancestry.com (http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=60884 : accessed 28 June 2018), Samuel L. Pettit (no application for compensation submitted); citing World War I Veterans Service and Compensation File, 1934–1948 (RG 19, Series 19.91), Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC), Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.