Hedley H. Cooper

Y. M. C. A. Sectretary

       Killed May 27, 1918 at village of Negre. Hedley Cooper came to our regiment but a few days before the regiment experienced one of its most terrible gas attacks. He was in the very front line position where he had a small canteen in a dug-out. When the attack commenced Cooper donned his gas mask and went out to see what he could do to help. Sergeant Wintrode of Company A says Cooper came to him and volunteered to help in any way he could so Wintrode let him pilot a detail of men with ammunition down to the front line and while doing so was killed. The Reverend Cooper was born in Adrian, Michigan, in 1886.

 

Halliday S. Smith

Y. M. C. A. Secretary with 168th Infantry

      Killed May 27, 1918 at village of Negre, front line trenches. When the attack broke on morning of May 27, Smith went over to Cooper's dugout and the two Y men went forward to the front position to assist in the care of the wounded. A gas shell burst near them and they did not realize its deadly nature until after a breath had been taken. Smith was immediately overcome and born from the field. He died before he could reach the hospital. Smith had been a clerk in the Union Square Savings Bank at Nyack, N.Y. He had served three years in the 7th Regiment of New York.