John Allen Bobo 1895 - 1918 John Allen Bobo was born May 10, 1895 in Sebastian Co., Arkansas to James "Jim" Spence & Dorothy Lula Favors Bobo. John enlisted in the US Army in Bonanzo, Sebastian Co., Ar. He was killed July 19, 1918 at Thiery, Alpes-Maritimes, Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur, France. His story is in the newspaper article below. His burial was in Hackett, Sebastian Co., Ar. in Mountain View Cemetery there. ----------------------------------------- SOUTHWEST AMERICAN - SUNDAY MORNING, AUGUST 11, 1918 - FRONT PAGE BONANZA BOY DIES FOR HIS COUNTRY Special to The Southwest American BONANZA, Arkansas, August 10 Official information reached here today that Sergeant John A. Bobo of this town had been killed in action in France. John A. Bobo, son of James A. Bobo and Lulu Bobo of Bonanza, was killed on the field of battle, July 19, 1918, according to the information, and was leading his men of Company E, Sixteenth Infantry, in the battle of the Aisne-Marne, when he was killed. Johnnie, as all is friends called him, enlisted in April 1917 and sailed for France the following June, getting into the trenches in January of this year. In all his many letters home, he wrote most cheerfully, spoke of his love for his country, and expressed the hope of being able to return home soon, after Old Glory had been carried to victory. Besides his aged parents and three sisters, he leaves hundred of friends to mourn his loss. Memorial services will be held at the Presbyterian church at Bonanza on Sunday, August 18, at 3 p.m., in honor of the first Bonanza boy to lay down his life in the cause of liberty and freedom for all, forever. ___________________________________________________________ CITATION "Bobo, John, Sergeant: Deceased. Company E, 16th Infantry. For extraordinary heroism in action near Soissons, France, July 18-19, 1918. When his company's advance was seriously threatened by the terrific fire from a machine-gun nest, Sergeant Bobo personally killed the machine-gun crew and captured the gun. Later in the same action, he led a party of two squads against an enemy strong point, capturing 2 officers, 125 men, and 12 machine guns that were delivering a sweeping fire, threatening the success of the entire operation. Sgt. Bobo was killed shortly after the completion of this extraordinary feat. Next of kin, Lulu Bobo, mother, Bonanza, Ark." Posthumously conferred the Distinguished Service Cross and the Victory Medal.