FIRST LIEUT. WILLIAM E. BARTON
805 Pioneer Inf.
U.S.A., France

A few days ago Albert chanced to come to Romagne, where I have been since Dec. 6, in search of Paul's grave. I had not heard of your loss. I regret this very deeply, and wish to convey to you and Mrs. Funkhouser my sincere sympathy. I was able to render Albert some assistance in locating the grave. It is on Madeline Farm about one kilometer south of Cunel. This is approximately forty kilometers northwest of Verdun, five kilometers west of the Meuse. Albert has the correct co-ordinates; but the above will give you a general idea of the location.

The cemetery probably is permanent, containing perhaps 250 graves. It is on the side of a hill, and has good drainage.

I gave Albert a detail of men and a truck. Now the body is in a metallic casket, hermetically sealed, and encased in a heavy oaken casket. The grave is now adjacent to that of four other officers who were removed to the spot; and all will be well taken care of. I should say his remains now are in the best condition possible under the circumstances, and will admit being removed at any time should you desire to do so.

Albert is a great deal stronger than when in civilian life. He is to be congratulated on his success.

As for myself, I was first attached to the 89th division at Camp Funston, General Wood's, until it came over, then sent to the depot brigade. I had the valuable experience of commanding the 31st Company for five months, until I was sent to my present organization just prior to its departure. While in command of the 31st Company I had sometimes 550 men in the company. This was during the great rush to build up the army.

We rushed to the front in about ten days, in the Argonne Meuse sector where we are at present. I have been in liaison work considerably and at present am in charge of transportation for this area. Among other troubles, I have forty-seven Ford trucks to look after.

I do not feel that relating what has happened to me is an imposition on your good nature, as I have always considered you as one of my good friends in Evansville. I assure you that it has been a pleasure to me to carry out Albert's wishes.

EX-FIRST SERGT. WILLIAM J. FERRIER
La Crosse, Ind.
[PHOTO]

I hope you will excuse me for writing you and causing what I know must have been a sad blow to be brought back with force to your memory, namely, a note to you regarding the life and death of your son Paul, than whom no better soldier fought or died.

Having been with the Seventh Machine Gun Battalion since its organization, and being in Company B, I well remember the day he came to us from the 59th United States Infantry. Naturally, being a new officer in a new organization, the executive and personnel of which were new each to each and in each, it was some time before he was given a place in the esteem of those under him. However, this esteem he succeeded in establishing before we left the States. The severity of the training overseas only enhanced his rating among his subordinates. Here he did all in his power to assist them in whatever way and whenever he could.

Our training period was short. Too short! But the Germans were delivering smashing blows and making such head way that Marshal Foch decided to accept our own commander's, General Pershing, offer to use American troops anywhere. Therefore, May 31, 1918, found us scrambling into positions in and near Chateau-Thierry. A platoon crossed to the north bank of the river and had quite a little excitement in a battle in the streets, where Heinie discovered he had a job on hand.

The first to arrive were the first to go into position, it being simply a case of the need of the hour compelling disorganization - in that platoon commanders were in command of mixed platoons, some of their own men and some from another platoon.

Your son was supposed to be in command of the headquarters detachment, company headquarters of course. As such he was responsible for the gathering of information regarding the enemy, our own situation, and the dispersal of all news through the arteries, or liaison, to each and every gun commander. So you see he was assigned as nerve controller, so to say.

However, such was the demand for immediate action, that he was placed in command of a nest on the extreme right flank. Taking up his position at night, and in a strange place, dawn found him holding a scrubby wooded projection on the left, or south bank of the river. In this position he controlled the river in both directions. However, his front was poorly protected and so, when the Boche, who had crawled up through the night, opened a terrifically heavy machine gun fire from three sides and compelled him and his men to lie low as they were at the double disadvantage of not only being outnumbered and flanked but also of being targets for an unseen number of foe- men. He did the best thing possible, retire and take up a new position. This retirement he successfully accomplished with the loss of but one man, who was unfortunate enough to receive a bullet through the flesh of his left forearm. The coolness and skill displayed here endeared him more to us. He had proven himself a man and a faithful leader.

