William W ‘Bill’ Whitney
American Legion Post 143
Bayfield, CO 81122


Chartered 13 July 1921 by:

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John H. Moss
William R. Morrison
Fred L. Groves
Myron N. Hammond
Wilmer Wells

Carl E. Morrison
Lawrence Peterson
Roy L. Egger
Harry Abes
Roland Campbell

Walter M. Edwards
Roy Potter
Neil Morrison
Harry J. Love
Oscar N. Edwards

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Bill served in the United States Navy from October 23 1907 until August 23 1911. He enlisted in the United States Army on 2 October 1917 released 14 January 1918. Once again feeling called to duty, he re-enlisted on 5 September 1918 with John Moss. Bill ultimately died at Camp Kearney on 4 December 1918, as a member of the 157th Infantry. His close friend John ‘Jack’ Moss helped raise his child after his death.

His tombstone at Bayfield Cemetery reads:

He left his home in perfect health
He looked so young and brave
We little thought how soon he’d be laid to rest in a soldiers grave

World War Two - Pine River Valley Service and Sacrifice

Based on information available to the Pine River Valley Heritage Museum we know that 73 Bayfield High School graduates served in the military during WWII. We also know that there were 7 men who served but were not graduates.
 
The number of deaths suffered by the service personnel is surprisingly high. The deaths started with the loss of three valley servicemen with the sinking of the USS Arizona in Pearl Harbor, they are still in the ship. Which is almost 4%!
 
In the war years that followed 17 servicemen lost their lives during the war. That is 17 men out of 80, a loss percentage of 21.25%!

The museum has possession of a US flag, medal case that includes the Purple Heart sent to Mrs. Wiser in April, 1945 and some letters pertaining to the loss of Pat Wiser who was assigned to an Armored division. He lost his life on 25 February, 1945, and was interred in Margraten Cemetery, the Netherlands.
 
As best as we can tell there is only one serviceman buried in our cemetery, Palmer Cobb who was a Marine Corps sergeant during WWII.

This is why the museum created a special WWII exhibit highlighting these men. The display we have includes the ribbons these men would have been awarded, including the Purple Heart.
 
We have been able to obtain pictures of almost every individual and still need only two. If you have or know of someone that has a picture of Palmer Cobb and Fred Kelly please contact us.