Franklin and Marshall College - Oriflamme Yearbook (Lancaster, PA)

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CAPTAIN PAUL JAY SYKES

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ORIFLAMME 19 CORPORAL JACOB Q. TRUXAL, Jr. Corporal Jacob Q. Truxal, Jr., was born in Greensburg, Pa., April lvl-, 1896. He was educated in the public schools of that place and was graduated from Greensburg High School in 19141. In the fall of that year he entered Franklin and Marshall Col- lege where he spent three years until the call came to the service. While in college he was an active member of the Phi Kappa Psi Fraternity, President of the Diagno- thian Literary Society, President of the Student Senate, Assistant Track Manager and an Editor on the 1918 01111-'mmisli-: Staff. ln June, 1917, Corporal 'l'ruxal enrolled under the provisions of the Selective Service Act and while not chosen to enter the service innnediately, he was given the opportunity to leave with the first contingent of thirteen men from Greensburg. This he did and on Sept. 6, 1917, he entrained for Camp Lee, Petersburg, Va. When he arrived in camp, no companies had as yet been formed, but when this was accom- plished, he was assigned to Company l, 8rd Battalion, 320th Infantry, as Acting Mess Sergeant. Following the winter in Camp Lee, he embarked in May, 1918, for service over- seas. After moving about from place to place his division was placed on the Arras sector in what was then a relatively quiet front. Prior to his death, he had been in the front line trenches once. On August 12 he was ordered up again. On August 13th the Germans sent over a heavy barrage in the van of a raiding party, and Truxal, who prior to embarkation had received his rating as corporal, made an attempt to station his squad in a position of safety. In this execution of his duty he was killed instantly by a German shell. In all of his military life Jacob Trnxal had a keen sense of the seriousness of the work he had undertaken. Not being adapted by nature to the life, and loathing its burdens, he understood the sacrifice involved and made a firm resolve that if he must die, it would be that others might live. Singular as it may seem, he had a. premoni- tion before leaving this country that he was to die, saying in one instance that he did not expect to return. At another time he said.that he would not be a moral coward, that if he came back, he would be a hero, otherwise he would die. Ile died but he also died a hero. In all his life Truxal was a noble Christian, a loyal friend and a devoted comrade. His memory will linger long in the hearts of those who knew him.

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ORIFLAMME 21 CAPTAIN i1AUL JAY SYKES Captain Paul J. Sykes, of the class of 1913, was a well-known figure on the College Campus during his undergrzuluate days. He was interested in his studies and athletics and was on the Varsity foot hall and track teams his Junior and Senior years. Ile was a. memher of the Phi Sigma Kappa Fraternity and the Diagnothian Literary Society. Always known as Rookie, he was looked up to and respected hy his classmates and fellow students as a high type of Christian gentleman. In May, 1917, Captain Sykes entered the service hy enlisting under Dr. Charles P. Stahr, of Lancaster, Pa., in an amhulanee company. For special training he was sent to a medical camp at Fort Benjamin Harrison, where after seven weeks of study he was made a sergeant. He left for Fort Oglethorpe in August, 1917, where he attended the second Oflieers' Training Camp. In November of this year he received his commission as First Lieutenant in the Infantry and was assigned to Company B, 7th U. S. Inf. at Camp Greene. lflere he remained from Deeemher, 1917, until April 1, 1918, when he set out for Camp Merritt. Several days later sailing orders came and on April 16 he landed at Brest, France. From here he traveled to his training area. and in a short time was actively engaged with the enemy. Ile participated in the Marne conflict, fought at Chateau-'l'hierry, relieving the Marines at llelleau Wood, coming out of all these hardships without as much as a scratch. lt was in the Argonne he met his death on the field of honor. Suffering from influenza. and having lost his voice he was ordered to thc hospital hut upon hearing a rumor that relief was coming in a few days he declared or rather refused to go to the hospital, saying he would stick hy his men. So he had a. private giving commands since he was acting Captain of Company 13. That morning the 7th Regiment was in the thick of the conflict, marching in artillery formation and the lnattle was on in earnest. Death came to Captain Sykes instantly for a high explos- ive hurst a few feet hchind him, a fragment piercing his neck. That vcry morning he remarked to his chum and comrade, Lieutenant A. T. Brice, that the war is won and 1 can die happy. The Chaplain huricd him on Madclaine Farm, near the village of Cunel, France, just near where he fell. Later his hody was recovered and now lies huricd in the cemetery, Commune Cuncl, Meuse, France. Un August 16, 1918, he was rceonuuended hy General Pershing for promotion to Captaincy and on Aug. 17, 1918, he was commissioned though he himself never learned of his promotion. Ile had been acting in the capacity of Captain for several weeks prior to his death. Citations for hravery were given him and his regiment after his death.