Never retreating, always with his face towards the foe, a smile on his face and a cheery word on his lips is how we will remember him.

In the last engagement I was privileged to be in with your son. I requested to be allowed the honor of being in his platoon, the Third Platoon of Company B, Seventh Machine Gun Battalion. This was the platoon I was proud of and I knew it would do itself full credit, as would any of our battalion, and so when I learned that not only was I to be allowed my request but that your son, Paul, was to command the same I was doubly happy, as a strong feeling of comradeship had sprang up between us.

It was a long tiresome journey to the jumping off place and we arrived there shortly before "H" hour, the time set to "go over." Our luck was against us and our platoon was left to organize for a resultant counter-attack, in case our doughty dough-boys, who were getting severely thinned in flesh and numbers as a result of weeks of continuous warfare, should get a setback. Having settled on our plan of position I went to work seeing it was put into operation and Paul went to consult with Lieut. Cobbey, who was going over with the Second Platoon.

That was the last I saw of your son alive. In a few moments I learned he had been struck in the head with a bullet and killed instantly. My commander and chum had died for humanity. He is buried near Cunel, our own chaplain, Rev. David Lamb, of Boston, Mass., directing the service.

At about 8 A. M. on Nov. 20, 1918, your son and my friend died, his face to the enemy, a smile on his lips and purpose in his life's mission.

He died that we might live. God bless and comfort you and those he loved.

* * * * *

Lieut. Cobbey probably told you how much we thought of Paul as an officer and as a man. They were the best of friends. I should certainly enjoy seeing Cobbey. Perhaps you can give me his address. Is that asking more than I dare?

FIRST SERGT. ERNEST P. TATRO
Co. B, 7th Machine Gun Battalion
Mechanicville, N. Y.
[PHOTO]

I will " let you know how proud I was to serve under your son as an officer of the United States Army. I was first sergeant of the company for a long time, and was in close touch with him, and he was always the man. You and your family have my heartfelt sympathy. We all loved him, and there is at least one consolation, he died fighting, his face to the enemy.

SERGT. GUY MADDEO
Co. B, 7th Machine Gun Battalion
Kell, Germany

Just a word about your son, Lieut. Funkhouser.

Maybe it will help both you and me in our loss.

I served in his platoon as platoon sergeant, and I know of no better leader over here than he was.

Would always have a cheery word when things were tough, and we saw plenty of such times while in action. Both in and out of the front line and he always spoke to all the men like a regular fellow, so any of us would follow him no matter where he lead us.

If we had a chance of choosing a platoon when going into action, well, the majority of the men would go in "Funky's" platoon.

He also died like a man, and the way he always said he would like to get it, instantaneously.

SERGT. HUBERT H. WOOSLEY
Co. B, 7th Machine Gun Battalion
Army of Occupation, Bell, Germany
[PHOTO]

I have just received from my commanding officer your address, and am sending these few lines in an effort to describe briefly the patriotic and manly disposition of your dear son, Lieut. Paul, who, on Dec. 20, was required to make the supreme sacrifice, and whom I have known both in training and in service.

I feel quite safe in saying that every member of our company and battalion had learned to regard him as a thorough man. While army discipline would not permit our personal association we all saw in him the personality and reflections of a dear, good father and mother of whom he has so often spoken.

This message is mailed with the hope that you may get some idea of the high regard I have had and will always cherish for him even though he has been taken from us.

Sad, indeed, it is, and yet you, Mr. Funkhouser, have every reason in the world to feel proud to know you had so noble a gift for so noble a cause that of protecting all future generations from the jaws of the kaiser's militarism.

I again assure you of my heartfelt sympathy.

* * * * *

Kell, Germany

Your letter came this P. M. and I am pleased to know that I have caused you to realize in a measure the high esteem and regard we all have for your dear son Paul.

I feel confident that, without exception, he was an officer who was admired by every member of our company and the entire battalion, regardless of rank. In the performance of his duties he always maintained the old traditions which characterized our battalion, and made it one big, happy family. I am real proud to say that I am one of its charter members.

