Private Burt Austin Markham

Early Life

Burt Austin Markham was born on April 5, 1889, in Waseca, Minnesota. He grew up on the family farm in Alma City with his parents John and Nessie, brother James, and sister Ella. Markham graduated from Janesville High School in 1906. He played both the clarinet and the violin. After graduating from high school, Markham moved to Minneapolis and worked as a stenographer for the National Novelty Company.

Markham continued his education at the University of Minnesota in 1913. While there, he played the violin in the University Symphony Orchestra and was a member of Sigma Delta Chi, the society of professional journalists. Markham loved to write. During his time at the university, Markham worked as a journalist writing about agricultural issues for the Barron County News, in Barron, Wisconsin. Due to the outbreak of World War I, Markham never graduated.

Military Experience

Markham joined the National Guard’s 2^nd Minnesota Field Artillery in October 1917. He drilled with the unit until it was disbanded in April 1918. Markham immediately enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps and began basic training at Parris Island, South Carolina, on May 13, 1918.

After completing the seven-week boot camp, Markham was sent to Band School on Parris Island from July 1 to 23, 1918. On July 25, he transferred to Company B, 5^th Separate Battalion in Quantico, Virginia, for three weeks of additional training before departing for France.

On August 17, Markham boarded the USS Von Steuben and departed for Europe the next day, arriving after nine days at sea in Brest, France on August 27. He received two more weeks of training in preparation to move to the front. On September 11, Markham joined his combat unit, 80^th Company, 2^nd Battalion, 6^th Marine Regiment at the front.

Saint-Mihiel

The Saint-Mihiel Offensive was scheduled to commence the following day, September 12. Markham and his new unit moved into position at night to remain unseen by the Germans. It rained throughout the evening, and on the morning of September 12, the men were wet and muddy. The offensive began at 5:00 a.m. with Markham’s 6^th Marines following in support of the 2^nd Division’s lead units. By midday, the division pushed forward five miles and reached the operational objective: taking control of the high ground north of Thiaucourt.

On September 13, the 6^th Marines relieved the lead unit, set up their defenses, and prepared to push the remaining Germans out of a forest to the north. At 5:00 a.m. on September 15, Markham’s 80^th Company led 2^nd Battalion, 6^th Marines on a patrol into the forest to clear the German defenses. The patrol route was flanked by two steep hills, which unknown to the Marines, concealed two German companies. Shortly into the patrol, German machine guns raked the 80^th Company from both sides. Markham was shot multiple times, amputating his left arm and breaking his femur. He was treated in the field hospital but ultimately succumbed to his wounds the next day.

Eulogy

John and Nellie Markham were informed of their son’s death on December 14, 1918. They decided to leave him buried in France because, as Nellie wrote, that is where he “fought and died.” In 1929, Nellie Markham was invited to join the Gold Star Mother Pilgrimage to visit her son’s grave. She accepted the invitation and began the journey from Minnesota to France on July 19, 1930. After ten days of travel Mrs. Markham arrived in Cherbourg, France and on August 4, Nellie Markham stood at her son’s final resting place.

Burt Austin Markham is buried in Thiaucourt-Regniéville, France, France at the St. Mihiel American Cemetery, plot D, row 29, grave 28.

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