Pvt. Bernard T. Rissi (1895-1918)

REGIMENT: 308th U.S. Infantry, 77th Division

RANK: Private

BORN: June 7, 1895

WHERE: Collinsville, Madison Co., IL

DIED: October 8, 1918

WHERE: France

CAUSE OF DEATH: KIA - Meuse - Argonne Offensive

BURIED: Meuse - Argonne American Cemetery - Romagne, France

MARKER: Military

View WW1 Draft Registration of Bernard T.Rissi

Collinsville Herald – November 23, 1918

Bernard Rissi Killed in Action in France

Was Son of Mrs. Mary Rissi of Vandalia Street.
Though Drafted From California
Had Been in France Only Five Weeks.

Bernard Rissi, aged 23, son of Mrs. Mary Rissi of Vandalia street and well known in this city, was killed in action in France on October 8, according to word received here. The news came to his wife in California, where Rissi was living at the time he was called for military service. She sent the information by telegraph to the young man’s mother here.

Rissi registered here in June, 1917, and a short time later went to California where he married and remained. He had his questionnaire sent to him there, and when his call came for service he was sent to a camp in Oregon, then to a camp in California and later to one in New Jersey. In September of this year, after he had been in service only about three months he landed in France, and apparently was put on a fighting front almost immediately for it was only five weeks later he was killed.

Collinsville Herald – November 29, 1918

77th Division "Statue of Liberty Division"

Bernard T. Rissi, the first and perhaps the only Collinsville draftee to be killed in action during the war, was 23 years old, the son of Mrs. Mary Rissi of Vandalia street. He was born and raised in this city and was educated in the Catholic parochial schools. He worked until June, 1917, at the plant of the St. Louis Smelting and Refining Company here. Shortly after registering here on June 5, 1917, he went to Los Angeles, Cal., where he was employed as an electrical engineer. He was married in Los Angeles to a California girl last February.

Rissi was called for service on May 27 and was sent to Camp Lewis at Tacoma, Washington. He was transferred to Camp Kearney at San Diego where he remained until he was sent to an eastern embarkation point in July. He reached France in September and was in service perhaps not more than a month when he was killed. Such are the fortunes of war that some soldiers spend their lives on the battle field and others die in their first engagement!

Rissi is survived by his mother, one sister, Florence, five brothers, Ed, Leo, Henry, Frank and Joseph. All live here except the latter who is in the west.

Rissi was a private in the 160th Infantry.

Index of Collinsville Casualties

The Meuse-Argonne Offensive: A Chronology (Outside Link)

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