William Grouchy Quinn (1896 - 1936)

QUINN, GROUCHY

Posted By: Barry Mateer (email)
Date: 8/20/2024 at 14:30:21

February 11, 1936
Osceola Tribune
Osceola, Iowa

William G. Quinn, former Osceola boy, died at his home at Mountain Grove, Missouri, Wednesday, February 5, of wounds received at Belleau Wood on June 25, 1918. He was 40 years old.

Funeral services were held at the M.E. church in Mountain Grove, on Sunday, February 9, he being a life-long member of that church.

Quinn graduated from the Osceola high school with the class of 1915, having taken an active part in the school affairs. He was one of the editors of a high school annual which was issued that year and was considered one of the best of the many similar books issued by high schools in Iowa that year.

During his years in school here he made his home with his grandmother, Mrs. M.J. Grouchy, and after graduation he entered the government service as a postal clerk at Mountain Grove where he remained until 1918. In February of that year he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps and arrived in France in time to take part in the memorable battle to save Paris, helping engrave on the tablets of American victories the name of Belleau Wood in great capitals.

On June 25th he fell before the withering fire of the German defenders. He was removed to a hospital and it was not until the next November that he was able to be returned to the United States, completely disabled.

For the part his organization, the 18th Co. of the 5th Marines, took in the battle, the French awarded them with the Croix de Guerre.

Since his return to the States, Mr. Quinn has valiantly fought to recover his health. Much of the time has been spent in government hospitals but his condition became steadily worse. He visited here a number of times, the last being in October of last year.

He was a member of the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Masons.

He leaves two children, mother and father, two sisters and two brothers. He was a cousin of Mrs. Lee Easter of Osceola. During the past few years he has made his home with his mother who was his constant companion
and administered care and comforts as only a mother can. His last visit to Osceola was in October, of 1935, when he came to help celebrate his grandmother’s birthday.

He was brave in life and brave in death and when asked about war, replied he would do it all over again if need be.

His aunt, Edith Grouchy, attended the funeral.

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