McGrath family and extended family members gather for the unveiling of the plaque (inset right) honoring their kinsman Eugene Michael McGrath, who is still Missing in Action in World War I.
A special Armistice tribute in New London, Wisconsin
By Robert Laplander
Special to the United States World War One Centennial Commission web site
On November 11th, the 100th anniversary of the armistice that ended the fighting in Europe in World War I, I had the humble prestige of being the guest of honor at the farm in New London, Wisconsin, where Eugene Michael McGrath was born.
Mike was Killed in Action (KIA) on October 5th, 1918 with Company C/308th Infantry/77th Division, while trapped in the Charlevaux Ravine with the Lost Battalion. His remains later went unidentified, and he is officially listed as Missing in Action (MIA) to this day.
It was his case that launched us on what has become the Doughboy MIA project when one of his dog tags turned up in the Pocket and came into my possession. Because of the 15 year research I've done into McGrath's case, the family decided to buy back the family farm, and have a plaque made to honor Mike's memory.
The family asked if I would come up, speak at the ceremony at the local American Legion post, and then help install the plaque. Of course I could not turn the invitation down. Therefore my son John and I drove the 2.5 hours up there and spent the day with the McGrath extended family who came in from all over the country.
Author Robert Laplander with the McGrath plaqueIt was an incredible day, filled with emotion, gratitude, and reverence.
In a career filled with honors and amazing adventure, this was perhaps the most humbling example of the extended results of my work. It's amazing to think I have been allowed to play a part in this story.
One of the ladies said to me as I was leaving, "You know, none of this would have happened if it hadn't been for your work. You brought the family back together." I was simply blown away by that! I would have never believed back in 1997 when I started researching the Lost Battalion that anything so special and amazing would come from all this, or that I would play a part in something like I did today. It really makes you think, you know?
Bless you to all the Doughboys on that day of days, and most especially to those who never made it home.
As we move into 2019, the efforts of Doughboy MIA will be stepping up, as will those in the world of the Lost Battalion. There's more work to be done!
Robert Laplander is the Founder and Director of the Doughboy MIA project of the U.S. World War One Centennial Commission. He is also the author of Finding the Lost Battalion.
Reclaimed McGrath family home with homestead sign (inset)
Extended family of MIA Eugene Michael McGrath gathers before the ceremony to place a commemorative plaque on his birthplace.
Author Robert Laplander (left) and a McGrath family member help affix the plaque honoring Eugene Michael McGrath at the family farm in Wisconsin.
The McGrath family farm in Wisconsin with the plaque honoring Eugene Michael McGrath, still MIA in WWI.