How Local Boy Met His Death
The Evening Record
August 8, 1918


Article Auguest 8, 1918

(From The Evening Record August 8, 1918)
How Local Boy Met His Death

Frank Van Wetering and Seven Comrades Were Killed in Trench By a Shell.

Frank Van Wetering was Killed in Action on July 15, 1918. This letter from his commanding office did not appear until November 8, 1918 when he returned home and received the family letter.

Word has just reached
Mr. and Mrs. John F. Van Wetering, of
River street, telling how their son,
Frank J. met his death in
the Chateau thierry drive, the information coming from Major William F. Heavey, who was in charge of the young hero's company. The Major also endeavors to locate the burial place for the bereaved parents.

Frank, who was one of Hackensack's popular young men and the second local boy to make the supreme sacrifice, was in Co. C, Sixth U.S. Engineers. Major Heavey is now at Camp Humphrey, Va. His letter follows:

Camp A.A. Humphrey, Va.,
Nov. 4, 1918.
Dear Mrs. Van Wetering: - Your letter in regard to your son reached me today. The delay was due to its not reaching me until I had returned to the United States.

I wish to offer you my sincerest sympathy in the loss of your son. He was a fine boy, well liked by both officers and men. He gave his all for his country.

On the night of the 14th of July,
"C" Company, 6th Engineers, was about eight miles east of Chateau Thierry on the Marne river. At midnight that date the Germans opened up their attack with a terrific artillery bombardment.
"C" Company was ordered into trenches about a half mile from the river where from six in the morning until late in the afternoon this company was shelled by the Germans, who had managed to cross the river. About two in the afternoon an unlucky shell hit right in the trench where "C" Company was posted. Your son and seven other "C" Company boys perished. Frank was instantly killed.

After the Germans has been driven back, the eight victims were buried nearby and a white cross with their names on it placed over the grave.

The exact spot was about 600 yards west of the village of Connigis which is eight miles east of Chateau Thierry and withing a mile of the Marne.

Once again my sincere sympathy, but you have at least the satisfaction that your son gave his all in the battle that turned this war to the favor of the Allies.

Sincerely,
WM. F. HEAVEY,
Major, C of Engineers.