On this day Lt. Edwin Samuel Gard Jr. was killed in action north of
Cherry-Chartreuve, France. He was born in Fort-Worth, Texas on Nov. 14,
1891. He entered Lafayette College as a member of the class of 1912 in Sept. 1908 from Staunton Military Academy in Virginia. When the US entered the war he immediately joined up. He went through the 2nd camp in Plattsburgh New York and graduated as a 1st Lt. Assigned at first to General Pershing' Headquarters was later transfered to a combat unit. He joined Co.L of the 308th Inf. 77th Division. On night patrol on August 17, 1918 he was killed almost instantly by the explosion of an Austrian high explosive shell.

Captain R.H.Sturgis reported his death as follows:" Lt. Gard was
killed on the first night that my company moved up into the lrft support
position on the Vesle River. He was buried in a little graveyard behind the La Pres farm house along with others killed during those days on thye Vesle.

He was an ideal platoon commander and beloved by all who knew him. He was absolutely fearless and was always anxious to do everything that was
expected of him. His death was a very great loss to me and the entire company."

The 308th Inf. 77th Division later became famous as "the Lost Battalion"

Lt. Gard only was enrolled for a short period of time at Lafayette
College. So short in fact that he was omitted from the War Memorial to honor the Sons of Lafayette College who died during the American Wars. Through research and P.R. work I was able to have his name (and four more who were forgotten) added to the Memorial. 

Let Us Never Forget.

Therry Schwartz (schwartt@lafvax.lafayette.edu)

P.S. If anybody on the list can give me additional information  I would
greatly appreciate it Thanks in advance.