Individual Details

Military

Raleigh Knerr enlisted for service in World War I in Lewistown November 4, 1917, as a member of Fergus County's first volunteer contingent to ship overseas at the beginning of this country's participation in World War I. He served with distinction overseas in the battles of Cantigny, Salissone, and St. Mihiel. He was wounded by a high explosive shell at Cantigny on May 4, 1918 and again at St. Mihiel on September 12, 1918. In the St. Mihiel incident he was reported as dead and special memorial services were held in Lewistown. Raleigh was listed as Fergus County's first World War casualty and Gold Star soldier, only to be reinstated among the living after lying on a shell-torn battlefield in France sorely wounded and almost dead for many hours. Raleigh carried to his death many marks of the valiant part he had had in the war, including a silver skull plate. Raleigh is remembered as a lonely figure riding his horse all over the country with his faithful dog following along.