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World War I Veteran: Mody Andrew Weeks
Cemetery: Crews United Methodist Church
Location: Crews, Lamar County, Alabama
Date Visited: 4/8/2008
Inscription:
Mody Andrew Weeks
Alabama
Pvt. Co. F
7th Engineers
World War I
April 6, 1895 – February 22. 1964
DCS
Discussion:
Mody Andrew Weeks was born April 6, 1895. He was the son of Charles Monroe Weeks and Margaret Della Barton of Crews Depot, Lamar County, Alabama. He died February 22, 1964 and was buried in the cemetery of Crews Methodist Church. Mody’s military tombstone indicates that he was member of the 7th Engineers and that he was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross. Bob Weeks told me that family legend was that Mody was awarded this medal for swimming the Rhine to pull a cable across while under fire. Research reveals a slightly different version of what happened.
On the evening of February 2, 1918 the 5th Division of the America Expeditionary Force occupied a front along the River Meuse near Brieulles, France. The division was ordered to force a crossing of the river. In preparation for this division level assault the 7th Engineers apparently were ordered construct a pontoon over the Meuse and across a nearby canal. Both of the areas were covered by German gun emplacements. For two days attempts were made cross the water hazards and dislodge the enemy. The following citation describes Mody Andrews Weeks behavior during the assault.
Mody A. Weeks, Private
Company F, 7th Engineers.
For extraordinary heroism in action near Brieulles, France, November 3, 1918. Private Weeks showed extraordinary daring and nerve in helping place cables across the River Meuse for a pontoon bridge and later placing cables across the Est Canal for the same purpose. The position was under direct observation of German machine gunners and snipers. Home address, C.M. Weeks, father, Crews Depot, Ala.
Heroes All – A Compendium of the names and official citations of the soldiers and citizens of the United States and of her allies who were decorated by the American Government for exceptional heroism and conspicuous service above and beyond the call of duty in the war with Germany, 1917-1919, Harry R. Stringer, Editor, Fassett Publishing Company 1919. Accessed at Google Books
The History of the A.E. F., Shipley, Thomas, Captain, 26th US Infantry, First Division, A.E.F. Doran Company, 1960. Accessed at Google Books
Cemetery: Crews United Methodist Church
Location: Crews, Lamar County, Alabama
Date Visited: 4/8/2008
Inscription:
Mody Andrew Weeks
Alabama
Pvt. Co. F
7th Engineers
World War I
April 6, 1895 – February 22. 1964
DCS
Discussion:
Mody Andrew Weeks was born April 6, 1895. He was the son of Charles Monroe Weeks and Margaret Della Barton of Crews Depot, Lamar County, Alabama. He died February 22, 1964 and was buried in the cemetery of Crews Methodist Church. Mody’s military tombstone indicates that he was member of the 7th Engineers and that he was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross. Bob Weeks told me that family legend was that Mody was awarded this medal for swimming the Rhine to pull a cable across while under fire. Research reveals a slightly different version of what happened.
On the evening of February 2, 1918 the 5th Division of the America Expeditionary Force occupied a front along the River Meuse near Brieulles, France. The division was ordered to force a crossing of the river. In preparation for this division level assault the 7th Engineers apparently were ordered construct a pontoon over the Meuse and across a nearby canal. Both of the areas were covered by German gun emplacements. For two days attempts were made cross the water hazards and dislodge the enemy. The following citation describes Mody Andrews Weeks behavior during the assault.
Mody A. Weeks, Private
Company F, 7th Engineers.
For extraordinary heroism in action near Brieulles, France, November 3, 1918. Private Weeks showed extraordinary daring and nerve in helping place cables across the River Meuse for a pontoon bridge and later placing cables across the Est Canal for the same purpose. The position was under direct observation of German machine gunners and snipers. Home address, C.M. Weeks, father, Crews Depot, Ala.
Heroes All – A Compendium of the names and official citations of the soldiers and citizens of the United States and of her allies who were decorated by the American Government for exceptional heroism and conspicuous service above and beyond the call of duty in the war with Germany, 1917-1919, Harry R. Stringer, Editor, Fassett Publishing Company 1919. Accessed at Google Books
The History of the A.E. F., Shipley, Thomas, Captain, 26th US Infantry, First Division, A.E.F. Doran Company, 1960. Accessed at Google Books
1 comment:
This was my Uncle Mody A. Weeks. He and a buddy swam the Meuse River with a cable on their back. His buddy was shot and killed while crossing and Uncle Mody carried it on across under gunfire. He also swam the Cat, (Kat) river for the same purpose. I believe this was in France.
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