This AI-generated image is representative of the uniforms issued at the time.
Raymond Allen Wilson
Corporal Raymond Allen Wilson, born in 1893 in Lexington, Fayette County, Kentucky, served in Company D, 1st Battalion, 168th Infantry Regiment, 42nd “Rainbow” Division during World War I. Prior to his military service, Wilson worked as a laborer and tobacco warehouseman.
Wilson enlisted in Company C of the Second Kentucky Militia in 1916 and was later mustered into federal service with the 149th Infantry Regiment. He was deployed overseas on June 12, 1918, aboard the Anchises from Hoboken, New Jersey, as part of the 7th Company, Camp Shelby Automatic Replacement Draft. Corporal Wilson participated in the Aisne-Marne Offensive near Château-Thierry, France, where he was wounded in action. The Aisne-Marne Offensive, also known as the Second Battle of the Marne, took place in July 1918 and marked a turning point on the Western Front. He succumbed to his injuries on July 27, 1918, in Mouroux, Département de Seine-et-Marne, France.
Initially interred in the American Cemetery in Mouroux, his remains were later repatriated and buried in the Lexington National Cemetery in Lexington, Kentucky.
Lexington Boy Dies of Wounds
Raymond Wilson, In Today’s Casualty List—
Former Resident Killed
Corporal Raymond Allen Wilson, 21 years old, son of Mr. and Mrs. Ora W. Wilson, who was reported severely wounded several days ago, died in France on July 27, according to the official War Department casualty list.
Corporal Wilson enlisted in Company C, of the Second Kentucky Militia in 1916, and after a period of training at Camp Stanley, near this city, went to Hattiesburg, where he was mustered into Federal Service, with the 149th Infantry, U. S. A.
A card was received from him in June stating that he had landed in France. He was wounded in action during one of the recent engagements with the Boche participated in by American Expeditionary Forces. He was first reported as severely injured but his wounds were at that time not thought sufficient to cause his death.
Before his enlistment he was an employee of a local tobacco warehouse. He is survived by his father, mother, and three sisters.
Corporal Wilson has two half-brothers, now in the service, the former is now on active duty in France, while the latter is stationed at Camp Meade, Maryland. [1]
Tribute Paid Memory of Lexington Soldier
Dr. Porter Preaches Sermon on Heroic Passing of Raymond Allen Wilson
The first memorial service for a son of Lexington who has lost his life during the war was held at the First Baptist church last night to commemorate the sacrifice of Raymond Allen Wilson, who died in a hospital July 25, after being wounded on the French front. The church was elaborately decorated with flowers and flags, including a black silk flag with a gold service star, and a special musical program preceded the memorial address of Dr. J. W. Porter.
Young Wilson, who has two brothers now in the service, volunteered in the infantry two years ago, when only 19 years old, and saw service on the fighting front before he received the wound which cost his life. He was a member of the First Baptist church and was held in high regard by all who knew him.
The service opened with the singing of “The Marseillaise” by the congregation and closed with “The Star Spangled Banner.” The musical program also included an anthem by the choir and a solo by Will K. Nave. Dr. Porter’s touching and beautiful address was heard with rapt attention by a crowd which filled the large auditorium of the church, and his eulogy of the boy who gave his life for his country was heard with approval by the large congregation. [2]
[1] Lexington Herald-Leader, 11 Sep 1918, p. 1.
[2] The Lexington Herald, 23 Sep 1918, p. 4.