I wish to assure you that if, in any way, I can inform you of anything concerning him, I shall be very glad to do so.

I was not more than fifty yards away from him at the fatal moment, and less than five minutes before that time he had spoken to me.

At that particular time and place we all had a knowledge of the dangers which surrounded us, and it was not at all uncommon to hear remarks expressing the hope that we might not have to be wounded and to suffer the pain and torture we had witnessed on previous occasions of that sort.

With Paul, or rather with Lieut. Funkhouser, as I have always known him, there was no pain or suffering whatsoever, for his was instantaneous; he was struck in the head by a bullet from a "sniper's" machine gun while he was leading his platoon into action, not while "driving them." This fact should be a great consolation to you, Mr. Funkhouser.

You have every reason in the world to feel exceedingly proud that you have reared so noble a son, of such calibre and that he always moved forward into the enemy's lines with a smile, and with a full knowledge of his duties towards humanity as well as to our own dear relatives. He had always a clear conception of right and wrong, and gave his all to accomplish the right. I shall always remember him as a man of the highest moral principles.

You ask about his burial, but I'm sorry, Mr. Funkhouser, that owing to the great numbers of deaths on that memorable and fatal day, it is impossible for me to give the details. I am sure, however, that he was given a decent burial with ceremony provided by the chaplain of our battalion, he as fine a man as you ever met, and also a close friend of your son; therefore, you may be sure he was well cared for by the burial detail. My home address in the States is Pocahontas, Ill., and if at any time I have an opportunity to call on you at your home, I will gladly do so, and may perhaps be able to tell some few things which have been omitted.

Again I assure you of my heartfelt sympathy and of my anxiety to give you all possible information.

SERGT. HENRY E. RILEY
Co. B, 7th Machine Gun Battalion
Army of Occupation, Germany

It is with the greatest of pleasure that I undertake to write to you, the father of a brave and a good boy like your son, Paul, and I can assure you my heartiest sympathy, for your son was the commander of the Third Platoon under whom I am a sergeant, and he was the best lieutenant in our company and a grand good man and leader of the Third Platoon. I can assure you that there will never be another man any better than your son Paul.

CORP. JOE HERR
Co. B, 7th Machine Gun Battalion
Kell, Germany

It is with pleasure that I send these few lines and am proud to say that I am fortunate enough to be one of the boys be longing to the Seventh Machine Gun Battalion which your son, Lieut. Funkhouser, was one of the most highly respected and loved officers.

Through his big heart and squareness, regardless of where we were and of what danger, he was always there to see that we boys got the best that could be had.

I wish I had the gift of being a good writer so I could express my feelings the way I would like to, but anyway I will do my best. I am a charter member, having been transferred into the battalion when it was organized at Camp Green, N. C., and belong to the Third Platoon, the one your son, Lieut. Funkhouser, was in command of. After the Chateau-Thierry battle, I was made corporal and I honestly believe it was the best platoon in the battalion. I am proud to have been one of his boys.

The spirit of the boys is wonderful; all anxious to get back home, I'll admit, but satisfied to stay until things are all straightened out. One thing, if we had our say about it, there would be something doing on the other side of the Rhine.

CORP. LONNIE H. COOPER
Co. B, 7th Machine Gun Battalion
Germany
[PHOTO]

Pardon me for not writing you sooner, as I was the closest one to Lieut. Funkhouser upon the moment of his death and I have felt like I was to blame for his death, which I will explain.

I, being Lieut. Cobbey's runner, was waiting to go across an opening with a lieutenant of the Seventh Infantry. Lieut. Funkhouser came up to Lieut. Cobbey about the snipers which were playing havoc with us. The advance was stopped for a few minutes. Lieut. Cobbey asked me if I would go with him and locate the snipers. I walked back down the path where our platoon was awaiting orders. I had gone some few yards, stopped and was waiting for them. Lieut. Funkhouser followed me some few yards behind. I stepped out of the path to let him pass and just as he was even with me his attention was called and in turning a bullet came "zip" in my left striking the lieutenant just above the left eye. We both fell together and in falling he turned with his back to my chest. Lying there a moment, I heard someone ask me if I was hurt, and not knowing I felt of my left ear and replied, "No." Then the reply came, "Well, someone is." Raising I saw where the bullet had entered. Needless to say that I began to get afraid; I noticed that pleasant smile upon his face and in his eyes. It was so quick that there was not time for the expression of pain to show.

