On November 11th, 1918, better known as Armistice Day, or the last day of World War 1, Army Chaplain William F. Davitt was killed 1 hour before the war ended. His death marked the last American Officer and Chaplain killed in the Great War.
Chaplain Davitt was born on December 8th, 1886, in Holyoke, MA. He attended College of the Holy Cross and was the captain of the football team. Upon graduating in 1907, he went to seminary in Montreal. When the war broke out, he volunteered as a Knights of Columbus Chaplain to the 32nd division of the 125th regiment.
Chaplain Davitt’s service showed selflessness and bravery on many occasions. He led a group of volunteers to rescue 40 pinned down soldiers, which succeeded without any casualties. He also single-handedly collected and buried 125 fallen men while under “violent fire.” For these actions, and numerous others, he would be awarded the Croix de Guerre with palm and citations for bravery from the French Army, and the Distinguished Service Cross, Silver Star, and citations for bravery from the U.S. Army.
On the final day of the war, Davitt was preparing a flag to be raised on the official hour of the armistice, 11am. 1 hour before the cease-fire, a German artillery shell landed nearby releasing shrapnel that killed Chaplain Davitt instantly. He was buried in a quiet churchyard near their camp, and his coffin was draped with the same flag he was carrying when he died. In 1919, his body was moved from Ecurey, to the Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery, both in France. In 1921, his body was finally brought home to Holyoke, MA. His sacrifice is honored in various ways, such as his former college, Holy Cross, giving awards of his namesake to outstanding players on the football team. His Croix de Guerre medal and name are featured in the local Veterans of Foreign Wars post. His name is also featured on a plaque at St. Joseph Memorial, and a bronze tablet at the Knights of Columbus chapter at St. Ann’s Church. He’s also honored at a memorial square at Pleasant Street, and the Father William F. Davitt Memorial Bridge. Lastly, he was added to Chaplain’s Hill at Arlington National Cemetery.
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