Miles B. Ragland
Miles B. Ragland was born on September 19, 1896, in Frankfort, Franklin County, Kentucky, to Colby Banks and Martha M. “Mary” Bell Owen Ragland. He had three sisters and one brother. On May 23, 1917, Ragland enlisted in Company C of the Second Kentucky Regiment, part of the Kentucky National Guard. He underwent training in Lexington, Kentucky, and at Camp Stanley before moving to Camp Shelby in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, for final preparations prior to deployment overseas.
On June 12, 1918, Ragland departed from Hoboken, New Jersey, aboard the SS Anchises as part of the 7th Company, Camp Shelby Automatic Replacement Draft. Upon arrival in France, he was assigned to Company D of the 165th Infantry Regiment, which was part of the 42nd “Rainbow” Division. The 42nd Division, formed in August 1917, was a composite National Guard division comprising units from 26 states and the District of Columbia, earning its nickname because it “stretched over the whole country like a rainbow.”
The 165th Infantry Regiment, formerly the 69th New York Infantry, was renowned for its valor and had a storied history. During World War I, the 42nd Division participated in several major operations, including the Champagne-Marne, Aisne-Marne, St. Mihiel, and Meuse-Argonne offensives. The division saw a total of 164 days of combat, ranking third in terms of combat days among American divisions.
Ragland joined Company D as a replacement on July 19, 1918. Just a week later, on July 26, 1918, he was killed by machine guns fire in the advance of the 165th Regiment near Château-Thierry in the Aisne department of Picardie, France, during the Aisne-Marne offensive. This operation was crucial in halting the last major German offensive on the Western Front. Ragland was killed by machine gun fire during the advance of the 165th Infantry Regiment.
Initially buried in the American Cemetery in Seringes-et-Nesles, France, Ragland’s remains were repatriated on May 18, 1921, and reinterred in the Frankfort Cemetery in Franklin County, Kentucky. He was among the first five soldiers from Franklin County to lose their lives in World War I. His sacrifice is commemorated on the Kentucky National Guard Memorial.
Ragland’s death was reported in local newspapers, highlighting his family’s grief and pride in his service. His father, Colby Ragland, expressed the sorrow of losing a son but also the honor of dying for one’s country. At the time of Miles’s death, his brother, Ashley J. Ragland, was training at Camp Taylor, preparing to serve overseas.
Miles B. Ragland’s dedication and ultimate sacrifice are emblematic of the courage and commitment displayed by many young men during World War I.
Miles Ragland Dies in Action on Battle line
Parents Advised That Their Son Was Killed in France on July 26.
Fifth Franklin County Boy
Miles B. Ragland aged 23, son of Mr. and Mrs. Colby B. Ragland, who live on the Stedmantown Lane, two miles east of this city, has made the supreme sacrifice for his country. A telegram was received yesterday by his father stating that the boy had been killed in action in France, July 26th. No details were given but the telegram conveyed expressions of sympathy from the War Department. He is the fifth Franklin County boy to lose his life during this war. . .
“It is hard for us to give up our boy,” said the grief-stricken father last night. “It is very hard on his mother, but it is glorious for one to die for his country. Our boy died in service fighting for his country. That is all I can tell you about it. We have only two boys. One is dead in France, killed in action. The other is Ashley J. Ragland, at Camp Taylor, getting ready to go to France.”
Young Ragland enlisted in the Army May 23rd of last year. He went to Winchester, where he was assigned to the Kentucky National Guard, then to Camp Stanley, and finally to Hattiesburg, Miss., where he was given the final training for his service abroad. He arrived in France early this spring. The last letter his parents received from him was written on July 4th. He told them of the wonders and beauties of France and the bravery and unconquerable spirit of the people of that country. He wrote particularly about the buildings, and homes of the French people. He told his parents that the American soldiers were gradually moving up into the trenches and urged them not to worry about him. This is the last message they received from him, though other letters may be on the way.[1]
[1] The State Journal, 24 Sep 1918, p. 1.
Nephew of Mrs. Sam King
Is Killed in Action in France on the Same Night That Winchester Celebrated Victory
Mrs. Sam King received word Monday that her nephew, Miles Ragland, had been killed in France. Private Ragland was stationed with the Second Kentucky Regiment in this city last year and is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Colby Ragland of Frankfort and a brother of Mrs. Sam Burton of this county.
Young Ragland was only 23 and had been in France one month. He sailed in June and was killed the 26th of July, in one of the big drives made by the Americans.
It is a peculiar incident that the night on which he was killed was the same one which Winchester celebrated the great allied victory by the ringing of bells and a big patriotic parade of mall the citizens.[1]
Fifth Franklin County Boy to Lose His Life in War
Miles B. Ragland
Miles B. Ragland, who was the fifth of the Franklin County boys to lose his life in the great world war, was killed in action in France on July 26. He was a son of Mr. and Mrs. Colby B. Ragland and was born September 19, 1896. He enlisted in Company C, Second Kentucky Regiment, May 23, 1917, and received his training at Lexington, Ky., and Hattiesburg, Miss. He had been in France about three months.[2]
[1] The Winchester Sun, 24 Sep 1918, p. 1.
[2] The State Journal, 27 Sep 1918, p. 1.
Body of Miles B. Ragland Arrives Home for Burial. Killed on Battlefield of Chateau Thiery Three Years Ago.
A little more than three years ago Frankfort people were celebrating the success that the American troops were making at the historic drive at Chateau Thiery. This drive will be recalled in their memories when the funeral services are conducted for Miles B. Ragland, son of Colby Ragland of Thorn Hill, who was killed at Chateau Thiery, July 26, 1918.
The body of this Franklin County Hero arrived in Frankfort last evening. It was taken to the family home. Funeral services will be held at the cemetery chapel Sunday afternoon at 3 o’clock. The Frankfort Post of the American legion will assist in the services.
Mr. Ragland was the third Franklin County soldier to make the supreme sacrifice on a foreign battlefield in the World War.
The body was dispatched from Hoboken Thursday. Several thousand bodies of heroes were returned with that of Ragland. He was born September 1896 and was well known in the county.[3]
[3] The State Journal, 6 Aug 1921, p. 3.