I can sympathize with you and have done so with readiness. To kill your enemy and seeing your own beloved officers and comrades get killed are two different things. I am proud that I was commanded by such good brave soldiers as Lieut. Funkhouser. There are three others that have a warm spot in the hearts of the men of Company "B," Seventh Machine Gun Battalion, namely: Capt. L. H. Cook, Lieut. Cobbey and Lieut. Woods. I was not a member of his platoon (Lieut. Funkhouser), though I loved him as much as if I had been.

P. S. - Regards and sympathy to the Mrs. Funkhouser.

"Just a few nights ago I heard some verses written by a soldier, and I pictured Paul as he lay upon the battle field. I hadn't quite understood those dear smiling eyes and the satisfied smile on his face until I heard this bit of poetry; those eyes were saying Love, Truth and Honor! I wish I had the verses to send to you, for I think you, too, would understand and would be comforted "

PVT. WALTER J. FOUTZ
Co. B, 7th Machine Gun Battalion
Army of Occupation, Kell, Germany

I am taking the liberty of writing you my condolence on account of the death of your son, Lieut. Paul Funkhouser. I am one of the men in his platoon. We were all proud to be in his command. It gives me great pleasure to tell you that he was a splendid officer and a gentlemen. He was with us boys ever since we were at Camp Greene, and took great interest and pains in teaching us to use machine guns. ... All the boys felt very sad when he was hit by an enemy bullet, as we always had a good standing with him. He repeatedly led us through the dense fire and gas, and always stayed with his men, taking all dangers and risks, and to know that his life was taken was a personal shock to all of us. The fight we had north of Verdun was our hardest, but we pressed on until victory came. ... We are now situated on the Rhine until further orders. ... Your son was surely faithful and stuck to us through everything until his life was taken. No braver officer ever lived. He was always kind to us, and always looked for our welfare. He led and we followed, and we followed wherever he led.

...When we started our first engagement with the Germans at Chateau Thierry, May 31, 1918, we had our machine guns placed zig-zag along the Marne and as Paul had charge of our platoon and (I being in the last squad) we got there at the break of day and we had no good position there, but we did our best by camouflaging our guns with high trees. The Germans opened fire on this squad and one of the bullets hit a boy in the arm, so they were coming in all directions so we couldn't stay there long, so we picked up our equipment and waded through the Marne. I happened to carry am munition at that time and I fell in it safe and got on the other side of the river, so Paul directed us to set our gun along the railroad siding, and, believe me, there was no Germans advance on us, as we could pop every one that raised their heads above the sky line, and I tell you that we mowed them down like grass and you could see the German ambulances coming and picking up the wounded. We were not allowed to fire in sight of ambulances but they always did when they saw us or our ambulances. You see, if it wouldn't have been for the Seventh Machine Gun Battalion and our artillery the Germans would have been in Paris today, and where do you think we would have been? When we were going up, the French re treated, and had broad smiles on their faces and made remarks about us boys going up and holding the line after they couldn't hold it; so we kept pushing them across the Vesle and the Ames River, and when we were crossing the Marne on the pontoon bridge the Germans were firing upon us from the air, trying to destroy our bridge, but soon we all got across anyway and you see where we are on this day. You may not get the same story from any one else, but this is what I saw of it. When we were in action we never did hardly know the day or date, and in the Army when in action we have no Sundays off like we do now. Well, we certainly did put the German balloons and airplanes down from Mont Faucon and we certainly did chase them away, as we had all kinds of artillery and heavy railroad guns that when they open it puts them on the run. They tried several times to fool us by night signal lights but it didn't do them any good as we had everything working fine. But why should we worry anything more about it as we got them all across the Rhine and if they don't sign we are going to pepper Berlin. We are getting tired of waiting on them and if they don't get busy, we machine gunners will, I certainly feel sorry for Paul as he was a good lieutenant to me and I know how the boys are when it comes down in sizing up an officer; well, I know that the officers have to be a little strict as their superior officers will call them down. Lieut. Cobbey was also a good lieu tenant and also Capt. Cook, and took much interest in our work that was done on the front, ... I know you feel bad about your son, and want to hear all you can about him and I could tell you more if I were at home.

