of Oscar's father, John M. Midkiff
Remember...
Oscar T. Midkiff
1894-1918
"The world breaks everyone, and afterward, some are strong at the broken places."
Ernest Hemingway
of Oscar's father, John M. Midkiff |
Remember...Oscar T. Midkiff
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Oscar Midkiff was born at Bloomingrose, a small community in Boone County, West Virginia, on September 15, 1894. He was the son of John M. Midkiff (1862-1936) and Arrilla Coon Midkiff (1863-1921). Oscar had four brothers: Allen Thurman Midkiff (1888-1974), Jonathan Ray Midkiff (1892-1970), Melvin Odor Midkiff (1903-1985), and Dennis Hazel Midkiff (1906-1976). He also had five sisters, three of whom lived to adulthood: Roxie Della Midkiff Brown (1890-1981), Myrtle A. Midkiff Nelson (1896-1963), R. M. Midkiff (1896 [deceased twin]), Iva Midkiff (1898-1899), and Edna Midkiff Harless (1900-1979).
Oscar spent his time before World War I in his hometown of Bloomingrose. He worked in the coal mine industry at the Sharlow Coal Company mine in Boone County. He was single at the time of being drafted into World War I at the age of 22. He was a private in the Army and was in Company B, 111th Infantry Regiment, 28th Infantry Division. His serial number was 3166222.
World War I began on July 28, 1914, and ended November 11, 1918. Oscar was sent to France to defend attacks from the Germans. During October 1918, the 111th Infantry, 28th Division, Company B was involved in the Battle of Apremont-en-Ardennes. Members of the same unit were involved in the rescue of “The Lost Battalion” nearby in the Ardennes Forest. Oscar was killed in action October 6, 1918, during one of these rescues.
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Oscar is officially buried in Apremont-la-Foret, Department de la Meuse, Lorraine, France, at Plot F, Row 33, Grave 27. Oscar's remains were disinterred twice and permanently reburied in Lorraine on October 6, 1921, three years after his death date. Most World War I KIA soldiers were disinterred multiple times before final burial or sent home to their families. Private Midkiff is also memorialized at the Veterans Memorial in Charleston, West Virginia. |
Oscar is my second cousin four times removed. His great grandfather is Adam Ash Coon, eleventh sheriff of Boone County, West Virginia. Adam is my fifth great grandfather, connecting Oscar and me to the same family.
Article prepared by Caroline Kuhn
March 2024
West Virginia Archives and History welcomes any additional information that can be provided about these veterans, including photographs, family names, letters and other relevant personal history.