Thanks to Patricia Topolski for this account
and the photo as well.
JAMES KREAMER -- LATER YEARS
My grandfather was James Joseph Kreamer. He was inducted into the U. S. Army, Company G, 5th Infantry, Missouri, on 5/25/1917. Later, he served in Company G, 138th Infantry, as a private. I understand that his unit was stationed in France during WWI.
According to WWI military records, James Joseph Kreamer served overseas from 5/3/1918 to 4/28/1919. He was wounded on September 24, 1918--a wound for which he received the Purple Heart.
James Joseph Kreamer was born March 20, 1892, in St. Louis, and died May 24, 1965, prior to which time he lived on Sproule Avenue in Dogtown for many years. He was buried in Gillespie City Cemetery, in Gillespie, Illinois, with his second wife's family. Although her family plot has a large tombstone, there is also a military tombstone on James's grave, noting his service during the war.
Before I began researching my family tree, I did not know that my grandfather served in WWI, nor that he was wounded and received a Purple Heart. I am so happy to be able to honor his service in this way.
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