Wittenberg University - Witt Yearbook (Springfield, OH)

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1 a i a ® If p W i 11 p tt b p r g p r 1319 Ensign Wheldon Arbogast r”IE was graduated from Springfield High School in 1914, went x xtwo years to Wittenberg, and it was during his Sophomore year that he enlisted in the Naval Reserves, February 10, 1918. He was called into service one month later, March 10, 1918. He received a six weeks training at Cleveland, then was transferred to an ore boat, which ran between Gary, Indiana, and Duluth, Minnesota, and here received six more weeks of training. At the end of that time a final examination was given and those receiv- ing a high per cent were sent to the officers’ training school at Pelham Bay, New York. Young Arbogast was among those for- tunate enough to pass the examination, and thus was received at Pelham Bay. During his training here of eight most strenu- ous weeks, he won a great many friends by his amiable dispo- sition. At the end of that time, those having passed the final examination were given commissions. Wheldon received his commission as “Ensign” on August 10, 1918. He received a fur- lough of ten days and upon his return to New York was perma- nently assigned to duty on the U. S. S. Herman Trasch, a cargo carrier, on September 22, 1918. They had been out about four days when the accident occurred. The vessel collided at night with the American tank steamship George G. Henry, about one hundred and fifty miles southeast of the Nova Scotian coast, and went down in seven minutes. She carried a crew of thirteen officers and seventy-six men, and only forty-one were saved. Wheldon was among those lost at sea Abrogast was a member of the Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity. nine

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i g i g St 1) t W tlt?ttb?rg r 1313 Lieutenant Neal I). Adelsberger I IEUT. NEAL D. ADELSBERGER met his death August 8, 1918, in an aeroplane accident at Taliaferro Feld, Hicks, Texas. He was born in Springfield, Ohio, December 18, 1895. In June, 1914, he graduated from the Springfield High School. In his Junior year he was appointed editor of “The Herald,’' a bi-weekly school paper. Already he had begun to display marked literary ability, as was shown by his receiving, in his Senior year, fifty dollars as first prize in his district and second prize in the state, in an essay contest celebrating the One Hundredth Anniversary of the great victory of Admiral Perry over the British; more than one thousand essays were entered in this contest. In September, 1914, Lieut. Adelspcrger entered Wittenberg College, from which institution he was awarded his diploma with the class of 1918, although he had en- listed in the service of his country in December of his Senior year. In his Junior year he was Wittenberg’s correspondent for the “Daily News,” also for “The Columbus Citizen.” He made use of his unusual literary talent, first as associate editor, and later as editor-in-chief of his college paper, “The Torch,” and also as assistant editor of the annual “Wittenberger.” Lieut. Adelsperger likewise possessed great musical and artistic gifts, the former of which were seen in his connection, for three years, with the Wittenberg Glee Club. At the time of his enlistment in December, 1917, he was president of his class, and also president of Ohio Beta Chapter of Phi Kappa Psi. Wishing to do his part in the battle against the Huns, Lieut Adelsperger enlisted in December, 1917, although it was with difficulty that he was able to get in the flying squadron. He went to Cincinnati, Ohio, where two operations were performed, and he was accepted in that branch of the fighting forces of the United States. In Feb- ruary, 1918, he entered the ground school at the University of Illinois, where he re- mained two months. There, in a class of eighty-five, he and a fellow-student ranked first in the aeroplane and wireless examinations. He was then transferred to a concentration camp at Dallas, Texas, and while there was appointed Supply Sergeant. On April 8th, he was moved to Taliaferro Field, Hicks, Texas, where he received his commission as Second Lieutenant on August 3, 1918, just five days prior to his death. As a cadet he had made a good record, having never had the slightest accident with his plane. Lieut. Adelsporgcr’s untimely death came as a distinct shock to his many friends. He was a conscientious student, above all manly and fearless, yet, unusually gentle and reverent, and his life was indeed a worthy sacrifice for his country, and the cause for which he stood. He was a Mason, member of St. Andrew’s Lodge No. 619, F. A. M.; also a mem- ber of High Street Methodist Episcopal church, from which place the funeral was held. A military carriage, drawn by four black horses, conveyed the body of Lieut. Adelspcrger to its last resting place. A beautiful tribute was paid the hero by a squadron of aeroplanes from Wilbur Wright Field, which hovered overhead, with the aviators scattering flowers on the flag draped casket as the funeral procession wended its way to Ferncliff cemetery, with muffled drums and every military solemnity the body of Lieut Adelsperger was laid to rest. Taps were sounded at the grave, and a last salute from the rifles of a firing squadron from Wilbur Wright Field, rang out as the casket was lowered into the grave. cfcv n