... and how glad I will be when I can come home and meet, and be with my dearest friend on earth who is my mother; but how sad many mothers are now that will never see their sons any more here to talk to, but if they died happy and know they were saved from sin, they would be better off than we are today. ...

PYT. CECIL V. JOHNSON
Co. B, 7th Machine Gun Battalion
Germany

...First, I want to say that Lieut. Paul Funkhouser was an officer that was loved by all who knew him. On Sunday morning, Oct. 20, we started "over the top" in support of the infantry, and as they were soon shot up it was up to us to drive the Germans out of the woods and hold it. I was in the First Platoon. My lieutenant was wounded early in the morning, so his place was taken by a sergeant. I was going through an open space with my machine gun and Lieut. Funkhouser was just in front of me talking with Lieut. Cobbey, and just as they separated Lieut. Funkhouser was hit in the temple with an explosive bullet from a sniper. I stopped to give him first aid, but soon saw that he was killed, instantly. So I went across and took up a position. By the middle of the afternoon the squad I was in had all been killed or wounded, so I took a rifle from a dead doughboy and used it, and I will say here the German that killed your son paid the price, although he got a number of other men. A soldier from the Sixth Engineers and myself crossed down through the wood and took the sniper. He threw up his hands and shouted "Kamarad!" but it didn't save him. The engineer shot him through the heart. Your son was buried two days after. It was impossible to bury him sooner, as that was an awful battle. ...

PVT. CECIL C. JOHNSON
Co. B, 7th Machine Gun Battalion
Germany

I have the pleasure to write to you. I am one of the men of the Seventh Machine Gun Battalion who fought in the streets of Chateau Thierry with your son, and was with him a good while. I was not very far from him when he was killed. Every one in the company likes him. I was sorry to see him go, but it is not as we wish but it is as the One above wills that is best. I am Lieut. Funkhouser's friend.

PVT. GEORGE W. JOHNSON
Co. B, 7th Machine Gun Battalion
Germany
[PHOTO]

I guess you will be surprised to get a letter from me. I just thought I would write you a few lines, as I knew your son. I had the pleasure of knowing him since we were in Camp Greene, and I don't think I ever met a finer young man than he was. I was with him all the time. I was sergeant, and he was my platoon leader, and I guess I knew him just as good as any one in the company. He was my best friend, and I sure was sorry that he was killed. Of course it is heard that he had to go. I can say this much, he was as brave as any man I ever saw.

I was with him a few minutes before he was killed. I helped carry him off the battlefield. We sure had a hard battle that morning.

Maybe some day I can get to see you. I live at Midway, Ky.

MAJ. WILLIAM R. DAVIDSON
M. C., Brest, France

My wife has sent me the clipping regarding Paul's death, and even after the long delay I want to offer my deepest sympathy and condolence. Human words of the present, even old Horace's "Dulce pro patria," do not take away the pangs, the sufferings of losing a child. So often in sickness of my own boy has he been close to the buried and I have felt the terror, so I know how the realization must come in all its grimness, and my heart goes out to you and yours. The hopes, the expectation, the realization of a young life go and leave only the memories. I am seeing these poor, fearfully battered wrecks in this hospital, so many of them going back to a struggle of years, terribly handicapped and if in the nature of things, he had to go, I am glad he was spared the suffering and misery. I trust you have heard that Albert is safe and is left you.

ENSIGN EDWIN KARGES
U.S.S. "FREDERICK"

I was very sorry to hear of the loss of your son Paul. Please accept my most sincere sympathy.

It did not surprise me to hear that Paul died a true soldier, fighting bravely. It was his make-up - he was a man, and I am proud to consider myself as one of his friends.