 |
| ...But it is down at the post de secor*
themselves that you can see war itself pressing on men's
minds. They never laugh down there. All is grim, and the
poor wrecks who are trumbled in or straggle down the gutted
roads have no story to tell. They sing no songs and bring
no captured banners back: only memories of lives offered
on fiery alters, and what satisfaction comes of having
killed someone you never learned to hate. They have seen
war, and they know what it is like, so they do not smile
anymore. |
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John Lyon
15 August 1915
Westvletern, Belgium |
| * post de secor - aid station |
|
Who was John Lyon, you ask. The 1 September 1919 special
edition of The Monitor from Rosslyn, Virginia
carried the following report under the headline "Only
County Man Killed" (This was in error since four
other county men also lost their lives.): "John Lyon was killed in action on
October 16, 1918. He was a Second Lieutenant in
the 29th Division in the Machine Gun Company
of the 116th Infantry.
He was a graduate of the Western High School,
attended the University of Virginia for two years, (was)
editor of the Alexandria County Monitor
for three years, at the same time attending Georgetown
Law School at night, but did not graduate owing to the
fact that he went to France in May, just before he had
completed his examinations. He served one year with the
American Ambulance Corps in France, and was assistant
editor of Forest and Stream in New York.
He served six months on the Mexican border. He entered
the Army through the Alexandria Light Infantry, in which
he volunteered as a common soldier, was promoted from
corporal to sergeant and to second lieutenant, and reached
France July 1918." |
|
Citation
for the Distinguished Service Cross
"Near Samogneux, France, October 15, 1918
Residence at entry into service: Ballston, VA
Place of Birth: Ballston, VA
General Order Number 3, War Department 1924
Second Lieutenant, 116th Infantry, 29th Division During
the attack on Bois-de-la-Grande-Montagne, Lieutenant Lyon
left a place of comparative safety to cross an open space,
exposed to direct observation and fire from the enemy,
to attempt a rescue of a wounded officer. He and
two men who accompanied him were killed in the attempt.
Posthumously awarded. Medal presented to
father, Frank Lyon." |
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John Lyon Gravesite
The Lyon family plot
Historic Blandford Church
Petersburg, VA
(Photo by Andy Hyson) |
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John Lyon Family Connects with John Lyon Post
Steve Jones, whose grandmother was Lt. John Lyon's sister, called the Post after seeing the 3150 website. During an exchange of information, he confirmed that the gravesite is on the picture above. The Lyon family has a long history in southern Virginia and, thus, the burial in Petersburg. We are happy to be in contact with John Lyon's family and hope a long relationship may come from this. |
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