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Shanghai-Mayne

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FlakMagnet

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Caption: “US Warrant Officer Marcus Reik kneels at the grave of Capt Oliver Cunningham, whom he played taps for at his funeral in 1918, and again in 1944, at the Saint Mihiel American Cemetery in Lorraine, France - October 18, 1944

Marcus L. Reik was born on December 23. 1899 in Danville, Illinois, to William & Alice Reik, he had 10 siblings.
When Marcus was 17 he joined the Army and went to France during WW1 to fight with the 15th Field Artillery as a calvary soldier and a bugler.
Staying in the Army after WW1, Marcus fought in WW2 with the 11th Infantry Regiment, 5th Infantry Division. He retired from the Army in 1947 after serving for 30 years, in retirement enjoying his hobbies of music & photography.

Marcus L. Reik Sr. passed away at the age of 63 on March 13, 1963, and is buried at Roselawn Memorial Park in Terre Haute, Indiana.

Oliver Baty Cunningham was born on September 17, 1894 in Chicago, Illinois to Frank Simpson Cunningham & Lucy Eleanor Baty Cunningham.
A graduate of Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut, Oliver enlisted in the Army in Illinois, and served as a Lt in the 15th Field Artillery Regiment in France. He fought at Chateau Thierry, Vaux, Belleau Woods and St. Mihiel.

Oliver was killed by mortar fire near the village of Jaulny, France, on his 24th birthday; September 17, 1918. He was buried with military honors at a lonely crossroads near the location of his death, with Marcus Reik playing taps at his funeral.

The day after Oliver was killed his captain's commission arrived, dated September 11th. He was awarded both the Distinguished Service Cross and the Silver Star (Posthumously).
Later Oliver’s remains were transferred to the Saint Mihiel American Cemetery, Plot C Row 13 Grave 18.
In the parish church at Thiaucourt a special set of chimes (bells) was dedicated in his memory on May 30, 1920, US Memorial Day.

US Army Signal Corps - SC 195515
Horton Photographer “
 
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