The Protection Post, March 27, 1919.
BURGHARDT DIED "GOING FORWARD"
The following letter, written from Prum, Germany, is from a captain in Ed Burghardt's division, who was with Burghardt when he was killed in action on the first day of November, on the Verdun sector.
Prum, Germany
February 27, 1919
Mr. Arthur Burghardt, Protection, Kansas.
Dear Sir,
It was my pleasure to know Private Edward L. Burghardt, No. 2200983, Co. E. 353rd Infantry, and I am sure that the following will be of interest to you and other relatives. Burghardt was detailed from Co. E. to Second Battalion Headquarters as runner about October 15th. He proved a splendid man on this work and his cheerfulness and reliableness were two of the things that made him especially valuable.
On the morning of November 1, 1918, about two hours after the beginning of the American attack of that date, and just north of the Bois de Bantheville, Burghardt was killed instantly by the fragment of a high explosive shell. At this time Lieut. Urban, Sergeant Major Boyd, Burghardt and myself were in a shell hole, as the advance of the battalion was being held up temporarily by an exceptionally heavy machine gun and artillery fire. Sergeant Boyd was wounded and Burkhart was hit by a fragment of the shell in the forehead. The fragment went through his helmet. His death was practically instantaneous and he died with the smile on his face that was so conspicuous during his life. He is missed by those who knew him. We must take courage that he died as is becoming to an American soldier, going forward.
I think Burghardt is buried near the town of Bantheville. Definite information on his burial place can be obtained from the General Records Office, Graves Registration Bureau, A. P. O. 902, American E. F.
Very truly yours,
Eugene A. Bond,
Capt. 353rd Inf.Thanks to Shirley Brier for transcribing this article and providing it for use on this website!
Editor's note: In the original published article and letter, Edward J. Burghardt, Jr.'s surname is incorrectly spelled as "Burkhart".
Protection American Legion was chartered on May 18, 1923, by a group of W.W. I Veterans. Post #167 was named after Edward Burghardt, a young Protection man who joined the service as a member of the Detached Service in Co. E, 353rd Infantry, 89th Division. Private Edward Burghardt, son of Edward and Minnie Burghardt, was born May 19, 1895, at Ellinwood, Kansas. He later moved to Protection with his parents, where he lived until he volunteered his services to the U.S. Army. At that time he was 23 years of age. He entered the service in March, 1918, and was killed in action somewhere in France in November 1918. He is buried in France. -- Comanche County History, page 195.
At right: Gravestone of Edward L. Burghardt, Jr., Private, U.S. Army, 353rd Infantry Regiment, 89th Infantry Division. Entered the Service from: Kansas. Died: November, 3, 1918. Buried at Plot H, Row 16, Grave 26, Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery, Romagne, France.
Photo courtesy of Shirley Brier.
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