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

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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.

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CAPTAIN PAUL JAY SYKES

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PRIVATE AUSTIN LEONARD GROVE