This AI-generated image is representative of the uniforms issued at the time.
Guy Rison
Guy Rison was born on May 8, 1895, in Winchester, Clark County, Kentucky, to Mitchell and Naomi Barnes Rison. He grew up with three sisters and two brothers. In 1900, the Rison family resided in North Middletown, Bourbon County, Kentucky. Guy enlisted in the Kentucky National Guard on June 5, 1917, joining Company F of the 3rd Kentucky Infantry Regiment, which was later redesignated as Company F, 149th Infantry Regiment, 38th Division. He embarked for Europe aboard the SS Anchises from Hoboken, New Jersey, on June 12, 1918, as part of the Eighth Company, Camp Shelby, June Replacement Draft. Upon arrival in France, he was assigned to Company A, 168th Infantry Regiment, 42nd “Rainbow” Division. This division was known for its participation in major offensives during World War I, including the Champagne-Marne and Aisne-Marne campaigns. Private Rison was killed in action on July 26, 1918, during the Allied counteroffensive, also known as the Second Battle of the Marne. This successful counteroffensive marked a significant turning point in World War I, leading to a series of Allied advances that ultimately culminated in the Armistice in November 1918. He is interred at the Oise-Aisne American Cemetery and Memorial in Fère-en-Tardenois, Aisne, France. In 1929, his mother, Naomi Reed, participated in the Mothers’ Pilgrimage to visit his grave in France, honoring his sacrifice.
Private Risen is ‘Over There’
Member of Company F, 149th Infantry
Writes Friends in This County
He is Safe on Foreign Soil
Friends and relatives here have received a message from Private Guy Risen which states that he has arrived safely “over there.” Private Risen was a member of Co. F, 149th Infantry at Camp Shelby, Miss, and enlisted while the soldiers were at Camp Stanley near Lexington. He has many friends here who are wishing him much luck while in the service of his country. . .[1]
[1] The Winchester Sun, 1 Jun 1918, p. 6.
Supreme Sacrifice
Is Made by Guy Risen, a Clark Co.,
Boy Who Died on the Battlefields in France.
Among the Clark County boys who have paid the supreme sacrifice upon the battlefields in France is Guy Risen, whose name appeared in Friday’s casualty list as from Versailles, Ky. He was born and reared in this county and enlisted in the service of his country in June 1917. Young Risen was a member of Co. F, 3rd Kentucky National Guard while the troops were stationed at Camp Stanley near Lexington and which later was moved to Hattiesburg, Miss., and became the 149th U. S. Infantry. He sailed for France the latter part of May. At the time of his enlistment into the Army he was making his home with Mr. James Estes of the Waterworks Pike. He was a member of the Forest Grove Christian church, and his death has brought sorrow to many in this county.[2]
Guy’s mother, Noami Reed made the 1929 Mothers’ Pilgrimage to visit his grave in France.
[2] The Winchester Sun, 1 Oct 1918, p. 1.