Claire Waldo Shultz was born on January 9th, 1895 in Mount Ayr, Iowa. After his birth his family moved to Nebraska. He lived all around Nebraska in his youth. He lived in O’Neill, Norfolk, and Wayne. Shultz worked as a farmer in Wayne County, Nebraska. He worked alone with no wife or kids. From his draft card we know that he was tall and slender. He had blue eyes and light brown hair.

 

He registered on June 5th, 1917. He was 22 years old when he registered. While at war, Shultz served as a division runner. He was part of Company D of the 341st machine gun battalion. He fought hard for his country. He died a few days before the signing of the armistice. He was 23 years old when he died.

 

Claire Waldo Shultz’s funeral was held on August 23, 1921. It began at 4 o’ clock on a Sunday afternoon at the Methodist church in Norfolk, Nebraska. He was buried at Prospect Hill Cemetary in Norfolk. There were many people at his funeral. He was greatly admired and remembered.

 

Holt County Independent

Thursday, August 25, 1921

 

Former O’Neill Boy Buried At Norfolk

 

Norfolk News, Aug. 23: That honor for the boys who served their country is as strongly evidenced today as at the close of the war, was attested by the large attendance at the funeral service for Claire Waldi (sic.) Schultz, who died of wounds in France a few days before the signing of the armistice, which was held at 4 o’clock Sunday afternoon in the Methodist church, with the American Legion in charge, Rev. E. J. T. Connely delivered the sermon.

 

A large number of soldiers and sailors, in uniform, made the service impressive. The pallbearers, Donald Mapes, Frank McNeeley, Byron Ballantyne, Ben Willey, John Dolly and Al Mason, preceded the flag covered casket into the church and behind it came the colors, borne by Color Bearer John Larson, followed by col-or guards Dr. Campbell and Bates.

 

Then the firing squad composed of Clifford Koengstein, George Cornell, Ed. McCune, Ray Musselman, E. Manzer, B. Hamm, William Haas and R E. Laubsch, in charge of Lowell Erskine, marched in, followed by a score of their comrades. The men marched to the cemetery and after prayer and the volley of salutes, Bugler Herbert Willey played the beautiful notes of the taps.

 

Before and after the sermon a quartet. C. L. Pickett, Mrs. Dyckman, Mrs. R. L. Fishback and A. O. Hazen, with Mrs. George Church as organist, sang several selections.

 

Rev. Mr. Connely extolled the soldiers who served their country faithflly (sic.), and cited the fact that Mr. Schultz had died performing his duty as division runner, being shot with shrapnel.

 

-Reprinted with permission from the Holt County Independent.

-Source: US National Archives