Sergeant Joseph Renick Livesay Jr., USA
Joseph Renick Livesay Jr. was born February 14, 1895 in Marfa, Texas to Joseph and Elizabeth Livesay. In 1906 the family moved to Dona Ana County NM near Anthony where his father owned a dry goods store. He attended NM A&M College in 1914 as a Stenography student. The following year he attended the New Mexico Military Institute. In 1915 he enlisted in the New Mexico Militia and served nine months of border duty at Columbus NM. Following his discharge he took a job at Lesinsky’s store in El Paso. In July 1917 he enlisted in the US Army and was assigned to Company A, 141st Infantry Regiment, 71st Brigade, 36th Infantry Division. The unit trained at Camp Bowie in San Antonio Texas until July 1918 when they shipped to France.
On 4 October 1918 his brigade moved to the vicinity of Suippes in the Marne region in support of the stalled French advance along the Champagne front. The next day they relieved the 2nd Infantry Division and occupied the frontline trenches as part of the continuation of the Blanc Mont offensive. Blanc Mont was a key defensive position in the German Siegfried line and its successful capture was essential to the continued success of the Allied offensive then underway.
On October 8th, 1918 the unit was ordered to attack.
The fierce fighting resulted in 1,300 casualties for the 71st Infantry Brigade, a 20% casualty rate among the American forces including wounds received by Sgt Livesay. On November 13th, Mrs. Livesay received a letter from her son which he had dictated to a nurse. In his letter he tells her that he was wounded in the head and shoulders and was in a temporary hospital near the front lines hoping to be sent to a rear zone hospital shortly. On December 4th, 1918 his parents received word from the US Army that their son, Sergeant Joseph Renick Livesay died on October 17th, 1918 from wounds received. The determined effort of the American troops in taking and holding Blanc Mont was of strategic importance in the advances that eventually led to the end of hostilities. His body was initially buried at the French Military Cemetery near Le Cheppe. Following the war his body was brought back to the United States and reinterred at Arlington National Cemetery.
He was 23 years of age at the time he gave his life in the service of his nation.